She was having a fantastic day, not only had she heard that her show, Once, was nominated for a tony, but she also landed a place in the cast of the upcoming production of Wicked. She couldn't think of anything else really, playing Elphaba was one of her lifelong ambitions and the feeling of fulfillment she was getting was just… awesome! Being any happier would be illegal.
Still, Once was still running for a month and 5 weeks later she would have a 'meet and greet' with the rest of the crew, actors, director and so on and so forth. She couldn't wait!
As soon as she got home, she phoned her best friend in the world, ok that was a bit too much, maybe her best (and only) female friend: Santana. Even though the latina was known for her 'bitchy' personality and 'i-don't-really-give-a-fuck' behavior, she was actually one of the only people Rachel could trust and tell absolutely everything without even a tiny bit of hesitation. The pair had bonded over the fact that, when they moved in together 6 years ago, it was their first time living as young independent women. Rachel loved living with Santana, she would always tell her the absolute truth about her outfits and take care of her if she had a fever or was just suffering from a hangover. No matter what, she was there for her, and Rachel liked to return the favor by cooking and baking for her.
As the phone rang, Rachel planned a little dinner party to celebrate and wondered if the boys were going to be free that night. Apart from Santana, Rachel's other best friends were Blaine and Brody or as she liked calling them 'the B-Boys' which they didn't like that much but still. Blaine was her best gay friend, they had met during an after party which he was hosting and she was set to perform and had become extremely close friends ever since. On the other hand, Brody was straight and really, and I mean really handsome, he is the kind of man that every woman dreams about, well not Rachel, ok maybe she had but that was long ago! Long story short: she had had a huge crush on him when they were younger but he was unavailable so she just moved on, now he was free but their friendship meant too much for her to just throw it away for a kiss or two, plus, she no longer had any 'romantic' feelings over him. However, they did have this kind of family together. The thing is, when they were both nineteen, Brody's brother and sister-in-law suffered a terrible accident which left their poor little girl with no parents. So, as her godfather and beloved uncle, Brody took her under his wing and has been in charge of her well being ever since. He was not alone though, along with Rachel, Blaine and Santana were always there for help and together they managed to raise Sophie properly. The four of them loved her dearly and were so proud of her in every way.
'San I got it! I got the role of Elphaba in Wicked!'
'Way to go diva! Congratulations! Want to get wasted tonight?'
'Thanks, but actually I was wondering if you guys wanted to have dinner here as a little celebration party, what do you think?'
'Sounda awesome, I'll talk to your B-Boys and tell them to be there by 6, ok?'
'Perfect, thank you, bye Sanny!'
'Wait, Rachel-'
'Yes?'
'Congratulations, you really deserve it, I'm proud of you'
'Thank you, couldn't have done it without you, I love you, you know that right?'
'Yeah, I love you too. Ok, too much heart to heart talk here, we'll be there later, bye!'
'Bye!'
Rachel hanged up and started preparing dinner, little did she know that show would not only affect her career but her heart too.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Time flew by and she found herself giving her last rendition of 'The hill' and earning her last standing ovation for her role in ONCE, she would miss it, no doubt about that, and so she cried and cried during the applause and then cried some more in the goodbye party. In her defense, everyone was a little emotional, maybe not that much but they definitely had glassy eyes. _
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
After a delightful holiday with her friends in Cabo, Rachel was ready to start rehearsing for the upcoming show. She was even more excited now that Brody was going to work with her on the production. Apparently, the original choreographer had suffered from a severe injury for which he had to stay at home at least 4 months and so they called Brody. Brody Weston was, apart from one of her best friends ever, one of the greatest dance choreographers and an incredible dance teacher. So it came as no surprise when, during one of their late night dinners at the beach, his phone went off and he was offered the position which of course he accepted. Now, they were just an hour away from meeting the rest of the cast and crew and she was beyond exited.
Once they had all introduced themselves, they run through the script a couple of times and the producers announced when rehearsals would start. Meeting everyone was great, she particularly hit it off with the costumes designer Kurt Hummel and her co-star Marley Rose who seemed just too sweet for her own good. So, later that day the three of them went out for coffee to get to know each other better.
After that day, they became inseparable, Kurt soon became his OBGF –other best gay friend- and Marley her first straight female friend, you would think that since Santana was into girls they wouldn't discuss guys, that's where you are wrong. But, getting back to her newly bonded friends, they'd do everything together and after opening day Rachel decided it would be cool to host a little dinner party at her house for them to meet the old gang.
