Rachel felt like she had to break up with him in person. It didn't matter what other people called it, it would always be her love. The wedding was being planned and the checks were started to go to their designated place but before she could go any further she needed to say goodbye. Rachel and the New Direction girls journeyed to New York City to have a last hurrah since they would be going their separate ways soon after Graduation. She stared at everyone smiling faces to see New York again but Rachel could not help but be jealous of their effortless smiles.
The first day had been filled with sightseeing and shopping. Santana's barbs seem to relax in the city which accepted any love you choose. They had caught 3 weddings in the afternoon of all 3 kinds. Quinn who was supposed to help Rachel with preparations insisted on staying to watch each one. Rachel felt her old self beginning to return as she handed out her pre-decorated notebooks for them to take notes. If she was never going to see this city again as Rachel Berry she would make sure her wedding represented all that she loved.
It was getting late and everyone began to separate themselves into groups. Santana, Brittany, and Sugar were going into the village to bar hop with their fake Ids. Mercedes, Quinn, and Tina decided to go somewhere to "talk". Rachel had noticed that Quinn had been looking very upset today and Mercedes was giving her death stares. She was sure it was about the recent discovery that Finn had cheated on her more than she thought. It was in these moments that Rachel felt the stain of being the other woman.
She wandered to Union Square which was crowded with young people and music even though it was approaching 1am. She loved the spirit and also the fact that she didn't think she would have to use her rape whistle. A man selling random items by the subway opening offered her a map. Rachel tried to push it away but the man melted her heart when he spoke "I can tell you just moved here, I'll give it to you for free. Just remember me when you get famous. Ms. Broadway" he exhorted. It was at that moment she felt her first real smile of the day in the sea of strangers. How could she leave her true hometown?
The sound of singing brought her to the crowd that was cheering on the little band. Her heart dropped when she heard the suddenly scratch of music start playing. She had turned around when she felt a hand grasp her bring her through the dense crowd and into the makeshift stage area. The man who was wearing a vest and black jeans smiled at her like she was an old friend. "Sit here, Madam" he drawled while taking a dramatic bow. He rushed over to the huddle of musicians and singers who were whispering loudly together. The crowd laughed when someone smacked the back of the head of a gentleman with a dirty blonde hair in the back. She used this time to put on her showface and wave to the crowd. It only dropped when she saw his face when the huddle dispersed. "Jesse!" she exclaimed before clasping her hands over her mouth.
The music started without hesitation and the 4 individuals including Jesse began to sing to her.
Hold tight
At midnight
Am I dreaming or are you beaming out?
Are you beaming out?
Like light
Snow White
Red fluorescence, iridescence now
Are you beaming out?
Don't you know that
When I see your face
It's like sunlight dripping.
The chorography dancing was enough to daze her briefly before she felt herself getting up. She couldn't look at him as he sung to her. He seemed so happy to be saying these words to her and she thought of Finn's proposal. His other singers were skilled that was certain as she was being blocked by their improvised chorography. She was sure that the crowd had no idea that she was not in on this joke or show of affection. She grasped her engagement ring and Jesse had seen it during the refrain. He spun her close to him that he dress billowed in the wind. He held her tight and she felt his hot breath on her ear. "You can't be serious" he whispered angrily in her ear. "Jesse, don't "she whispered back pleading. He let her go but stared at her with such intensity for the remainder of the song.
Don't you know that
When I see your face
It's like sunlight dripping
When I see your face
It's like sunlight dripping
You're just like
You're just like
Sunlight
Sunlight
You're just like
You're just like
Sunlight
Sunlight
Rachel couldn't make herself look away from him now. Jesse was clearly professing his love to her and with more vigor than Finn had given the proposal. The harmonized ending caused the crowd to erupt in claps and cheers. Rachel looked around at the people and finally understood why she needed to be here.
The rest of the group came up to her shaking her hand with grinning faces, "So this is the girl that broke so many romantic ships" The man in the blue vest exclaimed. The man in the brown vest shoved the man in blue making room for himself "That is no way to greet a lady, I'm Bret, the loudmouth is Ethan, Where is the ladies man?" Bret paused. In that moment Rachel feared he was talking about Jesse when he located the young man in a red vest getting phone numbers from females in the crowd. "That is Liam. He collects as much numbers as STDs" Bret shouted loudly towards Liam who promptly put his middle finger up. Rachel found herself laughing at the camaraderie the group was showing. If only New Direction was that relax she thought to herself. Leaning forward as if he was telling her a secret she moved closer to hear what he was saying. "And over there is our resident Tin Man. I think you should explain that little piece of jewelry he is staring at" Bret said while glancing down at her hand. She found herself covering it quickly with her other hand.
Rachel felt like she had lead shoes as she walked toward Jesse who would not look in her face only at the offending hand. He drank in the water like it was going to wash away all the pain. "Jesse, I'm…" she stammered. "Jesse, I need to focus on the nationals" he mimicked her voice. He scoffed grabbing her hand he roughly took off the ring. Rachel stared at him in shock while he played with the ring for a moment before speaking again. "This ring is a fucking joke. First he obviously didn't get your ring sized because it was way too easy to take off. Between the ring and your lease around your neck, I have to ask. When did Rachel Berry sell herself to Finn Hudson?" She slapped him so hard the moment afterwards she was shocked to see him still holding the ring. "Oh so there is still some Rachel Berry left for him to destroy after the wedding" He scoffed. It made her so angry that he didn't even acknowledge the red mark on his face. "Shut your mouth, Jesse. You want to sing to me about me being sunlight and then talk to me like this." She snapped trying to walk away again. "Rachel" his voiced cooed softly "You forgot this" holding out his palm where her engagement ring twinkled mockingly.
Something about the way he said her name or maybe it was the tension that hovered around them but she knew what was going to happen. When she reached for the ring he grabbed her quickly pulling her closely to his body before kissing her with such intensity that she forgot she was still in Union Square. She did not know how long it had been before he let her go but she grabbed him back instinctually kissing him back. He pushed her off slightly so she let go of him looking at his pained face. He gently put her ring back on her finger kissing her hand once the ring was replaced back. "Rachel Berry, I have always love you but you made your choice" he lamented. He turned around and started to pack his things as if she was already gone.
Rachel leaned her head back to stare at the barely visible sky and glanced over to the sky line. She took a deep breath before lunging forward grasping him from behind. "I need you to help me. I need you to help me because I think I made a big mistake" She sobbed. Jesse turned around while still in her grasp he turned to face her "You are the love of my life, how can I ever say no".
They were unaware of the three pairs of the eyes that had been watching the entire scene. "Does this mean she is marrying two people, that's bi-marriage" A voice pointed out before the other two grasp her mouth.
A/N: The song is sunlight by bag raiders. I am also from NY and have hung out in Union Square many nights. I hope you enjoy