Flashback log: Another winter's day has come and gone away...
Who: Noah-Puck, Quinn, Abby
When: Thursday, November 22nd, 2012, Thanksgiving Day
Where: Quick’s apartment.
What: It’s Quick’s last Thanksgiving as a family.
Standing in the middle of their tiny apartment’s kitchen, Puck couldn’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed. There were cookbooks scattered all over, recipes printed out and half full packages of food. What had possessed him to think he could cook Thanksgiving dinner was beyond him. Thankfully, he wasn’t cooking for anyone but himself, Quinn and Abby.
“Okay Abbo, is there any chance you know where can get our hands on a timer?” Puck asked, hands flat on the counter where he was hunching over a cooking book. Craning his neck, he glanced down at the little girl who looked up at him with a blank stare. “Didn’t think so. Guess we’re gonna play the guessing game.”
Breaking from the counter, Puck fully turned around to Abby and leaned down, picking the little girl up into his arms. “We should also get you into a dress before your mama gets here too.” He told her as he playfully twirled around in a circle. Yes, he knew that the impending Thanksgiving dinner he was supposed to be cooking for his wife should have taken precedent but the way the little blonde haired beauty was looking at him, Puck could not have cared if he starved today. Besides, all the food was on and all they were really waiting on was Quinn.
“Where it began, I can’t begin to knowin’ but then I know it’s growing strong.” Puck crooned out as he held onto Abby, spinning around. The smile grew on Abby’s face and that was all the encouragement Puck needed from her. “Was in the spring and then spring became a summer. Who’d have believed you’d come along?” Something about the way his baby would light up when he sang made Puck want to continue on forever, completely oblivious to the world.
Quinn fought of the cold as she walked around the corner of her street. The wind whipped through her threadbare winter coat and she huddled down into it. She’d been at work for ten hours that day, opting to take the morning shift because she wanted to get out early. It was her and Puck’s first Thanksgiving together as a married couple and it was pretty important she thought. They didn’t have a lot of time together as it was. They worked long hours, most of the time on different shifts. And usually by the time one of them picked up Abby and get her fed and into bed, either one or both of them was too tired to do more than kiss goodnight and go to sleep.
She’d walked to work that morning, opting to let Puck have the truck since he had Abby. Her car was in the shop, though they could barely afford it, and they only lived a few blocks from the restaurant she worked for. She was starting to regret that decision when a strong gust of wind swept by and it felt like she wasn’t wearing any clothes at all. She shook it off, reminding herself she only had a few more steps and she’d be in her nice, warm apartment and she could take a long, hot shower. She’d maybe even manage a short nap before dinner.
When she reached the door to her building, she tugged it open triumphantly and rushed up the stairs to the second floor. Her cold hands shook as she tried to get her key in the door, but eventually she got it in and turned the lock. She could smell the faint scent of things in the oven. It smelled good enough which meant that Puck had actually followed her instructions. “Hey, I’m home!” She called out, pulling off her jacket and scarf and hanging it up on the rack near the door.
With Abby still in his arms, still in a diaper and shirt, Puck made a face at the girl before poking his head around the corner. The smile he had from dancing grew slightly as he set eyes on his wife. “Well hi there. You’re home kind of earlier.” He said before turning to grin down at Abby, “Or she’s probably on time, but we don’t have a timer do we?”
Setting Abby down on the floor, he pushed the baby gate blocking the living room open for her and watched her run over to Quinn. Lifting his eyes from the tot, Puck glanced at Quinn. “Happy Thanksgiving baby.”
Kneeling down, Quinn smiled and held out her arms as Abby raced over to her. She scooped her daughter into her arms and stood, looking over at Puck. “Happy Thanksgiving,” she said as she nuzzled Abby’s cheek. “I’m actually two hours late, but I guess you two were just having too much fun without me, huh?” She asked Abby more than Puck. “How’s dinner coming along?”
Leaning against the doorway, a lazy smile settled onto Puck’s lips as he watched his girls with folded arms. Things had been up and down with them lately, mostly because of work and bills and Abby, but it was the holidays. There was no way anything could bring them down today. Registering Quinn’s question, Puck snapped out of his daze and glanced over his shoulder into the now empty kitchen.
“It’s coming along real well. Abby helped me cook it to,” he told Quinn, the pride crossing into his expression. “You know if you want to shower and get some rest, dinner should be ready by the time you get out. Abbo and I can catch the game.”
“That was actually my plan, but thanks for the suggestion,” she said in a tired voice, letting a now squirming Abby to her feet. She offered him a small smile and turned down the hall. She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, flipping the lid down on the toilet seat, she sat down. She pulled off her non-slip shoes and her socks, then pulled off her uniform shirt and dropped it to the floor. With every garment shed, she felt the exhaustion settle over her body until she was completely naked. She stood and stepped into the rust-stained tub and under the lukewarm spray. She washed her body quickly, but took her time on her hair. She used extra the recommended amount of the dollar store brand shampoo and conditioner. Her dark, blonde locks plastered to her head and neck and she sighed.
The hard water in their apartment had changed its texture, made it dull and flat. It has also given her horrible skin. Skin that felt weathered and dry. Life wasn’t anything like she’d imagined while she still lived with her parents or even Mercedes’ family. It was hard being a wife and a mother, but so far she and Puck were making it work. He’d just gotten steady work last month and that had made things a little better. They weren’t struggling as much, but they still weren’t doing all that great. She wished that he would take more initiative. He would probably be promoted in no time and she wished that they could afford to go out every once and a while, just the two of them like they used to.
She turned off the tap as she felt the water go cold and grab the towel she’d left warming on the radiator. Drying her hair first and then her body, she wrapped it around her body and then padded out of the bathroom towards their bedroom. She pulled on a pair of fresh panties and the soft, gray, plaid men’s pajama bottoms she’d just gotten on sale at Walmart and one of Puck’s worn, old band tees, forgoing a bra. Picking up her brush from the dresser, she pulled it through her still damp locks, frowning as she heard a few strands snap and break. Deciding not to dwell, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and crawled onto the lumpy mattress of the bed they shared and shut her eyes.
Puck had waited for Quinn to disappear out of sight before he scooped Abby back up into his arms. The food was cooking, she was home and showering now so the rest of their afternoon was going to fly by smoothly. Hell, he might even get lucky at the rate they were going. With Abby up in his arms, he made his way down the hall, passing by their room and heading straight into Abby’s.
