Thank you so much for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites for last chapter and for the story in general! I really appreciate it! It makes me so happy to know that people are enjoying this story. So of course my shout out to Gleemylove who I was up at 2am bouncing ideas of for this chapter while she worked on one of hers! She is a godsent! Well enough with my rant. I don't own anything but the plot and the OC's! Here's chapter 9:

Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

Puck's POV.

A week. I've been in Chicago a week now and Rachel hasn't returned a single phone call and refuses to see me. I don't understand why she won't just let me talk to her. As soon as I saw the look on her face when I came down the stairs I knew what she was thinking. All she saw was me shirtless and freshly showered and Quinn answering the door. Her face molded into a mask of indifference but her eyes gave it away. That destroyed, distant look in her eyes told me everything she was thinking. I had failed her once again. When Quinn opened the door, the only thing she could see was Santana kissing me in the storage room of the garage all those years ago. When she handed me Beanie and took off toward her Jeep, not even acknowledging my pleas for her to come back, I knew I had lost her again, had lost Addison again, probably for good. I stared at the direction that her Jeep sped off in for a good minute before my anger kicked in. I chucked Beanie away from me in the direction of the dining room before the overwhelming urge to hit something took over and I ended up punching a hole in the wall by my staircase. It was only Quinn's nervous squeak that made me reign in my anger.

I sat down on a bench at a neighborhood park with my guitar trying to clear my head and figure out a way to get Rachel to talk to me before I left Chicago. I had to explain what happened with Quinn. I watch as the city people flow about me as I mindless strum my guitar. Endless supplies of business suited men and pretentious women mill about me. I couldn't contain my eye roll as one of the women tried and failed to hit on me before moving on to the business suited man a few benches down. As I watched the woman shamelessly throw herself at the man, my mind wandered to Rachel and regrettably Marshall. What does she see in him? Some silver-spooned city boy. How can he handle her fire without extinguishing it? He can't. I was just about to start on another mental comparison list on how much better I am then Marshall when I heard a familiar squeal of excitement that was like music to my ears. Addison. My eyes searched the area for my baby girl. I felt myself smile as I watched Rachel chase Addison around with her arms extended and her fingers set to tickle Addie as soon as she caught her. My two beautiful girls. And that's just who they were, my girls. I needed to remind Rachel how much better I was for her and Addison I just didn't know how. I sat there for a moment just strumming my guitar mindlessly, watching them running around laughing before they landed on a blanket laid out on the grass when a genius idea struck me. I smirked to myself and then got up, gliding towards them.

…*…*…*…*…

Rachel's POV

Addison and I collapsed onto the blanket I laid out on the grass still giggling from chasing her around trying to tickle her. It has been three weeks since we left my hometown and about a week since Savannah told me Noah was in Chicago. He tried to call a few times but I never answered or called back. He even showed up at my apartment and the hospital but I refused to see him. I know I should talk to him but I just cant seem to find the courage to do it. It felt like sawing my arm off with a dull saw would be less pain full than having the conversation I know Noah wants to have.

I looked at my cell phone. 2:46 pm. Marshall was supposed to be here over a half hour ago. I shook my head, instantly aggravated when Addison squealed happily. I looked down at her confused and then I heard it. I didn't even have to look up to know who it was that elicited the excited squeal from our daughter. The beginning cords on his prized guitar then his deliciously low voice start the first verse sent shivers through me. (A/N: bold=Puck singing, italics=Rachel's thought)

You need hands, rough not soft
To come and warm you up up in that cold hayloft
Let me hold you little darling in my big strong arms
Can't get these kind of muscles anywhere but a farm

I couldn't help the smile that came across my face as I shook my head as he winked and somehow smirked while singing.

Hey I'm a country man, a city boy can't do the things I can (another wink)
I can grow my own groceries and salt cure a ham
Hey baby I'm a country man

I've got a jeep with camouflage seats
That way nobody sees us parked back up in these trees
Your little iPod's loaded down with Hoobastank
Don't be a tape player hater girl, we're groovin' to Hank

He danced around Addison and I as he sang, causing Addison to bob along while sitting on the ground and drawing a couple of people's attention toward us.

