No Strings Attached

46

The next day, Ruth arrived. Sarah had school so she couldn't come, but she was planning on visiting after the baby was born and staying over during the summer.

"Mom, come in." Noah said, taking her bags. "I have the guest room that you like all set up so I'll put these away and help you settle in."

"Hi, Mrs. Puckerman." Quinn smiled. "It's good to see you."

"You, too." Ruth replied as Noah disappeared with her things. "You're getting so big. How do you feel?"

"I'm good." Quinn said. "Thanks for spending your weekend with me."

"Well, I have to make sure my son set everything up right for the baby." Ruth noted.

Quinn nodded back as Noah returned. She gave him a look.

"Alright, the fridge is full, the pool is clean, the house is spotless." Noah stated. "If either of you need anything, call me."

"We'll be fine." Quinn replied. "Go."

"You sure you'll be okay?" Noah asked.

"Go have fun." Quinn nodded. "And tell Finn congratulations for me."

"Will do." Noah nodded back as he kissed Quinn lightly. When they parted, he looked at his mom. "Take care of her for me."

"I will." Ruth promised. "Have a safe flight. And congratulate Finn."

"I will." Noah said before leaving.

"I'm gonna go check the nursery." Ruth decided.

"Okay." Quinn replied. "I'll come with you."

Ruth shook her head. "Noah said you're supposed to be on bedrest."

"Supposed to be." Quinn repeated with a nod.

"Go rest." Ruth replied. "I'll come get you for dinner."

"Okay." Quinn said as she slowly walked away.

-

"Mrs. Puckerman." Quinn said softly as she entered the living room.

Ruth looked at Quinn. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you." Quinn replied, putting a hand over her baby bump as she slowly sat down on the couch.

"Okay." Ruth nodded.

Quinn didn't say anything.

"Quinn?" Ruth asked.

"Sorry." Quinn apologized. "I don't know if it's my place to tell you this, but I don't know who else to talk to about it."

Ruth looked at Quinn.

"Noah might've even told you already, and we talked about it, but I've been worried." Quinn continued.

"Quinn." Ruth said.

"Noah's dad was here." Quinn stated. "Like, a month ago maybe."

"What happened?" Ruth wondered.

"Well, Noah called to say he was almost home so I opened the front door and his dad was there." Quinn began. "I didn't know who he was, but next thing I knew, Noah came racing in and jumped out of the car."

Ruth nodded, encouraging Quinn to continue.

"His dad said he wanted to talk and then made some comments about me, so Noah punched him and then made him leave." Quinn explained.

"I've been telling Noah to get a restraining order against James since he broke in." Ruth said, shaking her head.

"I'm not afraid of him, but I don't want him around the baby." Quinn told Ruth. "And Noah promised he won't let him hurt either of us, but I just feel like we need to do something. Mrs. Puckerman, what do I do?"

"You can start by calling me Ruth." Ruth replied as she looked at Quinn. "You're family now."

Quinn nodded slowly.

"You need to talk to him about James, and if he doesn't wanna talk, you make him listen." Ruth told Quinn. "My son is stubborn."

"Yeah he is." Quinn smiled slightly.

"But he also cares about you and the baby and he'll listen to you." Ruth pointed out.

"I don't wanna control him or make an ultimatum or anything, but I just want him to do something about it." Quinn replied.

"Talk to him when he gets back." Ruth said. "I'm really glad you told me about James' visit."

Quinn nodded slowly.