FIC: 6543210 (F/R, P/Q)
title: 6543210
author:berry_hearts
disclaimer: i do not own glee, the o.c., or gossip girl and make no profit from this work of fiction
rating: a few f-bombs so PG-14 to be safe.
prompt: how can Finn be the father of Drizzle and Puck and Rachel be okay with it?
warnings: AUish Futurefic. Vague spoilers for Sectionals.: Puck/Rachel FRIENDSHIP.
AN: I was so depressed after reading As You Lean into the Light (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5557122/3/) i wrote seven pages in an hour. It's a good fic it just depressed me so much i had to leave work and cry.
AN2: if you would like to be on my fic preview filter, or know anyone who would please let me know..
An3: not beta'd. this is how my stream of consciousness works. glee, gossip girl, the o.c. and then veronica mars. bonus points if you get the VM reference!!
**
Six Years Later
After college she moved into an apartment with Puck.
At the time it seemed like the best idea, he was in New York, she was in New York and their once whirlwind affair had dwindled into a camaraderie of those who had loved and lost. They spend five weeks searching for an apartment, and a “friend of a friend” that Puck has at NYU recommends this building in Brooklyn that is- absolutely perfect.
It’s so New York, with lofts and she has Puck haul in her stuff up the stairs and takes the larger bedroom facing the street. She helps Puck unpack all of the stuff their parents sent from Lima and they eat cold pizza on the floor of their kitchen the first night.
She paints her walls purple, Paints Puck’s room plaid and arranges their little loft perfectly. All by ten o’clock in the morning the next day.
“You’re a freak.”
“Thanks.” Rachel sighed, staring up at the ceiling of their living room. She had flopped onto the couch ten minutes ago, her mind racing about auditions, and the city, and-
“I’m sorry I’m not him, Rachel.” Noah had always been good at reading her, and she nods wearily at him before she realizes he’s crying too. She had been so busy for the past few weeks it was so easy to forget that her heart was broken. She reaches her arm across the two couches and holds his hand in comfort.
Tears shed, she wipes her face and then she hears it- Someone singing.
“If you say one word about West Side Story or RENT I am going to punch you.” Puck grumbled before grabbing his guitar and holding his hand out for her. She smiles for the first time in weeks when they run up the stairs and pound on every door until they find the only other resident of the apartment.
“Holy Shit that’s Rufus Humphrey.” Puck swore, combing his hair back and wiping his hands on his jeans. She had known Puck for ten years and she had never seen him this nervous. Never seen him nervous at all actually.
“Oh, you’re Blair’s friend.” He smiled shaking Puck’s hand. “My wife bought the building and I come back to jam sometimes. Hope it doesn’t bother you.”
Rufus Humphrey. From that band with that one song. He aged very well-
“No, not at all, Noah and I are very musically inclined.” Rachel smiled sticking her hand out. “I’m Rachel Berry.”
**
Five Months Later
“Daddy, come on. We’re going to be late.” Sarah grumbled, pulling his on his hand and dragging them towards the school. Jack smirked at her antics, he had never seen a girl more excited to go to elementary school.
“Okay, Okay we’re going.” Jack smiled, pushing his sunglasses onto his head and increasing his pace. He loved his daughter, but honestly it was too early to be sprinting around like this. He hadn’t even had his coffee yet, Jane had kicked him out the door with the trash and the kid and he-
Jack stopped staring at a flyer that had fallen on the ground. It was old, it had been run over by a few cars at least, but the print was clear, “Rachel Berry and Rufus Humphrey live at the 13th Street Cafe.” The girl in the picture looked so familiar.
Too familiar.
He pocketed the flyer and let Sarah tug him the rest of the way towards her school. They had just moved to New York, their therapist in Cleveland thought that it was about time they started their lives. Amnesia wasn’t an excuse to quit living. Someone had found the two of them, drugged and roughed up in the back of a train car. Jane almost lost the baby, and they were both in the hospital for days before being released. They spent the past six years in Cleveland, but something had always told Jack that he needed to be in New York. So he moved the family to the City that never sleeps and was happy with the decision.
“Now remember- never get into cars with strangers and don’t swear or pull other little girl’s hair.” Jack smiled giving Sarah a quick hug before watching her skip into the old brick building. “I love you Drizzle.”
