So, yup. This is my first official story! It starts off after the whole "On My Way" fiasco. It starts with Finchel, though I'm hoping to turn it into a St. Berry romance. However, I want to see if anyone actually enjoys it, because I don't want to continue if all I'm going to get is hate. Anyways, please review! It will help me make up my mind on whether or not I should continue this.
Disclaimer: If I owned Glee, it would be called the St. Berry Show, and there'd be a LOT more Spring Awakening and a lot less Finchel (Sorry, Finchel fans :()
Rachel took a deep breath, gazing in front of her at the two tall, wooden doors that separated her from her future. Her mind was racing, and she didn't bother to conceal the many emotions that she was experiencing at the moment. She felt a hand clasp onto her shoulder, and she looked up at her Daddy. Hiram wore a sad smile. She guessed this was due to her 'growing into a woman', as they had put it not so long ago. She put on her best show face, turning towards Leroy. She was surprised to find him staring blankly into space, as though this was as big a decision for him as it was for her – and it probably was. After this day, she was no longer his. She was Finn Hudson's.
Rachel looked to Leroy, waiting for him to speak some words of wisdom, as he often did. But he didn't. He seemed to pull himself from his trance, and looked down at Rachel. He seized her hand in his, squeezing it for reassurance. They heard the faint tolling of the organ, the age-long wedding theme making its way to their ears, though softly. Rachel cast one last glance at both of her dads, before closing her eyes to gather her thoughts.
Sucking in one more breath, she watched as the wooden doors parted to reveal the nave. She was surprised at how many people were present – it hadn't exactly been all that well-planned. The decision on getting married after Regionals had been quite abrupt. She remembered Finn's less-than-witty response to her proposition. "Now? I-I have gym." It caused a gentle smile to tug at the side of her mouth.
She felt all eyes turn towards her, and was worried she might trip and fall, or worse, lose all bearings and flee the ceremony altogether. However, her eyes met with Finn's hulking figure, standing at the altar, unable to conceal the joy that was so evident, plastered across his face. And suddenly, all else was forgotton. She saw herself in the future, with a loft in Upper Manhattan, Finn getting home and their son running up to hug his legs as he bent down to ruffle their child's hair and announce that he would be taking him to his first football game that day, Rachel coming up to peck her husband on the lips.
Such thoughts brought her legs forward as she slowly walked down the aisle towards the man she would be spending the rest of her life with. Her heart was beating ten times faster than it usually did. The veil brushed against her face, and it helped conceal the tears of joy that had managed to break through her resolve. She sensed her dads on either side of her, and she found a newfound sense of confidence. She stepped up the steps to the altar, eyes locked with Finn's. He seemed unable to take his gaze from her, and she felt the same towards him.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Finn Hudson-Hummel and Rachel Berry in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Rachel only now acknowledged the priest standing before them, and she noticed that he wore a less-than-enthusiastic look on his face. She knew it was due to their young ages, but she was tired of feeling guilty for wanting to take a step forward in her and Finn's relationship. She shifted to face the priest, blinking the last stray joyful tears that had besmirched her face only moments ago.
Suddenly, in came flying Mr. Schuester. It was now that she noticed that he hadn't been there until that very moment, and she cast a somewhat confused glance at his reserved seat, which happened to be empty. "Wait!" He yelled, and she felt her joy sink. She had thought that, of all people, Mr. Schuester would be supportive of their marriage – or, at least, more supportive than a few choice New Directions members. She now felt foolish in thinking that he had felt any different than everyone else who had doubted that their marriage was a good idea. She looked up at Finn, who seemed to have a startled expression upon his face.
"Guys, I'd hate to interrupt your wedding," Mr. Schue said, and he sounded genuinely sorrowful, though Rachel wondered if it was just an expert manipulation of emotion. "But Quinn is in the hospital."
Thinking back on it, Rachel couldn't very much sort out the events that had followed Mr. Schue's striking news. Rachel had stood there, waiting for Mr. Schue to say more, to say that whatever reason Quinn was in the hospital wasn't that serious, and that she'd be fine, but what he said next had left her numb.
"She's in intensive care. They haven't gathered a lot of information yet, but what they have said is that she was in a very severe car accident, and she's in pretty bad condition." His voice tried to remain calm, but it was shaking. "I was on her contact list." He added hastily, wringing his hands together. Rachel stood there, momentarily detached from the world around her.
"WHAT?" Finn's voice boomed out, his breath becoming shallow. "Well…what-what can we do? We can't just stand here, we have to do something.." He ranted, pacing. He stopped in front of Rachel, waiting for her to shine some light on the situation at hand. It took Rachel a moment to come to grasps with what was going on.
"We should…we should go to the hospital. Just to see if they can give us any more information…" She said breathlessly, hoping that she sounded convincing enough. However, on the inside, she was just as lost as everyone else.
Carol was the first to get up. She slowly walked to Finn, who seemed to be at a loss for words. She seized his hand in hers, squeezing it to comfort him. "It's okay, honey. We can go see Quinn. I'm sure she'll be fine. I'm sure." She said, trying to calm Finn.
Rachel didn't even wait for her dads to approach. She simply ran into their arms, tears streaming down her face. The marriage was behind them, something that paled in comparison to the stunning events that were now plaguing them. She felt grateful when Hiram and Leroy pulled her into a hug. The rest of the people seemed to be dispersing – filing out with hushed murmurs that drifted past the wooden doors. It took some prompting, but the Hudson-Hummels and the Berrys managed to lead their children out towards their individual cars. Rachel quietly slid into the back of her dads' Honda Civic. Slowly, they peeled from the church parking lot, driving towards the Lima Heights Hospital Expansion. Rachel was in tears as the car door was shut behind her.
Tell me what you think. I might continue. Tips and constructive criticism are welcome. In fact, they're encouraged.