I do not own GLEE or any of the Glee Characters. I do however own the Plot and baby Molly. This is my first attempt at writing Finchel Fanfic and its been a blast to write. Enjoy this bit of Finchel Fluff!
Finn rushed into the elevator, hands full. The woman already standing inside politely asked him which floor he needed to go to.
"Three please," he replied.
As he reached his floor the woman gave him a warm smile and said, "Congratulations" as he exited. He couldn't be happier. He was a dad! Finally!
Finn pushed the door open to room 344. Car seat on one arm, and the black and white diaper bag on the other. He insisted the diaper bag be somewhat manly since he probably would have to carry it around while Rachel was at work or whatever. Finn didn't want to be seen carting around a bright pink bag around the city. He had to save some of his dignity seeing as he has already turned into a pile of mush since his daughter was born two days ago.
When he entered the room, Rachel was sitting on the bed, their tiny daughter nestled in between her legs. She heard the commotion at the door and looked up to see Finn standing there looking so dad like. She smiled at him as he's standing there, out of breath and his hands full of baby gear. He looked so overwhelmed and ecstatic all at the same time. She should know, she feels the exact same way.
"Well hi there daddy! We've been waiting all morning for you," Rachel beamed. She looked exhausted but was smiling through it. "We managed to take a little cat nap while you were gone. Did you get everything on the list?" she asked quietly.
Rachel and Finn had woken up several hours ago after a fitful night of sleep. Little Molly Catherine hadn't really let them sleep a whole lot last night. Even when she was sleeping and Rachel drifted off, Finn just stared at her in the bassinet. He had to make sure she was ok right? Molly looked so tiny sleeping in that baby bed all alone. She was so delicate and fragile and amazing. Needless to say, at 7 am Rachel sent Finn home to get the car seat and the diaper bag so they could get ready to go home today. She sent him with a very detailed list: car seat, diaper bag, extra blanket (she had forgotten one), and her looser yoga pants in the top drawer of her dresser. Apparently she only brought tight Yoga pants and her body wasn't about that right now or something. He was afraid to ask.
"Yep! It's all here! How is little Molly girl doing?"
Rachel leaned over and picked up the sleeping baby, grabbing a quick snuggle before she hands her to Finn. "Well, she's all settled and dead to the world now that we have to move her around and get ready to leave. Still not really breastfeeding that great though," Rachel sighed. Of course Rachel wanted to ace this motherhood thing. She and Finn had taken 8 weeks of childbirth classes, a breastfeeding class, and an epidural class. You can never be too informed as a parent. However, day 2 of motherhood was really overwhelming her. She guessed this was life lesson number one of parenting. The baby dictates everything and the parents are just along for the ride. Molly would not latch. At all.
Finn rubbed Rachel's back with his free hand as he stood next to her holding Molly. "She'll get it Rachel. She's still new to this world you know? " Right then Molly squirmed in his hands and he immediately put his second hand back under her body.
"I know, I just never thought it wouldn't just be natural for her, or me for that matter," Rachel replied. "It's day 2 and I'm already failing at something. I look like shit, I can barely walk, and my baby won't eat."
Finn could see where this was going. Overly emotional and tired Rachel was never a good combo. "Rach, lets just get home and settled and you'll feel better. My mom lands tonight to help us. She's a nurse remember? She'll know what to do if we need something." Finn could only hope he was right.
Just then the nurse walks in to start the discharge process. They're asked to put the baby in the carseat to make sure that they can do it right and are all ready to go. Rachel nodded to Finn to do it since he's already holding her. "Okay Molly Cat, let's get you ready to go." Finn unwrapped her from her blanket to find Rachel had put her in the cutest damn outfit he had ever seen. It was a white sleeper with a pink tutu attached and she looked adorable. It had a matching white beanie with pink trim. He's pretty sure Molly is the cutest baby to ever be born.
Finn then took her tiny body and placed her in the car seat. Rachel was watching intently like he was performing surgery on her. He began to pull her tiny arms underneath the straps and Molly flipped out. Apparently car seats aren't her thing today because she's all alone and cold in there and Finn started to get flustered immediately.
"Finn are you okay?" Rachel asked with a concerned look on her face.