Hey I'm a country man, a city boy can't do the things I can
I can hotwire your tractor and plow up your land
Hey baby I'm a country man

You like the Ivy League Humvee Tennis-sweater type (he grimaced quickly showing his obvious reference to Marshall)
But girl I'm here to tell you, don't believe the hype

Hey I'm a country man, I can wrestle hogs and 'gators with my two bare hands
Girl you better move quick I'm in high demand
Hey baby I'm a country man

Hey I'm a country man, huntin' me a good ole' country girlfriend

(He smirked as he came toward us and stood right next to the blanket, staring down right into my eyes)

Why don't you come and join me in my new deer stand
Hey baby I'm a country man

Hey baby I'm a country man

He finished the ending cords smirking and a slight applause came from some bystanders around us before everyone went back to their own business leaving just Addison, Noah, and myself.

"Hey Rach." I stared at him a little shell shocked. Actions definitely spoke louder than words for Noah Puckerman. Was he serious? After the incident at his house, after serenading me in a public park with a song that practically screamed 'Pick me over Marshall!' the best damn thing he can think to say is 'Hey Rach.' You have got to be kidding me.

"Um yeah that was kinda lame I admit." Oh shit did I really just say that out loud. My skin is about ten shades of red as I closed my eyes trying to hide my embarrassment as I got to my feet.

'Why don't we um go over a little bit this way. Addie just stay there okay baby? Don't go running off, we'll just be a few minutes okay?"

"Here Addie-girl you can strum this if you want. I know your mommy has had to have let you around guitars before." I watch a little shocked as Addison nods happily and takes the guitar from Noah. He never lets anyone touch his guitar, it was his baby, even more than his truck. I looked at Noah who just stared down at Addison as she started to strum it a little, talking to Erick the Teddy Bear about being a famous country singer, with so much pure love and amazement in his eyes that it made my heart hurt. I cleared my throat and gathered what little nerve I had and tugged on the arm of his shirt a little causing his eyes to snap back to me. He nodded and followed me a few feet away from the blanket out of hearing range.

"Look Rach about Quinn…"

"Did you sleep with her?" The bluntness of my question and the hurt in my tone startled us both.

"No." He said without hesitation. "Brittany and Artie flaked out on giving her a ride to the airport, something about going to see some monument or some shit, and Rayne asked if I could drive her there. I needed to shower and grab a few things from the house so I could go right to the garage after dropping her off and then you showed up…"

I opened my mouth to speak and then quickly closed it again. What was I supposed to say? I felt like a complete idiot for jumping to conclusions like that but hey you can't blame a girl when the guy who just confessed his love for her the night before and then some other chick opens the door to his house the next day after you kinda well ran off on him. Uhg. I ran my hand nervously through my hair, unsure of what to do next.

"Look Rach, I don't blame you for reacting the way you did. Can't say I would have reacted any different if I was in your shoes. I really hurt you when Santana and I kissed in the storage room and it has never left me. I wanted to come after you that day I just…I was so ashamed." He looked down at the ground before he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. "I kept it ya know." I looked at him confused but then realized what he meant as I watched him pull something from his wallet and unfold it. My ultrasound picture. "I vowed that day if I ever had the chance I'd never let you go again…either of you." I smiled a little at his words and at the picture I was still staring at. I looked at it then over at Addison who was happily strumming the guitar and talking to Addison.

"Its hard to believe that this was her just about six years ago." I smiled.

Noah smiled back but his face showed something else. Like he's deciding whether or not to ask a question he's been wanting to ask.

"Just do it." I said.

"Do what?" Noah asked looking confused but relieved.

"Ask the question you want to ask."

He took a deep breath. "Why did you keep it, the bear I mean? Why did you give it to Addison?"

"Why'd you keep Beanie? Why did you build my house?"

"Rach…"

I inhaled deeply. Why did he have to look so vulnerable, so irresistible. "I don't know. It just…it was the only thing that reminded me of you…of home. It was the only thing that made me feel better on the days that I just felt like things couldn't get worse. And Addie, I felt like she should have it, that she needed to have it. Even if she didn't know it, she'd have a part of her father." I looked away from him, trying to hold back my tears. I hadn't ever told anyone about that. I couldn't even admit to myself how much I thought I made a mistake in leaving. How much I missed home. How much I missed Noah.

