Author's Note: I don't even know where this story came from, but it stuck with me. Hope you like it. For this to work, consider that Rachel lost her virginity to Jesse after 'Bad Reputation', but everything else happened exactly like it did in canon.

Disclaimer: No. Unfortunately. You think I'd let Finchel stick after Puck or Jesse?

Summary: When Rachel is pregnant with the enemy's baby, Puck steps up to care for them. Sometimes your father isn't the man who made you.

To Be a Father

Prologue

He's standing in front of the nursery's glass window, soaking in the last hours with the beautiful baby girl – Beth – he and Quinn made together, when he feels her presence by his side. A brief glance at her tear-streaked face makes him wrap an arm around her shoulders, and she hugs his waist. "She's beautiful, Noah", she whispers, and he smiles slightly, because Beth is actually a stunner despite being only some hours old. He rubs her back comfortingly and leads her to sit down on the nearest chair.

"How are you holding up, Rach?" She opens her mouth to speak and he looks at her sternly. "And don't even give me that 'I'm fine, Noah, really'", he mimics her and she smiles weakly. "That's crap. I know it, you know it, so please just tell me the truth".

She sighs shakily and runs her fingers in her hair, leaning forward and resting her forehead against his shoulder. Tears fall from her eyes and she grabs his hand, squeezing it tightly before slipping a plastic tube into his palm. Looking confused at her for a moment, he looks down at the object she passed him – and his heart stops, because he knows exactly what it is, and what it means.

It's a pregnancy test – a positive pregnancy test.

"It's not mine", he replies automatically, and she snorts between her tears before rolling her eyes.

"Of course it's not yours, Noah", she worries her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes as they lock with his, and his shocked expression softens into one of worry and sadness. He doesn't say a word, never breathes a letter, just wraps his arms around her and allows her to slide on his lap, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead as she fists the fabric of his shirt and cries against the curve of his neck. "What am I going to do, Noah?" She whispers desperately, and he squeezes her a little tighter.

"You're going to be okay, Rach. I promise you", he mumbles in response, humming softly in other to keep her calm. "Does he know yet?"

She shakes her head negatively. "No, he… He left as soon as he walked out of the stage, and he hasn't been picking my calls". She pauses for a moment then adds, "And I don't know if he'll be interested on being a part of our life. He's leaving to California anyways".

He sighs because he can't believe he's doing this, but… "He has rights, Rach", he says softly. "As the father, he has rights, and one of them is the right to know he'll have a child in less than eight months. Even if he chooses not to be a father, still it'll be his choice, not yours, because that's not even your choice to make". She is stiff and silent in his arms, and he sighs again. "Remember how Quinn forced Finn to be a father when he didn't want to be?"

Apparently, it turns out that's the wrong question to make, because she breaks down in tears again. He panics for a moment, before she begins to say in between sobs, "Finn… He… Oh Jesus… He said he loved me!" She whimpers in pain again, and Puck stares in absolute shock at her.

"He did what? When?" But she's hyperventilating, and it crashes on him that this has been an absolutely exhausting day for her – not only an exhausting day, but week, month. And, being pregnant, she needs to be taken care of. So, he rises, taking her in his arms bridal style. "C'mon, we're going home".

"Noah!" She squeals indignantly, clutching at his shoulders. "Put me down this instant! You have your daughter and Quinn to look after!" She demands, but he can see the tiredness and heartbreak hidden underneath the veil of her diva behavior, and he shrugs.

"Beth and Quinn have people to take over their care for tonight. You don't, Rach. At least not until you tell St. James he knocked you up. I can do it for tonight. Let's go".