"Yes I just hate hearing her cry and its freaking me out. I've got it." Finn took the straps and buckled her in, pulling it tight. He wiped the sweat that immediately started to form on his brow. The nurse nods in approval and Finn rushed to get her out. Once back in his arms she settled a bit. Molly looked up at him with her dark brown eyes and he instantly feels so guilty for making her cry. He's screwed because he knows he'll make her cry a bunch of times as she grows up and he won't be able to deal with this feeling every day.
The nurse gives them the okay to go. Rachel decided to hold the baby in her arms as she's wheeled out so they can avoid the car seat drama until they get to the car. Finn had the car pulled up front so the transition is seamless. That is until Molly has to go back in the car seat. This time Rachel volunteers for the torture. Molly screamed just as loud as before. She really hates the carseat. Rachel decided to ride in the backseat with her which Finn is thankful for because at least Rachel can be back there giving him the play by play. As they pulled away from the hospital Rachel was in the backseat trying everything to calm Molly down.
"Shhhhhhhhh Molly girl. Mama's here," she whispered in her ear. She tried the pacifier next and Molly got even more pissed than before. She's screaming so hard her little chin is quivering and Rachel looked up at Finn in the rearview mirror and looked crushed.
"Rach, we will be home in 10 minutes. We don't live that far from here. Hopefully we won't hit traffic and we'll be home in no time."
Molly definitely has Rachel's strong willed personality because she managed to scream the entire ride home proving to both of them that babies can break their parents within their first few days of life. Both Finn and Rachel were shaking and frazzled as they pulled up to their house. As soon as the car was in park Rachel unhooked Molly's straps and pulled her from the torture device as soon as she could. Molly however, was too far gone to calm down.
Rachel rushed into the house while Finn grabbed everything else they need out of the car. She could barely walk without being in pain. Damn Finn and his giant 8lb baby she had to push out. Rachel sat gently on the couch with a screaming Molly still in her arms.
"Are you hungry Molly? Huh? Will that help you?" Rachel realized than that she's not wearing a breastfeeding friendly shirt so she just took it off, then unhooked her bra to try to get Molly to feed. Just then Figaro the cat jumped up on the couch and started meowing and pawing at Rachel. No one had been home in two days to give him any attention.
"Figaro I missed you too but I can't pet you now. Figaro! Stop!" Rachel yelled. Molly is still screaming, her boobs are out, and the cat is now jumping all over her and she finally loses it. Sobs overcome her.
Finn finally finished emptying the car and hears commotion coming from inside of the house. What he finds is something he'd never thought he'd see. Rachel is sitting on the couch topless. Normally that would be so hot but right now its not at all. Molly is in her lap flailing and screaming as Rachel is trying to get her to latch on to breastfeed. Tears are streaming down her face. Then he sees the cat. Jumping all over Rachel and meowing.
"Shit."
Finn rushed over to the couch and grabbed the cat. Figaro is banished to the bedroom for now until they get settled. When Finn got back to the couch he tried to assess the situation but he's literally clueless as to what to do or who to help first. "Rach, what do you need me to do? " he frantically asked. He HATES Molly crying. It's the saddest sound he's ever heard.
"I need you to hold her head while I try to get her to latch ok? I'm having trouble."
Finn does as he's told and held Molly's tiny head as Rachel tried to shove her nipple into Molly's mouth. Molly would latch on and pull off immediately. Finn has no idea what to do.
"Rachel, remember the milk lady told us to put some formula on your nipple or use that plastic thing to help?" Finn was trying desperately to pull any breastfeeding information out of his brain to try and help. It was not working well.
"She's a lactation consultant Finn and I think you are talking about a nipple shield and its in the diaper bag." Rachel was now in total hyper mom mode right now and Finn followed suit. Finn ran to go get the fake nipple and he chuckled a little, his teenage boy self would die if he knew this is what fatherhood was like. Rachel's eyes don't even look up at Finn. She's 100% focused on Molly. As he returned to Rachel she got it all set up and Molly finally latches and they breathe a sigh of relief.
"Finn can you get me some water? And a blanket to cover Molly up while she eats?". Rachel is finally feeling settled and at least Molly is not screaming for now. She is feeling exhausted and overwhelmed and in desperate need of a shower. But at least the baby isn't crying. For now.
