A/N: This is an AU fic of sorts, based on what would happen after the season three finale. It's set eight years later where they would be 25 or 26. It's my first shot at fanfiction, so reviews and constructive criticism is always helpful.

Part I: I'm Still Looking Up

Her eyes stayed glared at the mirror as her veil shined down her long Vera Wang gown today was her day. Today was her very big and important day, one that most little girls dream and plan from childhood. The flowers, the food, the dress, the guy, the location it was all set and planned to perfection. Even the chairs were the ones to her liking, the world was falling into place as her brown eyes just stared vacate into the mirror.

It was everything she wanted, her one perfect moment. The fairytale of fairytales, all of New York society was resting in their seats awaiting that moment for her to walk down that isle into the man of her dreams arms. Yet Rachel Berry stood just taking in her appearance.

The strapless natural waisted ballerina ball gown, flowed out at her waisted veiled with lays of degrade floral laser-cut organza. The moment she tried it on Rachel knew it was the one, there was up do of the occasion with Rachel Berry screaming all over it. When Theo saw her walk down the aisle she knew that his mouth would drop at the beauty that exuded off of her the moment she stepped foot in the temple.

"Oh my god," a voiced called from behind her, startling Rachel from her thoughts. "You look so gorgeous Rachel."

"Thanks Quinn," she mumbled not daring to move her eyes as her maid of honor entered the dressing room.

Had you asked Rachel eight years that her and Quinn would be one of the few relationship to last since high school, she would have never believed it. However they did they survived NAYDA and Yale, Broadway and Law School, one train ride at time. Quinn kept up her end and trained it to visit Rachel as often as she could, technology helped the other times. Thank god for texting and Facebook, but their friendship remained intact and stronger through the years. Boyfriends and college parties be damn, they always seemed to make time for each other so when Theo proposed to Rachel eight months ago her maid of honor was an easy choice.

"Your que is in fifteen minutes," Quinn stated as she looked at her best friend. "so finish up, your dads are waiting to walk you down the aisle, I'll see you up by the alter." With one quick Quinn Fabrey shine she turned and walked out the door.

Her eyes shut for a second as she told herself to breathe. She loved Theo, and he loved her like no one ever had. Well maybe not no one, but he wanted to marry her. He stood by her on the long journey to from NYADA to Broadway, watched as she went from understudy roles in little off Broadway plays to starring roles with her name alone drawing in the crowd. Broadway was everything she had dreamed it to be and Theo made it the icing on the cake. She got to live her dream and go home to a man who just adored her.

Rachel and Theo had met at a production NYADA had put on. A financial contributor of his mother's senate run had invited him to come see a production and meet the cast. He fell in love with her voice the moment she walked out on the stage. Her star quality was undeniable, he asked her for drinks. The rest was history, she went and went again and again until before she knew it they were together just about every day. The days soon turned into years and now she was getting married. Don't get it wrong she loved Theo she was just having prewedding jitters every girl does.

This was nothing like her first wedding, well her almost wedding. Her best friend was already here and dressed to be present. The whole aspect of it a little more fancier and upscale. The senator would accept nothing less for her only son. There was a whole bunch of big wig New Yorkers taking up seats, that outside of her little wedding party and small bits of family it was Theo's people.

"Rachel," a voiced called from the door. She knew that voice, she knew it very well, though it was a voice she hadn't heard in years.

Her eyes drifted shut at the sound and a tear rolled down her cheek. Of all the days it was today. Of all the times she wished to hear from him, have him call or say her name today he comes. A day where he should be the furthest thing from her mind.

"What are you doing here Finn?" she was able to just barely utter.

"For you," he spoke still every unsure of himself much like the little high schooler he used to be. Insecurity still ran through him when it came her. He could fight wars and lead troops into victory, but the near sight of Rachel Berry left him shaking in his boots.

At his words she finally turned to see him, and though his voiced was timid like that young Finn Hudson he no longer looked like a young boy. Finn had bulked up, his arms appeared more defined. His face more masculine, his eyes were a bit darker. The stories they could tell seemed to cloud his once bright hazel orbs. He still looked good gorgeous even though he was no longer her high school sweetheart Finn Hudson.

Rachel began straightening an unwrinkled part of her dress by simply running her hands down it. Words were forming but had yet to gather the nerve to be voiced, "Unfortunately Finn you're timing it quite unpardonable."

A smirked graced his tender lips, his lopsided smile not lost among the years with his innocent eyes. She was still the same, extensive vocabulary still left him wondering what she said.

"Are you 100% sure you want to marry him?" Finn hadn't come here to start a problem, he just wanted to know. He needed to make sure that that feeling was gone, that they were 100% over. Staring at her in all her beauty, she still looked just as gorgeous as she had eight years when he let her go. When he told her to follow her dream, not to put life on hold for their love. He has always loved her, "I told you that we had to let go and that we needed to surrender and let destiny take control. Destiny brought me here and I need you to know..."

"Circumstances changed that love Finn," She began turning away from him.

He stared at her for a moment, "Your words have never left me, and I say them like a pray every night, my home is not a place or a dream, it's you. It's a person, you are my home. And I'll love you forever, I meant those words and I still do."

The tears began to flow down her cheeks as Finn turned to leave. Today was her wedding, and nothing was going to stop it. Not this time.