It really wasn’t much. Just a little room with a crib, a dresser with three drawers and a few toy scattered here and there. Putting Abby onto the ground, Puck crossed the room towards the dresser and began searching through drawers for a dress for the girl. “Oh Abby, where is that little yellow dress of yours that your mama loves?” After a few more minutes of searching, Puck gave up and finally pulled out a little white and pink dress and looked down to the little girl again. “Okay this will have to do.” Moving to the crib, Puck quickly pulled the t shirt from her and slipped the dress over her body, lifting her up again and kissing her cheek. “You look lovely, my dear.”
With Abby dressed, Puck thought about putting her down for a nap and checked his watch and swore under his breath. If she went down now, she’d be up all night. Lifting her back up from the crib, Puck carried her back out into the living room with him and sat her on the floor. He flicked the television on, skipping channels until he settled onto Disney for her. “Daddy will be right back.” He said tossing the remote onto the couch. Heading into the kitchen, Puck pulled open the oven and checked the food, smiling to himself as he did. Hell, it turned out he really could make a dinner.
Rejoining Abby in the living room, Puck pulled her up onto the couch and set her on his lap. Reaching for the remote, he changed the channel quickly and bounced Abby. “We’re going to watch some football now, baby girl, okay?” Perhaps tired, Abby just lay back and cuddled into Puck’s chest as her eyes lazily flickered over to the television as well. She sat there, completely content with Puck as the game went on and on. Occasionally, Puck would glance down at Abby to make sure she was still awake, but it was a rather uneventful afternoon.
“Yuck,” Abby said as the fourth quarter of the game began. Silent for so long, Puck looked down at the little girl and frowned in confusion. Yuck? Was her diaper dirty? Puck sniffed the air and smelled the off scent. It was as if something was burning. Burning. Dinner. Dinner was burning!
“Oh shit!” Puck yelled as he jumped up, moving Abby off to the side of him before breaking into a sprint to get to the kitchen. Skidding to a stop, Puck grabbed a hold of the nearest dish towel and pulled open the oven. Smoke suddenly engulfed the kitchen.
The sound of beeping woke Quinn from her deep sleep. She frowned as she sat up, the wiff of something burning catching her nose. Oh my God, Abby! was her first thought as she practically sprinted from the bed. She threw open the door and walked into the smoky hall. Coughing and frowning at the odor she ran to the living room first. Relieved to find Abby sitting on the couch. She grabbed the toddler and made her way to the kitchen.
“Puck!” She screamed when she found her husband in the kitchen. “What the hell is going on? Did you burn dinner?”
Waving the dish towel wildly, Puck coughed into his arm as he tried to clear the smoke out. He had no clue what the hell it had burned, but from the amount of smoke in the tiny oven, all the food was probably inedible at this point. Hearing his name screamed so loudly, Puck jumped and turned around to see Quinn holding Abby.
Nodding his head, he moved to the sink, opening the window and started to fan the smoke out that way. “I don’t think I burned dinner but I sure as hell burnt something. When the smokes clears, we’ll see what we can still eat.” He told her, attempting to keep his head. His first Thanksgiving and he blew it.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Quinn moved into the kitchen. She picked up a plastic plate and began fanning. She looked at the temperature and then turned back to him, glaring. “Puck! The oven was set on almost five hundred. Are you insane? You could’ve caused a fire! We could’ve been killed. Abby could’ve been hurt! I told you. I gave you specific instructions. I said...leave the turkey in at 475 for twenty minutes and then reduce it to 250. Now what’re we supposed to eat? I can’t believe you could do something so stupid!”
The second Quinn moved into the kitchen, Puck jumped back and out of the way. Scooping up Abby, he held onto her, more for his own protection then hers. Watching his wife move about, he braced himself for whatever was coming next. Even then, he still jumped about ten feet into the air when she started to yell at him. They were all valid points and Puck knew that he probably should of been much more somber, but something about how Quinn was standing there completely disheveled and yelling amused Puck.
“Babe.” Puck said calmly, trying to hold back a laugh, “Come here.” He shifted Abby over to one side of his body and opened his arm up, urging Quinn to come into him.
Quinn scowled at him. “Puck, this isn’t funny. Our first Thanksgiving is ruined. We’re going to have to open all of the windows and it’s too cold for Abby to be exposed to that. She needs to eat and all the restaurants are closed by now.” She crossed her arms and looked at him. “I mean it. Stop laughing.”
There was a part of Puck that didn’t understand how Quinn couldn’t see the humor and potential in this. Standing with his arm out for another moment, he finally stepped forward and put his arm around her, squeezing her shoulder as he pulled her into a hug. “Thanksgiving is not ruined. It’s kind of perfect. At least this way, we won’t ever forget it right?” He tilted his head and smiled down at her, slowly stepping back and pulling her away from the kitchen.
“Besides, we can just get into the truck, stop at KFC or the grocery store and get some chicken and go out to our field and eat. What’s the big deal babe? We’ll have plenty more Thanksgivings to get perfect.”
How could he be so calm about this? It was pretty clear that dinner was ruined. Reluctantly, she wrapped her arms around his middle. They did still need to eat and he was right, they’d never forget this, she guessed. “You’re an egghead,” she mumbled as she buried her face in his shoulder. “We spent a bunch of money we didn’t have to spare on food we can’t eat.”
“I’d let you crack an egg on me for old times sake, but Abby and I used all those,” he said, holding onto her as the three of them headed out of the slightly smoking kitchen and into the living room. “And I’m sorry about the food, but who cares? Do you realize this is the first time in weeks the three of us have been together? And if worse comes to worse we can go crash my mom’s Thanksgiving. I’m sure that would make your day right?” He teased playfully as his eyes scanned the room for the truck keys.
A reluctant smile spread across her lips. “I’d rather eat that burnt turkey,” she mumbled. “If we’re going out, I need to get dressed. You know, put on a bra and trade this ratty t-shirt for a sweater. If we’re going to the field, you’re going to have to change Abbers. She needs layers. Think you can handle that better than you handled dinner?” She asked, fixing him with a pointed look.
“Hey,” Puck said in a playfully voice as he lifted Abby and held her out to Quinn, showing her off. “We got dressed just fine the first time see?” Puck sniffed a little and made a face, turning his attention to Abby. “Did you make a yuck baby girl?”
Watching the two year old laugh and clap her hands, the laughter escaped quickly from the man. “Yuck yuck!” She squealed again and again. Rolling his eyes, he leaned forward and pecked Quinn’s lips quickly. “I’ll go and get this yucky mess all fixed up okay?” Breaking away from his wife, Puck started down the hall and turned back to her halfway to Abby’s room, “And babe, you don’t really need the clothes. Less work for me and you always looking smoking hot naked.”
Quinn laughed. “Look, Abby. Daddy made a funny. He thinks he’s actually getting laid tonight. Tell Daddy how silly he is,” she said to her daughter, eyes fixed to Puck’s face. There was no way she was putting out tonight even though she didn’t have to work tomorrow.
