For The Love of Beth
(I do not own Glee or any of the Characters.)
A New Story
August 2011 and a school year was beginning. For Finn, Rachel, and most of the Glee Club this would be their last new school year at McKinley High School. Everyone in the original group was a senior. Mr. Schue was already dreading letting this group go when they would graduate the following spring.
Finn and Rachel had gotten back together over the summer, but it wasn't as boyfriend and girlfriend, but as friends. The two had actually been invited to Beth's first birthday party by Shelby. Rachel really hadn't wanted to go, but she didn't want the little girl to have her first birthday with none of the invited guests bothering to attend. Quinn and Puck were "conveniently" doing other things. She didn't know that Finn had been invited until he showed up at the party with a gift for the little one year old girl.
"Hi," Rachel said as she opened Shelby's front door for him. "I didn't know that you'd be here."
"I didn't know that you would be here either. If I had known that you were coming I would have asked you to help me buy a gift. I didn't have a clue so I bought her a football," Finn said proudly of his gift and his wrapping skills.
Rachel had to laugh softly when she looked at the gift that Finn was holding. He had wrapped the football with a sheet of birthday wrapping paper and a mile of cellophane tape. It was in the exact shape of the football that was inside.
"I would have never guessed what's inside," Rachel giggled trying not to hurt Finn's feelings. After all he had meant well.
"Rachel, I have missed hearing you laugh," Finn said taking a strand of Rachel's loose hair and tucking it behind her ear.
"And I have missed you fixing my hair," Rachel said in all sincerity. "I have missed my best friend."
Other people and acquaintances showed up for Beth's party, but Finn and Rachel spent most of the party side by side as if nothing had ever happened.
As the party ended Finn asked Rachel if she would like to go on a picnic with him. No strings attached just as friends.
So they started their summer not as boyfriend and girlfriend, but as friends, best friends.
They had agreed that before they could jump back into a relationship, they had to figure out what went wrong and why they had broken up so many times in the past. Not many couples fall apart that many times and then make their way back to each other for another try.
Rachel wanted Finn to make her understand why he could forgive Quinn's sins so easily but not hers. Why he had gone back to Quinn in the first place?
And Finn believed that if you truly loved someone you would do everything in your power to protect them. Why did she hurt him so badly on purpose if she loved him? He also needed to know why she turned to Puck of all people.
Laying their cards on the table, everything was finally out in the open and forgiven. They also discussed the future. Rachel knew that they would most likely be separated when she went off the college in a different state. She had applied to several music schools, but her first choice was Juilliard in New York. Could they handle the four years of separation? What were Finn's plans for after high school graduation? Her life long dream was a career on Broadway. Could they mesh her dreams and his dreams together?
On those long summer afternoons they discussed just about everything. They even talked over the possibility of a life together after college. Everything from marriage, to children, to finances, to a family dog came up at one point or another. Finn wanted to have three kids some day. She wanted two. A golden retriever and a white toy poodle were definitely on each other's wish list.
Finn had also encouraged her to confront Shelby with the questions that haunted her. Rachel wanted to know why Shelby had sought her out only to walk away and then to adopt an infant in her rightful place. Was she not good enough? Was she not what Shelby was looking for in a daughter?
With Finn's support she made peace with her mother over the summer. Shelby explained that when she met Rachel, she was a grown woman on the brink of an amazing life. Rachel no longer needed anything that she had to offer. Seeing Rachel, she realized everything that she had missed. and Beth was her second chance. A chance for atonement.
When school opened that fall day, Finn and Rachel were Finchel once again. This year was one last try to make it work; it was make it or break it time.
Quinn gave the two her usual smirk when they enter the choir room on the first day of school. She had expected the two of them to be all over each other, but it looked like a replay of the first day of their junior year. No out and out PDA's just hand holding and one peck when they thought no one was looking.
"So are you two on or off?" Quinn asked dryly. I thought by this time you would be married, divorced, and remarried.
"Quinn, please back off. We've had a great summer and all of your drama is getting old," Finn glared at the blond.
"I was just wondering since you dropped me for her, how long it would take before you were begging me to take you back. I'm surprised that you've made it this long," Quinn volleyed back with an icy stare.
"Quinn, I'm trying to be a gentleman, but do you know what I think your problem is? I think you're bi-polar! That would explain all of your mood swings and your ups and downs. I would like to think that there's a reason for all the things that you do. There IS help out there for bi-polar."
