If the universe can expand faster than c, can it contact faster than c? would this be observable?

If an expanding universe undergoes inflation, would a contacting universe undergo deflation?

Ok, we all know the speed of light (well actually I don't but I know I can google it) but the big question in my mind is the one no one seems to be asking. We are all focused on understanding the creation of the universe when in fact we ought to be asking ourselves what exactly our universe is existing in.

My current theory is that the universe is expanding into time and, using that logice, I must exists many times over, just with billions of years between each existence. Am I right about this???

As we and our instruments are part of the "fabric of the universe" shouldn't any measured expansion be relative & so close to zero? Is the gravitational field of our galaxy (& the Local Group) part of the reason, somehow suppressing the expansion inside galaxies (so the expansion of space occurs outside the galaxies)?

I refilled my ice cube tray, put it in the freezer.  When I came back a couple hours later, I noticed a slender vertical spike protruding from the center of the ice cube.  What would cause the water to freeze in this manner?