Abby turned in Puck’s arms, lifting her hand to push against his nose as she let out a giggle. “Silly Dada.” She told him pushing his nose again and again. Puck was trying his hardest to keep a straight face on as he glared back at Quinn, but Abby was making it impossible and finally he let out a laugh and nodded his head. “Yeah alright baby, silly Daddy.”
With a wink at Quinn, the pair disappeared into Abby’s bedroom once more and after he got the toddler secured, Puck got to work searching for layers to get onto Abby. It was his week to do the laundry and while he had no issue washing the clothes, organization was not his forte and the majority of what he needed seemed to be evading him. “I think your mama was right again, Abby.” Puck lifted his head from the dresser drawer and rounded onto his daughter. “Don’t tell her I said she was right.”
Quinn walked into their bedroom and over to their dresser. She pulled out a bra and a thermal top that her mother-in-law had given her. It was one of her old ones that she could no longer wear and at first, Quinn had scoffed at it. But it had proven to get her through a number of cold, Ohio days. She pulled on one of her sweaters as well and traded her pajama bottoms for a pair of dark chords.
Once she was dressed, she walked to Abby’s room and looked on at her husband searching for clothes for Abby. “Do you need any help?” She asked, leaning against the door frame.
Turning towards the doorway, Puck hesitated for a moment. He had handfuls of clothes, none of them appropriate baby in the cold clothes but his pride already took a beating with dinner. Standing up from his slouched stance, he cleared his throat and shock his head, “No, no. I, uh, I got it. Just gotta find her some pants. I got her shirts here.” He raised the two fistfuls of mis-matched shirts and continues to scan the room.
She looked around the room at mess of clothes and shook her head. “I’ll organize all of this tomorrow. It’s my day off, why not spend it cleaning the apartment..."she mumbled. “Are you sure you don’t need any help? It might go faster and it’s getting late.”
Puck sighed and shock his head, dropping the clothes and quickly moving over to Quinn. Taking her cheeks in between his palms, Puck shook his head. “I know I messed up dinner and you’re in a bad mood now but remember, we’ve got years of messed up Thanksgivings to come alright? You and both know that even the best damn Thanksgiving is never going to be as memorable as this one. Our first Thanksgiving in our own place with our kid as married couple. Tell me that doesn’t make burned food and bad weather better Q?”
He didn’t really get it, but she didn’t feel like taking the time to explain it. Instead, she just nodded. She’d just appease him and take care of everything later. She’d probably even put out tonight and then, when he fell fast asleep, she’d get up and clean the kitchen. For now, she just wanted to get some dinner and feed Abby. “Yeah, you’re right, Puck,” she lied with a tired smile. “Why don’t you go warm up the truck and I’ll get Abbers dressed, okay?”
A sad smile crossed Puck’s lips as he lingered for a moment. There was that odd feeling coming over him again, the feeling that maybe they weren’t as happy and as okay as he tricked himself into thinking most day. Finally he nodded and leaned down, pressing his lips against her forehead before breaking from their semi-close embrace to go and deal with the truck.
Quinn watched him go for a moment before turning back to Abby. She kept Abby’s tights on, but pulled the church dress Puck had stuck her in over her head. “This is for the spring, Abbers. I don’t know what I’m going to do with your daddy. He’s not good with little girls. Come here, Abba-Gabba,” she said as she grabbed a pair of jeans and pink turtleneck that had been Lily’s when she was a little girl. She pulled on a multi-colored sweater over that and took Abby’s hand as she straightened. Once near the door, she pulled on Abby’s heavy coat and a hat before grabbing her own thin coat and one of Puck’s knit caps. She picked up Abby and carried her out of the apartment, locking it behind her.
When they reached outside, Puck had the truck waiting and warm. She buckled Abby into her seat and then climbed in. She leaned over and kissed Puck softly on the lips. “I’m sorry I was being a bitch. I’m just tired and I was really looking forward to it, but you’re right. We’ll tell this story to our grandkids someday,” she said as a peace offering.
Puck half grinned and nodded his head. He had screwed dinner up and it wasn’t that hard to get right in the first place. Quinn had prepared most of it for him the day before. Shifting the truck into drive, Puck leaned over and took his wife’s hand, entwining their fingers. “I’m really sorry I messed up your hard work though. I know it won’t compare, but at least we can still salvage something right?”
Quinn bit back a sarcastic comment and nodded. She squeezed his hand and let her head fall back against the rest, her eyes slipping shut. “Right. We have each other. That’s enough.”
Puck took what he could and shut his mouth, driving down the street. The grocery stores would all be closed and the last place open at this time was KFC. Abby blabbed in the backseat to herself and occasionally Puck caught himself looking and stealing glances at her in the rear view window. A happy baby could be the key in keeping a happy wife.
Pulling into the drive-thru, Puck squeezed Quin’s hand and glanced over to her quickly as he slowed the car, rolling down the window, Puck looked over the menu and then gave his attention to Quinn. “What do you want, baby?”
Hazel eyes slid open as she considered his question. “One of those bowl things with the mashed potatoes and corn and a biscuit.” She answered and looked back. “Abby can just share with me.”
He nod his head before turning back to the speaker box and telling their order to the cashier. Getting the total for their meal, Puck pulled forward to the window and looked over to Quinn. “Will you get me the twenty from the glove box babe?”
Opening the compartment, Quinn sifted through the junk and grabbed the crumpled bill, handing it over to him. She tried not to dwell on what other things they could be doing with that money. It was Thanksgiving. She’d just pick up an extra shift at work or something.
Puck took the bill and studied Quinn’s face for a moment, trying not to be obvious about it. Turning to the window, he handed over the bill and received the change, giving it back to Quinn. Her stoic nature was getting to him as over the past months, the two of them had become so accustom to feigning happiness and acceptance. Shaking his head, Puck settled on the fact that although Quinn probably assumed the money that they had just used for dinner was the result of their long hours at work, she didn’t need to know that Ether had been giving Puck money under the table just in case.
As he shifted his attention to the drive-thru window, Puck took the bag offered to him and tucked it safely in the spot between them and thanked the cashier before pulling forward. As he reached the exit, the young husband glanced both ways and stalled for a minute. “To our field?”
Quinn shook her head. “We can’t. It’s just too cold for Abby to be out. I’d rather not have her getting a cold. The apartment should be all aired out by now.” She glanced back at Abby a smiled.
Puck hesitated for a moment and glanced from Abby to Quinn, chewing on the inside of his cheek nervously. “I have some blankets in here.” He said slowly, “And we don’t even have to go in the bed. The cab is plenty big enough for the three of us.”