"Finn Hudson! How dare you diagnose me! Are you a doctor now or something?" Quinn snapped at her ex-ex boyfriend.
Quinn knew in her heart that Finn was probably right. She had seen her dad go from joy to someone that she didn't recognize in a split second. Her mother had spent her life being the dutiful wife trying to keep her husband happy and shielding her daughters from his downward mood swings.
Mr. Schue welcomed them back for their final year and pointed out the new trophy cases that had been built in the choir room over the summer. New Directions was filling them up faster than they could be built. Their group had grown in numbers over the last two years. After last year's wins, it was cool to be in Glee Club.
The year was underway. The football team was off to a good start with an undefeated season so far. The seniors were busy filling out college applications and making plans for the upcoming McKinley Homecoming Dance after Friday night's football game. They were playing Carmel High School and Rachel fully expected Shelby to attend the game.
Over the summer Rachel had made some extra money babysitting Beth for Shelby. Shelby hadn't intended for Rachel be her go-to babysitter, but Rachel and Finn were Beth's favorite sitters. They both adored the little girl and were becoming attached to her, especially Finn. Beth called them Finn and Ray-Ray. Burt and Kurt were the same- Urt. Blaine was Bain and Carole was K-Roll. It pleased Finn to no end that his was the only name that the toddler could pronounce.
Shelby came to homecoming to watch the football game with Beth, but it was difficult to decide which side to sit on. She sat on Carmel's side for the first half, and McKinley's side for the second half. Burt teased her that she swapped sides because Carmel was getting its ass kicked. Really she wanted to see Rachel in her evening gown. Rachel had been nominated to the homecoming court. Her acceptance to Juilliard had been front page news in Lima. That had upped her creds at McKinley tremendously.
Finn was Rachel's escort for the homecoming court so he didn't go to the locker room with his team at half time. He stood there in his mud and grass stained uniform looking down at his petite date. His shoulder pads made her look even smaller as she hooked her arm in his. She was smiling her million dollar smile in a dazzling red strapless gown. It had rained off and on that day. Her heels sunk into the soggy football field with every step so Finn was hanging onto her tightly.
Finn's eyes went from her to his family in the stands. Burt and Carole were sitting with Blaine and Kurt on one side and Hiram and Leroy on the other. Shelby had joined then with Beth on her lap.
Quinn had been nominated to the homecoming court as well. She and Sam had begun seeing each other again, and he was her escort. His football uniform was also covered in mud and grass stains when he joined her on the field. Taking his arm Quinn leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Do you see the woman sitting with Rachel and Finn's families? That little girl sitting on the woman's lap is Beth."
Searching the crowd in the grandstands, Sam finally saw the little girl that Quinn was referring to. "Quinn, she looks just like you," Sam said in amazement. "She's so beautiful."
When the crowns were handed out, Sam and Quinn had been named McKinley Homecoming King and Queen. Quinn wanted to go over to the fence and speak to Shelby and Beth, but her desire to move on with her life stopped her.
Finn kissed Rachel on the forehead as he turned to rejoin his team in the locker room. "I'm sorry that we didn't get crowned. Do you still want to go to the homecoming dance afterward?"
"Sure, why not?" Rachel said shaking off the loss. "I didn't come here for plastic crowns; I came to dance with you."
"Then meet me in the field house after the game. I'll shower and change out of this uniform as fast as I can."
"Just get the mud out of your ears," Rachel giggled as she tried to rub the dirt from the side of his head.
Beth was now sixteen months old and Shelby was doing more traveling for the Ohio Show Choir Governing Board. She was one of the favorite judges and was gone at least two weekends a month. With the competitions on the weekend, Rachel was able to keep Beth for her. She really didn't mind because Finn enjoyed being with the happy toddler so much. Hiram, Leroy, Burt, Carole, Blaine, and Kurt also pitched in to help.
Over the last four months, Finn had grown increasing attached to the little girl. She was a distraction from a world that seemed to have no limits for Rachel and only disappointments for Finn. Rachel had been accepted at Juilliard. Kurt was going to FIT in New York paid for with college money that his mother had left him. Quinn was heading to Kent State on a cheerleading scholarship. Ms. Pillsbury and Coach Beiste had made an extra effort for Finn. He sent applications to area universities and colleges in hopes of a scholarship. No football school was interested in him. Without an athletic scholarship, his immediate future looked like the local community college, living at home, and working at Burt's garage.