“Daddy! You need to quit calling me that in Public!” Sarah growled, obviously embarrassed, “I love you too, Daddy.”
**
Four Weeks Later
Rachel fluttered around him, checking his tie, making sure his socks matched, it was annoying. He already had one mother he didn’t need a second one. His first real job and he couldn’t even enjoy it because Rachel Berry was his 24/7buzzkill.
“Chill, Berry. If you get that hairspray shit on me-” He threatened. Defeated she put the can back in the bathroom and kissed him on the cheek.
“Have a nice day at work Sweetie!”
It was just a lame teaching job-their old teacher spent the whole term sleeping off his booze. They didn’t sing or anything, and the school had spend beaucoup bucks on saving their music program. Thank god he was talented and on the prowl for MILFs.
The school was only ten blocks away so he shouldered his guitar and sheet music Mr. Schue had sent him and hoofed it to the school. Rachel promised to stop by during lunch, her auditions were hitting a slow point now, and she was waiting for theater season to startup again. Which really meant she was checking up on him. He only cried once a year and that time had passed. He was fine really.
He could lie to himself real easy.
Shit he was late. Dashing down the hallway, he dropped his stuff into his tiny closet of an office and ran up the stairs to his classroom. Where 30 kindergartners were staring at him. And not blinking. Maybe he was in over his head. What did you teach kindergartners?
“I’m Mr. Puckerman, but you all can call me Mr. P or Mr. Puck.” He smiled shakily, putting his guitar down on the piano bench. Their little heads followed his movements, and he could practically hear their heads snap back into place when he turned around.
“Are we actually going to sing?” A dark-haired girl in the front raised her hand, but kept talking anyway. “Because Mr. Hartford just sat there and he was really mean.”
“What’s your name, Ms. Bossy?”
“My name is Sarah Marie Smith, Mr. Puck. My Mommy and Daddy are very good singers.” She explained, “I like Music.”
Puck smirked and sat on top of his desk. “Know any good songs?”
**
Jane watched the exchange going on between her boss and her boss’s boyfriend (husband?lover?), one part shock, one part amusement. They were arguing over comic books. And no one was really winning.
“Seth you need to shut up. You’re not going to win this fight.” Summer sighed, punching him in the arm. He flinched, but continued on.
“Those comic books are collectors items. They were already printed when the rainforest was more intact, so recycling them now would probably- hurt the water table or something. Lead paint! Lead Paint!”
Summer Roberts was her role model. She went to Brown, worked for GEORGE and now worked as a consultant for corporate/celebrity responsibility. Being her assistant was an honor- but very confusing.
“I love you, you crazy psycho. I’m leaving before you have a rage blackout on your new assistant.” Seth kissed her cheek and snuck the comic books of Summer’s desk before running for the elevator.
“He is horrible! I HATE YOU SETH COHEN!” Summer closed her eyes and counted to four before sitting at her desk. “Now what else is on the schedule today? I know we have an appointment with VDW.”
“Yes, Ms. Van der Woodsen will be here at noon to talk about her clients.” Jane read from her PDA, “Your friend Taylor called wanting to know if you’re free next week when she visits, and Seth left a message earlier today saying that he was sorry his business trip is on your birthday.”
“He loves Stan Lee more than he loves me.” Summer sighed. “You have a boyfriend, Jane?”
“I have a six-year-old.” Jane smiled, “Sarah is the cutest little girl.” She doesn’t know why she never remembers to mention Jack as her boyfriend. Must be a before the accident thing. But she was determined to move on, she dyed her hair red and quit waiting for her memory to come back.
She moved on.
“I bet.” Summer smiled. “Well let’s go save the environment!”
**
Three Days Later
“This girl is brilliant. Like- the next you.”
Rachel finished her plate of tofu bacon and eggs and smiled, happy that Puck was adjusting to his new job so well. He wouldn’t shut up about it. This girl, Sarah was apparently god’s gift to pre-schoolers. She loved to sing and dance and- that was probably why she was going to an Elementary school for Artistic kids.
“Eat your food. You and younger girls.” She joked lamely.
