Recap:

Jordan and Declan made up and now everyone is friends again- not that they ever stopped in the first place. Jordan's mom invited everyone to eat some Indian food -now I'm craving for some biryani and anything else spicy- after almost destroying her kitchen. Then, as Jordan goes to get the food delivery, his dad pops in. Not allowing his father be able to finish the classic Star Wars one-liner, Jordan slams the door shut.

And that's what you miss on GLEE!

~

"Jordan!" Mrs. Wallace scolded him, getting up from her seat and walking to the door.

She grabbed Jordan's arm and looked at him, but Jordan remained emotionless. I saw her look at the door and for a moment it seemed her hand holding onto Jordan was shaking.

As Mrs. Wallace opened the door, she began, "Jacob I-"

Only, he wasn't there. Instead, a different man stood in front of the door.

"Sorry, no, I'm not Jacob."The man looked at his notepad. "I got an order for Anne Wallace?"

"Jordan, can you please pay for the order. I have to-"

"Why do you have to go after him?" Jordan muttered. "He left us once and he just left us again."

Someone coughed and Jordan's father suddenly appeared behind the delivery man. "I'm actually still here."

No one said anything.

"Is it a bad time to say I really love Indian food?"

"Yes," Jordan and his mother told him.

"Jacob, just go downstairs to the lobby," she said. "You really should have called me first."

He looked at the ground, rubbing his neck. "I wanted to surprise you guys."

"Mission accomplished," Jordan grumbled.

"Don't act like this, Jordan," his mother lectured him. "Especially not in front of..." She looked at the rest of us.

"Mom, we-" he motioned to me, Declan, and Bennett "-are actually family. You don't have to do anything for this guy."

Jordan looked at his father who wore a pained look in his eyes.

She closed her eyes and sighed. "We'll talk about this later." Mrs. Wallace then looked at Jordan's father. "You're coming with me," she said as she grabbed his arm and left the apartment.

Wordlessly, Jordan paid the delivery man then set the food down onto the coffee table. When he went to the kitchen to grab plates and utensils, I looked at the others who seemed as lost as I was.

"What just happened?" I demanded.

"Don't look at me," Declan said, panicked. "How am I supposed to know?"

"I wonder what spices they put into this biryani...," Bennett muttered to himself.

"Bennett," Declan and I said together.

"He's the reason," Jordan said as he walked back into the room.

Declan and I shared a look.

"For you acting out? Acting like a child?" Bennett asked, grabbing a plate from Jordan and filling it up with some chicken tikka masala.

"Save some for the rest of us," Jordan muttered. "And yeah."

I ate some roti since the others were taking up the other dishes. "You don't have to tell us Jordan. You said that you'd want to tell us when the time is right."

"Well, the time seemed to barge in without warning," he said. Jordan let out a huge sigh. "It was not until a couple of weeks ago did I gather up the courage to find my dad. Seeing that he was nearly at the other side of the country, I wanted to end it there but I noticed he had been researching plane tickets to here. He was supposed to come around the summer, but he must've changed plans and changed the tickets when I didn't notice."

"From what your mom said back there," Declan said.

Jordan was silent, perhaps going over what had just happened. "I didn't know they still kept in touch. I don't know what they're planning, but I don't like it."

"I was just a kid... He just left and now-" Jordan's looked away.

I moved to him and set my hand on his shoulder. "Jordan..."

Jordan coughed a few times and looked at me, showing that he didn't seem to be crying at all. "Sorry, it's the biryani. They seriously don't hold back on this stuff." He began chugging on some soda.

"That's only going to make it worse," I said and began patting his back as he nearly breathed fire.

He smiled at me. "He left years ago. I'm not going to become some bawling mess. I'm just a bit... shaken he's back after all this time." Jordan took a sip of his soda and winced since it was still no help. "And I don't know how to act except like this."

"Revealing that you did a background check with Dominic must have hit closer to home than you would've liked," Bennett said as ate his meal, unfazed by the heat. "You of all people know that sometimes ignorance is bliss." He looked at Jordan. "This is why you need to talk to us Jordan."

"Or else we'll make you eat all of this without any water," Declan said, grabbing a random magazine and fanning himself with it.

"Don't dish out what you can't take," Jordan told him.

"Yeah, you're right," Declan coughed. "This is torture."

"And we're all masochists," I said as I ate some curry with my roti.

Everyone laughed at that.

I noticed Jordan staring at the door. It hurt knowing that I couldn't do anything to help him but to only be there for him. I couldn't fathom what he could be thinking right now.

"Next time, I'll order some samosas," Jordan told us.

Well then.