After Molly finished eating, Rachel handed her off to Finn. "I'm going to take a shower. If she starts fussing change her diaper but hopefully she just naps for a while." Rachel looked down at Finn sitting on the couch holding his tiny daughter in his arms and smiled. His entire hand covered the span of Molly's entire balled up body. Seeing him as a dad has made her fall in love with him all over again. He's trying so hard to protect both of them and it's so endearing.
"I think I've got it handled for a little while. You did all of the hard work," he replied. He flipped on the TV as Rachel disappeared into the bedroom. Molly is passed out on his chest, covered in a light blanket. As he looks down at her he sees a small smile cross her lips. She looks so much like Rachel its scary. He loves it.
Fifteen minutes pass and Finn and Molly are just chilling on the couch and he's so glad she hasn't woken up screaming or anything. Rachel's still in the shower and he feels pretty good about his unattended time alone with his daughter so far. This is the calmest things have been since she's arrived. Then Finn hears it. Molly unleashes the most explosive sound out of her diaper and starts screaming immediately. Okay. He can do this. No need to disturb Rachel's shower for a dirty diaper. I changed one messy diaper in the hospital and I can do it now. I'm super dad. Super dad's can change diapers without help.
Finn walked into the bedroom where they had all of Molly's stuff set up. They decided they wanted her in their room for the first month or two until they felt she was ready to be all alone down the hall. At this point Finn isn't sure they'll ever be ready.
He laid Molly down as she screamed and then he sees that she has poop all over her cute outfit and its on his hands. OH GOD.
Rachel was enjoying her shower when she heard Molly crying in the bedroom. "Finn? Is everything okay?" she asked over the running water.
"Yeah Rach! Just a dirty diaper! No need to rush! " Finn replied. However he doesn't mean any of that! He needed Rachel to help him but he knows she's showering and needs that too. He pulled some wipes out of the container and began cleaning his hands off but then realized he still has a poop covered baby to clean off and how is he supposed to do all of this?
Meanwhile, Rachel decided to finish up her shower quickly as she heard Molly screaming bloody murder. She trusts Finn, but her motherly instincts are kicking in. She dried herself off and throws on the comfiest pair of sweatpants and a loose shirt she can find. Oh and a nursing bra! Can't forget about that part. She opens the door to the bedroom just a crack to see what Finn is up to. She stifles a laugh as she sees Finn trying to figure out what to do.
He began undressing Molly which makes her scream even louder. This kid doesn't not like to be cold at all. Another Rachel trait he thinks. He managed to get the sleeper off of her and knows Rachel's going to be sad if its ruined because she made a big deal out of bringing her home in the perfect outfit. Now he's holding a poop covered outfit and hasn't dealt with his poop covered child. The smell hits him and he gagged violently.
Just then Rachel couldn't contain herself any longer and started laughing uncontrollably from the bathroom. "You okay there daddy?" she asked.
"Rachel can you just stop laughing and help me? This is a two person job obviously. I'm covered in poop and she's covered in poop and I can't…." and Finn gagged again.
Rachel grabs a plastic bag from under the changing table. "Here, throw her outfit in there and we will deal with that in a minute. " Finn complied. Rachel quickly grabs another bag. "Now go wash your hands as I clean her up so you can take her from me once she's fresh okay?"
Finn ran to the bathroom and scrubbed his hands violently to get it all off. This has been the longest day ever. He glanced down at his watch. 2:14 pm. Seriously? He could have sworn it was already 5.
"Okay Molls let's get you all clean and then mama will feed you again ok?" Rachel looked down at Molly who is still screaming and just laughed. Her dads told her she was going to have a mini diva and this girl is already proving them right. 10 baby wipes later Molly is all clean and in a new cute sleeper and starting to settle in Rachel's arms as she rocks her gently.
Finn emerged from the bathroom finally poop free. Rachel looked at him and starts laughing again. "How are you going to handle big poops if you can't handle a newborn one?"
"I know Rachel! I had a weak moment okay? Is she all settled down?" Finn rubs Molly's soft tuft of light brown hair on her head. Her eyes are slowly closing and he looks up at Rachel who finally looks relaxed.
"Yes she's settling down and probably feels some relief after all of that. She'll need to eat again soon though so I'm going to get settled again on the couch before your mom gets here." Rachel headed towards the living room with Molly in hand.
