Hi Dear Readers :)
So this is my first new story since coming back to Fanfiction, so I hope you all enjoy. Also if you go to my Pinterest which is MissBeth91 then you can look at the pictures that inspired my chapters.
Just a quick note, in the story Finn is an author and I use the titles of my favourite author John Green. I did this because the books he writes are beautiful and I wanted to give a picture of how I wanted Finn to write.
Happy Reading
MissBeth91
Chapter One
"So the aisle with be draped with white orchids and we can put that in the bouquet as well" the wedding planner explained to Quinn, Puck and Quinn's mother Shelby as they sat around the dining room table going over last minutes wedding details.
"That all sounds lovely, doesn't it Quinn" Shelby beamed smiling brightly at Quinn who returned it. Quinn had dreamed about her wedding since she was a little girl and she couldn't believe it was only 6 days away after almost a year of planning.
They were having it at Quinn's family home in Lima, Ohio and everything had been finalised including the food, band, flowers, bridesmaid dresses and suits. All Quinn was waiting for now was for the rest of their wedding party to arrive.
"It does, what do you think Noah?" Quinn asked as she turned to her fiancé who had a glazed look in his eyes. It was clear to everyone at the table he hadn't been listening.
"What yeah get whatever you want" Puck finally answered after Quinn nudged him in the side with her elbow. Quinn glared at Puck as Shelby shared an embarrassed smile with the wedding planner.
"I think that's enough wedding talk today, the bride and groom have a lot to do. We can talk more when the rest of the wedding party arrives" Shelby decided. She stood up from the table and started collecting up the fabric pieces, small flowers and wedding pictures that littered the large table in the grand dining room.
"Of course Mrs Berry" The Wedding Planner agreed as she helped Shelby collect everything together into the two boxes on the table while Quinn continued to stare at Puck.
"I'll walk you out Wendy" Shelby smiled as the two of them carried the boxes out of the dining room. As soon as they left Quinn angrily jumped out of her chair.
"You could have at least pretended to care in front of the wedding planner" Quinn argued as she grabbed a drink from the bar at the far side of the room.
"I'm sorry but I can only talk about flowers for so long before I get bored" Puck pointed out as he watched Quinn pour her drink and then finish it in one gulp.
"I'm happy to see our wedding bores you" Quinn snapped as she straightened up her blouse then the headband in her straight blond hair.
"That's not what I meant" Puck groaned, when all Quinn did was roll her eyes Puck decided to change the subject "when are the others getting here?"
Quinn gave Puck a look that said she knew what he was doing but she answered anyway.
"Santana and Mike should be here soon and we said we would pick Finn and Sam up from the airport at four because they haven't been here before" Quinn answered as took two bottles of water from the bar then sat back down next to him.
"And Rachel?" Puck asked cautiously as Quinn handed him the water bottle. Puck kissed her cheek in thank you before Quinn answered.
"I don't know she said she would call when she's close" Quinn answered, she chose to ignore his hesitant to ask about her sister even after all these years it was still a sensitive topic between them.
"It will be nice to see them all" Puck commented. Quinn could feel Puck watching her as she played with the diamond ring on her left hand. Quinn leaned back in the large dining chair and looked towards Puck, watching him carefully. Even after five years together Quinn still couldn't read Puck the way she wanted or the way she thought she should especially when they were about to get married.
"Yeah we haven't all been together since graduation" Quinn added. The last time their group had been together had been five years ago when they had left High School. Quinn and their friend Mike had been the year below them but they had both celebrated with the rest of their friends before all going their separate ways.
"Feels like a life time ago" Puck sighed as he ran a hand through his buzz cut hair. Quinn didn't know what to make of Puck's attitude so she decided to ignore as they had too much to do.
"It was for some of us" Quinn concluded giving Puck a look. They both know what Quinn was trying to say. Puck just nodded his head and kissed Quinn's cheek.
"Well I think that went well, it's so exciting isn't it" Shelby cheered as she walked back into the Dining room. She walked to the bar and poured herself some white wine. She looked towards the couple with a brighter smile than either of them could muster.
Quinn turned away from Puck and smiled at her mother "Yeah I can't wait"
XoXo
Santana and Mike drove up the long gravel drive way and parked their rental car next to the others in the eight car garage. They both looked out at the house before them a bit further up the hill but neither made a move to get out of the car.
"God what made me agree to this?" Santana groaned as she put her head on the steering wheel.
"Quinn is one of your best friends" Mike reasoned with a slight smile. They both knew what they were about to get into. In the last month alone they had received fifty-six emails detailing what was expected this week.
"No that can't be it" Santana shook her head. Santana loved her friends, she really did. She just wasn't sure she would last week in the Berry Mansion without even adding the wedding circus.
"Well Rachel did say she would put that picture of you from graduation on her blog if you made her wear the chiffon bridesmaid dress alone" Mike laughed remembering the threatening voicemail Rachel had left Santana just five months ago when Santana had told her she was dropping out of being a bridesmaid because Quinn was driving her crazy even from across the country.
"Oh yeah now I remember" Santana sighed she leaned back in the driver's seat and looked at Mike.
"Come on it's not going to be that bad" Mike encouraged. Santana knew Mike meant well he was always the optimist in their group of friends but Santana wondered if Mike forgot what had happened the last time they were all together.
"Please you've met Quinn, add her mother to the mix and this wedding is going to be a bloody circus" Santana argued smirking at Mike as he just shook his head "and let not forget Rachel and Puck"
"There is no Rachel and Puck" Mike warned giving Santana a look.
"Anyone told Puck that" Santana smirked as she fixed her lip-gloss in the mirror.