“She- I- I think that’s what I would have liked my kid to be like.” He adds quietly, twirling the noodles around his plate, “and I know that’s messed up, but she’s really talented, Rach.”
“Fine, I will come and talk to your kids.” Rachel sighed. “Just because I went to Tisch does not mean a bunch of kids want to see me.”
She touched her hair up with hairspray and hoped she looked presentable. She had gotten her first official callback for a commercial for American Apparel and would probably just take the subway downtown after meeting Puck’s prodigy child.
“We’re leaving now, because you’re always late.” Rachel shoved him out the door and held his arm while they strolled towards the quaint little school Puck worked at. The little kids were probably falling over themselves to impress the handsome teacher with the skinny ties.
Puck was still pouting that he didn’t get to stare at himself in the mirror, but Rachel let it go. He could deal with it. After shoving her coat on top of Puck’s desk she sat patiently, watching the little kids filter in lugging instruments or sheet music. She would have thrived in a place like this.
“Well where is she?” Rachel frowned, noting the empty space near the front of the room.
“The one day she’s gone!” Puck groaned. “Kelsey, have you seen Sarah today?”
“No, Mr. Puck. She was at dance rehearsal last night!”
Sighing, Rachel sat in Puck’s chair while he took attendance, glancing towards the door.
“-Sarah you look fine. You’re the one who doesn’t want us to be late!”
She knew that voice. It haunted her dreams. It was the only thing she could think about. Tiptoeing for the door, she threw one look towards Puck’s back before heading into the hallway where Sarah, girl prodigy was talking to her father.
Her father that sounded a lot like Finn.
And it was him. Same scruffy hair. Same stupid hoodies he liked to wear- same stupid sunglasses he liked.
The little girl ran past her, smiling bright up at her and her mind was convinced. That girl was a perfect clone of Quinn. Well, with brown hair. She was crazy, delusional. Finn and Quinn were dead. There was no way that they were alive. The car they were in was totaled. Her feet were running before she could stop them, her heels clicking against the old wooden floor. “FINN!”
**
Jack turned around in the hallway, wondering what crazy person would be yelling in an elementary school during class. The woman was beautiful- so tiny- but she looked very mad. At him.
“Um, can I help you?” Jack frowned, removing his baseball cap and wiping his brow. They were very late and he had to sprint, carrying Sarah so she didn’t get a pink slip. Apparently when “Mr. P” gave them it was frowned upon because he was the “coolest teacher ever”. “Have we met before? You look really familiar.”
And then she reeled her arm back and slapped him- hard. It hurt, “What the hell was that for Rachel?” Wait who was Rachel? Was she Rachel? Was he finally remembering something? “Wait are you Rachel? And please don’t slap me I’ve had amnesia for a long time and finally remembering something is good- and stuff.”
The woman, Rachel, started to cry, and Jack sat down on the floor next to her as she crumbled. Something about her was so familiar- oh her face was on that flyer he kept in his back pocket. Her sobs hurt- something inside of him was breaking with her, and he put an arm around her trying to calm her down. Images of hugging her in a bowling alley flooded his head- he didn’t know what was real anymore.
“Your name is Finn Hudson and once upon a time we were in love.” She sniffled, not able to look at him. He dug the flyer out of his pocket, and handed it to her.
“I saw it on the street and I kept it. What I’m trying to say is that I believe you.”
**
Two Hours Later
“I am so sorry, Summer. I will grab you a soy latte on the way back. I don’t want Sarah to starve.” Jane spoke into her bluetooth. She grabbed the ladybug lunch bag out of her briefcase and stormed into the school, praying that her daughter wasn’t talking to the principal about her horrible mother. Wedging her way into the door past a man exiting, she headed for the classroom, and hesitantly knocked on the door.
“Hi, I’m Jane Smith, I accidentally grabbed Sarah’s lunch today.”
“Hi Mommy! Mr. Puck gave me his lunch!” Sarah tugged on the bottom of her jacket and pulled her towards the back of the classroom where a man was playing “Papa Don’t Preach” on his guitar. That was one of the only things she remembered from before- that she loved that song. And she was horrible at baking.
“That’s my favorite Madonna song.” Jane smiled, holding her hand out to shake his hand. His dark eyes squinted at her, but he shook the weird look off and shook her proffered hand.