"Shit my mom! I totally forgot!" Finn started looking around the house and it's a disaster. Rachel had gone into labor suddenly two nights ago and they rushed out of the house in a panic. (They didn't really need to panic though because Molly didn't come for another 8 hours. Lesson learned).
Rachel sat down and snuggled with Molly, smelling the top of her little head. She's trying to relax and possibly take a quick cat nap with her when she heard the vacuum turn on. "Finn? What are you doing?"
He came around the corner with the vacuum blasting. "Oh I'm just trying to clean up before my mom gets here! Plus we don't want the floors dirty with Molly here right?"
"Finn, I'm pretty sure Molly won't be on the floor today. Or within the next few days for that matter. Plus your mom is a labor and delivery nurse! She understands! Look at everything that's happened in the past hour we've been home!". Rachel was giving him that stare. Like she's going to kill him if he doesn't stop vacuuming right this minute.
"Okay I'll stop. Plus my mom likes to have stuff to do while she's here." Finn put the vacuum away and fed the cat who is still being as obnoxious as ever. Figaro is walking around meowing non stop, mostly because Rachel hasn't paid any attention to him since she walked in the door. Finn pats Figaro's head as he eats. "I know bud, your mommy is neglecting you right now."
Rachel heard this and was appalled. "Finn! Don't tell the cat that I'm neglecting him! Poor baby! I feel awful!" Rachel handed Molly to Finn and sits down on the floor next to the cat. Figaro jumps into her lap and purrs loudly. "I'm so sorry Figgy! You are my first child afterall."
Finn rolls his eyes. He began swaying back and forth as he cradled Molly in his arms. "You are such a dad right now I think I'm going to cry," Rachel smiled. Then she does. Huge tears fell down her cheeks. She put the cat down and stood up and just hugged Finn and Molly and sobbed.
"Um, Rach are you ok? Are these good tears or bad tears or what? "
"Good tears Finn! Look at you just being so good with her! " Finn is confused because he's literally just standing there holding Molly but he'll take a compliment when he can get it.
Finn guided Rachel back to the couch. "Why don't you try to take a quick nap. My mom won't be here for another 30 minutes and by then Molly will for sure be hungry."
Rachel was tired. She can't take her eyes off of Molly in Finn's arms and how perfect they look. She knows she needed to rest though. Her body is achy. "Okay can you just cover me up? And wake me the second Molly needs me ok?"
"Of course! Close your eyes and Molly and I will be hanging out right here next to you ok?"
Rachel closed her eyes and immediately drifted off. Finn was glad she was getting some rest. He's tired too, but he certainly didn't give birth to a baby two days ago. Finn feels sleep coming on too as Molly once again was passed out on his chest. There's just something about her smell and weight on him that makes him immediately tired.
Next thing Finn knows he is hearing knocking at the door and it jolted him out of a dead sleep. Rachel immediately sat up and is so disoriented she just keeps staring at him and Molly. "Oh my mom! Geez I keep forgetting about her!". Rachel quickly grabbed a sleeping Molly as Finn ran to open the door.
"Mom! Hey! Sorry we were sleeping."
Carole gave Finn a quick hug and quickly pushed him aside. "Where is my grandbaby? Oh there she is! " Carole found Rachel and Molly on the couch. She sat down and gave Rachel the biggest hug and they both have tears in their eyes.
"Carole, meet your granddaughter. Molly Catherine Hudson." Rachel handed Molly over to her Grandma and Carole was instantly in awe.
"Oh my god Rachel, she's a mini you! With Finn's hair!" Carole runs her Fingers through Molly's hair which grows in about five different directions.
"Yeah I know! She totally has Finn's messy head of hair. I love it."
It's almost dinner time and Rachel was starving. "Hey Finn! After you empty your mom's car, can you run and pick up some take out? I'm starving and we have no food here."
Rachel realized she hasn't eaten since they left the hospital which isn't too good for her energy level.
After hearing Rachel's requests, Finn headed to his mom's car to retrieve her bags. Then he hops in the car to pick up some food for dinner. He's exhausted. This parenting thing is no joke and he's really only been at it for 2.5 days.