Declan's phone suddenly rang. He laid back and took a sip of his drink as he answered his phone. "Yeah, dad. What's up?"

Declan abruptly stood up from his seat, startling all of us to nearly spill our food. "Where?" He demanded. "Ok, I'm on my way."

"What's wrong Declan?" Jordan asked as Declan went to the door to put on his shoes.

"Bennett," Declan said, struggling to put on his shoes in his flustered state. "Maple Grove Hospital."

"On it," Bennett said, getting up from his seat.

"Right now?" Jordan asked, setting down his drink.

I stood up, my face lighting up. "It's finally time?"

Declan nodded. "It's Operation Big Brother."

-

Apparently, Operation Big Brother is Declan trying to stay calm in the back seat while the level-headed Bennett drives him to the hospital. Need be, he would drive Declan's parents if Declan's father was too panicked to drive.

We passed by Jordan's parents who were still talking in the lobby of the apartment. Jordan didn't say anything to either of them. We all went inside Bennett's car and drove off.

"How are you holding up?" I asked Declan.

"Barely," he admitted as he fiddled with the hem of his jacket. "I'm excited and nervous and scared."

"But most importantly," I told him, "you're going to be a big brother."

A smile slowly formed on Declan's lips. "Yeah... I am... "

"You're going to be a great big brother."

Declan looked at Jordan who stared out the window. "Thanks, man."

"After all I went through, you'd think that I'd be jealous of her. And maybe I would've if it would have happened years ago. It wasn't the first time I was returned when a couple got their own child. But my parents never acted like how any of my other foster parents were like whether it was before or after we all learned I'll get a sister."

During our conversation, I unconsciously held Declan's hand. As we came closer to the hospital, his grip slightly tightened around mine.

Declan's father was waiting for us outside of the hospital. Declan left the car and hugged his dad as the rest of us found parking for the car. Declan and his father waited for us at the hospital entrance.

"Congratulations," I told him, shaking his hand as the others followed suit.

"Thank you," he said before looking at Declan. "I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner, Declan. Everything happened so fast. It wasn't until I finally got a clear head did I realize I should have called you."

"It's alright," Declan told him. "Is mom alright?"

"She's fine," he assured him with a laugh. "Can't say the same for my hand." He nursed his left hand. "She held it on so tightly while cursing so much. I wouldn't be surprised if her first word was a curse word."

We all laughed. Declan's father led us into the hospital and we stayed in the waiting room while he went to see if they were allowed to have visitors.

"Jordan," Declan said. "I need to talk to you about something."

Jordan sat up from the chair. "Alright."

Then they went off outside of the waiting room.

Before I could say anything, Bennett told me, "It's not healthy for you to worry so much."

"A lot has happened," I replied. "So there's just a lot of stuff in my mind."

There was a window outside of the waiting room. I could see Jordan and Declan talking to each other. But their facial expressions and lack of movement showed they weren't bickering as they usually did.

"You're right, a lot did happen specifically for the both of them," Bennett said, setting down the magazine he was flipping through. "I know Declan. He probably recognized that and is talking to Jordan about it."

I stared at my hands that were on top of my lap. "Yeah, you're right..."

Bennett moved his head so he can look at me despite my lowered gaze. Getting my attention, he held a soft smile as he moved a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"Why do you have to look sad when you're saying I'm right?"

I got over my embarrassment by chuckling at that. "I'm not- You know what I'm talking about."

"This is a great day for Declan. I don't think he'd want your mind to be anywhere else but here."

I smiled at him. "Once again, you're right."

"That's better," Bennett said as he sat back against the couch.

Declan and Jordan came back into the waiting room.

"I wonder how long this hospital's recovery time is," Declan muttered, glancing at the entrance of the room.

"Recovery time?" Jordan asked.

"They usually have new mothers wait a while to recover before they receive visitors. After that, it can be up to them if they want to receive any visitors at all." He then said quickly after our curious stares, "I did some research. Anyway, my dad told me my mom would be happy to see all of us. The rest of our family will be coming tomorrow."

As we waited, I suddenly got a call.

"Oh, it's Lynn," I said cheerfully before feeling my stomach drop.

Flashes of what happened that night resurfaced in my mind. When I went to get my jacket, I witnessed Lynn forcing herself to vomit up what she ate. If Brennan and I hadn't forced her to eat those cookies, none of this would have happened. But what was most unforgivable was that I ran away. And I still want to run away.

For a moment, I didn't want to answer because how could I? I wanted my mind to be right here and right now for Declan. And I didn't know how I could be able to face her after what I saw and what I did after. Whether she knew that I saw her doing that, what would I be able to say to her?

"You can tell her about what's happening," Declan told me.