"Okay come on moody we've been in the car too long, they are probably watching from the window" Mike said. The both got out of the car and took out their bags from the boot. They had only moved a few steps up the hill when they saw Quinn bound out of the front door and run towards them.
"You guys are here" Quinn cheered as she tackled Santana into a hug to the amusement of Mike. Santana hugged her back quickly before pulling away from. Quinn then jumped onto Mike who hugged her more enthusiastically.
"Hey Quinn, so good to see you" Mike said once he pulled away from Quinn and shook Pucks hand once he had reached them.
"I'm so happy you guys are here" Quinn beamed as Santana hugged Puck. He took Santana's case from her and the foursome walked up the path back towards the house, it was a mansion in Santana's eyes and even after years of staying there Santana could never get used to its grandeur.
"My god you guys are getting married" Mike laughed as he wrapped his arms around Quinn and Puck "how old are we"
"Speak for yourself I plan to be twenty-four forever" Santana smirked walking at the other side of Quinn.
"It's so good to have you guys here" Quinn smiled hugging Santana's side "Come on I'll show you where you guys are staying"
Quinn went off in front of them towards the house. Santana just smiled at her friend's enthusiasm as Puck and Sam trailed behind her.
"You know you could look a little happier" Mike stated pushing Puck jokingly.
"Shut up man" Puck snipped speaking for the first time. Santana just rolled her eyes; Puck was always in some sort of mood about something.
"I'm just saying you're about to get married you look like you going to the chair" Mike encouraged as he looked towards the door to make sure that Quinn or worse her mother couldn't hear him.
The three of them walked through the front door and were greeted by the Berry's Housekeeper ready to take their bags upstairs.
As Quinn instructed the housekeeper where to take the bags, Puck just stood behind them all and Santana shook her head when she heard Puck whisper "Same thing"
XoXo
After dropping their bags in their room, Santana and Mike had some lunch with Puck, Quinn and Quinn's parents who were they once again went over weddings details. While Santana faked enthusiasm (she would never be a girly girl) and Mike hummed and ahhh'd in right places, Puck didn't even bother listening. Santana could see his thoughts were miles away probably on the brunette only a few hours away. Santana watched Quinn look over to Puck every few minutes and sigh when once again she noticed he wasn't really listening. Santana couldn't help but feel sorry for Quinn their wedding was a week away and Puck wasn't acting like he didn't really care and Santana could tell it was noticeable to everyone at the table.
Once Shelby had decided they had covered everything, something they would have to do again once the other got their Santana, Puck, Quinn and Sam set off in Puck's car to the next town over from Lima to Pick up Sam and Finn from the airport.
"So I'm excited to see Finn and Sam reaction to the mansion" Santana laughed from the back seat "Hudson will probably faint"
"Santana it's not a mansion it's a plantation" Quinn corrected with a smile. Santana knew Quinn was now used to her sarcastic ways, although that hadn't always been the case. They hadn't always gotten along but Quinn was important to Rachel and Rachel was Santana's best friend so they had learnt over to time how to tolerate each other and that had lead to friendship.
"Same difference" Santana mused as she took out her phone to check out her Twitter feed. The group had been in the car for an hour and would be arriving soon.
"Just as long as they don't talk about it in front of Will, unless they want an hour lecture about its history" Puck joked which only amused Mike. Quinn snapped he head toward Puck from the front passenger seat and glared at him. A look Santana thought Quinn had perfected when looking at Puck.
"My father is just proud of the house" Quinn defended. Mike and Santana shared a look as Quinn continued to glare at Puck.
"Plantation" Mike smiled trying to diffuse soon of tension in the Range Rover. Quinn smiled sadly at Mike before looking out of her passenger window.
"It was a joke Quinn" Puck reasoned with a sigh shaking his head. Quinn ignored Puck and Santana and Mike kept their heads down both playing with their phones.
After fifteen minutes of tense silence Santana finally say a sign for the Sugar Creek airport. Santana let out a sigh that they would finally be able to get out of the car.
"We're here" Quinn proclaimed, she directed Puck to the car park, they small argument clearly forgotten even though the tension was still there.
The foursome got out of the car and made their way to the gate Finn and Sam would be arriving at.
The group waited for five minutes when they saw their friends come out of their gate bags in tow. The group all hugged each other, all genuinely happy to see each other. Once the hellos were done the groups made their way back to the car.
"So this is Lima Ohio, I'm excited to see the hillbillies and apple picking" Sam joked punching Mike's arm. The boys walked in front as Quinn and Santana walked behind them.
"Yeah because North Carolina is so much better" Mike said sarcastically punching Sam back.
"And this is Sugar Creek not Lima" Quinn corrected.
"Same difference" Sam laughed winking at Quinn. Quinn just rolled her eyes back at him.
"We can't all be big city guys like Hudson" Puck added. Finn just shook his head as slightly pushed Puck away.
"Why was I dragged into this" Finn wondered. Unlike his friends Finn was born and raised in New York and his friends always teased him about it, Santana wasn't even sure why Finn was just really easy to tease and embarrass.
"Just happy to see you mate" Puck laughed as he put Finn in a head lock which Finn quickly got out of.
"Yeah how lucky are we that a New York Times Bestselling author has time for us" Santana sighed sarcastically leaning up to wrap her arm around Finn's neck. Finn lifted Santana off her feet with just one hand then put her back down.
"It's for inspiration on my next book on how people from small towns always seem to marry their cousins" Finn joked with a shy smile, he was never one to tease the others.
"Hudson made a joke now we can really celebrate" Sam cheered to the laugh of the others and embarrassment of Finn. The group reached the car and all climbed in side, the six of them trying to fit in a 5 seater car with two large duffle bags.