Finn arrived home with the food and barely remembers driving there and back. He has to get some sleep soon. When he walked in the door he enters a scene that he never ever wanted to imagine ever happening. Rachel is topless AGAIN. However, this time his mom is sitting right next to her. He wants to run and hide. What the hell is going on? Then he hears Molly screaming and sees her in Rachel's lap but still is so uncomfortable with all of this.
"Uh hi?" Finn said as he tried to get their attention. Neither woman looked up at him. Instead Rachel is holding Molly's head and his mom is holding Rachel's boob and OH GOD why is he witnessing this right now? In a million years he would never have predicted that one day he and his mom and Rachel would all be in the same room while his wife was TOPLESS. No matter what the circumstances. Those were for his eyes only. Well and he guessed now Molly's too. Well that's weird.
Rachel looked up and starts ordering Finn around. "Finn put the food down and get me an extra pillow and put it under Molly's bum. Your mom is teaching me a new feeding position".
Finn does what he's told because obviously neither of them find this remotely strange and his kid's got to eat so he grabs the pillow and places it under Molly's tiny body. Rachel and his mom get Molly to latch on and everyone relaxed a little. Except Rachel. Rachel starts sobbing.
"Why is this so hard? This is nothing like how I thought it would be! She must hate me. She doesn't want to eat!" Rachel felt so defeated. Molly was definitely putting them through the ringer.
Carole rubbed Rachel's back. "Oh honey she's not even 3 days old. She'll get it. Sometimes you have to work at it but you're her mom and you'll figure it out. I'll be here for three days and Finn's off work for a week. We will get all of this under control."
Rachel sniffled and looked down at Molly eating away and smiled. Oh Molly Cat. Ruling the Roost already.
Once Molly finished up, Carole took her from Rachel and insisted that she and Finn go eat before Molly needs something else. They gladly accept and Carole is getting some one on one time with Molly.
Rachel announces she's heading to bed for an hour or so while Molly sleeps. She slips into the bedroom, looking at all of the new things they now need for their baby girl. A basinet by her bed and the changing table wedged in between the dresser and the wall. She just can't believe this all really happened. Of course they had 9 months to prepare, but honestly nothing could have prepared them. Their day today was nothing like how it is on TV or in the Movies. She came home looking homeless with a screaming baby and a vacuuming husband. She could barely walk after pushing out Molly and she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to ever have sex again (poor Finn). There was no peaceful moment where she and Molly quietly napped on the bed while Finn cooked them dinner. There were no visitors coming over to pay a visit (THANK GOD). They hadn't even had any quiet time as a couple to just stare at Molly. Molly was crying most of the time and when she wasn't one or all three of them were asleep. Soon her eyelids became heavy and she let sleep take over. For a little while.
Outside in the living room Finn sits next to his mom on the couch. Molly was still passed out from her last feeding and Carole was loving it.
"So Finn how are things going? Based on the look of this house, a little crazy huh?"
Finn laughed. "Yeah mom you could say that. Molly hasn't exactly let us do anything besides hold her, change her, or feed her. We've barely been home 8 hours and it feels like a lifetime."
Carole smiled. "Well Finn just enjoy this. Soon enough Molly will be married and having a baby and you'll wonder where the time went. " She reached over and pushed Finn's hair out of his eyes. Her baby has a baby.
"Mom Molly is like 3 days old. Can you not get me all sad about that just yet?" Finn held his hands out needing to hold his baby girl. Is it weird to miss her even when she's in the same room? "I haven't had much time to hold her when she wasn't screaming or pooping all over me today." Finn held Molly tight. He didn't think it was possible to love anyone more than he loved Rachel, but he thinks Molly has succeeded. Finn placed a light kiss on Molly's head. He doesn't want to disturb the sleeping bliss that they are now getting from her.
Finn looked up at his mom who is also now crying. "Mom, seriously. Everyone woman in this house had cried all day. Please don't join that club ok?"
"Oh Finn I'm just happy for you! And you know I'm a crier! And you married a crier! And now it seems you've made a little crier too," Carole laughed loudly and Molly startles.
Finn immediately starts rocking her and shushing her. "Mom," he whispered, "I might kill you if you wake her up right now." He cracked a smile and Molly settles back down. Whew.