Noah came toward me. He slid his hand against my cheek and gently guided my face so I'd look at him.

"I love you so much Rach, I missed you every second you were gone. And even though I didn't know her, I missed Addison too. I wished everyday that you would finally want to come home. I even came to Chicago once, after I got the garage all up and running. I got the address from Finn," I was about to say something when Noah cut me off. "and don't get mad at him, I practically begged." He added and I smirked he knew me so well. "I wanted to tell you about the garage and surprise you with the house plans. I was going to ask you and Addison to come home with me, have a life, a family with me." I felt the tears well back up in my eyes full force and I looked away from him. He came to Chicago? Why didn't he come see us? I looked back at his eyes which held pain and defeat. He took a shaky breath as if he was trying to hold together and then continued. "but I saw you leave your apartment all dolled up with Marshall and I…I knew that you weren't coming back. But I still built that damn house because part of me always hoped you would." He said that last part with a little anger mixed with defeat in his voice. The tears flowed down my face and I couldn't stop them. "Rach…please don't cry."

"Noah, I'm…I'm so sorry. I should have never taken Addison away from you. I look at her and see those eyes and all I can ever think about is you and how she doesn't even know you're her father." The words just spilled out of me. "She loves you already and I can see that. She loved it down there; being with Sea and Finn and Rayne but its like there's this part of me that is scared. Scared to let myself feel all this again, scared that things won't work and it'll just end up hurting Addison and me. I just…"

"I would never hurt you or Addison. Whatever it takes to get you to come back with me, I'll do it." He pulled me to him and gently wiped away my tears with the pad of his thumb. I couldn't help the smile that worked itself across my face. I just couldn't help myself around Noah period. There was no use in denying it anymore. He's had my heart since our eyes first connected and he gave me that damn infuriating smirk that I love so much. "Rach…" He breathed running his knuckled along my jaw line. I opened my mouth to speak but the sound of Marshall's voice made the words die in my throat and my body take an instinctive step back from Noah.

"Rachel I'm so sorry I'm late baby, hospital got crazy, you know how it is." He smiled as he kissed my cheek causing Noah to tense. "Hey Puck, how are you? What are you doing in Chicago?" Marshall asked still smiling. Either her was a sadistic bastard enjoying an awkward situation or he was the most unobservant idiot doctor I had ever met.

"Just had some garage business, get some parts and stuff. Saw Rachel and Addison while I was relaxing on the bench over there playing my guitar, thought I'd say hello." Noah said with forced calm.

"Oh I didn't realize your garage was successful enough where you had to go out of state for parts." Marshall said uninterested. My mouth dropped at his rudeness. Sadistic bastard it is. "Oh hey Addison." Marshall called as if he just noticed her on the blanket a few feet from us. I rolled my eyes. "How's my girl today?" My heart stopped. Did he just? My eyes flashed to Noah who looked like he was going to explode.

"She is not yours." Noah all but growled. His facial expression was lethal.

"Excuse me?" Marshall asked slightly taken aback, his grin faltered only a little before it quickly restored itself.

"You heard me. I said she is not yours. Its bad enough that you get to see her everyday and be in her life but do not think for a second that I'm going to let you claim my daughter as yours." Noah seethed through gritted teeth. I tensed as Marshall turned toward me.

"Is that true Rachel? This small town loser is her father?" Marshall asked seemingly slightly shocked but amused. I nodded and Marshall let out a chuckle. "Oh that's rich. You won't let me touch you but you let this grease monkey? Did you fuck him after I left that Sunday? Did you?" His words came out like acid. I was so shocked at his words and tone that I couldn't even defend myself against his accusations. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Mommy…" Addison whimpered suddenly clutching my leg obviously seeing the tension and anger in the group.

"Its okay baby, just go sit back down on the blanket." I tried to smile reassuringly but it only made Addison grip my leg tighter.

"Did you fuck him?" Marshall asked again. "You did, didn't you? Bet you couldn't wait until I left so you could wrap your legs around this piece of greased up trash."

"That is enough!" Noah boomed causing Addison and I both to jump a little. "You will not talk to Rachel that way especially in front of my daughter! Do you understand me?" I felt Addison's grip loosen and looked down to see her staring up at Noah wide eyed but smiling.

