House of Puckerman

7

Puck, Quinn, and Beth said goodbye to the interns and headed out to grab some lunch. They ended up picking up food and taking it back home since they were tired - Quinn and Beth still weren't fully adjusted to the time difference.

The trio ate in the living room with a Disney movie playing. Puck wasn't that into it, but Beth was so he humored her. He loved how happy it made her (and Quinn).

They had a nice quiet night curled up on the couch watching movies and relaxing. When Beth fell asleep, Puck tucked her in upstairs and returned downstairs. He found his dad and Quinn in the living room.

"What are you doing here?" Puck asked James.

"I texted you that I was coming to get some of my stuff." James replied.

"At least now I know why you didn't want me or Beth going upstairs, or even in the house, yesterday." Quinn stated.

"Quinn." Puck said softly. "Just let me explain."

"Okay, explain." Quinn nodded. "Explain why your dad's here and explain why you didn't tell me."

"Can you excuse us?" Puck requested, looking at James.

James nodded slowly and headed to the stairs.

"Not upstairs." Quinn stopped him. "Beth's up there."

"I guess I'll just sit in the yard for a few minutes." James decided as he walked away.

"He's been staying here since the beginning of last month." Puck told Quinn when they heard the back door shut.

"So he was here before you came to New Haven for Beth's birthday and Father's Day, and you didn't say anything?" Quinn asked.

"He got here a few days before Beth's birthday." Puck nodded. "I didn't tell you because I knew what you would say. And I didn't tell you now because I didn't know you were coming here."

Quinn folded her arms. "Why is he here?"

"I got a phone call that he was in the hospital." Puck explained. "We made a deal that if he agreed to go to AA or rehab or something, I would help him out for a little while."

Quinn didn't say anything. Her jaw was clenched and she was looking at Puck.

"Part of the deal is that once he's better and has a job, he'll leave and never come back." Puck added.

"Does your mom know?" Quinn asked.

"No." Puck shook his head. "Not yet."

"I just don't understand why you're helping him." Quinn stated. "He abused your mom for years. And you."

"I know." Puck replied.

"Do you know?" Quinn asked. "Because yesterday when we left, Beth asked me why you have marks on your arm."

"What did you tell her?" Puck wondered.

"Well, your shoulder scar is from your surgery when you dislocated it." Quinn explained. "And I told her the cigarette burns are old bruises."

Puck bit his lip.

"You should've told me about this the second Beth and I showed up here." Quinn said.

"I know." Puck agreed. "And I'm sorry, but Quinn, my dad's been doing really well. He's clean, he does everything I ask him."

"That doesn't mean he changed." Quinn noted. "People don't change that fast."

"I know that. Probably better than anyone." Puck stated. "Which is why I'm being careful. I set boundaries and I'm being cautious. He's still working on gaining my trust, but I really think he wants to change."

Quinn took a deep breath. "I just don't want him to blind-side you. Or take advantage of your help."

"I won't let that happen." Puck told Quinn. "He knows what my expectations are."

Quinn didn't say anything.

"Look, if you don't wanna stay here, I get it." Puck said. "But I want both of you here. You know I'd choose you and Beth over my dad any day."

"I don't know how comfortable I am with Beth around him." Quinn told Puck. "And I know he's your dad and you're both healing from everything that happened, but if my dad came back and wanted to see Beth, or me, I would laugh in his face."

"I'm not gonna let him hurt you or Beth. Or me." Puck promised. "Not anymore."

"I know that." Quinn said as she stood up. "I'm gonna sleep in Beth's room tonight. We can talk about this more in the morning, okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight, Q."

"Night."