"Yeah the Wedding Festivities just weren't enough" Mike mused with a smile.
Quinn turned to the back to smile at her friend's then wink at them jokingly; both Quinn and Puck seemed in better moods around their friends.
"Oh they'll be enough"
XoXo
After arriving back to the house, Finn and Sam were cornered into a tour of the estate by Will, Quinn's father, so Santana and Mike had decided to relax at the back of garden by the basketball court that never got used.
The Berry Plantation had been in their family for over 200 years. It was a large white brick mansion in the centre of 5000 acres of land. It had a large reception area, 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a library and large dining area. It also had a guesthouse that the housekeeper and her husband lived in. It had been modernised over the years and now had a swimming pool, tennis and basketball court. It was like a very nice hotel that their friends just happened to grown up in.
Mike was practicing some free throws while Santana sat on a bench near the basket playing on her phone when they saw Finn and Sam walk over to them, both with looks of bewilderment on their faces.
Santana had expected it, the house was something to see if you yourself were brought up in a normal there bedroom houses like the rest of them were.
"So had a good tour of the house guys" Mike laughed when he saw the look of bewilderment of Finn and Sam's faces as they walked towards them.
"This space is ridiculous and I mean that in the nicest possible way" Sam shook his head as he sat on the bench next to Santana.
"It's huge" Finn commented not really sure what else to say. Mike and him began to pass the ball back to each other while Sam watched them.
"Where are Puck and Quinn?" Santana wondered as she scrolled through her emails on her phone.
"Quinn's mom wanted to go over the set list for the band one more time before she sent it to them" Finn explained as he passed the ball back to Mike.
"They've already had 4 arguments and we've only been here three hours" Santana commented as she put her phone back in her pocket
"Santana don't start" Mike warned her as he dunked the ball in the basket. The ball bounced away so Finn caught it and threw it back to Mike.
"I'm not starting I'm just making an observation" Santana shrugged as she watched the boys play "and we all know it's going to get worse when Rachel gets here"
"Rachel's not going to stir anything it's not in her nature" Mike said, he let the ball fall as he took another shot then him and Finn sat across from the other two at the bench table.
"I know my best friend" Santana snipped rolling her eyes "all I meant was Puck had never been able to hide how he feels about Rachel whenever he's around her"
"Well it's not our place to meddle or comment on it" Mike concluded giving Santana a look that the conversation was over.
Finn and Sam looked at each other as their friend talked about the history of Puck and Rachel. Finn and Sam met the group in college so never knew what went on between Puck and the Berry sisters. Santana knew they either got bored or annoyed whenever the others talked about it because they never went in to detail.
"Are you ever going to tell us what happened between Puck, Quinn and Quinn's sister? You talk about it enough" Sam wondered with a smirk. Santana knew that neither of them really cared to know, especially because they didn't think it was right to know something personal about a woman they had never met.
"You're right I'll stop" Santana agreed, she then turned to smile at Finn "you know Finn I think you'll like Rachel. I think you have a lot in common"
"Why are saying it like that" Finn asked looking at Santana confused. He looked at Mike then Sam who just shrugged.
"I'm not saying it like anything" Santana shrugged with a weird smile, a thought suddenly occurring to her about Rachel and Finn.
Mike just shook his head at Santana then jumped off the bench to grab the basket ball "Okay enough talking, who's up for basketball on this ridiculous court"
XoXo
Rachel let out a loud moan as she parked her car next to what she assumed was Mike and Santana's rental car. She couldn't believe she was back at the Berry Plantation after five years. She knew the wedding of her little sister was the only thing that would bring her back, even if she was marrying Rachel's ex-boyfriend.
Rachel got out of the red VW beetle she had borrowed from a friend and took out her bag from the back seat. She checked her phone to see a good luck text from Brittany. She text her friend back then started walking to the large front entrance. She stood by the front door given herself a moment to collect herself before she opened the door.
"Hello Miss Rachel" Rosa the housekeeper greeted as Rachel walked through the front door. Rosa had obviously seen Rachel through the door as shehad waited for her.
"Hi Rosa, how are you?" Rachel asked as she set her bags down to give Rosa a quick hug. Rosa had been with the family since Rachel was a baby so they were very familiar with each other. Rachel quickly remembered the night Rosa had held Rachel as she cried about Puck. Rachel threw the memory aside as she looked towards the housekeeper.
"Very good Miss Berry, you look lovely, so grown up" Rosa mused with a misty smile. Rosa reached out and squeezed Rachel's hand quickly.
"Thank you Rosa" Rachel smiled squeezing Rosa's hand back before letting go "Where is everyone?"
"Rachel you're finally here" Quinn cheered as she ran to her sister "Mom Rachel's here"
"Hi sis" Rachel laughed as Quinn hugged her enthusiastically which Rachel returned "You look great"
"You too" Quinn beamed as she pulled away from Rachel but put her hands in Rachel's "oh I've missed you"
"I missed you too" Rachel agreed with a smile, it was hard not to be happy to be home when around Quinn's happiness.
"Rachel honey" Shelby greeted as she walked into the reception area of the main house.
"Hi mom" Rachel greeted as she moved away from Quinn go hug her mother.
"Honey you're too skinny for a food blogger, you need to eat more" Shelby lightly demanded in her certain caring motherly way that Rachel was used to.
"Love you too mom" Rachel laughed.
"Shelby leave our daughter alone she's beautiful" Will mused as he walked out of the library and towards his father.
"Hey dad, you're looking well" Rachel said as she hugged her father tightly, truthfully she had missed him the most.