Carole and Finn catch up while Carole cleans up a little. Finn won't put Molly down. He doesn't want to disturb her sleep and plus he really really loves the feeling of her laying on his chest. There were nights he would lay awake next to Rachel, watching her stomach's small movements. He was in awe that there was a little human in there just dancing around and that one day she would come into the world and he could hold her. Now here she was. It was pretty damn amazing.
Of course his serene thoughts were disrupted by Miss Molly herself. Feeding time, again. At least Rachel got an hour and a half of sleep this time.
"Mom can you hold Molly for a sec while I go wake Rachel? Maybe we can start feeding her before she freaks out this time?". Carole agrees and Finn takes off to get Rachel out of bed.
He walked into their bedroom to find Rachel flat on her back snoring. He's never seen her sleep like this. Finn almost wants to take a picture because he's pretty sure Rachel's never been this exhausted. He climbed onto the bed next to her and kisses her cheek. "Rach" he says while shaking her arm.
Rachel bolted upright and screams "MOLLY!" while she starts ripping all of the sheets off of the bed in one shot.
"Rachel! Stop! Molly's in the other room with my mom. You were asleep remember? I came to wake you because she needs to eat again."
Rachel is breathing heavily trying to catch her bearings. "Oh my god. I was dreaming Molly was in the bed with me and then the bed started shaking and she was gone. I am so out of it."
"The bed shaking was me waking you up. Molly is fine but she sort of needs your services right now," Finn helped Rachel out of the bed and they both emerged into the living room just as Molly is gearing up for her full on scream fest.
Rachel sets herself up on the couch and Carole hands Molly to her. "I'll let you two try to get this handled while I go unpack," Carole said as she leaves the two new parents alone.
"Okay Finn let's see if we can't get her to eat." She looked down at Molly who is quivering her little lip and turning her head to the side looking to eat.
"She totally has your sad cry face Rach. Look at her lip." Finn knows this face. He's seen it 1000 times over the years. It makes him melt.
Rachel just nodded and smiled. She's too focused to talk right now. "Come on Molly, you can do it." she said as she gets Molly into position. After a few tries Molly latches on and both Finn and Rachel give each other a soft high five and a low "yay!".
"Wow I never expected to be so excited over something like this. Look at our girl already so smart." Rachel beamed. Molly continued sucking away and Finn and Rachel finally have their moment to just be a family in their home. "You know its killing me that I don't have this handled by day 3 right?"
"She's so amazing Rachel. Today has been rough but we'll get better at it. Not sure if I'll ever stop gagging though," Finn laughed.
After Molly ate, Carole offered to burp her and take her for a few hours. "You two go and get some rest, I'll wake you when she needs to eat again."
Finn and Rachel practically run to their bedroom. He doesn't even have the energy to put pajamas on. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed in. Rachel doesn't even bother changing. Just collapsed onto the bed fully clothed.
They try to get settled in. They know their time is limited and Molly will need to be fed in another 1.5 hours. A few minutes pass and Finn can hear his mom out in the living room walking Molly around.
"Finn? You still awake?" Rachel asked.
"Yep."
"I miss her. I know she's in the other room but I miss her."
"Me too. I'm going to go get her from my mom." Finn jumped out of bed, threw his shorts on, and headed out to the living room. Carole is caught off guard.
"Are you okay? She's fine. Not a peep out of her!"
"I know mom. We just want some family time if that's okay." He reached out and grabbed Molly from his mom. She smiled and heads into the kitchen.
As Finn walks back to the bedroom Molly starts to stir and looks up at him with her giant brown eyes. "Hi Molly Cat. You want some time with mama right now?" He sees Rachel sitting on the bed, exhausted but her arms are open waiting for her baby. Finn handed her off and now Molly is staring right at Rachel. It's like she knows that this woman was destined to be her mom.
"I feel like all I've done today is feed her. I haven't had any time to just love on her. "
"Well that's all you've done pretty much. She knows you love her. She'll never have to wonder about that," Finn said.
"True. She needs us Finn. Look at her. She's perfect and wonderful and she needs us."
Finn cuddled up next to Rachel, putting one arm around her and rubbing Molly's cheek with his free hand. "Yeah, she's the smartest most beautiful baby in the entire world." He gave Rachel a gentle squeeze and she turned to give him a soft kiss.
Both of them simultaneously yawn but can't seem to stop staring at Molly.
"It's been a good day Rach. A crazy day but a good day."