Salve! This is a new story of mine which follows after the finale of season three, where Rachel went to New York and Finn went into the military. I have another story but that's currently on hiatus, sorry!
I hope you read, review, and, most importantly, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, Fox, Ryan Murphy Productions, So many other things...
01) Going Home
After four years of living in the outstanding city of New York, learning under the greats at NYADA, performing in plays and performances - albeit minor roles - and getting a contract to play Ophelia in the play Hamlet in the upcoming fall, Rachel Berry was going home.
She sat in the generous airplane seat quietly, first class thanks to her fathers, and held onto her knees with a tight clamp. She hadn't returned since that fateful day practically four years prior and that made a small bubble of nerves rumble inside of her stomach. To see her family and all her friends again, or at least the ones that still remained in Lima, made a smile bloom upon her face. She knew that Artie and Puck were still there, the first working as the arts director for the small community of Lima while the latter took over Burt's job at the shop as the older man excelled in politics; something Rachel found slightly humorous as she pictured the slightly crude, but amicable, Burt. And she even heard a rumor from Kurt - who was comfortable in L.A. with Blaine Anderson around his finger - that Quinn was coming home to see her mom and Beth; he also told her Tina and Mike, the newly weds, were home.
Then there would also be her mentor for three long years, the one who always tried to raise her up even when she believed him to be crashing her down: Mr. Schuester, and Miss Pillsbury, who Rachel still couldn't manage to think of as Mrs. Schuester despite the two being married for three years now. She wished that she could have been there for the wedding but with classes, homework, and rehearsals, she couldn't manage to fit it into her schedule, even if it broke her heart to only send them a card with her congratulations.
Though at least she wasn't the only one who didn't show, the best man couldn't come and had to deign his spot to Puck.
The very mention of that person brought another round of emotions and thoughts that have been plaguing her for the last four years but she stomped them down. She didn't need to think of that now, not when it was supposed to be a happy time for her. Though she couldn't help herself from looking down at her left hand, at the silver band that gleamed in the overhead light above. It sparkled warmly of times long past and hopes long gone; the diamond winked at her.
She frowned, fought back tears, and simply turned the diamond around so it was out of sight and resumed her watch of the clouds going past the plane outside the window. Trying not to think of the man who held her heart captive for all her high school years, the man who she hadn't spoken to in four years.
"Rachel!"
The young star grinned, tears exploding in her eyes as she saw the familiar and welcoming sight of her dads waving at her from across the dingy airport, smiles so wide that they looked like they hurt upon their faces. She dropped the handle of her suitcase that she had been strolling along behind her and ran into their arms, the comfort bringing a rush of familial memories and emotions.
She never knew how much she could miss their hugs in New York, even if they always came to visit once a month and on holidays. The comfort they brought was so purely amazing and content that Rachel never wanted to let go but she knew that she had to and did so, reluctantly. Leaning back, she smiled watery at Hiram and Leroy. "Miss me?"
They laughed, Rachel immediately barraged by a multitude of reassurances that she was missed greatly and that everyday was a lifetime without her in the house. It all lead to more hugging and crying, whispered and heartfelt mutters of how much they missed each other under their breaths. Rachel never wanted it to end, to always have that warm feeling of being welcome home and that happy bubble of glee.
"Hey, now! What about me? I know I'm in a wheelchair and all but hell if you think you can just ignore me!" Rachel blinked and whisked around, a grinning Artie rolling up to her with a striding Puck following behind. Artie was dressed in a blazer and dress pants, looking important, while Puck contained himself to a pair of jeans and a leather jacket that morphed to his lean frame. But Rachel barely payed attention to what they wore as she squealed and enclosed them separately in a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Artie, Noah! It's so good to see you guys again, it's been forever!" Rachel exclaimed, beaming at them both. "I'm so honored that you took all this time out of your schedules to greet me! I hope it wasn't too tedious?"
"Of course not-"
"Well," Puck interrupted Artie, silencing him with a couple of abrupt pats on the younger man's head, "seeing that one of us couldn't take the time to visit in four freaking years, we decided to do it." White teeth flashed in a sly grin. "But welcome back, Jewish Princess."
Rachel felt a bit of guilt, but Artie waved a hand at her and swatted Puck with the other. "Don't worry about Puck, he's being his charming self as usual. We're just happy that you're back, even for a little bit."
"How long is that exactly?" Puck asked, dodging the hits easily.