She handed the ladybug lunchbox to Mr. Puck and tried to hide the flush in her cheeks. He was attractive, but she was in a relationship. And flirting with your child’s teacher was lowbrow no matter how you spun it.
“She doesn’t like Ham, and we were out of peanut butter so it’s a kosher hot dog. Only thing left in the fridge.”
“It’s okay, I’m Jewish.” He put down the guitar and the kids around him collectively went “AWWww”, but he ate the hot dog happy enough.
“You remind me of someone.” She speaks, surprising even herself, “I mean I’ve had amnesia for the better part of six years so I doubt that you actually remind me of someone- especially because I’m from Ohio.”
Mr. Puck squints at her again, before glancing at Sarah. And then he’s ushering out of the classroom and into the teacher’s lounge.
**
Puck removed her glasses and messed with her hair- and god damnit it was her. After all this fucking time, she was alive and well. And raising his kid.
“I cannot fucking believe you would do this to me, Quinn. This is a new low even for us. For those nine fucking months you said you didn’t want her and then you fucking turned tail and ran.”
Quinn, red-headed, alternate universe Quinn, stepped away from him and put her glasses back on. “I-I have no idea what you’re saying to me. I was in an accident and I’ve had amnesia-” She slid to the floor holding her head. “Puck?”
And damn him, he rushed over to her and heard the whole sob story. They were found in an outbound train in Cleveland. She almost lost the baby twice, because they looked like they had been robbed and she almost died. When she woke up she had no memory.
Sarah was his daughter.
“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure what he was sorry for, but he was sorry for a lot. But since day one, there was no doubt- the wrecked car was a prop and Quinn ran off with Finn with his kid. He didn’t have the heart to tell Rachel that they got left behind, but he looked out for Rachel because if Finn wasn’t around to do it, someone had to.
“My name’s Jane.” She added somewhat pathetically. He wanted to shake her until she remembered. But she had been Jane for the past six years- how did he-
“My name’s Puck. And I knocked you up.”
He couldn’t take Jane away from her. He would just hide his secret from Rachel and everything would be fine.
Everything would be fine.
**
1 Minute Later
Rachel showed Finn-jack-Finn her scrapbook, and hesitantly waited for a reaction.
He leafed through the pages, glee club, the mattress commercial, bowling. Sectionals. Finn’s mom had sent her some childhood pictures a few weeks ago and she pasted those in too.
“We were in glee club together. You the strapping male lead.”
“You the stunning young ingénue everyone roots for.” Finn finished, “I remember a few things now, Rach. The doctor said it would be easier to remember stuff if we saw things that were familiar. So you live here with Puck.”
“As friends.” She quickly added. “I never got over it. The car accident- I almost hired a private detective from California to find you, but Puck kept saying you guys ran off and- I know you’re not the same Finn, or Jack or whoever you are but I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Rachel wanted him to be happy. Even if that meant without her.
“I- I would like to stick around. If that’s okay. I-I-I’ve had nightmares for a long time since it happened. One about a mailman, one about my D-D-Dad. But I never told Jane this, but I had one where I was singing Don’t Stop Believing with her. And I knew it was wrong. I wanted it to be you.”
She knows the situation is stupid, but she lets him grab her face and kisses him like she used to.
She blames the muscle memory but they sink into the lovesac’s that Puck insisted they needed, and five hours later when Puck stumbles in the door with Quinn’s feet wrapped around his ankles she tries not to judge.
Except for the red hair. She reserved the right to judge that.
**
0 seconds later
Sarah looked up at her father, the man who raised her and Mr. Puck, her favorite teacher. Who was actually her birth dad and some long complicated story about amnesia and love. She didn’t understand half of it, and her mother was crying and Ms. Berry was crying, and then there was this whole scene because some neighbor guy stopped by and Mommy’s boss was there and -
Grownups were confusing.
“What does this MEAN.” She asked finally.
“Well we’re moving into the Apartment building and Daddy’s going to live with Rachel, and I’m going to move in with Mr. Puck. Your Birth Dad.” Her mother smiled softly, pulling her into her lap, “He still loves you, the family’s just gotten a bit bigger.”