"You're mother keeps me in line" Will joked with a smile towards his wife, who had tears in her eyes.
"Mom why are you crying?" Quinn asked as she shared a confused look with Rachel.
"I'm just happy we're all together" Shelby answered as she pulled Quinn towards Rachel and Will "come on family hug"
After sharing a quick family hug, the foursome pulled away as Shelby wiped her eyes to the amusement of the others.
"Okay enough embarrassing our daughters let them go outside to see their friends, I think they are by the basketball court" Will concluded as he took his wife's hand and pulled her towards the library.
Shelby called to the girls that they had to be ready for the dinner at five as the sisters made their way outside and towards the basketball court.
"So where is that fiancé of yours" Rachel asked as they walked past the giant fountain. Rachel sometimes had to laugh at how grand this house was, Rachel noted it hadn't really changed much since Rachel had last seen it.
"He had to run to the office but he's coming back with his parents for the dinner tonight" Quinn answered. Rachel was glad in some way they could talk about Puck without it being awkward because it hadn't always been that way.
The girls had reached the edge of the basketball court when Santana noticed then. Santana jumped off the bench and ran to the pair.
"RACHEL THANK GOD!" Santana shouted right in Rachel's ear as Santana picked her up easily squeezing her tightly.
"Santana you saw me last week" Rachel laughed once Santana put her down. The others walked over to them with what Rachel assumed were Sam and Finn walking behind them.
"I know but you're the only one normal here" Santana mused wrapping her arm around Rachel's shoulder.
"HEY!" Everyone else proclaimed in union sharing a look of mock annoyance. Santana moved away from Rachel as Mike reached over to hug Rachel.
"Hey Rachel, how's the world famous food blogger" Mike praised giving Rachel a kiss on the cheek before letting her go.
"I'm good, I missed you all though" Rachel admitted with a smile. Being around her friends this week would make it easier for Rachel.
"We missed you as well" Mike agreed. Quinn grabbed both Sam and Finn's hand and pulled them toward Rachel.
"So Rachel this is Sam" Quinn said pointing towards a young man with blonde hair and a large smile. Rachel had heard from Santana that the group jokingly called him Trouty Mouth.
"Hey Sam nice to meet you" Rachel said as she shook his hand.
"You too, my girlfriend is always watching your videos - it's become a nightmare because she's a terrible cook" Sam enthused after shaking her hand Sam gave her a quick hug.
"Well I'm very sorry about that" Rachel laughed as they pulled away. Santana had informed her that Sam was over-friendly with everyone so Rachel didn't mind the hug.
"And this is Finn; he's going to be Pucks best man" Quinn mused as she slightly pushed a tall, very tall, brown haired man towards Rachel. Rachel looked up and instantly noticed his lovely eyes and the freckles that dusted his face. He was cute and Rachel quickly noticed.
"Hi Rachel, I've heard a lot about you" Finn greeted, instead of hugging her Finn shook her hand but Rachel could tell it was because he was shy.
"Same here" Rachel replied, her hand still in Finn's they noticed and quickly looked to the others smiling faces "about both of you, I'm sorry this is the first time we're meeting"
Rachel travelled a lot with her work and the wedding was the first time she had come home in five years so she never got to know Finn or Sam while the others were at college together.
"They'll forgive you if you brought some of your famous chocolate brownies with you" Mike encouraged giving Rachel a side hug. Rachel reached down to her bag that she had next to her feet and took out a tuberwear box.
"Of course" Rachel beamed as she handed the box to Mike who quickly opened up it and passed everyone a chocolate brownie.
Everyone let out a moan of satisfaction as they took their first bite of Rachel's speciality. Rachel just shook her head in amusement, her friends had had her food before but they always had the same reaction. Rachel knew it also drove her friends crazy that they couldn't figure out the secret ingredient in her brownies.
"Oh my good this is the best brownie I've ever tasted" Finn mused with an embarrassed smile when he realised what he had said.
Rachel turned to Finn as her friend were distracted with their food, Rachel looked up and gave Finn her most dazzling smile "Thank you Finn"
XoXo
After chatting with her friends and getting to know Finn and Sam better as the devoured her brownies Rachel decided to go to her room to unpack her things and relax before she would have to get ready for the elaborate dinner party her mother was throwing. Santana had then decided that was time for a best friend chat and had followed her to her room.
"So how you holding up?" Santana asked as she sat on Rachel's bed watching Rachel put away her clothes.
Rachel was in one of the many spare rooms instead of her old room because her old room was bigger so it had been given to Puck's parents who were staying at the plantation for the week like everyone else.
The room was still big enough for Rachel. It had a larger four poster bed on one side of the room and an white antique wardrobe and desk at the other side with its own bathroom. The whole room was decorated with fresh flowers and expensive ornaments.
"I'm actually doing better than I thought" Rachel answered as she checked over the dress she was wearing for the dinner "that also might be because I haven't seen him yet"
"Are you guys going to talk you think" Santana asked as she watched Rachel carefully. Rachel knew she was watching to see if Rachel would lie.
"I don't really think we have anything to talk about" Rachel answered honestly as she hooked the hanger her dress was hanging from on the front of the wardrobe "Puck is my sisters soon to be husband and nothing more"
"Do you think you could be his friend" Santana wondered "it would be easy for us all to get together"
"I can be around him so that it's not awkward but I don't think we can be friends" Rachel answered as she sat at the desk and took out her laptop and camera equipment. Rachel would still need to update her blog and YouTube page while she was home so she'd brought everything she would need with her.
