August 1, 2012
Finn couldn't believe he had finished the best and worst nine weeks of his life. He'd survived basic training and was getting to go home for a few days before he got his official orders. His mom and Burt had made the trip down to Fort Benning to see his graduation, pride displayed with the smiles on their face when they saw him in his uniform, officially Private Hudson. He couldn't ignore the sadness he saw on his mother's though, knowing she didn't agree with his decision. He also knew it was based in the fear of losing her son.
His parents also knew he wasn't coming home to Lima. Instead, he'd booked himself a flight from Georgia to New York. He had to see her. There hadn't been a time since they'd known each other that they'd gone this long without some kind of conversation. He never knew it was possible to miss someone that much, so much that your heart hurt when you thought of them, until he'd joined.
"You promise you'll call when you get there?" Carole asked her son, holding onto his hands as they stood in the terminal. They'd booked a different flight back to Ohio that took off later than his to New York. His mom had insisted on staying with him until he boarded.
"I promise. And I promise I'll let you know when I get my orders and where I'll be stationed. I'll be fine, Mom," he assured her with a lopsided grin. He knew she was worried because he was her baby. He was an adult though, feeling more like an adult since the summer began.
"Oh honey!" Carole pulled him into a hug and he couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm as he reciprocated. "We're going to miss you, so much."
"I'll try and make it back to Lima before I get my orders, I promise. And it's not like you guys can't visit me when I leave New York." In fact, he was hoping they visited. He had missed them all summer, and he knew he'd miss them when he was however far away.
"We know, son. Now, let's sit and talk before you go get on that plane and get your girl," Burt told him before shaking his hand - once Carole had released him from her grip.
Finn couldn't help but smile. All he could think about was how to surprise her. Rachel had always loved surprises. He figured he could set something up with Kurt, and that's when the idea hit him.
During the hour wait, he and Kurt had gotten it all planned out in between his conversation with their parents. When boarding began, he took his seat, fidgeting with his sleeves. It was like being a child on Christmas morning all over again. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face. This time, he knew they were going to make it work. They had to. Because they were Rachel and Finn. They were endgame, and everyone knew it. He let her go once, and it was the biggest mistake of his life. He was scared of what the future held for them, and he didn't want to hold her back from her big Broadway dreams. However, everything he'd done over the last nine weeks had shown him you can't be scared. You can't be scared to live and to love. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. He didn't want to hold either of them back from being with each other, though.
The plane ride was quicker than he'd expected, knowing it was because his mind was preoccupied with hoping it would all go perfectly and the exact details they'd figured out. It didn't take long to spot Kurt in the crowd of people at the baggage carousel with a handmade sign. 'Private Hudson.' He couldn't help but chuckle as he strode over to his brother, enveloping him in a hug.
"You ready to do this?" Kurt asked as he pulled back. Finn nodded, more than ready. "Well, put your bag in the car. Do you have everything you need?"
"Yeah. Let's go, Kurt."
"Why did we get all dressed up for a karaoke bar, Santana?" Rachel asked, kind of ticked off at how secretive Santana was being about all this. Finn was waiting to walk in, leaning against the wall outside of the bar acting like he was on the phone, back turned so Rachel wouldn't notice him.
"Berry, I swear if you don't stop complaining I will go all Lima Heights on your ass," her friend huffed in response as the two got out of the cab, Santana paying for the ride before walking in. He made mental not to pay her back considering how much she already owed him. "Plus, you're up first."
Finn followed the two girls in, watching as Santana dragged Rachel to the stage. He couldn't tell what they were saying as he sat at the bar, picking up the microphone and waiting. The bartender gave him a knowing smile. He'd gotten there an hour earlier to make sure this went smoothly.
"What should I sing?" He saw her mouth, leaning down to Santana before the Latina handed Rachel the microphone, the music already beginning.
"Just a small town girl. Livin' in a lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere," she started, looking at Santana with a smile. Finn took a breath. This was it.
"Just a city boy. Born and raised in South Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere," he interrupted before she could start the line.
She looked around for him as they continued to sing. On the second verse, he turned, standing from his seat at the bar. He could see how beautiful she looked, the look of pure joy on her face, even from this distance. By the time the song ended, he was standing in front of her off the stage. He helped her off the stage before her arms wrapped around him, pulling him close. It felt so good to have her in his arms again, holding her close. They had much more to do that night, so he pulled away. The way that she smiled at him made his heart melt.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" she exclaimed as he cupped her cheek in his hand. He really couldn't help but smile at her smile.
"I wanted to surprise you. Come on, we have more to do before the night is up. I'll explain it all in a little while," he assured her as she glanced over at Santana who was giving them a thumbs up while knowingly shaking her head.
He guided her out of the bar, breathing in the fresh city air once they made it outside. He could not keep his eyes off her, knowing the dress was most likely Santana's doing, but he didn't care. She was there in front of him. They walked hand in hand for a couple of blocks, Finn guiding her into a restaurant. Kurt had helped him pick it out, mainly because he knew nothing about the city.