As a result, Kurt and Blaine were all over each other, she'd be lying if she said she didn't see it coming but she thought it would take a little more time. Nonetheless, she was happy for them, they did talk for like 10 minutes before almost eating each other faces. Kurt looked at the other boy as if he had hung the moon and she had never seen such a huge smile on Blaine's face. They seemed so content, and she was happy for them, a little jealous too but who wouldn't? They had met each other no more than a couple hours ago and seemed perfect for each other! She wanted that too!
Apart from that dinner was a success. At the beginning Santana was a little intimidating towards her new friends but they soon got over it and got along just fine. At the end of the 'celebration' Kurt invited all of them to his upcoming b-day party. Apparently it would be a huge, black-tie bash based on his favorite musical 'The phantom of the Opera'.
'I think I haven't seen that one' said Blaine nonchalantly.
'Ok, I'm gonna pretend you didn't just say that for both our sakes.' Then facing the rest of us he added 'You just need to show up in a nice dress or suit and you'll be given a mask at the door. I was in charge of the costumes on the last revival of the show so, now that it's no longer running I have like a hundred masks to use as I please.'
'Oh! So it's gonna be like the masquerade from the show, that sounds like so much fun!' Rachel said.
'And that's why you are one of my very best friends!' Kurt answered. They all shared a laugh and started chatting about their favorite parts of the musical then.
'I like when the Roul and Christine sing together and kiss and they say they love each other! Its sooooooo sweet!' Sophie commented.
'Then for your own good, don't ever watch 'Love Never Dies''- Marley answered while Brody and Rachel chuckled, of course Sophie's favorite scene would be that one. The nine-year-old was in that stage in which Barbies and princesses weren't cool but love stories were the real deal. She was, as Rachel a helpless romantic.
'I still don't know which play you are talking about' Blaine said, his voice only a whisper, he looked a little embarrassed, he and Santana were the only ones there who didn't work in Broadway so he felt a little out of his comfort zone.
'Oh please curly monster, you must have watched the movie! It's the one with the extremely hot guy who makes our panties wet every time we see him! The one from 300!' said the latina.
'Gerard Butler!' guessed Brody excitedly.
'Yeah! That one! He is such a hottie!'
'You know, if I didn't know better I'd say you are the one who's gay- Kurt said pointing to Brody-' and you the straight one' he finished turning to Santana. Rachel couldn't help but laugh at the comment and soon everyone joined her.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
RACHEL'S P.O.V:
'Diva are you ready!? We are going to be late because of you!'- I heard Santana shout for the 27th time in the last 10 minutes.
'I'm coming! I'm coming!'- I answered as I came down the stairs. Of course Santana looked smoking hot in a beautiful red dress with matching stilettos, then again, she always looked like she walked out of a movie.- Wow San, you look really hot!'
'Thanks munchkin, you too, that dress suits you perfectly'- she answered.
'Thank you'
'Ok, now let's go!'
And just like that we were on our way to the party.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
'Oh. My. God. Lady Hummel wasn't kidding when he said it would be huge bash' Santana said completely in awe as they approached the front door.
'Indeed, it looks awesome!' Blaine added.
'Oh my gosh! Dad! It's my first masquerade ball! I'm so excited!' Sophie told Brody whilst jumping up and down in her beautiful pink dress. You would guess that after being her legal guardian for almost six years, Brody would be used to the fact of being called 'Dad' but every time the little girl said it, it still hurt a little in his heart, thinking it should be his brother the one holding his baby girl's hand in that moment and not him. He missed him so much but he couldn't dwell on it in that moment, Sophie was waiting for an answer and they were on a party, plus, Kurt would kick his ass if he stood there all sad and depressed.
'You look stunning honey' –he told her sweetly before placing a kiss on her chick.
Once in, the four grown-ups and the little one were given their masks and some instructions. They would only be able to take them off once the bell rang and exchanging masks was not allowed. Apparently Kurt had carefully assigned each guest a certain mask which should fit their personalities perfectly, so, Rachel ended up with a bright golden one which matched her dress and covered from the top of her nose upwards whilst Santana had a much darker one, almost black that covered half her face and screamed sexy but demon too. Unlike Brody's, whose mask was golden as Rachel's but seemed suit for a gorgeous, intelligent, gentlemen just like him, and Sophie's which was pale pink, almost white and was decorated with spectacular feathers and made her look like Hilary Duff, one of her idols, in the Cinderella story. Last but not least, the mask Blaine was given was absolutely perfect for him, it was silver but simple enough to make him look mysterious and sexy, something Kurt obviously thought he was.