"I guess that's fair" Santana agreed with a slight shrug "he can't really ask more of you"
"Quinn is happy and that's all I care about" Rachel affirmed. If Rachel had to be in awkward situations during the week she would do it knowing her sister was happy and marrying someone she loved.
"She's happy because she's had the wool pulled over her eyes" Santana mused. Rachel rolled her eyes at Santana's comment, Rachel knew all about what Santana thought about Quinn and Puck's relationship.
"Santana I love you but I don't want to talk about this anymore" Rachel sighed as she ran her hands through her curly hair.
"Okay" Santana relented holding her hands up in mock surrender "So what do you think of Finn ... And Sam"
"They seem like nice guys" Rachel answered simply not sure what her friend was getting at with the way she was creepily smiling at her.
"So have you figured out who Finn is yet" Santana wondered.
"Figured out? What do you mean" Rachel asked her friend confused wondering if her friend was messing with her in some way. She turned in her seat to switch on her laptop hoping to get some work done once Santana had left.
"You know those books you like The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns? Finn wrote those" Santana answers, Rachel quickly span around to face her friend.
"No way Finn is that Finn Hudson. I love those books while didn't you tell me earlier" Rachel exclaimed. Finn Hudson was one of her favourite authors and she couldn't believe it was the same guy who blushed earlier when she told him she liked his shirt after Sam had told him he looked like a typical city boy.
"I didn't want you to embarrass Finn because he gets really shy about it but then I saw the way he looked at you so I don't think he would mind a compliment off you" Santana explained with a coy smile. Rachel just rolled her eyes as she went back to her laptop.
"I have no idea what you're talking about" Rachel replied, she wasn't about to tell her friend she felt a spark with Finn or that her stomach did a flutter when he smiled at her even if it was true.
"Of course you don't" Santana mused knowing full well that Rachel was lying "Finn's a very nice guy"
"I'm sure he is" Rachel said as she got to work on her blog entry from the next day, she hoped Santana would get the hint she didn't want to talk.
"Okay I get it, we will talk about it in a few days when you've got to know him better" Santana laughed as she got up off Rachel's bed.
"Are we done now so I can get ready for this dinner" Rachel asked when she saw the time and realised she only has an hour left to get herself presentable enough for her mother.
"We're done, I'll see you later" Santana said, she began to walk to the door before turning back round to hug her friend a hug from behind kissing her cheek as well. "I'm glad you're here Rachel"
Rachel leaned into Santana's hug still in the desk chair "Me too"
XoXo
Rachel looked in the full length mirror in her bathroom one last time fixing her hair. She was wearing an Elie Saab short sleeved black lace dress with a flowing shirt. She had curled her shoulder length hair so it fell just to her shoulders and had kept her makeup minimal. After years of these types of dinner parties growing up Rachel knew how to dress to please her mother.
She picked off some lint from her dress then made her way out of her room and towards the main staircase. Once there Rachel saw Finn stood on the landing straightening his tie in the large mirror on the wall. His back was to her so he didn't see her come stand behind him - his eyes fixed on the tie.
"It's straight" Rachel laughed when Finn jumped a little before stunting around to face her.
"What?" Finn asked until he realised she meant his tie, he looked down at it sheepishly before looking back at Rachel "Oh yeah, I don't normal wear them unless for a meeting with my publisher. Puck said your mom goes all out though so I had my brother pick out the suit for me"
"Well he did well, you look great" Rachel complimented which Finn instantly blushed at. Rachel found it cute and the flutter in her stomach came back full force.
"Thank you, you look beautiful" Finn said a little shocked with himself that he had said it.
"Thank you, I'm used to these dinner parties so don't worry there never as bad as you think" Rachel smiled trying to put Finn at ease. She could tell he was nervous, she would have been to. The house could be a lot for someone not used to it.
"That's what Mike said" Finn replied as he leaned against the banister leading to the stairs "I didn't say it before but this house is magnificent it must have been something else growing up here"
"It was yeah" Rachel nodded her head in an agreement as she went to stand next to him.
It had been a lot growing up in the biggest house in Lima, but Rachel would never change it. She had a wonderful childhood and had been given opportunities others would never get.
"Oh and Santana clued me in as to who you are. I can't believe I didn't realise I've seen you in interviews before and your Tumblr famous" Rachel enthused. Finn looked confused for a second then smiled as he realised she meant she knew him as an author.
"I'm Tumblr what?" Finn laughed
"It means you're popular on the internet" Rachel answered as she turned to look Finn right in the eyes "and I know why, your books are amazing. Will Grayson, Will Grayson has to be one of my favourite books"
"I wrote that one for my brother, I'm glad you like it, it one I'm most proud of" Finn enthused looking away almost embarrassed for a second before he looked back at her "I've heard about you as well, mostly from Sam's girlfriend and Santana. Your book was on the New York Times bestseller list the same week mine was"
"That's right you beat me out for the number one spot" Rachel remembered. Rachel had written a recipe/cook book to go along with her blog at the same time Finn had released The Fault In Our Stars. It had been a dream come true for Rachel to be on a list with so many authors she admired, Finn included.
"Sorry" Finn smiled slightly at Rachel, which made the butterflies flutter even more. Rachel wasn't sure what was happening to her. She hadn't felt this feeling in a long time and she wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Don't be Fault In Our Stars was brilliant" Rachel enthused which made Finn blush again to Rachel's amusement "Are you going to blush every time I give you a compliment"
"Probably I'm not used to the praise yet" Finn admitted.
"It's a likeable trait so don't ever get used to it, that's when you start to expect it" Rachel acknowledged. Brittany had once said the same thing to Rachel and she had never forgotten it. No matter how successful she got she didn't want to ever expect praise. Or feel like she deserved it.