Rachel shook her head at the two's antics - boys always going to be boys. "I'm done with school now and I'm not scheduled for anything until September so, I'm a free bird all summer long! Hopefully it will make up for the last four years which I really am sorry about, guys. It's just New York is so hectic and I knew if I came back here I would just want to stay, especially if-"
She swallowed her last words, almost mentioning the one person whom she didn't want to think about today. Lucky for her, another call came for her and she was greeted with a girl rushing into her, a scream of happiness tearing from her lips. "Rachel!"
"Tina!" Rachel reciprocated the gesture furiously, then leaned back while still in the other girl's arms as they shared friendly grins between them. "You have no idea how much I missed you!"
The Asian woman had tears cascading down her cheeks already, her black hair falling in streams around her face as she laughed happily and shook her head. "Oh, I do! I don't think I missed anyone more out of the original New Directions than I did you."
"Ouch, just throw me to the back and forget about me, huh? Well, should have expected it I guess after all those years swaying in the back and mouthing the words of the songs-"
"Mike!" Rachel cried with a laugh, turning to see the usual silent man come walking up. They shared a hug, Tina crying heartily before them as she waited for her husband to move back so she could get another hug in. She spoke over Tina's shoulder to him, shaking her head. "You're a great singer, Mike. Maybe not as talented as me but good enough."
Pick signed and rolled his eyes. "It seems like our Berry hasn't changed much since we last had to deal with her, still bragging about her prowess."
"Can take a girl out of the city but can't take the girl out of the girl," Rachel winked in response, earning herself a grin from the man. With her friends around her and smiling widely, she felt lighter and more carefree than she did in years. A sense of warmth and belonging crept inside of her, reminding her that glee club was more than a means to an end - they were family.
She looked around the airport but it was mostly empty now except for her party and an elderly couple that were reading a couple of brochures as they waited for their next flight. "Is anyone else here?"
"No," Puck answered. "Quinn is visiting Shelby and Beth at the moment, but she says she she'll be at the party later."
"Party?"
"Well, duh," Puck returned, shaking his head and making Rachel notice for the first time that he was completely Mohawk-less. It was almost unnerving but it made him look more mature, more like the adult he was than the boy who got drunk and hit on every girl who moved that she remembered. "Did you think we would only do this for ya?Party at Breadstix! Artie's treat!"
Artie blinked. "Wait! Hell no!"
The group laughed and Hiram and Leroy took a step forward to save Artie. "Don't worry, we'll be handling the bill. But come on, let's not think of that," Leroy said, smiling lovingly at his daughter. "My star is home and we should make the time of it."
"That's right but let's get her settled before everything," Hiram intruded, taking Rachel's bags, and giving everyone a quick look. "Remember - be there at seven, I have pretty much the whole back reserved for us."
Everyone agreed and left with quick waves - Tina getting in a last hug before she took Mike's hand and strolled out. Rachel followed her parents out and to their car that brought another rush of memories, but she forced them away. She didn't need to remember her past now to keep the loneliness away like she did in New York, she was home and with her parents. It was time to make more memories, times that wouldn't leave her curled up in a ball under her sheets and crying for the touch of the one person who pushed her away.
Rachel felt a stab of cold pierce through her bubble and her smile drooped, not even the all-too familiar smell of her dads' car enveloping her as she took a seat in the back could raise it. They continued to chat in the front seats amicably, but they barely noticed in their happiness of their daughter's return that was she was breaking inside. For, deep inside of her, she was disappointed.
Finn wasn't there to greet her, his spot as empty as the vacuum in her heart the moment she saw him disappear as the train left the station. The emptiness that simply would not go away. The ring on her finger burned passionately, reminding her of the first time Finn put it on her as he kept it in tight box close to his warm body; it had been warm then, a metaphor of their love. She looked down eagerly, hoping to see some kind of sign - anything - but her hand was laying in the sun and it was only the heat from that.
Rachel sighed and felt a tear roll down her face, a part of her wishing to be back in New York and still believing that Finn still loved her, to hold tight of that hope, but now it was gone.
"Here we are - home sweet home!" Hiram sang merrily, beaming back at his daughter. The tears were gone in an instant and a smile was on her face as she repeated his words softly and peered over his shoulder and through the window to see the ever-welcoming sight of her house. Nothing had changed, even the small chair that was desperately in need of another paint job still swayed gently in the summer breeze and star-shaped wind chimes still clinked affectionately.