"Daddy?" Addison whispered. Noah's eyes immediately softened from glaring at Marshall to a look of compassion and love at Addison. "Are you really my daddy?" Noah's eyes glazed over a bit with unshed tears as he nodded his head.

"Yeah Addie-girl, I'm your daddy." He smiled. Addison squealed happily before flinging herself into his arms. He caught her easily and drew her close as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"I knew it! We have the same eyes and smile! I love you Daddy!" Addison squealed. Oh our unnaturally bright little girl.

"I love you too baby." Noah chuckled trying to keep the tears in his eyes from falling.

"No! You can't have them! They're mine!" Marshall yelled and before I could even blink, Marshall swung. Noah was faster though and quickly turned his body, shielding Addison completely causing Marshall's fist to connect hard with his muscular shoulder blade. I heard Addison whimper again and I knew she was crying. I heard Noah soothing her softly and something in me snapped. My daughter, my reason for living, was just put in harms way and was now scared to the point of crying because of an idiot's fit of jealousy. I turned to Marshall, who was clutching his hand muttering something about it possibly being broken. His eyes met mine and he backed up slightly at my venomous glare.

"Now Rachel, that was an accident. I just got a little worked up. I just got a little hot-headed over the thought of losing my girls. You know I love you." Marshall said trying to placate me.

"Worked up? Hot-headed? You just put my daughter in danger! You could have seriously injured her. Do you understand that? If it wasn't for her father's quick reflexes she would have been! We are not your girls. We never really were and we never will be. If you ever come near my daughter again, so help me Marshall I will end you." I growled feeling my anger surge through my body. I stepped closer to him to say the next part more quietly but just as deadly. "And the reason I never slept with you is because I don't want to catch anything from all those flighty little interns you love to fuck so much." The look of shock on his face was so priceless that if I wasn't so pissed about him almost hurting Addison that I probably would have laughed.

"Fine. Have the bitch." He growled to Noah who was now facing us again with a now more calm Addison. Noah's gaze hardened again and he handed Addison off to me who I hugged tightly to my body.

"I already told you not to speak to her that way." Noah said in a deadly calm voice.

"Why it's the truth." Marshall smirked. I wanted to wipe that smirk right off his face and apparently Noah had the same thought because next thing I knew Noah's fist was connecting hard with Marshall's jaw and Marshall was falling flat on his back, clutching his jaw and cursing. Drama queen.

"Do not disrespect my family. If you come near them again, I will make sure this lovely lifestyle you've grown accustomed too, your career, your penthouse, your extracurricular activities, all disappear with one fucking phone call. This small town loser just happens to own more than half the shares in that lovely hospital you work at and I wouldn't think twice about black listing your ass. Trust me no one would hire you. This grease monkey is very persuasive." I gasped at Noah's confession and Marshall looked terrified. "Now leave." Noah growled. Marshall nodded stiffly before he quickly pushed himself off the ground and ran away. Noah turned toward Addison and I, his body still shaking a little from his anger but his face softening. "Are you alright?"

"We're fine." I answered automatically. I was still stuck on the 'owns over half the shares' confession. Noah looked at me for a second before speaking.

"My grandfather." Noah said. He must have sensed my confusion and elaborated. "My grandfather on my father's side, the one I never saw, he left the shares to me. I have no idea why he decided to own 68% of a hospital but I figured if he left it to me of all people, there must be a reason so I kept 'em. Only really requires a few conference calls and some board meetings that are mostly taken care of by some lawyer that was handling it for my Grandfather. I didn't know that you or Marshall worked there until you came home when Savannah told me the name of the hospital." I stared at him and smiled, shifting Addison in my arms so I could grab his hand. I laced my fingers through his and he look at me a little taken aback.

"We still have a lot we need to figure out." I said.

"I know." He said quietly.

"But I'm willing to. As long as it takes. I love you Noah." I smiled and he smiled my favorite smile back.

"I love you too. Both of you." He said and pulled Addison and I against his body and kissed both our heads. "Let's go home."

So I think that's it for this story. I want to thank everyone who commented, favorited this story or added it to their alerts, it means a lot that! I might do a sequel, picking up when they get back to their hometown which I just realized while writing this chapter, I never named. Oh well. Comment and Review. Let me know what you think about a sequel and some of your ideas on what you'd like to see happen!