AU in which Finn returns from active duty with the intention of proposing to his lifelong best friend Mercedes, only to find that she's in a relationship.
Mercedes kicked her feet in the air while Finn pushed her on the swing. "Remember when I begged my dad to put this swing into the backyard?" Finn asked as Mercedes giggled.
"Yep, you cried and cried for hours until you had your way, Finn Hudson. Always a brat!" Mercedes gasped when Finn stopped the swing to wrap his arms around her waist and place his chin on her shoulder.
"I told him how the prettiest girl in Lima loved swings and I wanted her to be my friend. My dad was a sucker for that kind of stuff." Finn kissed Mercedes cheek and she smiled. The both stayed in that position, Mercedes' feet resting on the ground, both of them watching the sunset.
"He was a good man, Finn. Although I would have been your friend, regardless."
Finn laughed and caressed Mercedes' arms. "I'm going to miss this. I'm going to miss you."
Mercedes turned her head slightly so she was facing Finn. They were best friends. They've been best friends since 2nd grade and they were in love. They never really told each other but it was obvious. Finn was leaving for Iraq tomorrow and it was breaking both their hearts.
"Then don't leave." Mercedes whispered. "Stay with me. We'll run away. We'll go to Canada or something. I don't know! Don't laugh!" Mercedes frowned as Finn laughed lightly. He brushed her cheek with his thumb and closed his eyes.
"I have to serve my country, Merce"
"You're only doing this because you think that's what your dad would want. Finn, we both saw what war did to your father. He wouldn't want you to do this. He would want you to go to college with me in the fall. He would want you to be happy. This isn't your happiness, Finn." Mercedes pleaded. She searched Finn's face for a sign of agreement. "Please, don't go, Finn." With that, her eyes swelled up with tears. "I love you."
Finn tried his best to be strong for Mercedes. He was strong for her when her nana died as she was strong for him when his father died. He was strong for her when her dog ran away and she was strong for him when he broke his arm. He was strong for her when her parents got a divorce and she was strong for him when his mother turned to alcohol in her time of despair. They were there for each other. There was no other way. Wherever Finn was, Mercedes was there. They supported each other, made each other laugh, cried in each other's arms, and shared almost every day together. Now, they were saying goodbye.
"I love you too, Merce. Always and forever." Finn's brown eyes filled with tears and he leaned in to kiss Mercedes Jones for the first time. She wasn't his first and he wasn't hers but it was everything he wanted from a first kiss. It was absolute perfection. Mercedes whimpered and shifted her body on the swing towards Finn. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Finn the two poured out years of want, angst, and passion in this single kiss. Finn broke away and smiled. Mercedes' eyes were still closed. Her hair glistened in the soft sunlight. Her tears fell on her lap; her lips wavered before she bit the bottom. He stared at her, capturing everything; the lines in her face, the way her lip-gloss made her lips sparkle, her apple red cheeks, the way her lashes curled, and the imperfections that made her perfect.
"I'll come back, Mercedes. I'll come back for you." He whispered.
"Please don't say those things, Finn. I can't just sit around and wait. I'm scared. I don't want to get that call from your mom. I don't want to see you get hurt! I can't even think about those things!" Mercedes cried.
"I know. I know. I don't want you to wait around for me. I want you to live your life. Go to school, study music, become a professional singer, get out of this hell hole! I just want you to know that I intend on coming back for you. I will keep that promise, Merce."
"You're my best friend, Finn." She said faintly, looking into his brown eyes.
Finn rested his forehead on hers. "And you're mine."
"Corporal!"
Finn stood up to salute his superior. "Yes staff sergeant!"
"How's that arm, Hudson?"
Finn grabbed his injured arm. "Well sir, nothing I haven't dealt with before. I've been shot at many times. This was no biggie!"
"Corporal, I'm just happy it wasn't your damn head! Can't have you lose anymore brain cells. I have word from your mother, son."
Finn rubbed his arm and didn't look up.
"Son, you are to look me in the eye."
"It's bad news isn't it?"
"I'm afraid it is. Your mother is not well. Now your tour ends next month."
"And I'm going to stay until then, sir."
"You will do no such thing. You have been granted an early ticket home."
Finn looked up to the older man. Staff Sergeant Jackson was a straight shooter. He hated everything but he liked Finn Hudson. Had a soft spot for the clumsy, comedian in Company Charlie.
"Excuse me, sir?"
"You're going home. Now get out of here.
"But…how?"
The staff sergeant leaned in. "I have a lot of secrets, you know that Hudson. This is just one more. Now go take care of your mother."
Finn smiled and almost embraced Staff Sergeant Jackson when he remembered rule 678: No hugging.
"Thank you, sir."
Finn saluted him and about faced.
"Corporal?"
"Sir?"
"You're a fine Marine."
"HOO RAH!" Finn yelled.
The staff Sergeant smiled as he watched a good man bolt to gather his things.
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"Water. I need water." Mrs. Hudson shook in the hospital bed.
Mercedes massaged her forehead. "I'll go get it." She stood up and Carole grabbed her hand. "You're a good daughter, Mercedes."
Carole coughed and Mercedes fought the urge to cry. "You're a great mother." She whispered.
Mercedes grabbed the pitcher on the nightstand next to Carole's bed and walked towards the door. "I'll be right back."
Mercedes closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She covered her face to cry. They had not heard from Finn in months. Mercedes had sent word that Carole's condition had worsened and it almost felt like the earth had swallowed her best friend. She breathed in and exhaled, wiped her tears and walked towards the nurse's station.