"Home," she whispered to herself, "I'm finally home."
"Go on up to your room, honey," Hiram said warmly, eyes burning bright as he watched his daughter's reaction. "We'll take your stuff up and I bet your exhausted from the plane ride. Don't worry, just go and rest." Leroy smiled and nodded in agreement.
Rachel flicked her gaze between the two of them. "I love you two so much, you have no idea." Then she was rushing out of the car, bounding to the door and through the house to her room; hands clenched into fists at her sides as she tried to contain her excitement from bursting. And then - she was back in her room, sprawled across her familiar bedspread.
The bright pink color of the sheets, the animals stitched colorfully into the edges, the scent of her home wafting all around her, brought a flurry of memories. Singing and dancing in this room; jumping off her bed artfully onto the floor; blaring music of the greats like Madonna and Dion, much to her neighbors' ire; posting videos of herself performing and waiting patiently for a review - at least one that wasn't a crude remark from the Cheerios; dressing up in sleek suit of black leather, hair splayed up, with a shocked Finn sitting on her bed; kissing the dark- haired boy as they melted into the sheets, his weight familiar and right upon her body; the way his eyes blazed with love and lust as he face approached hers for a kiss-
Enough!
Rachel shook herself out of her reverie and jumped out of the bed, taking a series of deep breaths to collect herself. She had spent the last four years dreaming of Finn, obsessing over him. But no more, Rachel promised vengefully, not anymore would she cry herself into oblivion, no more would she fall asleep uneasily with his name on her tongue. She wouldn't allow him to affect her so, especially when she was returning home and supposed be glad of all the time she could have with her friends and family before she returned to New York.
She glared down at the ring, mocking her with the love that it used to represent. She would have done everything for Finn, anything to help him excel as an actor and follow her to New York, but he had thrown it away. Tossed it all away as if that last year of no fighting, no arguments, all pure love had been nothing.
Rachel sobbed angrily and grabbed the band, ready to rip it off and throw it away, like Finn had done to her. She was ready to end it all, to not allow it to have another moment of her time wasted with its potent sorrow. All she had to do was take off the ring that she never removed, even when performing on stage or showering.
Instead, however, she just dropped her hand limply and went downstairs to talk with her dads. One hand rubbing the band to make sure that it was always there, it's presence reassuring even if hurtful.
xXx
"Rachel!"
A few hours later, Rachel found herself immersed in a tide of blond hair as Quinn Fabray welcomed her into a tight hug gracefully. The two girls embraced, arms squeezing with all the muster they could afford, as they revered in the moment they had been dying to do for the last four years.
Rachel had happy tears in her eyes as she whispered into her friend's ear. "It's been too long, Quinn."
"We talked on the phone only a week ago," Quinn returned but when she pulled back, there was a knowing look to her eyes that made them sparkle warmly. "But I understand, I understand."
She suddenly straightened, looking proud under the inviting lights of the restaurant, and took Rachel's hand. "Come on, I want to show you someone."
Rachel felt a sudden moment of fear and excitement, wondering if it was Finn, but Quinn lead her down a couple of seats at the long table her parents reserved. There, sitting at the edge, wearing a little, gold skirt, and coloring dutifully with one tongue stuck out in concentration was a brilliant little girl. Her hair was a beautiful blonde, almost exactly the color of Quinn's but a few shades darker, and when she looked up at see them approach, brilliant aquamarine eyes flashed above a sly smile.
Quinn let go of Rachel's hand and placed it gently upon the girl's shoulder affectionately. "Beth, I would like you to say hi to a good friend of mine. Her name is Rachel and she knew you since you were only a baby."
Beth nodded and held out a hand that didn't have a crayon on it. "Hi, Rachel."
"Hello, Beth." Rachel took the hand, trying not to laugh as Beth pumped it with vigor that could have only come with being Puck's child. "It's so nice to see you again. You have grown so much since I seen you last, you could barely walk."
Beth raised her chin proudly. "I'm six now and I can walk all by myself! And I can draw, want to see?" She grabbed the picture and showed it to Rachel without waiting for a response.
It was a picture of four stick people, one smaller than the rest - obviously Beth. To her left and holding her hand was a brown-haired figure with a wide smile that Rachel presumed was Shelby, her own mother. On the other side, a blonde woman and a bald man were holding hands - Quinn and Puck. It was beautiful in a way that only kids could manage and it made Rachel raise her eyes to Quinn, who returned it with a smile.
