Broadway.
Mike stops in the middle of times square, looking up at the colourful billboards, one in particular catching his eye. He'd know that smile anywhere and he can't help but smile back, pulling his phone from his pocket to catch the billboard in a still photo. He knew the whole way through high school that her hard work and determination despite other people's mocking would be worth it.
He checks the piece of paper that Santana had given him when she visited Matt a few weeks back, Rachel's address scribbled messily onto it. He isn't sure at first why Santana thinks he wants it, until Matt and Santana list off everything they can think of as to why he does.
Okay, so he misses her, it's not a crime. They haven't seen each other for over a year, the odd phone conversation possibly but she's been busy. Plus, himself and Matt ended up half way across the country once school ended and he'll admit he's not the best at keeping in touch.
He hails a cab easily and reels the address of, realising she could possibly be doing a show tonight and that he could possibly have a long wait. He doesn't even know what to say to her when he does find her. Of course it's going to look strange that he's travelled alone to see her, Matt and Santana refusing the trip with him, instead heading off on their own getaway.
He watches the streets of New York whizz past the window and smiles, he can see why she fell in love with this city. As the taxi pulls up, he hands him the money, refusing the change and steps out onto the sidewalk, suddenly nervous. His hands clench at his side and he fights with himself to not run the other way.
He moves to take a step forward as the main door of her apartment block open and a tall, dark haired male steps out.
"Don't worry about it, Rach. See you in a few days, babe!" Comes the call and the male turns to look at him. "Sorry dude, didn't realise you were waiting to come in."
Mike steps forward quickly, shaking himself out of his silence. "Yeah… thanks."
Rachel turns on the stairs at the voice, it sounds so familiar but she knows shes kidding herself. Mike lets the door close behind him, turning and coming face to face with her, his mouth suddenly becoming dry.
"Mike…" She lets out a breath, before grinning. "You're here?"
He smiles back, because her smile is contagious and hes never been able to stop himself. "Hey."
She steps down the last few stairs in a hurry and hugs him tightly around the middle. "I've missed you."
He feels his heart drop at this a little, because he's missed her a whole lot more than hes's willing to admit. "I know."
She pulls him up to her apartment and offers him a drink, before sitting next to him, smiling once again up at him. "Did Santana give you my address?"
"Yeah, you don't mind do you?" He suddenly panics.
She laughs and rolls her eyes. "Of course I don't! I'm really glad you're here."
Mike hums quietly, "Good, I'm glad I'm here too." He takes a sip of his drink, before looking at her again. "So Broadway, huh? I always knew you could."
She blushes a little before she reaches for his arm. "Thank you."
Santana stands up, hollering as Rachel walks up to accept her award and Mike laughs loudly at her, because Santana just loves embarrassing her friends as much as she can. Mike looks to his side where Matt is stood with Ebony, Matt and Santana's two year old and is bouncing her around, Ebony cheering Rachel too.
"Thank you. This means so much." Rachel stops as she tries to think of who she needs to thank, before deciding they all know she's thankful and she wants to keep it short and sweet. "I just want to thank my two best friends and Ebony for all their support and my husband, Mike, thank you for always believing in me right back from high school. I love you."
Matt smiles at Mike, because he knows the taller male never gets old of hearing it and he also knows that Mike is the proudest of them all.