Shutting her eyes, Quinn gave in. “Yeah okay, Puck. We can go to the field, but stay in the truck with the heat running.” Abby looked sleepy, like she hadn’t had a nap all day and the last thing Quinn wanted to do was fight with her husband. So, the quicker they went and ate, the quicker they could get home and she could have sex with Puck and clean.
He said nothing but nodded his head and pulled out, going left as he did. it was hard to keep his eyes focused on the road since all he wanted to do was look at Quinn. The distance was there again, shutting the two off from one another and of all days, Puck did not want it today. It was their first Thanksgiving as a married couple, as The Puckermans, not Puck, Quinn and Abby.
As they reached the city limits, Puck sped up just slightly, desperate to reach their field and maybe salvage something that was left for today. It had to be today. Puck needed this, he needed her to have /it/.
When he parked at the field, Quinn unbuckled her seatbelt before turning and letting Abby out of her carseat, Happy to be free, the tiny blonde perked up considerably and scrambled into her lap. “Mama, food!” She said, pointing to her stomach. Quinn smile and nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet Abby scent. “You’re hungry, baby? “ The toddler nodded and Quinn kissed her cheek. “Okay, let’s feed the Abby Bear.”
Reaching into the bag, she pulled out the plastic utensils and the container of food and opened both. She got a fair bit of food onto the fork before bringing it to Abby’s mouth. The toddler opened her mouth wide and bit down gently on the fork, scraping the food into her mouth. As she chewed, Quinn forked a bit of food into her own mouth, feeling considerably better already.
Puck turned slightly on his seat, resting his back against the door as he watched his wife and daughter together. Taking his own bowl into his hands, he grabbed a forkful and began to shovel it down, the nervous uneasy feeling that had been fluttering in and out of his body all day was slowly returning to him. Swallowing a mouthful of the food, he let out a small smile. “You’re beautiful, Q.”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, she looked up from feeding Abby. She smiled, this on a the first genuine one aimed at him all day. “No, I’m not. I look...old. I’m a mess, but thank you for saying that.” Abby reached out and grabbed at the fork, guiding her hand back towards the food and she chuckled lightly.
“Nah.” Puck said lazily as his eyes danced back and forth between the blondes. There was a smile on his lips, one that was small but spoke volumes for how he felt at that moment. “You don’t look old. You look amazing. You look my wife, not just my girlfriend. And you look like a mom, not some woman who pawns her kid off every chance she gets. That’s pretty effing beautiful.”
Quinn blushed and looked down. Most days she didn’t feel beautiful, not like how she used to and she would wonder what would keep Puck from leaving. Then he said things like this and she remembered why she’d fallen for him in the first place. “I don’t know what to say.”
Puck knew this was his moment, their moment really and moving his almost empty food to the dashboard, he moved forward on the seat and closer to Quinn and Abby. He moved on of his legs to the ground and tucked the other under him, pulling Abby from her mother and to her lap. “There’s something I really wanted to do today.” Puck told her, using the hand not holding onto Abby to flip open the ashtray. “I was going to do it in the apartment cause it’s our place, but I screwed up dinner and the place is a wreck. So, it’s not right.”
Seizing a tiny ring hidden in the tray, Puck scooped it up between his fingers and slowly returned his gaze up to Quinn. “We sort of became a family in this field you know and it’s our first holiday as a family and I realized that when I asked you to marry me and make us into this family, I never gave you a ring.” Shaking, Puck lifted his hand into sight and extended the small silver band out to Quinn. “I wanted to make today a day that you’ll never forget and I don’t know how to tell you I love you any other way.”
Tears stung her eyes as she reached for the ring with a shaky hand. It wasn’t the ring that she’d always dreamed about as a little girl, but it was still just as beautiful. Looking up at him, she blinked. “P-Puck, you didn’t have to do this. We can’t afford this. It’s too much,” she protested, handing the ring back to him.
He shook his hand and pushed her hand back towards at the same time Abby reached up for the ring as well. That tiny diamond was the only thing Puck could give her to remind her everyday that he was there for her and their daughter. “We can actually. I-I,” He hesitated for a moment again, his eyes darting away from her as he knew she’d be even more angry as to how he afford the ring, “I sold my guitar. And I don’t want to hear a single thing about you getting rid of the ring to get it back either Quinn. “ Puck added as his eyes went back to hers. “That’s your ring. This is the ring that means we’re something and you gotta keep it even after I buy you a big ass diamond later cause someday that’ll be Abby’s ring.”
Quinn pulled the ring back, looking at it. She hadn’t really missed not having a ring. It a way it had made their commitment feel more solid. She’d always thought their bond was so strong that people didn’t need to see a ring to know it. But this gesture meant more than she’d ever imagined. She took a shuddering breath and slid it onto her left ring finger and stared at it. It was a strange, new weight, but it was a good kind of strange.
When she realized she hadn’t said anything for a long time, she took a shuddering breath and looked back up at him. Unshed tears were in her eyes and she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her voice was hoarse with emotion and she let out a little laugh. “Sorry, I’m like crying. It’s beautiful, Puck. I won’t take it off.”
Lowering his head, Puck smiled softly before pressing his lips against Abby’s head. He rarely showed his emotions around Quinn simply because he had always thought attachment was weakness, but the few times the emotions overtook him, he’d always be at a loss for words. Quiet for a few more minutes, Puck finally moved, turning in his seat to face forward.
Shifting Abby over to one side, Puck held open his arm and nodded for Quinn to come join them. He had wanted to say much more, talk about their family and how they were going to be happy, but he just couldn’t. She found the ring beautiful, even though he knew it was a tiny pathetic excuse for a diamond.
Maneuvering around the front of the cab, Quinn slid into his arms and cupped his cheek. It felt rough beneath her touch because he hadn’t shaved that day, but she didn’t care. Lifting his face, she pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. They hadn’t kissed like this in a long time and truth be told, she missed it.
The kiss had taken him by surprise for so many reasons. First, it was a real kiss, a kiss they hadn’t shared in weeks. Most of the time, they pecked each other hello and goodbye, good morning and good night and left it at that. His senses reacted and his lips were pushing back against hers, moving as to mold with hers.
A tiny hand came up and pressed against Puck’s cheek as Abby squirmed in his arms. “Yuck yuck yuck!” She said ,sticking out her tongue. Chuckling, Puck parted his lips from Quinn and glanced down at their baby. Sometimes she act edfar too much like him. He shook his head with a soft chuckle escaped from his chest before lifting his eyes back up to Quinn. “Best Thanksgiving ever?” He questioned.
Laughing, Quinn kissed him again and then kissed Abby before moving back across the seat. “Yeah, this was the best Thanksgiving ever,” she said with a genuine smile.