"I'll remember that"
"You ready to go down stairs" Rachel asked she moved off the banister and stood in front of Finn.
"Yeah let do it" Finn got off the banister and held his elbow out to Rachel. Rachel smiled at Finn before looping her arm though his.
They began to walk down the stairs when Rachel suddenly got a thought.
"Finn can I ask you a question" Rachel asked just stopped on the stairs to look at Finn directly.
"Of course" Finn replied stopping at the step below Rachel so they were eye level. Finn was staring intently at Rachel and for a mil-second she really thought about leaning in and kissing his plush lips.
"What do you know about me and Puck" Rachel asked moving her eyes away from Finns lips to his lovely brown eyes.
"Just that you're his ex before Quinn and that something happened to you guys senior year of high school" Finn answered honestly. Rachel just nodded her head unsure what to say. She wasn't really sure why she wanted to know what Finn knew just that she did.
"I never asked because it isn't my place to know something personal when I didn't even know you and I figured it wasn't something discussed in front of Puck and Quinn" Finn further explained as they both stared intently at one another. Rachel wasn't sure what was happening but as Finn looked at her she knew he was feeling it as well.
"Thanks I'm not sure why I asked I guess I just wanted to know what you knew" Rachel acknowledged as they started walking down the stairs again, Rachel arm still in his "I don't like be talked about"
"Trust me Rachel whatever I've heard about you has been nothing but good" Finn promised with a wide smile at her as they reached the bottom of the winding staircase.
"Thank you" Rachel smiled squeezing Finns arm before she pulled away from him. Rachel instantly missed the contact.
The two walked into large Dining room to see everyone else was there. Rachel noted her mother had decorated in the dining room in tea lights surrounding the room, the table had a long black cloth down the middle with leaves and white candles on top of it with a name card on each of the white plates. Rachel had to admit it looked very classy and elegant, her mother's two favourite things.
"About time you showed up your mother was about to have a fit that dinner wouldn't be served on time" Santana mused as she slide in front of the two handing them both a flute of champagne.
"Are we late?" Finn worried as he looked at his watch. Rachel who had been looking around the room for sight of Puck or his parents so that she could stand on the opposite side of room, turned back with an amused smile go Finn
"No Santana's just dramatic" Rachel quipped just as her mother burst into the dining room from the kitchen with Rosa in two carrying a large roast beef.
"Oh you're finally here" Shelby clapped enthusiastically ushering with her hands for everyone to look for their name plate at the table "okay places everyone"
As Rachel took her seat near the head of table Santana winked at her as if her mother's actions had proved Santana point.
XoXo
Once everyone had taken their seats, Rosa began to bring in the rest of the food. Rachel noticed that Rosa had made all of Quinn's favourites of roast beef, Puy lentil, parsnip & walnut salad, red onion tarts, baked fondue and hazelnut butter grilled scallops.
"Rosa this dinner looks wonderful" Will praised once Rosa had brought in the last dish "I don't even think Rachel could have made anything better"
Rachel just smiled at her father who winked at her while Rosa looked at her fondly.
"We'll Miss Rachel did learn everything from me" Rosa beamed as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"That I did Rosa" Rachel agreed smiling at Rosa, practically her second mother.
"Rosa make sure you take some home with you" Will told as everyone eagerly awaited to try the delicious smelling food "there's no way we will eat all this"
Rachel knew there was a good chance they would eat it all, there was fifteen of them but Will always believed in treating his staff fairly and he wouldn't want Rosa to slave away all day preparing their meal then not let her have some of it.
"Will do Mr Will" Rosa replied as she made her way out of the dining room "everyone please enjoy"
"Okay before we all sit down to eat this lovely meal I want to make a speech about the lovely couple" Will acknowledged as he stood up with his champagne flute in hand "I'm so happy that this wedding is finally here mainly because it's all my wife and daughter has talked about for months"
Everyone laughed mainly out of politeness as Quinn and Shelby playfully scolded Will.
"I'm really glad that you will be joining our family Noah and I don't see it as losing a daughter but gaining a son"
Will nodded his champagne flute towards Noah at the other end of the table and that's when Rachel looked at him properly for the first time. He changed just like they all had - he was five years older but in some ways he looked just like the 18 year old who had broke her heart.
Puck must have felt her eyes on him because he quickly looked her way. Rachel instantly looked back to her father as he continued.
"So here is to my beautiful daughter and to the man she has chosen to spend her life with. I can think of nobody better" Will praised as he held up champagne flute, everyone quickly did the same "To Quinn and Noah"
"Quinn and Noah" Everyone replied in union then took a sip of champagne. Rachel could still feel Puck watching her but she made a point of not looking in his direction.
Once the toast was over everyone quickly got to work on passing the food around and loading up their plates, conversation and champagne flowing - the topic of conversation was obviously the wedding.
"I can't believe the wedding is only a week away" Pucks mother Debra beamed as she looked at Puck and Quinn who were sat across from her.
"Well it's been years in the making" Pucks father Frank added with a smile Rachel just found creepy.
Puck's parents had liked Rachel at the beginning, they had been nothing but supportive of their relationship that was until they found out Rachel had no plans to stay in Lima after High school or take over work on the plantation when her parents could no longer do it.
Once they realised Rachel didn't want to run the plantation with Puck at her side, they made Puck make a choice - a choice that affected them all.
"True Puck always did have a little crush on Quinn and in just a few days she'll be his wife" Debra laughed with a coy smile that Rachel knew was fake.
Rachel could feel Santana and Mike watching her carefully as everyone continued to eat. Rachel took a drink of the champagne refusing to look at anyone. She would never give Debra or Frank the scarification that their words meant anything to her.