Sarah was okay with that because Rachel looked nice.
**
author:berry_hearts
disclaimer: i do not own glee, the o.c., or gossip girl and make no profit from this work of fiction
rating: a few f-bombs so PG-14 to be safe.
prompt: how can Finn be the father of Drizzle and Puck and Rachel be okay with it?
warnings: AUish Futurefic. Vague spoilers for Sectionals.: Puck/Rachel FRIENDSHIP.
AN: I was so depressed after reading As You Lean into the Light (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5557122/3/) i wrote seven pages in an hour. It's a good fic it just depressed me so much i had to leave work and cry.
AN2: if you would like to be on my fic preview filter, or know anyone who would please let me know..
An3: not beta'd. this is how my stream of consciousness works. glee, gossip girl, the o.c. and then veronica mars. bonus points if you get the VM reference!!
**
Six Years Later
After college she moved into an apartment with Puck.
At the time it seemed like the best idea, he was in New York, she was in New York and their once whirlwind affair had dwindled into a camaraderie of those who had loved and lost. They spend five weeks searching for an apartment, and a “friend of a friend” that Puck has at NYU recommends this building in Brooklyn that is- absolutely perfect.
It’s so New York, with lofts and she has Puck haul in her stuff up the stairs and takes the larger bedroom facing the street. She helps Puck unpack all of the stuff their parents sent from Lima and they eat cold pizza on the floor of their kitchen the first night.
She paints her walls purple, Paints Puck’s room plaid and arranges their little loft perfectly. All by ten o’clock in the morning the next day.
“You’re a freak.”
“Thanks.” Rachel sighed, staring up at the ceiling of their living room. She had flopped onto the couch ten minutes ago, her mind racing about auditions, and the city, and-
“I’m sorry I’m not him, Rachel.” Noah had always been good at reading her, and she nods wearily at him before she realizes he’s crying too. She had been so busy for the past few weeks it was so easy to forget that her heart was broken. She reaches her arm across the two couches and holds his hand in comfort.
Tears shed, she wipes her face and then she hears it- Someone singing.
“If you say one word about West Side Story or RENT I am going to punch you.” Puck grumbled before grabbing his guitar and holding his hand out for her. She smiles for the first time in weeks when they run up the stairs and pound on every door until they find the only other resident of the apartment.
“Holy Shit that’s Rufus Humphrey.” Puck swore, combing his hair back and wiping his hands on his jeans. She had known Puck for ten years and she had never seen him this nervous. Never seen him nervous at all actually.
“Oh, you’re Blair’s friend.” He smiled shaking Puck’s hand. “My wife bought the building and I come back to jam sometimes. Hope it doesn’t bother you.”
Rufus Humphrey. From that band with that one song. He aged very well-
“No, not at all, Noah and I are very musically inclined.” Rachel smiled sticking her hand out. “I’m Rachel Berry.”
**
Five Months Later
“Daddy, come on. We’re going to be late.” Sarah grumbled, pulling his on his hand and dragging them towards the school. Jack smirked at her antics, he had never seen a girl more excited to go to elementary school.
“Okay, Okay we’re going.” Jack smiled, pushing his sunglasses onto his head and increasing his pace. He loved his daughter, but honestly it was too early to be sprinting around like this. He hadn’t even had his coffee yet, Jane had kicked him out the door with the trash and the kid and he-
Jack stopped staring at a flyer that had fallen on the ground. It was old, it had been run over by a few cars at least, but the print was clear, “Rachel Berry and Rufus Humphrey live at the 13th Street Cafe.” The girl in the picture looked so familiar.
Too familiar.
He pocketed the flyer and let Sarah tug him the rest of the way towards her school. They had just moved to New York, their therapist in Cleveland thought that it was about time they started their lives. Amnesia wasn’t an excuse to quit living. Someone had found the two of them, drugged and roughed up in the back of a train car. Jane almost lost the baby, and they were both in the hospital for days before being released. They spent the past six years in Cleveland, but something had always told Jack that he needed to be in New York. So he moved the family to the City that never sleeps and was happy with the decision.
“Now remember- never get into cars with strangers and don’t swear or pull other little girl’s hair.” Jack smiled giving Sarah a quick hug before watching her skip into the old brick building. “I love you Drizzle.”
