Chaptrer 1
They walked hand in hand as they did everyday walking down the street to the park. Rachel was thankful that she'd found an apartment for her and Alyssa that was near a safe park. Living in the city as a single mother was tough, but she'd been doing it for five years now, and year by year it got easier.
He ran after the football he'd missed on purpose. Coming to the park with Christopher was always one of his favorite things to do. He worked a lot, most days and nights, so this little time he got to spend with his son was the best. Finn knew that raising a child by himself was going to be hard but he owed it to Christopher.
Alyssa took off running towards the swings like always as Rachel smiled and slowly followed behind her, "Mommy, come push me. Hurry."
Finn tossed ball in his hand up in the air a a little before pointing to Christopher, "Alright, you ready, go long."He threw the ball and watched it go right over him and straight into the swing area.
Rachel jumped a little as the ball hit her leg. "Ow!" Alyssa began to laugh and point at her mom.
"Mommy…" Her giggles filled the air as Rachel picked up the ball and rolled her eyes, of course her daughter would find this amusing.
Finn felt horrible as he ran to the lady who he hit with the ball. Christopher dropped down to the ground and laughed, "Nice one dad."
Finn shook his head as he ran towards her, "Are you okay? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to, I…"
Rachel laughed a little as she dusted the dirt off her pants. She looked up at the very handsome man standing in front of her. She stumbled a little on her words, "I… I'm fine, it's okay. Here you go." She handed him the ball.
Finn smiled a little as he noticed her blushing, "I really am so sorry, I was playing football with my son, and sometimes I get a little carried away."
She smiled and shook her head, "I'm fine really, no harm done. I get kicked in the stomach every time I push my daughter on the swings, so this was nothing." She pointed over to Alyssa who was still laughing at her mom.
Finn turned and looked over at her smiling, "So you come here often?"
Rachel smiled, "Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. How about you?"
He nodded and looked back at her, "Uh yea, when I can, I work late sometimes. So I don't always get the chance to.
Rachel sighed, "Oh does your wife bring him when you can't?" Finn nodded, "Oh no, I'm not.. I'm not married, I, its just me. And Chris, my son. just the two of us." He smiled lopsidedly as he looked over at her, boy was she beautiful, he thought, how he hadn't noticed her before was beyond him.
"Oh. I'm sorry.. I didn't." She bit her tongue, she felt bad about asking him that question.
He noticed her apologetic look before interrupting, "Oh no, its okay, its been a long time.."
"Well if it makes you feel better, I'm a single parent too. Just me and my girl." She smiled at him, "I'm Rachel by the way, Rachel Berry."
Finn smiled as he stuck his hand out, "Finn, Hudson… Rachel Berry, that sounds familiar actually."
Rachel laughed alittle, "Oh god, um, yea I do Broadway.."
Finn smiled, "Yea, Um, the one that's from the Wizard of Oz right..whats the name, Wicked?" She laughed, "Yea, that's me." "Alright, well it's nice to meet you Rachel. Such an honor."
She began to laugh, "Nice to meet you too Finn."