"Reservation for Hudson-Berry," he told the hostess before they were led to their table. Finn pulled her chair out for her before joining her.
"Tell me everything, Finn," she said enthusiastically, holding his hand on the table. She was still the Rachel Berry he loved. He figured she would be, knowing she wouldn't have changed that much over the summer.
"I'm only back for a week, maybe less. I haven't gotten my official base assignment yet. And I figured, what better way to spend my time than with my girl?" he told her, getting that radiant smile again.
"You're very sweet, Finn. But I still can't believe you joined the Army!" It was still a point of convention for them, he could tell. Was that the right word? Convention? The Army may have taught him a lot, but non-military vocabulary was not one of those things.
"I've learned so much over the summer, Rach. About me, about life, about us. I want there to officially be an us again. Some of the stories I heard, some of the training I had to learn. Life is too short to waste it on being upset. I want us to be happy, and before you say anything, I know you're not happy that I joined the Army. But I am. Just like you're happy to be performing," he quickly said, trying to get it all out before she had the chance to react or respond, because surely there was a lot she wanted to say. "I don't know where I'm going to be stationed, or if I'm ever going to be deployed. But I want to know you're there with me, even if you're not physically with me. I can't ask you to leave New York or you're dream because you are destined for great things. I'm just asking that we try. Try to have an us again." He took a breath. "Now you can talk."
He was undoubtedly nervous when it came to her reaction because it could go one of two ways. She could agree. Or she could completely shatter his heart. Unfortunately, he was ready for either reaction, trying not to get his hopes up. It was Rachel Berry afterall, the one girl who had the power to completely destroy him.
"Okay." One word? Pouring his heart out and he got one word. She giggled when he looked confused.
"That's it?" He was even more confused when she nodded. "I don't...I don't understand. You always have something to say."
"Finn." She squeezed his hand. "Am I happy that you called off our wedding, put me on a train, and joined the Army? Of course not. But I can see how much this means to you. It's not like I can tell you to quit, it doesn't work that way. But this." She pointed between the two of them. "This is something I know we can try to make work. Because you came back the moment you could. Now, let's catch up and eat?"
That was exactly what they did. He told her about basic and about the people he met. She caught him up on all the latest gossip and what she'd been up to all summer. It was as if no time had passed at all. They didn't further mention the wedding or how he broke the Army news to her. Instead, they enjoyed their time.
Once the meal was finished, Finn leaned back, smiling. "What did I do to deserve someone like you? How am I so lucky?"
"I ask myself that all the time, Finn." He loved when she blushed. Little did she know, he had one more surprise for her. It was the final surprise of the night and the one Kurt and Santana helped the most with.
"We have one more thing ahead of us. You'll probably like this one the most," he told her after paying the check. They held hands again as they walked outside.
"Finn, you've already done so much. Plus nothing can beat you being here right now. That's good enough for me." Her arms instinctively hooked around his waist, head leaning on his chest. He kissed the top of her head with an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, you're still getting this surprise." He hailed a cab, letting her get in before joining her. It wasn't easy to get last minute reservations at a hotel in New York City, but Kurt was the one who did it, and Finn knew his brother had his ways.
"Finn, can you afford this place?" she asked in a hushed tone when the pulled up.
Some secrets were better kept secret, so he didn't say anything. The couple got out of the taxi, Finn leading her inside to the reception desk. Kurt had really outdone himself this time, and Finn knew he owed his brother big.
"I have a reservation for Hudson," he told the clerk, pulling Rachel to him. Glancing down, he saw her smile up at him.
"You are all checked in, Mr Hudson," the clerk told him, handing him the room key. "We have you down for two nights, check out is at eleven." Okay, now he knew he really owed Kurt. And he assumed it wouldn't be in a way he would enjoy very much.
"Finn, what is all this?" Rachel asked him when they got in the elevator.
"This is me saying sorry," he answered, pulling her to him again. "For everything."
"I already forgave you." He knew that, but he still felt like he had to make it up to her. Plus, there was still a surprise she didn't know about.
When the elevator stopped, they stepped out, walking down to their room. "Close your eyes," he instructed. She rolled her eyes with a smile, but did it anyway. It took a lot less convincing than he thought it would.
He opened the door, leading them in. Kurt had gotten everything perfect. He was careful to make sure she didn't walk into anything, turning her towards the dresser before getting down on one knee and pulling the box out of his pocket.
His voice was soft as he spoke this time. "Open your eyes." When she did, her hand shot up to cover her mouth. "So, I know the last time I did this I was scared of the future. I wanted a constant in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. But this time, I know what I want. I want you to be constant in my life Rachel. I want to know wherever we are, no matter how far apart, that you're my girl. Will you do the honor of agreeing to marry me, Rachel Berry? Again," he added with a chuckle.
"Yes. I wanted to marry you then, and I want to marry you now!" He slid the ring on her finger before standing up and kissing her.
"So tell me, Ms Berry. What is it you want to do tonight?" With how quickly her lips were on his, he didn't need to ask twice.