“Daddy! You need to quit calling me that in Public!” Sarah growled, obviously embarrassed, “I love you too, Daddy.”
**
Four Weeks Later
Rachel fluttered around him, checking his tie, making sure his socks matched, it was annoying. He already had one mother he didn’t need a second one. His first real job and he couldn’t even enjoy it because Rachel Berry was his 24/7buzzkill.
“Chill, Berry. If you get that hairspray shit on me-” He threatened. Defeated she put the can back in the bathroom and kissed him on the cheek.
“Have a nice day at work Sweetie!”
It was just a lame teaching job-their old teacher spent the whole term sleeping off his booze. They didn’t sing or anything, and the school had spend beaucoup bucks on saving their music program. Thank god he was talented and on the prowl for MILFs.
The school was only ten blocks away so he shouldered his guitar and sheet music Mr. Schue had sent him and hoofed it to the school. Rachel promised to stop by during lunch, her auditions were hitting a slow point now, and she was waiting for theater season to startup again. Which really meant she was checking up on him. He only cried once a year and that time had passed. He was fine really.
He could lie to himself real easy.
Shit he was late. Dashing down the hallway, he dropped his stuff into his tiny closet of an office and ran up the stairs to his classroom. Where 30 kindergartners were staring at him. And not blinking. Maybe he was in over his head. What did you teach kindergartners?
“I’m Mr. Puckerman, but you all can call me Mr. P or Mr. Puck.” He smiled shakily, putting his guitar down on the piano bench. Their little heads followed his movements, and he could practically hear their heads snap back into place when he turned around.
“Are we actually going to sing?” A dark-haired girl in the front raised her hand, but kept talking anyway. “Because Mr. Hartford just sat there and he was really mean.”
“What’s your name, Ms. Bossy?”
“My name is Sarah Marie Smith, Mr. Puck. My Mommy and Daddy are very good singers.” She explained, “I like Music.”
Puck smirked and sat on top of his desk. “Know any good songs?”
**
Jane watched the exchange going on between her boss and her boss’s boyfriend (husband?lover?), one part shock, one part amusement. They were arguing over comic books. And no one was really winning.
“Seth you need to shut up. You’re not going to win this fight.” Summer sighed, punching him in the arm. He flinched, but continued on.
“Those comic books are collectors items. They were already printed when the rainforest was more intact, so recycling them now would probably- hurt the water table or something. Lead paint! Lead Paint!”
Summer Roberts was her role model. She went to Brown, worked for GEORGE and now worked as a consultant for corporate/celebrity responsibility. Being her assistant was an honor- but very confusing.
“I love you, you crazy psycho. I’m leaving before you have a rage blackout on your new assistant.” Seth kissed her cheek and snuck the comic books of Summer’s desk before running for the elevator.
“He is horrible! I HATE YOU SETH COHEN!” Summer closed her eyes and counted to four before sitting at her desk. “Now what else is on the schedule today? I know we have an appointment with VDW.”
“Yes, Ms. Van der Woodsen will be here at noon to talk about her clients.” Jane read from her PDA, “Your friend Taylor called wanting to know if you’re free next week when she visits, and Seth left a message earlier today saying that he was sorry his business trip is on your birthday.”
“He loves Stan Lee more than he loves me.” Summer sighed. “You have a boyfriend, Jane?”
“I have a six-year-old.” Jane smiled, “Sarah is the cutest little girl.” She doesn’t know why she never remembers to mention Jack as her boyfriend. Must be a before the accident thing. But she was determined to move on, she dyed her hair red and quit waiting for her memory to come back.
She moved on.
“I bet.” Summer smiled. “Well let’s go save the environment!”
**
Three Days Later
“This girl is brilliant. Like- the next you.”
Rachel finished her plate of tofu bacon and eggs and smiled, happy that Puck was adjusting to his new job so well. He wouldn’t shut up about it. This girl, Sarah was apparently god’s gift to pre-schoolers. She loved to sing and dance and- that was probably why she was going to an Elementary school for Artistic kids.
“Eat your food. You and younger girls.” She joked lamely.