"This meal really is delicious Miss Berry" Mike enthused changing the subject for Rachel's benefit. Rachel sent Mike a small smile across the table.
"Thank you Mike, I chose the menu" Shelby smiled, Rachel and Quinn rolled their eyes playfully at each other. Only their mother could take praise for a meal she didn't cook.
"But thankfully didn't try to cook it" Will joked, Shelby playfully smacked Will arms.
Rachel smiled at her parents, for their faults conserning what happened five years ago there was no denying that they loved each other. Rachel stole a quick glance at Puck and Quinn wondering if she could say the same about them.
"The caterer you have is wonderful Quinn the samples he sent were to die for" Marley, Pucks brothers' wife and another one of Quinn's bridesmaids, cheered. Debra and Quinn's other bridesmaid Kitty a college friend from school both nodded their heads in agreement.
"Thank you Rachel got him for me" Quinn answered smiling at her sister "he's usually really expensive even for our wedding but he's doing it for free, so that Rachel will write a review about his new restaurant on her website"
Rachel smirked at her little sister's enthusiasm. It hadn't been that hard to get Chef Emma Pillsbury for the wedding. She was a huge fan of Rachel's and Rachel didn't mind using that just once for her little sister.
"I'm sure doing a wedding at the Berry Plantation helped, that's good publicity for anyone" Frank stated looking pointedly at Rachel. Santana, Mike, Finn and Sam all shared a look before they watched Rachel carefully.
Rachel slowly felt a hand grasp her under the table, she turned to face Finn who smiled back as he squeezed her hand unnoticed by anyone else. Rachel looked towards the other end of the table at all the Puckerman family.
Rachel just smirked at Frank; she knew exactly what he was doing "I'm sure it did"
"Rachel how is your little blog going?" Debra wondered.
Rachel's hand was still in Finn's and he squeezed it again smiling at Rachel with a mix of sympathy and encouragement. The both continued to eat with one hand, Rachel was about to answer when her father did instead.
"I'd hardly say little blog Debra, Rachel has 4 million subscribers on YouTube alone not to mention the website and her cookbook" Will said sounding authoritative but polite at the same time. He winked at Rachel and Debra recoiled a little in her seat.
"Of course Will you must be very proud" Debra smiled trying to redeem herself. Rachel couldn't help the smile on her face. She wasn't sure if it was because of what her dad had said to Debra or because Finn's thumb was rubbing her knuckles.
Rachel released Finns hand and mouthed 'thank you' to him, Finn just nodded his head as they both went back to their meals.
"The town is very excited for your food truck Rachel, the mayor has had posters in the square for a week" Quinn encouraged.
Along with her website and YouTube page Rachel also travelled the country with a food truck that she stationed in towns once a week so people could sample her food. Rachel had a calendar on website that told people which town she would be at each week and it usually drew big crowds. Rachel liked the chance to interact with people who loved cooking as much as she did.
"Oh I didn't realise it was that big a deal" Rachel shrugged slightly. Rachel didn't think that Lima would care as much about her food truck because they already knew her and most of the town had been trying Rachel's food for years before she left.
"Yes in such a small town people tend to get excited easily, I heard someone in the butchers yesterday call Noah and Quinn's wedding the wedding of the year" Frank cheered effectively changing the subject from Rachel. Rachel knew it pained Frank and Debra to know that Rachel had been a success without their son, especially after everything they had done to stop it.
Rachel raised a glass to Puck and Quinn, smiling at the pair. "It certainly will be"
The rest of the meal went by a lot better, mainly because Rachel avoided talking or even looking at Puck and his parents and just got to know Sam and Finn better. Once they had finished the main and enjoyed the many desserts that Rosa had made, everyone got up from the table and milled around the room talking and enjoying the champagne.
"You okay?" Santana asked handing Rachel a glass of wine. Rachel took the glass and nodded at her friend.
"I'm fine, Pucks dad still thinks I'm an 18 year old he can intimidate" Rachel snipped looking over at Puck and his father have a conversation by the bar. Up close they were practically the same person.
"Probably because it still works on his son" Santana mused looking over at them as well. Santana turned to face Rachel who was still watching Puck and his dad.
"Puck was always spineless when it came to his dad" Rachel snipped with more venom that she realised she had. Santana looked at Rachel with a confused look before looking over to Marley and Kitty who were squealing with Quinn as she showed them another picture of her wedding dress.
"So what do you think of the Hilton sisters - I think they have enough hairspray on to set this whole place on fire" Santana joked nudging Rachel's side so she would stop watching Puck.
"You know I sometimes wonder what you would say about me if we weren't friends" Rachel laughed taking a drink of her wine. Rachel looked around the room for Finn, finding him talking to Jake and Kitty's husband Rory.
"Nothing I haven't already said to you before" Santana mused as she finished off her wine.
"That's properly true" Rachel agreed as Mike walked over to the pair handing them both some more wine. Rachel finished off the one she had then took the other from Mike.
"Well Rachel your mum sure knows how to throw an elegant dinner party, I feel like royalty" Mike smiled sarcastically. Rachel knew like her Mike was used to the parties at the Plantation, He'd even been to some while Rachel wasn't there but the wedding and everything that week would be over the top even for Shelby.
"It's one of her many skills" Rachel quipped with a wave of her hand.
"You okay anyway?" Mike asked her squeezing her arm. Rachel gave Mike a look of slight annoyance so he quickly removed his arm and smiled at her.
"You don't need to keep asking me that I'm fine" Rachel sighed; she knew her friends meant well but she really was doing better than she thought.