"What?" I asked, being brought back to the present.

"It's alright to tell her I got a little sister now," he said with a smile. "I'd think she'd be pretty happy."

I looked down at the phone that already showed a missed call.

It's a start.

"Okay, thank you," I told him as I called Lynn.

I got up from my seat and went to one side of the waiting room. She picked up after three rings.

"Hey Lynn," I told her. "I'm sorry I missed your call earlier."

"Oh, it's okay," she told me.

There was a long pause.

"I'm in the hospital," I said.

"What?" Lynn practically screamed.

"Wait, no! Declan's mom gave birth. He has a little sister. I should've had built up to that better. I'm so sorry."

Lynn was laughing at the other end and I couldn't help but laugh with her. I glanced back at the guys whose concerned looks told me that maybe I should be checked into this hospital too.

Once she calmed down, Lynn told me, "Please tell him congratulations for me."

"I will. I'm sorry again."

"Don't be."

There was another long pause.

"So why did you call?" I asked her before adding. "Besides missing my lovely voice."

She snickered. "Well obviously for that one reason."

"Really?"

"Sorry, no," she admitted. "You left your jacket in my room."

It took a moment for me to mentally bring my heart back to life.

"Y-you're right," I told her. "It wasn't until I came back home did I realize..."

I should never lie simply because I cannot lie.

"Naomi, you don't have to-" She stopped herself and sighed. "I know you... saw and... Let's just meet up later and I'll return your jacket to you."

"Lynn-" I began.

"Text me when you're available," she told me and hung up before I was able to actually protest.

My grip around my phone felt like it would break it. I tapped my index finger against it as a way to calm myself. I didn't know if this situation was better or worse. She knew what I had done, she knew I had lied, and now she wanted to meet me in person. Despite the positive outcomes that await because of her understanding tone, my guilt and pessimistic mentality was almost overwhelming.

"Naomi."

"Yes?" I asked, turning around.

"The nurse said we can meet my mom," Declan said as the others had already left to follow the nurse. "Did something happen? You can visit her later if you need to."

"And have the others see your sister before me?" I asked Declan as I walked up to him. "Not a chance. Lynn says congratulations."

He smiled and nodded. "Alright. Let's go then."

We caught up with the others just as they were waiting for us at the elevator. After the trip up a few floors, the nurse led us to a room. Declan was the first to enter and immediately went to his mother who held the baby in her arms. Declan shifted between either foot, eager, to hug either of them. He went with a kiss on a cheek instead.

"Take it easy, honey," she scolded him. "I just had a human being taken out of me."

"Please don't be graphic," he pleaded, glancing at us.

She laughed and looked at the rest of us. "It's wonderful to see you all again. Though, I'm a bit of a mess..."

"You look beautiful," I told her. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, sweetie," she said before turning back to Declan. "Do you want to hold her?"

Declan blinked. "C-Can I?"

"Of course. Just be a bit careful."

Declan's mother carefully placed the baby into his shaking hands.

"Mind her head," his father warned him.

"Y-Yeah..." he faltered as he was able to hold the baby into his arms.

The baby bundled up in a blanket was almost drifting off to sleep. I looked at the others who also looked like their hearts were melting. Declan sniffled and blinked back tears as he looked at her. He would've been embarrassed had he been conscious of our presence, but he was too focused on his baby sister.

Declan's parents had trouble coming up with the right name for their new baby girl. Even Declan didn't know despite his contributions to the list. When he asked them what they decided the baby's name will be, he looked at her with loving eyes.

"Delilah," he said quietly.

Declan began to sing quietly the lyrics to "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White T's to his baby sister. "Hey there, Delilah, don't you worry about the distance. I'm right there if you get lonely. Give this song another listen, close your eyes. Listen to my voice, it's my disguise. I'm by your side."

It was a song only for her. A whisper that no one else should hear. There was no one around the two of them. No one else seemed to matter. Declan's baby sister took his heart before he was able to willingly give it to her.

Delilah closed her eyes and fell asleep.

We never noticed that Jordan had silently left the room.

Finally.

You don't know how long I wanted to write this scene. The baby scene, I mean There's an even better baby scene later. I'm so excited for that one.

A lot will happen in the next chapter. Look out for Jordan everyone.

If you hadn't seen my last post, I want to try editing TGGBB and write a new version of it. I'll of course still keep the original version. I wrote TGGBB in middle school and I want to rewrite it with my improved writing ability. I also have a lot more to write about TGGBB- plot, characterization, etc. Take it from the author herself, you guys will be really happy with the more ups and downs I'm building for this rollercoaster. But it's a slow work in progress.

Rubix