“She- I- I think that’s what I would have liked my kid to be like.” He adds quietly, twirling the noodles around his plate, “and I know that’s messed up, but she’s really talented, Rach.”
“Fine, I will come and talk to your kids.” Rachel sighed. “Just because I went to Tisch does not mean a bunch of kids want to see me.”
She touched her hair up with hairspray and hoped she looked presentable. She had gotten her first official callback for a commercial for American Apparel and would probably just take the subway downtown after meeting Puck’s prodigy child.
“We’re leaving now, because you’re always late.” Rachel shoved him out the door and held his arm while they strolled towards the quaint little school Puck worked at. The little kids were probably falling over themselves to impress the handsome teacher with the skinny ties.
Puck was still pouting that he didn’t get to stare at himself in the mirror, but Rachel let it go. He could deal with it. After shoving her coat on top of Puck’s desk she sat patiently, watching the little kids filter in lugging instruments or sheet music. She would have thrived in a place like this.
“Well where is she?” Rachel frowned, noting the empty space near the front of the room.
“The one day she’s gone!” Puck groaned. “Kelsey, have you seen Sarah today?”
“No, Mr. Puck. She was at dance rehearsal last night!”
Sighing, Rachel sat in Puck’s chair while he took attendance, glancing towards the door.
“-Sarah you look fine. You’re the one who doesn’t want us to be late!”
She knew that voice. It haunted her dreams. It was the only thing she could think about. Tiptoeing for the door, she threw one look towards Puck’s back before heading into the hallway where Sarah, girl prodigy was talking to her father.
Her father that sounded a lot like Finn.
And it was him. Same scruffy hair. Same stupid hoodies he liked to wear- same stupid sunglasses he liked.
The little girl ran past her, smiling bright up at her and her mind was convinced. That girl was a perfect clone of Quinn. Well, with brown hair. She was crazy, delusional. Finn and Quinn were dead. There was no way that they were alive. The car they were in was totaled. Her feet were running before she could stop them, her heels clicking against the old wooden floor. “FINN!”
**
Jack turned around in the hallway, wondering what crazy person would be yelling in an elementary school during class. The woman was beautiful- so tiny- but she looked very mad. At him.
“Um, can I help you?” Jack frowned, removing his baseball cap and wiping his brow. They were very late and he had to sprint, carrying Sarah so she didn’t get a pink slip. Apparently when “Mr. P” gave them it was frowned upon because he was the “coolest teacher ever”. “Have we met before? You look really familiar.”
And then she reeled her arm back and slapped him- hard. It hurt, “What the hell was that for Rachel?” Wait who was Rachel? Was she Rachel? Was he finally remembering something? “Wait are you Rachel? And please don’t slap me I’ve had amnesia for a long time and finally remembering something is good- and stuff.”
The woman, Rachel, started to cry, and Jack sat down on the floor next to her as she crumbled. Something about her was so familiar- oh her face was on that flyer he kept in his back pocket. Her sobs hurt- something inside of him was breaking with her, and he put an arm around her trying to calm her down. Images of hugging her in a bowling alley flooded his head- he didn’t know what was real anymore.
“Your name is Finn Hudson and once upon a time we were in love.” She sniffled, not able to look at him. He dug the flyer out of his pocket, and handed it to her.
“I saw it on the street and I kept it. What I’m trying to say is that I believe you.”
**
Two Hours Later
“I am so sorry, Summer. I will grab you a soy latte on the way back. I don’t want Sarah to starve.” Jane spoke into her bluetooth. She grabbed the ladybug lunch bag out of her briefcase and stormed into the school, praying that her daughter wasn’t talking to the principal about her horrible mother. Wedging her way into the door past a man exiting, she headed for the classroom, and hesitantly knocked on the door.
“Hi, I’m Jane Smith, I accidentally grabbed Sarah’s lunch today.”
“Hi Mommy! Mr. Puck gave me his lunch!” Sarah tugged on the bottom of her jacket and pulled her towards the back of the classroom where a man was playing “Papa Don’t Preach” on his guitar. That was one of the only things she remembered from before- that she loved that song. And she was horrible at baking.
“That’s my favorite Madonna song.” Jane smiled, holding her hand out to shake his hand. His dark eyes squinted at her, but he shook the weird look off and shook her proffered hand.