Rachel looked over at Finn, smiling at him from across the room "It's not been a bad first day"
XoXo
Once the dinner party had come to an end and Rachel had avoided any awkward conversations with Puck or his parents Rachel walked her parents to their room to say goodnight then climbed the stairs to her own room.
Once there she saw Puck leaning against her bedroom door. Rachel knew it was too good to be true that she could get through her first night without talking to Puck.
Rachel reached her door and waited for Puck to speak first. He was stood directly in front of her door so she knew she couldn't sneak inside without him seeing her.
"Hi Rachel" Puck smiled cautiously at her. He put his hands in pockets and tilted his head to the side as he watched her. Rachel wasn't sure what he was trying to do but whatever it was, she wasn't buying it.
"Hi Puck" Rachel greeted pointedly not bothering to hide her disinterest in talking to him.
"You know you can call me Noah" Puck stated with a smile. When Rachel was eighteen that smile would have melted her but now she was just growing annoyed that he thought he could say that to her.
"I know I can I don't want to" Rachel deadpanned she crossed her arms in front of her.
"I was hoping we could talk" Puck requested smiling eagerly at Rachel. Rachel just threw her head back in annoyance that Puck just wasn't listening to her.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about" Rachel snipped
"Rachel of course we do" Puck sighed running his hand over his buzz cut as he continued to lean on the door in the narrow hallway.
Rachel suddenly realised that Santana's room was just across from hers and she wondered if her best friend was listening to their conversation.
"No Puck we don't, the only reason I'm here is because my little sister is getting married, that's it. I'm not interested in rehashing the past" Rachel explained raising her voice at the end.
"This isn't what I wanted Rachie" Puck sighed look at Rachel earnestly. Rachel glared at Puck as he used the nickname he had given her in High School that nobody else had been allowed to call her because he said it was his special name for her.
"Do not call me that" Rachel snapped pointing her finger harshly at Puck "and I'm not really interested in what you want Puck you made a choice and I'm not going to let you insult my sister by trying to make this into something it's not"
"I just want us to be able to talk" Puck admitted looking down at his shoes. Rachel just rolled her eyes she wasn't sure if Puck was genuinely nervous or if he was just playing her so they could talk. Either way she didn't care. Rachel pushed Puck away from her door so she could go inside. Even though she knew it wasn't a hard push Puck moved away anyway.
"We can talk Puck" Rachel snipped sarcastically as she looked through her purse for her bedroom key.
"We can talk about your wedding to my sister and how happy you are to be marrying the women you love"
"Rachel..." Puck groaned obviously annoyed he wasn't getting anywhere with her.
"Leave Puck go back to your room where Quinn is waiting for you, we have nothing more to say" Rachel demanded as she unlocked her bedroom door. She had locked it behind her because her mom had a knack of snooping through her things, when she thought Rachel was being secretive.
Puck leaned against the wall opposite Rachel's bedroom door. He reached out for Rachel's arm but angrily pulled away from him giving him her best glare as she opened her bedroom door to go inside.
"Rachel..."
"Goodnight" Rachel snapped slamming the door behind her.
Rachel walked into her room and threw herself on her bed not bothering to take off her dress or shoes. Rachel curled up tightly into her pillow and hated when the tears began to fall.
An hour after her awkward conversation with Puck, Rachel had changed out of her dress and into her pyjamas. Rachel knew she would have to talk to Puck while she was there but she hoped it would just be in front of others. Even though Puck felt they needed a heart to heart about what had happened five years Rachel did not. She knew she would have to ask Santana to run interference between them while they were all under the same roof.
She was sat at the desk in her room working on her blog entry for her Real's Girls Kitchen website when she heard a knock on her door. Rachel hoped it wasn't Puck again wanting to talk.
"Hey Rachel you decent" Santana asked as she popped her was in the door. Rachel shut down her laptop then turned to her friend.
"I am" Rachel replied with a smile "but when has that every stopped you"
Santana had no boundaries and Rachel remembered numerous times Santana had walked in on her doing something embarrassing because her friend didn't know how to knock.
"Well I have these jokers with me" Santana mused as she walked into the room with Mike, Sam and Finn walking in behind her.
"Hey guys what are you all doing here" Rachel asked as she got off her seat as everyone else moved around the room. Finn came to stand next to Rachel.
"Hi Rachel" Finn smiled shyly at Rachel, she was beginning to find it endearing.
"Hi Finn" Rachel smiled back ignoring Santana who was watching them amused. Rachel knew she was in from a lecture from her best friend later.
"Well I took this from your fathers bar and I thought we should share a toast" Santana answered once Rachel and Finn looked away from each other. She showed Rachel the bottle of scotch in one hand and the five tumbler glasses in the other.
"Okay" Rachel said a little unsure of what her friend meant. Santana instructed the others to sit on Rachel's large bed as Santana poured the scotch into the glasses. Rachel smiled to herself as Finn sat down next to her but kept enough distance to be respectful.
"So what are we toasting Santana?" Mike asked as Santana handed them all a glass. Rachel smelt the alcohol hoping it wasn't a bottle that her father would notice was missing.
"Okay here's to the Wedding week" Santana proclaimed holding up her tumbler of scotch, the others did the same "I hope we all survive it"
Rachel and Finn shared a smile as the all took a drink of the scotch. Rachel grimaced as the scotch burned her throat; Rachel wasn't much of a drinker.
"My god that burns" Rachel groaned not bothering to finish the rest of her drink. Everyone put Santana nodded in agreement.
I Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter, the second one will be on tomorrow. I've alreadu finished this story so updates will be quick. Please let me know what you think
MissBeth91 Xx