"I don't think you're understanding me. She's my mother!"
"You're not on the list, sir. There are strict rules as to who gets to see Ms. Hudson."
"Mrs. Hudson. She's still married!" Finn yelled.
Mercedes' jaw dropped. A man that could have been Finn stood at the nurse's station but the 18 year old teenager she knew was gone. He looked taller, leaner, angrier and just different.
Her hands shook as she approached him. "Finn?"
Finn's heart fluttered. He was afraid if her turned to quick, he'd fall apart. He knew that voice, he knew that scent. "Merce?"
He turned around and the two of them ran to each other. Both of them cried in each other's arms, just like old times.
"I can't believe it's you. Finn, it's been so long. Are you alright? When we didn't hear from you, we thought the worst!" Mercedes had a million questions.
Finn caressed her hair. "I never stopped thinking about you Mercedes. Things were bad in Iraq. I have seen things, I have made friends and watched them die, I've been shot, left for dead,but I never stopped thinking about."
Finn cried in her arms and Mercedes held him tight. "Your mother is really sick. They're moving her to a hospice as soon as we get the paperwork ready. I've been watching her all this time."
Finn sniffled and smiled in her hair. "You're amazing, Mercedes Jones."
Mercedes broke the embrace and stared into Finn's eyes. "I graduated top of my class!"
"I know! I heard! Puck told me everything."
Mercedes bowed her head. "Finn, I don't think Puck told you everything."
Finn cupped her chin and brought it up so they were looking at each other once more. "I'm here now. We have the rest of our lives to catch up."
"Finn, there's something I need to tell you."
"I promise, you can tell me everything. After, I see my mom."
Mercedes nodded her head in agreement and took Finn's hand. They both walked to the room.
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"It really is a miracle. I've never seen such amazing recovery. I think Carole Hudson might make it through Christmas, after all." The nurse watched as Carole and Finn bonded.
"Sometimes, when you love someone so much, it's all you need." Mercedes whispered, letting a single tear fall.
"I suppose you're right. We'll keep her here a little longer, and make sure she stabilizes. No need for a hospice just yet.
The nurse left the room. Mercedes watched as Carole laughed at Finn's jokes and smiled. He didn't leave her side for 3 days and she had completely made a turn around. It was truly a miracle. Finn was so busy that they couldn't spend time together, alone, to talk about everything that had happened in the 5 years he was away.
Finn kissed his mother's cheek and stood up. He walked over to Mercedes.
"Lunch? My treat? I feel kind of bad we haven't really spent any time alone since I've been back."
Mercedes smiled. "Yeah, I'll get my purse." This was it, she thought. She'd tell him everything.
Finn and Mercedes waved goodbye to Carole and left the hospital.
"I've missed Lima Burgers believe it or not." Finn licked his lips as he began to tackle his burger.
Mercedes laughed. "Lima Burgers missed you. You were their best customer!"
Finn closed his eyes. He was in heaven. He was eating the most amazing burgers in the nation and he was with his girl. " mmmm. That's some good stuff." He said with a full mouth. He laughed. "I'm sorry."
Mercedes grabbed a napkin and wiped his chin. "Nothing's changed, Finn." She whispered sadly.
Finn grabbed her hand and stared into her eyes. "I have something for you."
He wiped his hands on a napkin and stood up. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box.
Mercedes' eyes widened. "No no no nonoononono. Finn, you can't do this."
Finn chuckled. "Now, hear me out. I know we never really dated but Mercedes Jones, you're it for me."
Mercedes covered her face. "This isn't happening."
"You're my best friend, the love of my life, you're everything I have ever wanted in a wife. I think about the future, my future, our future and you're always there with me, every step of the way. Mercedes Jones will you…"
"I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!" Mercedes yelled, covering her face. "I have a boyfriend" She whispered again.
Finn was shocked. He didn't expect this. Well, he should have expected this. It's Mercedes Jones. Why would she wait around for him?
Finn sat back down and Mercedes dragged her chair closer to him. "I'm so sorry, Finn."
"Do you love him?" He asked her quietly.
Mercedes hesitated. No one has ever asked her that. Her boyfriend was a nice guy but she never thought about it. "I…well, I don't know." Mercedes said in a confused tone.
"Do you love me?" Finn asked hopefully.
Mercedes sighed. "That's not fair, Finn. You can't ask me those questions. I will always love you."
"Is he good to you?"
"Yes, of course."
"That's all that matters." Finn pushed his plate to the side.
"You're gonna just let a burger go to waste?" Mercedes said trying to make light of the situation.
"Not really hungry."
"Finn, don't do this."
"Merce, please, I'm allowed to be sad. Let me be sad. Things will change." Finn wiped his lips. "I hope to meet the lucky guy one day."
Mercedes wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
"You have met him…" She said quietly.
Finn looked up at his distressed friend.
"What?"
Mercedes closed her eyes. "We don't have to do this out here. We can do this in private."
"Who is it, Mercedes?" Finn asked sternly.
"Sam Evans." Mercedes grabbed Finn's arms. "Please relax"
Finn couldn't relax. He didn't even know how to react. Sam was his friend. He offered him a place to stay when had come back from Kentucky. They were like brothers. How could he do that to him? Mercedes was HIS girl.
Finn stood up, took out his wallet and left money on the table. "I need to go see my mother. I'll see you later Mercedes."
"Finn. Please." Mercedes pleaded with him as everyone looked on at the would be lovers.
"Mercedes…I can't right now. Maybe you should go home."
Finn turned his back and left the restaurant.