She handed the ladybug lunchbox to Mr. Puck and tried to hide the flush in her cheeks. He was attractive, but she was in a relationship. And flirting with your child’s teacher was lowbrow no matter how you spun it.
“She doesn’t like Ham, and we were out of peanut butter so it’s a kosher hot dog. Only thing left in the fridge.”
“It’s okay, I’m Jewish.” He put down the guitar and the kids around him collectively went “AWWww”, but he ate the hot dog happy enough.
“You remind me of someone.” She speaks, surprising even herself, “I mean I’ve had amnesia for the better part of six years so I doubt that you actually remind me of someone- especially because I’m from Ohio.”
Mr. Puck squints at her again, before glancing at Sarah. And then he’s ushering out of the classroom and into the teacher’s lounge.
**
Puck removed her glasses and messed with her hair- and god damnit it was her. After all this fucking time, she was alive and well. And raising his kid.
“I cannot fucking believe you would do this to me, Quinn. This is a new low even for us. For those nine fucking months you said you didn’t want her and then you fucking turned tail and ran.”
Quinn, red-headed, alternate universe Quinn, stepped away from him and put her glasses back on. “I-I have no idea what you’re saying to me. I was in an accident and I’ve had amnesia-” She slid to the floor holding her head. “Puck?”
And damn him, he rushed over to her and heard the whole sob story. They were found in an outbound train in Cleveland. She almost lost the baby twice, because they looked like they had been robbed and she almost died. When she woke up she had no memory.
Sarah was his daughter.
“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure what he was sorry for, but he was sorry for a lot. But since day one, there was no doubt- the wrecked car was a prop and Quinn ran off with Finn with his kid. He didn’t have the heart to tell Rachel that they got left behind, but he looked out for Rachel because if Finn wasn’t around to do it, someone had to.
“My name’s Jane.” She added somewhat pathetically. He wanted to shake her until she remembered. But she had been Jane for the past six years- how did he-
“My name’s Puck. And I knocked you up.”
He couldn’t take Jane away from her. He would just hide his secret from Rachel and everything would be fine.
Everything would be fine.
**
1 Minute Later
Rachel showed Finn-jack-Finn her scrapbook, and hesitantly waited for a reaction.
He leafed through the pages, glee club, the mattress commercial, bowling. Sectionals. Finn’s mom had sent her some childhood pictures a few weeks ago and she pasted those in too.
“We were in glee club together. You the strapping male lead.”
“You the stunning young ingénue everyone roots for.” Finn finished, “I remember a few things now, Rach. The doctor said it would be easier to remember stuff if we saw things that were familiar. So you live here with Puck.”
“As friends.” She quickly added. “I never got over it. The car accident- I almost hired a private detective from California to find you, but Puck kept saying you guys ran off and- I know you’re not the same Finn, or Jack or whoever you are but I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Rachel wanted him to be happy. Even if that meant without her.
“I- I would like to stick around. If that’s okay. I-I-I’ve had nightmares for a long time since it happened. One about a mailman, one about my D-D-Dad. But I never told Jane this, but I had one where I was singing Don’t Stop Believing with her. And I knew it was wrong. I wanted it to be you.”
She knows the situation is stupid, but she lets him grab her face and kisses him like she used to.
She blames the muscle memory but they sink into the lovesac’s that Puck insisted they needed, and five hours later when Puck stumbles in the door with Quinn’s feet wrapped around his ankles she tries not to judge.
Except for the red hair. She reserved the right to judge that.
**
0 seconds later
Sarah looked up at her father, the man who raised her and Mr. Puck, her favorite teacher. Who was actually her birth dad and some long complicated story about amnesia and love. She didn’t understand half of it, and her mother was crying and Ms. Berry was crying, and then there was this whole scene because some neighbor guy stopped by and Mommy’s boss was there and -
Grownups were confusing.
“What does this MEAN.” She asked finally.
“Well we’re moving into the Apartment building and Daddy’s going to live with Rachel, and I’m going to move in with Mr. Puck. Your Birth Dad.” Her mother smiled softly, pulling her into her lap, “He still loves you, the family’s just gotten a bit bigger.”
Sarah was okay with that because Rachel looked nice.
**