When: Thursday, November 22nd, 2012, Thanksgiving Day
Where: Quick’s apartment.
What: It’s Quick’s last Thanksgiving as a family.
Standing in the middle of their tiny apartment’s kitchen, Puck couldn’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed. There were cookbooks scattered all over, recipes printed out and half full packages of food. What had possessed him to think he could cook Thanksgiving dinner was beyond him. Thankfully, he wasn’t cooking for anyone but himself, Quinn and Abby.
“Okay Abbo, is there any chance you know where can get our hands on a timer?” Puck asked, hands flat on the counter where he was hunching over a cooking book. Craning his neck, he glanced down at the little girl who looked up at him with a blank stare. “Didn’t think so. Guess we’re gonna play the guessing game.”
Breaking from the counter, Puck fully turned around to Abby and leaned down, picking the little girl up into his arms. “We should also get you into a dress before your mama gets here too.” He told her as he playfully twirled around in a circle. Yes, he knew that the impending Thanksgiving dinner he was supposed to be cooking for his wife should have taken precedent but the way the little blonde haired beauty was looking at him, Puck could not have cared if he starved today. Besides, all the food was on and all they were really waiting on was Quinn.
“Where it began, I can’t begin to knowin’ but then I know it’s growing strong.” Puck crooned out as he held onto Abby, spinning around. The smile grew on Abby’s face and that was all the encouragement Puck needed from her. “Was in the spring and then spring became a summer. Who’d have believed you’d come along?” Something about the way his baby would light up when he sang made Puck want to continue on forever, completely oblivious to the world.
Quinn fought of the cold as she walked around the corner of her street. The wind whipped through her threadbare winter coat and she huddled down into it. She’d been at work for ten hours that day, opting to take the morning shift because she wanted to get out early. It was her and Puck’s first Thanksgiving together as a married couple and it was pretty important she thought. They didn’t have a lot of time together as it was. They worked long hours, most of the time on different shifts. And usually by the time one of them picked up Abby and get her fed and into bed, either one or both of them was too tired to do more than kiss goodnight and go to sleep.
She’d walked to work that morning, opting to let Puck have the truck since he had Abby. Her car was in the shop, though they could barely afford it, and they only lived a few blocks from the restaurant she worked for. She was starting to regret that decision when a strong gust of wind swept by and it felt like she wasn’t wearing any clothes at all. She shook it off, reminding herself she only had a few more steps and she’d be in her nice, warm apartment and she could take a long, hot shower. She’d maybe even manage a short nap before dinner.
When she reached the door to her building, she tugged it open triumphantly and rushed up the stairs to the second floor. Her cold hands shook as she tried to get her key in the door, but eventually she got it in and turned the lock. She could smell the faint scent of things in the oven. It smelled good enough which meant that Puck had actually followed her instructions. “Hey, I’m home!” She called out, pulling off her jacket and scarf and hanging it up on the rack near the door.
With Abby still in his arms, still in a diaper and shirt, Puck made a face at the girl before poking his head around the corner. The smile he had from dancing grew slightly as he set eyes on his wife. “Well hi there. You’re home kind of earlier.” He said before turning to grin down at Abby, “Or she’s probably on time, but we don’t have a timer do we?”
Setting Abby down on the floor, he pushed the baby gate blocking the living room open for her and watched her run over to Quinn. Lifting his eyes from the tot, Puck glanced at Quinn. “Happy Thanksgiving baby.”
Kneeling down, Quinn smiled and held out her arms as Abby raced over to her. She scooped her daughter into her arms and stood, looking over at Puck. “Happy Thanksgiving,” she said as she nuzzled Abby’s cheek. “I’m actually two hours late, but I guess you two were just having too much fun without me, huh?” She asked Abby more than Puck. “How’s dinner coming along?”
Leaning against the doorway, a lazy smile settled onto Puck’s lips as he watched his girls with folded arms. Things had been up and down with them lately, mostly because of work and bills and Abby, but it was the holidays. There was no way anything could bring them down today. Registering Quinn’s question, Puck snapped out of his daze and glanced over his shoulder into the now empty kitchen.
“It’s coming along real well. Abby helped me cook it to,” he told Quinn, the pride crossing into his expression. “You know if you want to shower and get some rest, dinner should be ready by the time you get out. Abbo and I can catch the game.”
“That was actually my plan, but thanks for the suggestion,” she said in a tired voice, letting a now squirming Abby to her feet. She offered him a small smile and turned down the hall. She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, flipping the lid down on the toilet seat, she sat down. She pulled off her non-slip shoes and her socks, then pulled off her uniform shirt and dropped it to the floor. With every garment shed, she felt the exhaustion settle over her body until she was completely naked. She stood and stepped into the rust-stained tub and under the lukewarm spray. She washed her body quickly, but took her time on her hair. She used extra the recommended amount of the dollar store brand shampoo and conditioner. Her dark, blonde locks plastered to her head and neck and she sighed.
The hard water in their apartment had changed its texture, made it dull and flat. It has also given her horrible skin. Skin that felt weathered and dry. Life wasn’t anything like she’d imagined while she still lived with her parents or even Mercedes’ family. It was hard being a wife and a mother, but so far she and Puck were making it work. He’d just gotten steady work last month and that had made things a little better. They weren’t struggling as much, but they still weren’t doing all that great. She wished that he would take more initiative. He would probably be promoted in no time and she wished that they could afford to go out every once and a while, just the two of them like they used to.
She turned off the tap as she felt the water go cold and grab the towel she’d left warming on the radiator. Drying her hair first and then her body, she wrapped it around her body and then padded out of the bathroom towards their bedroom. She pulled on a pair of fresh panties and the soft, gray, plaid men’s pajama bottoms she’d just gotten on sale at Walmart and one of Puck’s worn, old band tees, forgoing a bra. Picking up her brush from the dresser, she pulled it through her still damp locks, frowning as she heard a few strands snap and break. Deciding not to dwell, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and crawled onto the lumpy mattress of the bed they shared and shut her eyes.
Puck had waited for Quinn to disappear out of sight before he scooped Abby back up into his arms. The food was cooking, she was home and showering now so the rest of their afternoon was going to fly by smoothly. Hell, he might even get lucky at the rate they were going. With Abby up in his arms, he made his way down the hall, passing by their room and heading straight into Abby’s.
It really wasn’t much. Just a little room with a crib, a dresser with three drawers and a few toy scattered here and there. Putting Abby onto the ground, Puck crossed the room towards the dresser and began searching through drawers for a dress for the girl. “Oh Abby, where is that little yellow dress of yours that your mama loves?” After a few more minutes of searching, Puck gave up and finally pulled out a little white and pink dress and looked down to the little girl again. “Okay this will have to do.” Moving to the crib, Puck quickly pulled the t shirt from her and slipped the dress over her body, lifting her up again and kissing her cheek. “You look lovely, my dear.”
