The next morning, Rachel absentmindedly flicks the waistband around her jeans, noticing it's stretch. It's small, minor even, but it's there nonetheless. Looking at the curve of her stomach, she couldn't tell she's pregnant; perhaps she's gained a few pounds. She shudders at the idea of weight gain and makes a note on an index card to research weight gain. She leaves out the part of weight gain for expectant mothers, what if her fathers are in the midst of cleaning her room and accidentally stumble upon the note?

She hears Noah outside, she's learned to distinguish his appearances by the loud noise of his truck. She pulls her shirt down hastily, murmuring a good-bye to her fathers on her way out the door.

"When do you think we should tell our parents?"

Rachel asks, after she's settled into the front seat. She debates leaning in to kiss him on the cheek, things changed after yesterday's revelation and when he kissed her. She decides against it, perhaps it's not the safest move to make while he's driving.

He shrugs, partially petrified at the idea of telling his mother. He's promised her up and down, across and sideways that he would never put himself in this position and he's broken the one promise he's sworn to keep. His prospects for survival in this meeting do not look good.

"We should tell them at the same time, perhaps a casual dinner party of sorts. We could invite them together under the pretense of introducing their child's significant other."

Rachel bites her lip, deep in thought over the technicalities of the situation. There is a firm belief in her mind that the dinner party has to go smoothly, or the best that it can given the situation. Any number of factors have the ability to ruin the warmth of this bubble they find themselves in and she finds herself needing the support of the two families.

"Perhaps we should do it at my house. My fathers adore the thought of cooking, and of entertaining guests, and it may make things easier on your mom so she doesn't have to go out of her way. I'd prefer if she comes over in a relaxed state and perhaps the idea of cooking and entertaining at your home may cause unnecessary stress. Also, I'm not thrilled at the prospect at breaking the significantly life changing news in a public place. There are too many things that could go wrong."

Puck shakes his head, his fingers tapping nervously against the steering wheel. Sensing his panic, Rachel is at a loss for words. What does he normally do to relax? She would ask him but his face has an expression she would rather not bother. He's not talking; she wonders if the whole thing is freaking him out already.

"I'll plan everything. We can have it in the next couple of days, better now than later. We could get it over with."

"That's a good idea, then. Just let me know the time and place."

Walking into school, they're both surprised by those around them. There are no secret whispers to their face, nothing said behind their back. Rachel finds this oddly unsettling, she was expecting similar reactions to Santana's. However, nobody says nothing judgmental to her. It is a rather ordinary day; nobody says anything to her, just like previous days before this.

The insulated bubble around the pair does not burst but merely deflates as a result of the knowledge of the Glee club. She's grateful for this, for the safety nest surrounding her.

"Sectionals is five months away, you guys. We have to step up our game if we want to advance to the next round."

He passes out the assignments for the day's practice, side notes scattered against the margins.

Mr. Schue looks awkwardly at her stomach, an equal amount of concern and panic in his eyes.

"Are you going to be, uh, in an able condition to perform, Rachel?"

She nods, unoffended by his suggestion. He shrugs; there's nothing more for him to do. He hates having to inquire about her condition but her health and safety is his biggest priority, even if it comes at the expense of the Glee Club. He doesn't want to have Rachel engage in activities that are deemed unsafe to her or the child, no matter how much he needs that voice.

When the rehearsal has drawn to a close, Rachel finds herself surprised by Noah hovering over her.

He sticks out his hand to her, his sullen mood from the morning having passed. He doesn't make mention of his attitude from earlier and she feels uncomfortable bringing it up. She chalks it up to nerves for the parental meeting.

"We're going to be late for the appointment."

She can feel Noah fidget next to her in the waiting room, his feet are wearing a hole in the carpet with his constant circle motions. His fingers are in hers and she can feel the tension in his hand, he keeps relaxing and gripping hers at the same time.

"You don't have to be nervous."

He shoots her a look.

"I'm not nervous."

"I can feel your nervous."

"I'm fine."

He says, sharper than he intended. He resolves to act friendlier.

When the receptionist calls them in, she wiggles out of his hand; she may lose oxygen if he continues to press. She assumes the position that the obstetrician suggests, and waits for the examination to begin. She doesn't flinch when the cool cream hits her stomach, her eyes on the sonogram machine.

"You're about twelve weeks along, so far so good."

"Do you want to know the sex?"

"No, we'd like to be surprised," Noah responded but then caught a wind of the expression on Rachel's face, "I mean, if that's fine with you," he adds hastily.

She debates telling him that she was already aware of the baby's sex but she keeps her mouth shut. She knows her words will cause more damage than good if Noah discovered that Finn was privy to that information first.

"No, that's fine. I'm not concerned with gender as long as the baby is healthy."

Noah grins at her, dropping a kiss on her forehead, and Rachel feels the warmth of the lies on her tongue. She crosses her fingers behind her back and hopes he doesn't discover the truth.

AN: So, Rachel is still skinny for the most part. When my mom was pregnant, she was walking around in a bikini at eight months. No one had any idea she was pregnant so Rachel being skinny isn't too far fetched.