As they made their way into the main area they spotted Marley in a wonderful salmon dress and a white mask which made her look just as naive as Sophie and Kurt who was obviously wearing the famous phantom mask and an impeccable Armani black suit.
'Oh god Kurt! Happy birthday!'-Rachel was the first to speak-'This is such an amazing party! Congratulations!'
'Thanks darling, glad you all could make it' Kurt replayed after greeting everyone. Then they all started chatting and singing along some songs that were being played and Sophie took off to play with some of the other kids that attended to the party. They were talking about new projects when suddenly Rachel heard it.
Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore...
'Oh, I love this song!'-Rachel and Santana said at the same time-'Lets go dance!'-the latter added and started walking towards the dance floor but as Rachel was about to take Brody's hand to dance with him, Santana stopped her-'Oh no honey, it's my turn to dance with straight-sexy-god here, you can have curly freak'- she told her pointing Blaine.
'Ok, come on Blaine, lets dance!'-but she was cut short once again, only this time it was Kurt who blocked her way to her friend.
'NO!...emmm.. I mean, here take Finn!'-He said pulling some huge guy by the arm when he was clearly heading to grab something to eat from a nearby table and shoved him towards her-'He doesn't really dance per se but together you'll manage! Now go'- And just like that she was pushed to the dance floor with a complete stranger.
'Ok, this is awkward… amm … my name is Finn by the way.'
'Oh! So this is the famous Finn Hudson'-She thought to herself, Kurt had talked about him more than once, he was so proud of him and she could see why, he seemed to be a real gentlemen.
'Nice to meet you, I'm Rachel… emmm, we don't have to dance you know? It's ok, you can get back to whatever you were doing and I'll just wander around or maybe look for Sophie...' she trailed off wondering where she could find the little girl.
'You mean little Sophie Weston?'-He questioned
'Yes'-She answered a bit hesitantly-'How do you know her?'
'Oh! I met her a while ago, she saw me playing with my phone and found it interesting so she asked me if she could give it a try and since then she's been playing nonstop.'-He told her pushing lightly her shoulders enabling her to see a very deep in thought Sophie staring at the small screen-'She's already a pro'- He added chuckling.
'Oh my god, I am so sorry, I can assure you she didn't mean to intrude. I'll go get her right away and get you your phone back.'
'Oh no, please, she seems to be having a good time, and she didn't intrude, not at all, she actually saved me from a social suicide, a 25-year-old like me playing with his mobile on a party does not seem normal, does it?'-He said a bit embarrassed but laughing nonetheless-'Is she your daughter?'
As strange as it may sound Rachel did not know how to answer that question. She wasn't her biological mother nor was she her legal guardian, but more often than not when they went shopping together or as she tucked her in bed she felt as if she were. So she decided to tell the truth without going into too much detail- 'She's not really my biological child but I love her as if she were'.
'That's a very nice thing to say'-He said wholeheartedly. He completely understood, he felt the exact same way (only the other way round) when it came to his relationship with Burt, his stepfather.-'So, um… would you like to dance with me or should I be scared of a jealous `boyfriend-fiancée-husband` and just keep standing here in the middle of the dance floor awkwardly?'
'No, no need to worry'- she said and giggled-'And I'd love to dance, than you'
'Last minute warning though, I may not be a very good dancer… Honestly, I suck so be careful, I really don't want to hurt you'
She giggled some more, he was so sweet.-'I'll take my chances'
'Ok, but remember, you've been warned'-After that, they fell into a comfortable silence while swaying to the beat, nothing too complex for both their sakes, and a couple songs later they started chatting. They talked for what seemed hours, she told him about being an actress in this industry and listened when he told her about his job as a firefighter. Well, than explained his scarlet colored mask, it must represent fire or something of that sort.
'Wow, you must be so brave, risking your life for other people you don't really know, you are a true hero!'
'Why, thank you, but I'm not really that great, I mean, I just follow orders and stuff like that.'-He shrugged nonchalantly.
'Nonsense! You really are a hero, what you do is really honorable, and everyone should look up to you.'-She stated.
'Well they do, I'm like a foot taller than most people so they need to if they want to look at me in the eye'-He said chuckling.
'That's not what I meant and you know it!'-She scolded at him playfully.
'Yeah I know, but I could help myself'-Finn said laughing.
After that he asked her how had she met Kurt and she told him all about Wicked. He complimented her performance, he had seen the show on opening night and even though he didn't know that much about Broadway, he was completely taken aback by how good the whole production was. She blushed as he praised her voice for her rendition of `I'm Not That Girl`. Sure she did get compliments all the time, and she had no doubt that her voice was magnificent, she wouldn't have made it that far if it wasn't, but there was something about being him the one who said it that made it a whole lot more special.