With Abby dressed, Puck thought about putting her down for a nap and checked his watch and swore under his breath. If she went down now, she’d be up all night. Lifting her back up from the crib, Puck carried her back out into the living room with him and sat her on the floor. He flicked the television on, skipping channels until he settled onto Disney for her. “Daddy will be right back.” He said tossing the remote onto the couch. Heading into the kitchen, Puck pulled open the oven and checked the food, smiling to himself as he did. Hell, it turned out he really could make a dinner.
Rejoining Abby in the living room, Puck pulled her up onto the couch and set her on his lap. Reaching for the remote, he changed the channel quickly and bounced Abby. “We’re going to watch some football now, baby girl, okay?” Perhaps tired, Abby just lay back and cuddled into Puck’s chest as her eyes lazily flickered over to the television as well. She sat there, completely content with Puck as the game went on and on. Occasionally, Puck would glance down at Abby to make sure she was still awake, but it was a rather uneventful afternoon.
“Yuck,” Abby said as the fourth quarter of the game began. Silent for so long, Puck looked down at the little girl and frowned in confusion. Yuck? Was her diaper dirty? Puck sniffed the air and smelled the off scent. It was as if something was burning. Burning. Dinner. Dinner was burning!
“Oh shit!” Puck yelled as he jumped up, moving Abby off to the side of him before breaking into a sprint to get to the kitchen. Skidding to a stop, Puck grabbed a hold of the nearest dish towel and pulled open the oven. Smoke suddenly engulfed the kitchen.
The sound of beeping woke Quinn from her deep sleep. She frowned as she sat up, the wiff of something burning catching her nose. Oh my God, Abby! was her first thought as she practically sprinted from the bed. She threw open the door and walked into the smoky hall. Coughing and frowning at the odor she ran to the living room first. Relieved to find Abby sitting on the couch. She grabbed the toddler and made her way to the kitchen.
“Puck!” She screamed when she found her husband in the kitchen. “What the hell is going on? Did you burn dinner?”
Waving the dish towel wildly, Puck coughed into his arm as he tried to clear the smoke out. He had no clue what the hell it had burned, but from the amount of smoke in the tiny oven, all the food was probably inedible at this point. Hearing his name screamed so loudly, Puck jumped and turned around to see Quinn holding Abby.
Nodding his head, he moved to the sink, opening the window and started to fan the smoke out that way. “I don’t think I burned dinner but I sure as hell burnt something. When the smokes clears, we’ll see what we can still eat.” He told her, attempting to keep his head. His first Thanksgiving and he blew it.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Quinn moved into the kitchen. She picked up a plastic plate and began fanning. She looked at the temperature and then turned back to him, glaring. “Puck! The oven was set on almost five hundred. Are you insane? You could’ve caused a fire! We could’ve been killed. Abby could’ve been hurt! I told you. I gave you specific instructions. I said...leave the turkey in at 475 for twenty minutes and then reduce it to 250. Now what’re we supposed to eat? I can’t believe you could do something so stupid!”
The second Quinn moved into the kitchen, Puck jumped back and out of the way. Scooping up Abby, he held onto her, more for his own protection then hers. Watching his wife move about, he braced himself for whatever was coming next. Even then, he still jumped about ten feet into the air when she started to yell at him. They were all valid points and Puck knew that he probably should of been much more somber, but something about how Quinn was standing there completely disheveled and yelling amused Puck.
“Babe.” Puck said calmly, trying to hold back a laugh, “Come here.” He shifted Abby over to one side of his body and opened his arm up, urging Quinn to come into him.
Quinn scowled at him. “Puck, this isn’t funny. Our first Thanksgiving is ruined. We’re going to have to open all of the windows and it’s too cold for Abby to be exposed to that. She needs to eat and all the restaurants are closed by now.” She crossed her arms and looked at him. “I mean it. Stop laughing.”
There was a part of Puck that didn’t understand how Quinn couldn’t see the humor and potential in this. Standing with his arm out for another moment, he finally stepped forward and put his arm around her, squeezing her shoulder as he pulled her into a hug. “Thanksgiving is not ruined. It’s kind of perfect. At least this way, we won’t ever forget it right?” He tilted his head and smiled down at her, slowly stepping back and pulling her away from the kitchen.
“Besides, we can just get into the truck, stop at KFC or the grocery store and get some chicken and go out to our field and eat. What’s the big deal babe? We’ll have plenty more Thanksgivings to get perfect.”
How could he be so calm about this? It was pretty clear that dinner was ruined. Reluctantly, she wrapped her arms around his middle. They did still need to eat and he was right, they’d never forget this, she guessed. “You’re an egghead,” she mumbled as she buried her face in his shoulder. “We spent a bunch of money we didn’t have to spare on food we can’t eat.”
“I’d let you crack an egg on me for old times sake, but Abby and I used all those,” he said, holding onto her as the three of them headed out of the slightly smoking kitchen and into the living room. “And I’m sorry about the food, but who cares? Do you realize this is the first time in weeks the three of us have been together? And if worse comes to worse we can go crash my mom’s Thanksgiving. I’m sure that would make your day right?” He teased playfully as his eyes scanned the room for the truck keys.
A reluctant smile spread across her lips. “I’d rather eat that burnt turkey,” she mumbled. “If we’re going out, I need to get dressed. You know, put on a bra and trade this ratty t-shirt for a sweater. If we’re going to the field, you’re going to have to change Abbers. She needs layers. Think you can handle that better than you handled dinner?” She asked, fixing him with a pointed look.
“Hey,” Puck said in a playfully voice as he lifted Abby and held her out to Quinn, showing her off. “We got dressed just fine the first time see?” Puck sniffed a little and made a face, turning his attention to Abby. “Did you make a yuck baby girl?”
Watching the two year old laugh and clap her hands, the laughter escaped quickly from the man. “Yuck yuck!” She squealed again and again. Rolling his eyes, he leaned forward and pecked Quinn’s lips quickly. “I’ll go and get this yucky mess all fixed up okay?” Breaking away from his wife, Puck started down the hall and turned back to her halfway to Abby’s room, “And babe, you don’t really need the clothes. Less work for me and you always looking smoking hot naked.”
Quinn laughed. “Look, Abby. Daddy made a funny. He thinks he’s actually getting laid tonight. Tell Daddy how silly he is,” she said to her daughter, eyes fixed to Puck’s face. There was no way she was putting out tonight even though she didn’t have to work tomorrow.