When the homecoming game ended McKinley had won. Rachel waited patiently for Finn to shower and change clothes. When he finally came out, they joined the others in the gym for the dance that was already underway.
They found a dim lit corner in the gym and were slow dancing to the music when Finn whispered in her ear.
"Let's get out of here; I've been dying to get you alone ever since I saw you in that dress."
Rachel whispered back to him, "We can't go to my place. Dad and Daddy went home after the game, and Shelby and Beth went with them. Shelby's flying out to another show choir engagement tonight, and Beth's staying with us this weekend."
"The coast is clear at my house. Kurt and Blaine will be here for hours, and Mom and Burt are helping chaperone this dance," Finn grinned.
The two smiled at each other as they made their way to the gym exit.
At the Hummel/Hudson house Rachel slipped off her muddy heels at the door and made her way to the living room couch.
Finn took Rachel's hair down as she was loosening his tie. Trailing kisses down her neck, he made it to her pulse point when Rachel's cell phone rang.
"Leave it," Finn whispered between kisses.
"It's Daddy," she replied. "It might be important."
"Hi Daddy, I'm over at Finn's house. I'll be home in a little while to help you with Beth."
Finn felt Rachel immediately tense as he listened to the one-sided conversation.
"What? When did this happen? I'm on my way, bye Daddy."
"What's wrong?" Finn asked.
Rachel was stunned, "Shelby was flying out of Lima after the game tonight on one of those commuter airplanes. It crashed on take off. She's alive, but they've taken her to St. Rita's Hospital in bad shape."
"I'll get your shoes. Do you want me to take you home to change clothes, or do you want to go straight to the hospital?" Finn asked trying to remain calm.
"Straight to the hospital," was all that Rachel could say.
At the hospital, Rachel and Finn were greeted by Daddy in the chaotic ER waiting room.
"Where's Dad?" Rachel asked.
"Hiram's at home with Beth," Leroy answered. "Shelby's in the back of the ER, but they won't let me go back there because I'm not a relative."
"Well I am," Rachel said looking for a nurse.
Rachel pulled Finn along with her after she was told which cubicle contained her mother. She was glad that she brought Finn with her when she finally found Shelby. Shelby had crush injuries and third degree burns from the chest down.
"Are you Rachel, are you her daughter?" The ER doctor questioned quickly.
Rachel nodded.
"She won't let us give her any pain medication until she speaks to you. I'm glad that you're here. We're afraid that she'll go into shock if we don't treat her soon."
Rachel stepped up to the head of Shelby's bed as Shelby pushed the oxygen mask off of her face with a burnt hand.
"Rachel, if I don't make it, go and see my lawyer Tom Johnson. He has my will, and I've named you as guardian for Beth until she is eighteen. Rachel, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you, but please promise me that you'll be there for Beth. I wouldn't entrust her to anyone else but you. Rachel, I love you. I never stopped loving you from the moment you were born."
"You're going to make it, don't talk like that," Rachel pleaded. "Yes, I'll take care of Beth, but you're going to be here for a long time to do that yourself."
The ER doctor looked at Rachel, "We have to put her under now and start working on these burns. I'll be out to talk to you later."
The doctor motioned to the nurse to put Shelby under with an injection into one of her many IV tubes. Shelby's eyes closed and her grip on Rachel's hand loosened.
Finn led the stunned Rachel out to the waiting room where Leroy was waiting.
"Finn, I'll stay here with Rachel if you'll go back to our house and get some clothes for her. I'll call Hiram and let him know that you're coming," Leroy instructed.
"Daddy, would you mind going?" Rachel said to Leroy. "I would really like for Finn to stay with me if neither of you don't mind?"
"Okay darling, will sweats and tennis shoes be okay?"
"Sure," was all Rachel could say as she and Finn sat down on the waiting room couch.
"I don't understand," Rachel said in confusion. "We just saw her two hours ago."
"Let me call my mom," Finn said to Rachel. "She and Burt are probably still at the dance."
Rachel felt like she was going into shock as well.
"Mom, this is Finn, I have some bad news, and I need you and Burt to come over to the ER at St. Rita's…. You already know? Okay, I'll see you in a few."