'Thank you, that means a lot'-she said shyly.
'I take it you know I am Kurt's brother, otherwise you would have asked already'-He assumed.
'Yes, as I said before, we became very close and he has told me a lot about you'-She replayed, thankful that he had brought the subject back to Kurt since her face couldn't get any redder for his compliments.
'All good things I hope...'
'Well he did mention you breaking a poor girl's nose back in high school due to you impeccable dancing skills and praying to a cheese sandwich so I'd say yes, all positive things no doubt about that.'-she told him laughing.
Now it was his turn to blush, he was going to kill Kurt right after the cake.
'Yeah well…'-He really didn't know what to say-'Ok, I give up, there is no way I can get out of that, it is all true.'-He whispered rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Which Rachel found incredibly cute.
'Don't worry; he also talked about how you had his back during high school even before your parents got married. How you protected him from all those bullies, and I must say, that means the world, take it from someone with two gay fathers who were awfully harassed when they were youngsters. I wish Daddy and Papa had had such a strong and supportive friend like you back then.'-She spoke seriously now and when she took a glimpse at Finn, he had visibly stiffened remembering all those outrageous experiences his brother went through only because he was into boys. All those nights he heard him cry himself to sleep, all the suffering, the threats, he remembered it all, he had his eyes shut and tried to push away those horrible thoughts but found it impossible. That was until Rachel placed her small hand in his chest and said-'Hey, it's okay, what's past is past, now he is only surrounded by people who love him and respect him, and he is able to be himself mainly because of you.'-She could feel his muscles relax under her touch but he was still with his eyes closed, he looked so vulnerable, so helpless and she couldn't take it any longer, she just hugged him tightly. And just like that, he fully relaxed.
'Do you want to go out and get some fresh air?'-She dared to ask as they pulled away from the embrace.
'Yes, I'd like that very much, thank you'-He answered.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Once outside, they chatted about trivial things, nothing too important.
'I am sorry, I shouldn't have reacted that way, you were right, it was long ago and I should be over it by now'-he said suddenly.
'Hey, it's okay to have feelings; you should never apologize for expressing what you feel, never.'
'Still, I am sorry if a ruined your night and I just wanted to say thank you for helping me even though we barely know each other.'-He continued.
'Oh please, you didn't ruin it at all, on the contrary I got to meet you and it was a real pleasure. As for not knowing each other much, I think you are wrong, I know you are freakishly tall, handsome, brave, ruthless, supportive, a little bit shy and last but not least, a terrible dancer.'-She tried keeping a straight face 'till the end but laughter got the best of her and a little giggle escaped her lips and he couldn't help but laugh too.
'Yeah, that pretty much sums it all'-He told her getting closer and closer by the second-'Thank you, I mean it'
'You are more than welcome'-She replayed without breaking eye contact with him and just as she thought they would kiss-
'Rachel!'-Little Sophie appeared from out of nowhere shouting her name which made them take a huge step away from each other.-'Oh there you are! Hey, I want to go to the restroom, would you come with me please?-She asked before noticing Finn's presence-'Oh hi Finn!'
'Hi Sophie! So it's true what they say then, women always go to the bathroom together, interesting.'-Finn said.
'Of course they do! Haven't you seen Harry Potter?'-When he nodded she continued-'Didn't you see what happened to Hermione when she went to the bathroom on her own!? There was a TROLL!'-She said as if it were a matter of fact.
'Fair point well made'-He told her kneeling so that they were at the same eye level, well not really but close enough.-'So, can I have my phone back?'
'Mmmmm, I don't know…'-She answered playfully.
'Sophie…'-Rachel said in a stern voice.
'Okay, okay, here you go.'- She said returning the little gadget.-'Can we go now?'
'Yes, of course darling'-Rachel told her taking her hand in hers and smiling at her sweetly.
'Ok, so I will see you ladies in a while, but if we don't happen to bump into each other again; goodnight.'-Finn told them and made his way back to the party.
When he was already inside Sophie grinned at Rachel.-'I completely approve, you know? He is very good looking and funny, he could be your prince charming!'
'Easy there Cinderella, I just met him a couple hours ago, but I'll let you know if anything else happens'-She would be lying if she said she didn't hope so, but the little girl didn't need to know that, not right now at least.
'I know, I just want you to know that you would look so good together and he is really cute!'-She wouldn't argue that.