Abby turned in Puck’s arms, lifting her hand to push against his nose as she let out a giggle. “Silly Dada.” She told him pushing his nose again and again. Puck was trying his hardest to keep a straight face on as he glared back at Quinn, but Abby was making it impossible and finally he let out a laugh and nodded his head. “Yeah alright baby, silly Daddy.”
With a wink at Quinn, the pair disappeared into Abby’s bedroom once more and after he got the toddler secured, Puck got to work searching for layers to get onto Abby. It was his week to do the laundry and while he had no issue washing the clothes, organization was not his forte and the majority of what he needed seemed to be evading him. “I think your mama was right again, Abby.” Puck lifted his head from the dresser drawer and rounded onto his daughter. “Don’t tell her I said she was right.”
Quinn walked into their bedroom and over to their dresser. She pulled out a bra and a thermal top that her mother-in-law had given her. It was one of her old ones that she could no longer wear and at first, Quinn had scoffed at it. But it had proven to get her through a number of cold, Ohio days. She pulled on one of her sweaters as well and traded her pajama bottoms for a pair of dark chords.
Once she was dressed, she walked to Abby’s room and looked on at her husband searching for clothes for Abby. “Do you need any help?” She asked, leaning against the door frame.
Turning towards the doorway, Puck hesitated for a moment. He had handfuls of clothes, none of them appropriate baby in the cold clothes but his pride already took a beating with dinner. Standing up from his slouched stance, he cleared his throat and shock his head, “No, no. I, uh, I got it. Just gotta find her some pants. I got her shirts here.” He raised the two fistfuls of mis-matched shirts and continues to scan the room.
She looked around the room at mess of clothes and shook her head. “I’ll organize all of this tomorrow. It’s my day off, why not spend it cleaning the apartment..."she mumbled. “Are you sure you don’t need any help? It might go faster and it’s getting late.”
Puck sighed and shock his head, dropping the clothes and quickly moving over to Quinn. Taking her cheeks in between his palms, Puck shook his head. “I know I messed up dinner and you’re in a bad mood now but remember, we’ve got years of messed up Thanksgivings to come alright? You and both know that even the best damn Thanksgiving is never going to be as memorable as this one. Our first Thanksgiving in our own place with our kid as married couple. Tell me that doesn’t make burned food and bad weather better Q?”
He didn’t really get it, but she didn’t feel like taking the time to explain it. Instead, she just nodded. She’d just appease him and take care of everything later. She’d probably even put out tonight and then, when he fell fast asleep, she’d get up and clean the kitchen. For now, she just wanted to get some dinner and feed Abby. “Yeah, you’re right, Puck,” she lied with a tired smile. “Why don’t you go warm up the truck and I’ll get Abbers dressed, okay?”
A sad smile crossed Puck’s lips as he lingered for a moment. There was that odd feeling coming over him again, the feeling that maybe they weren’t as happy and as okay as he tricked himself into thinking most day. Finally he nodded and leaned down, pressing his lips against her forehead before breaking from their semi-close embrace to go and deal with the truck.
Quinn watched him go for a moment before turning back to Abby. She kept Abby’s tights on, but pulled the church dress Puck had stuck her in over her head. “This is for the spring, Abbers. I don’t know what I’m going to do with your daddy. He’s not good with little girls. Come here, Abba-Gabba,” she said as she grabbed a pair of jeans and pink turtleneck that had been Lily’s when she was a little girl. She pulled on a multi-colored sweater over that and took Abby’s hand as she straightened. Once near the door, she pulled on Abby’s heavy coat and a hat before grabbing her own thin coat and one of Puck’s knit caps. She picked up Abby and carried her out of the apartment, locking it behind her.
When they reached outside, Puck had the truck waiting and warm. She buckled Abby into her seat and then climbed in. She leaned over and kissed Puck softly on the lips. “I’m sorry I was being a bitch. I’m just tired and I was really looking forward to it, but you’re right. We’ll tell this story to our grandkids someday,” she said as a peace offering.
Puck half grinned and nodded his head. He had screwed dinner up and it wasn’t that hard to get right in the first place. Quinn had prepared most of it for him the day before. Shifting the truck into drive, Puck leaned over and took his wife’s hand, entwining their fingers. “I’m really sorry I messed up your hard work though. I know it won’t compare, but at least we can still salvage something right?”
Quinn bit back a sarcastic comment and nodded. She squeezed his hand and let her head fall back against the rest, her eyes slipping shut. “Right. We have each other. That’s enough.”
Puck took what he could and shut his mouth, driving down the street. The grocery stores would all be closed and the last place open at this time was KFC. Abby blabbed in the backseat to herself and occasionally Puck caught himself looking and stealing glances at her in the rear view window. A happy baby could be the key in keeping a happy wife.
Pulling into the drive-thru, Puck squeezed Quin’s hand and glanced over to her quickly as he slowed the car, rolling down the window, Puck looked over the menu and then gave his attention to Quinn. “What do you want, baby?”
Hazel eyes slid open as she considered his question. “One of those bowl things with the mashed potatoes and corn and a biscuit.” She answered and looked back. “Abby can just share with me.”
He nod his head before turning back to the speaker box and telling their order to the cashier. Getting the total for their meal, Puck pulled forward to the window and looked over to Quinn. “Will you get me the twenty from the glove box babe?”
Opening the compartment, Quinn sifted through the junk and grabbed the crumpled bill, handing it over to him. She tried not to dwell on what other things they could be doing with that money. It was Thanksgiving. She’d just pick up an extra shift at work or something.
Puck took the bill and studied Quinn’s face for a moment, trying not to be obvious about it. Turning to the window, he handed over the bill and received the change, giving it back to Quinn. Her stoic nature was getting to him as over the past months, the two of them had become so accustom to feigning happiness and acceptance. Shaking his head, Puck settled on the fact that although Quinn probably assumed the money that they had just used for dinner was the result of their long hours at work, she didn’t need to know that Ether had been giving Puck money under the table just in case.
As he shifted his attention to the drive-thru window, Puck took the bag offered to him and tucked it safely in the spot between them and thanked the cashier before pulling forward. As he reached the exit, the young husband glanced both ways and stalled for a minute. “To our field?”
Quinn shook her head. “We can’t. It’s just too cold for Abby to be out. I’d rather not have her getting a cold. The apartment should be all aired out by now.” She glanced back at Abby a smiled.
Puck hesitated for a moment and glanced from Abby to Quinn, chewing on the inside of his cheek nervously. “I have some blankets in here.” He said slowly, “And we don’t even have to go in the bed. The cab is plenty big enough for the three of us.”