Finn turned to Rachel, "They already know and are on their way. Mr. Schue and Miss Pillsbury are ending the dance early.
Burt and Carole ran into the ER to find Finn stroking Rachel's hair as she hung onto him tightly.
"I never got to know her," Rachel kept repeating.
"She's going to be fine," Finn said trying to be reassuring.
"What if she isn't? What am I going to do with a baby if she doesn't make it? I'm just a kid myself."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but we haven't gotten there yet. Shelby's going to be okay. Beth's going to grow up happy, and you're going to Juilliard next fall," Finn consoled.
Burt sat down next to Finn and rubbed his shoulder, "I called Kurt on the way over here. He's going to run by the house and bring some clothes for you. I know that you'd like to get out of that monkey suit."
"Thanks Burt, this is probably going to be a long night."
Leroy soon returned with clothes for Rachel. She was still wearing the gown that she had worn to homecoming.
"Dad sends his love," Leroy said to Rachel. "Beth's asleep in her port-a-crib in the guest room."
-/-
Dawn was breaking that Saturday morning in the St Rita's ER waiting room. Rachel had finally fallen asleep on Finn's shoulder. Carole, Burt, Leroy, and Kurt took turns pacing. Blaine had made many trips to the coffee machine for the others. The nursing staff was about to change shifts when the exhausted ER doctor from the night before came to find them.
Finn woke Rachel up and offered her some coffee as the doctor sat down in front of her. "I'm sorry," he said taking Rachel's hand. "We did everything that we could, but your mother died about half an hour ago. We've made her presentable if you'd like some time to say good bye."
Finn thought that his hand would break under Rachel's tight grip. Rachel thanked the doctor before she turned to Leroy and said, "Go home and get Beth, she needs to say good bye too."
The doctor led Rachel and Finn back to where they'd taken Shelby. All of the wires, tubes, and machines were gone. From the neck up she looked like she was sleeping. Finn found Rachel a chair and placed it beside the gurney that Shelby's body was resting on. Rachel's knees gave way as she sat down and then broke into racking sob. Finn stood by her until the sobs waned.
"I've got to get my face straightened up before they get here with Beth," she said to Finn. "Please help me find a towel to wash my face with."
Rachel had composed herself when Carole walked through the door carrying Beth. Rachel took the toddler in her arms and walked over to where Shelby's body was lying.
Beth immediately recognized Shelby and started squealing,
"Mommy, Mommy!"
Rachel cuddled Beth while Finn tired to hold them both up.
"Ssshhh," Rachel cooed to the baby. She held Beth over so she could see their mother better. The baby patted Shelby's face and then turned to Rachel and asked, "Mommy seep?" Rachel nodded and kissed the baby's cheek.
Rachel turned to go with Beth in her arms and Finn by her side. They met Hiram in the hall. He told them to all go home and get some sleep. He would get in touch with Shelby's lawyer and handle all of the details at the moment.
Back at home Rachel handed Beth over to Carole to take care of. Finn rubbed Rachel's hand and finally said, "I was about Beth's age when I lost my dad."
"Did it make it any easier?" Rachel asked numbly.
"No, I don't remember all of the hurt, but I don't remember him either," Finn said stifling a sob. "But Beth has all of us. We're going to take care of her."
After a long silence, Rachel asked Finn, "I love Beth, but what am I going to do with a baby? I'm just eighteen and what about Juilliard? I know that I sound selfish, but I'm not what Beth needs right now."
"Don't under estimate yourself. We're all what she needs right now. She's going to be lost and confused. She needs people that she knows. She needs people who love her."
"But what about Quinn? She's Beth's birthmother. Why didn't Shelby name Quinn as Beth's guardian?" Rachel asked.
"Shelby must have had her reasons. She took the time to write a will. She wouldn't let the doctor give her anything for the pain until she spoke to you first." Finn tried to reason. "You should try to get some sleep, things will be clearer when you get some rest."
Rachel nodded and Finn led her up to her bedroom. Still in her sweats, Finn tucked her in under her pink and white comforter. He turned to go when Rachel asked, "Will you stay with me until I go to sleep?"
He lay down on top of the comforter beside her and wrapped his arm around her. Soon she was asleep. Finn tried to leave, but Rachel cried and shook in her dreams. After what seemed like forever she settled in a deep sleep, and the two slept until almost evening.
-/-
Until the next chapter, thank you for reading. Whistler Nights