Life was everything Rachel Berry had ever dreamed it could be. She was a Tony Award winning actress; had been labeled the Queen of Broadway, and was sure that life couldn't get any better. Well, that's not completely true. Despite the insane applause every night and constant recognition, she found herself longing for something; something she couldn't place. She didn't notice that she'd stop walking through the park and watch family's playing on the swing set or that she would walk through the baby section at most stores. It never phased her that she was finally at the point in her life where settling down and having her own family would be appealing. She figured it would happen at some point but it seemed that her heart was ready to be filled.
'Tina darling, can you please call my father and let him know that I won't be able to make it to his Hanukkah celebration tonight.' She asked as she wrapped herself in her red, plaid scarf and buttoned her red Burberry coat.
'Really Rach? You promised you'd be going…'
'I know but something came up!' She chirped and grabbed her bag off the desk.
'What could possibly be more important than your fathers; especially considering that they drove here from Lima to see you this week.' Tina huffed blocking the door.
'The show needs me. Ken, as our directing Nazi has decided that the holidays are no excuse to put off our beloved play and frankly, I agree. I'll see them tomorrow but I need to get to the theatre right now. Please Tina…'
'Fine Rachel, but you owe me.' She said with a glare and moved out of the brunette's way. Truth be told, Rachel really didn't feel like celebrating Hanukkah this year. Over the last few years she had realized that the magic of the eight days had faded and become just something standard they did every year. She would much rather live in the moment by cherishing her devilishly handsome co-star/boyfriend Brody and working hard on her current musical that she knew would earn her another Tony instead of living in the past by lighting candles and chanting a half-hearted prayer.
'Thanks Sweetie! I'll make sure and give Mike your best wishes.' Tina's eyes lit up at the sound of her high school sweetheart's name. Rachel knew she had won and strolled out of her manager's office full of confidence and trying to push the guilt down that kept creeping up on her.
She hopped into her sleek black Jaguar and took a deep breath before turning the radio up and pulling out of her parking spot. Traffic in Manhattan was always a nightmare but today seemed much worse. They had gotten a light dusting of snow in the early morning and it had yet to melt, instead it had created slick roadways that only heightened the dangers of driving in the city. Rachel knew how do drive in snow, she lived in Ohio for goodness sake, but she knew that other people hadn't and it scared her. Instead of driving all the way across NYC, she decided that parking her car at her apartment and walking the two blocks to the theatre would be the safest option. Just as she turned down her quiet street a song began to play that not only made her laugh out loud but also made her heart squeeze.
'Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah… let's have a party! We'll all dance the Horrah!' Haven't heard this song in a while, she thought to herself as she crept slowly towards her apartment. If it was up to her she would reminisce for a moment about high school and move on; unfortunately, her dramatic mind and emptiness caused her trip down memory lane to turn into a full analysis of her life. Suddenly the emptiness grew into a large aching whole and she wished more than anything that the boy who sang this a lifetime ago, was near to save her. Puck was the only one who had ever saved her.
The sound of screeching tires tore her attention back to the road, she didn't see anything but she felt the crunch as a car came from behind and crashed into hers. She had just a moment to realize she had been hit before her head slammed into the steering wheel and she lost consciousness.