Shutting her eyes, Quinn gave in. “Yeah okay, Puck. We can go to the field, but stay in the truck with the heat running.” Abby looked sleepy, like she hadn’t had a nap all day and the last thing Quinn wanted to do was fight with her husband. So, the quicker they went and ate, the quicker they could get home and she could have sex with Puck and clean.
He said nothing but nodded his head and pulled out, going left as he did. it was hard to keep his eyes focused on the road since all he wanted to do was look at Quinn. The distance was there again, shutting the two off from one another and of all days, Puck did not want it today. It was their first Thanksgiving as a married couple, as The Puckermans, not Puck, Quinn and Abby.
As they reached the city limits, Puck sped up just slightly, desperate to reach their field and maybe salvage something that was left for today. It had to be today. Puck needed this, he needed her to have /it/.
When he parked at the field, Quinn unbuckled her seatbelt before turning and letting Abby out of her carseat, Happy to be free, the tiny blonde perked up considerably and scrambled into her lap. “Mama, food!” She said, pointing to her stomach. Quinn smile and nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet Abby scent. “You’re hungry, baby? “ The toddler nodded and Quinn kissed her cheek. “Okay, let’s feed the Abby Bear.”
Reaching into the bag, she pulled out the plastic utensils and the container of food and opened both. She got a fair bit of food onto the fork before bringing it to Abby’s mouth. The toddler opened her mouth wide and bit down gently on the fork, scraping the food into her mouth. As she chewed, Quinn forked a bit of food into her own mouth, feeling considerably better already.
Puck turned slightly on his seat, resting his back against the door as he watched his wife and daughter together. Taking his own bowl into his hands, he grabbed a forkful and began to shovel it down, the nervous uneasy feeling that had been fluttering in and out of his body all day was slowly returning to him. Swallowing a mouthful of the food, he let out a small smile. “You’re beautiful, Q.”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, she looked up from feeding Abby. She smiled, this on a the first genuine one aimed at him all day. “No, I’m not. I look...old. I’m a mess, but thank you for saying that.” Abby reached out and grabbed at the fork, guiding her hand back towards the food and she chuckled lightly.
“Nah.” Puck said lazily as his eyes danced back and forth between the blondes. There was a smile on his lips, one that was small but spoke volumes for how he felt at that moment. “You don’t look old. You look amazing. You look my wife, not just my girlfriend. And you look like a mom, not some woman who pawns her kid off every chance she gets. That’s pretty effing beautiful.”
Quinn blushed and looked down. Most days she didn’t feel beautiful, not like how she used to and she would wonder what would keep Puck from leaving. Then he said things like this and she remembered why she’d fallen for him in the first place. “I don’t know what to say.”
Puck knew this was his moment, their moment really and moving his almost empty food to the dashboard, he moved forward on the seat and closer to Quinn and Abby. He moved on of his legs to the ground and tucked the other under him, pulling Abby from her mother and to her lap. “There’s something I really wanted to do today.” Puck told her, using the hand not holding onto Abby to flip open the ashtray. “I was going to do it in the apartment cause it’s our place, but I screwed up dinner and the place is a wreck. So, it’s not right.”
Seizing a tiny ring hidden in the tray, Puck scooped it up between his fingers and slowly returned his gaze up to Quinn. “We sort of became a family in this field you know and it’s our first holiday as a family and I realized that when I asked you to marry me and make us into this family, I never gave you a ring.” Shaking, Puck lifted his hand into sight and extended the small silver band out to Quinn. “I wanted to make today a day that you’ll never forget and I don’t know how to tell you I love you any other way.”
Tears stung her eyes as she reached for the ring with a shaky hand. It wasn’t the ring that she’d always dreamed about as a little girl, but it was still just as beautiful. Looking up at him, she blinked. “P-Puck, you didn’t have to do this. We can’t afford this. It’s too much,” she protested, handing the ring back to him.
He shook his hand and pushed her hand back towards at the same time Abby reached up for the ring as well. That tiny diamond was the only thing Puck could give her to remind her everyday that he was there for her and their daughter. “We can actually. I-I,” He hesitated for a moment again, his eyes darting away from her as he knew she’d be even more angry as to how he afford the ring, “I sold my guitar. And I don’t want to hear a single thing about you getting rid of the ring to get it back either Quinn. “ Puck added as his eyes went back to hers. “That’s your ring. This is the ring that means we’re something and you gotta keep it even after I buy you a big ass diamond later cause someday that’ll be Abby’s ring.”
Quinn pulled the ring back, looking at it. She hadn’t really missed not having a ring. It a way it had made their commitment feel more solid. She’d always thought their bond was so strong that people didn’t need to see a ring to know it. But this gesture meant more than she’d ever imagined. She took a shuddering breath and slid it onto her left ring finger and stared at it. It was a strange, new weight, but it was a good kind of strange.
When she realized she hadn’t said anything for a long time, she took a shuddering breath and looked back up at him. Unshed tears were in her eyes and she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her voice was hoarse with emotion and she let out a little laugh. “Sorry, I’m like crying. It’s beautiful, Puck. I won’t take it off.”
Lowering his head, Puck smiled softly before pressing his lips against Abby’s head. He rarely showed his emotions around Quinn simply because he had always thought attachment was weakness, but the few times the emotions overtook him, he’d always be at a loss for words. Quiet for a few more minutes, Puck finally moved, turning in his seat to face forward.
Shifting Abby over to one side, Puck held open his arm and nodded for Quinn to come join them. He had wanted to say much more, talk about their family and how they were going to be happy, but he just couldn’t. She found the ring beautiful, even though he knew it was a tiny pathetic excuse for a diamond.
Maneuvering around the front of the cab, Quinn slid into his arms and cupped his cheek. It felt rough beneath her touch because he hadn’t shaved that day, but she didn’t care. Lifting his face, she pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. They hadn’t kissed like this in a long time and truth be told, she missed it.
The kiss had taken him by surprise for so many reasons. First, it was a real kiss, a kiss they hadn’t shared in weeks. Most of the time, they pecked each other hello and goodbye, good morning and good night and left it at that. His senses reacted and his lips were pushing back against hers, moving as to mold with hers.
A tiny hand came up and pressed against Puck’s cheek as Abby squirmed in his arms. “Yuck yuck yuck!” She said ,sticking out her tongue. Chuckling, Puck parted his lips from Quinn and glanced down at their baby. Sometimes she act edfar too much like him. He shook his head with a soft chuckle escaped from his chest before lifting his eyes back up to Quinn. “Best Thanksgiving ever?” He questioned.
Laughing, Quinn kissed him again and then kissed Abby before moving back across the seat. “Yeah, this was the best Thanksgiving ever,” she said with a genuine smile.