"It's beautiful, Beth," Rachel said, returning the drawing to the little girl. "I don't think I seen anything more amazing."
"It's only a picture," Beth complained but her cheeks turned cherry with the praise. She perked her head up. "I can draw you one if you want!"
"I would like that, thank you," Rachel grinned as she and Quinn took a couple of steps away from the girl. She reached over and squeezed her friend's hand. "Beth is purely amazing, Quinn. You must be so proud."
"I am, of course, I am," Quinn said, watching her daughter work earnestly at a blank piece of paper.
She chuckled lightly and shook her head. "She is in that drawing phase, you'll probably get a hundred pictures by the end of the night."
"I don't think I would mind in the least..." Rachel said, trailing off before remembering the picture. "So, how are you and Noah doing? I mean...are you -"
"Honestly, I have no idea," Quinn said back in a whisper, the two woman aware that the man in subject was only a couple of feet away but he was engrossed in a speech with Artie about something. "He certainly has grown up a lot and Beth absolutely adores the knucklehead...but I don't know. I don't want to make the same mistake again."
Rachel smiled gingerly, squeezing the palm she still held in her hand. "Sometimes the best of things come from mistakes."
Quinn smiled, glancing once at Beth before meeting Rachel's eye again. "Believe me, I know all about that!"
Rachel and Quinn both shared a laugh before she felt a hand poke her on the shoulder and she turned to see Mr. Schuester, the man's jovial face spread into an endearing smile. He looked her up and down before meeting her eyes again, "It's so good to see you again, Rachel."
"Mr. Schu!" She flung her arms around her mentor's neck and buried her face into his neck. His voice, his gentle smile, everything about him brought a rushing feeling of nostalgia. Each moment of Glee Club, Mr. Schuester was usually there, giving advice and helping in anyway that he saw fit. She owed so much to this man who decided to take that extra step and open the club that helped her to become a better singer, a new person, and to earn the hand of Finn Hudson.
For a little while anyway, the thought couldn't help but to pop up even though she slammed it down almost immediately and turned to Mrs. Schuester.
Emma was her usual bright and perky self, only looking more radiant as she held a small bundle in her arms. Rachel immediately felt a warmth in her stomach as she took in the beautiful baby girl that was sleeping peacefully in her mother's arms, a pudgy thumb in her mouth being sucked contently. The resemblance to both of of her parents was astounding, the shock of hair the exact shade of Will's as it fell down a round, warm face that could only belong to the daughter of Emma.
Rachel put a hand to her mouth, holding back her shriek of delight at seeing such a perfect creature, and merely whispered, "She is so beautiful."
Emma beamed, and so did Will as he put an arm around his wife and looked down over her shoulder at his daughter. "Isn't she? Kara Rachel Schuester."
Rachel knew from the many pictures they sent that they had named a part of the little angel in front of her after her, but seeing it all - she finally realized what it meant. There was no other feeling and she had tears brimming in her eyes again, for something that seemed like the hundredth time that day. But she didn't care, she was finally surrounded by her family again and that meant more to her than she ever thought possible.
Even if a small piece was missing like a gaping hole.
A waitress came around, looking bored as she took out a writing pad and poised a pencil above it. "So, what can I get you all?"
The group all quickly sat down, a few - like Puck - just waved at her with a wink and said, "The usual, babe." Rachel couldn't help but to snigger at the glare Quinn gave him as Beth said the same thing. He only shrugged and gave an innocent smile, flashing his daughter a secretive look of pride. While others took the time to actually read the menu, despite most just ordering the same thing they usually did.
Rachel, even though she hadn't eaten at Breadstix in at least four years, still knew what she always ordered. As the waitresses turned to her and asked what Rachel wanted, she opened her mouth but -
"She'll take the Bottomless Salad Bowl."
Rachel's world dropped, her head whisking around in an instant at the voice. A voice that she wanted to hear for four long years, a voice that whispered promises in her dreams. The same voice that said he would love her forever.
Finn stood before her, looking different but the same. His hair was cut shorter, making him look older and at the same time, younger. His build, always athletic, was now rippling with muscle and his clothes - a grey t-shirt and green slacks - seemed tight upon his body. His face was thinner but the features were all the same, the crooked grin, the birthmarks that dotted his mandible, the unforgettable cinnamon eyes.
He looked her right into the eyes and said softly, "Hey, Rachel."
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