A/N: I was determined not to post this until it has been completed, but seeing as my old tumblr bit the dust, and this fic is no longer there, I'm putting it here for safekeeping. Consider this a very Glee AU.
She waits patiently for the applause to die down, turning to give her co-star, Luca a dazzling smile as he finishes his speech and steps back. She steps into the spotlight, curtseying graciously, a giggle escaping her lips at the whistles and catcalls coming from the audience. A rose lands on her feet, and she swiftly bends down to retrieve it.
"I think," she says, her voice trembling just a little. "Luca has pretty much said all there is to say. We have, all of us, been so blessed to be part of such an amazing production, and none of this could have ever been possible without the help of every single person involved, so really, you should all give it up for the rest of the production crew who are all responsible in keeping this well-oiled machine running."
She stops, giving just enough time for the audience to clap before she continues.
"This role has been my whole life for the past two years. There were times when I couldn't seem to remember where Fanny ended, and I began-"
"I can account for this," Luca jokes from the side. She turns to give her 'Nicky' a playful glare as the audience laughed.
"Like I was about to say, before I was so rudely interrupted, is thank you, because without all of you coming out here night after night to support us, we wouldn't have made it this far. So this last performance was for you, for every one of you who have supported this show for so long. And- and oh! Also, to the one and only special man in my life."
Her eyes scan the crowd as she keeps on talking, looking for the familiar brown eyes and finding them near the front row as the man they belong to blows her a kiss.
"Well, there are two of them, but only one can make it tonight. I love you daddy!"
She grins as Hiram Berry blushes under the sudden glare of the spotlight. She feels Luca's fingers slipping easily through hers, and as he says a final goodbye, the tears she's been holding in finally streams down her face.
The curtain falls for the final time on Fanny Brice amidst great applause, and when the rest of the casts pulls her into a group hug, it finally hits Rachel Berry that she's not entirely sure where she will go from here.
Xxx
She's pulling the pins out from her hair when there's a knock on her door. She smiles at the reflection as a large bouquet of lilies completely hides her father's face.
"Honey, you were fabulous!" Hiram gushes as he places the bouquet neatly on the couch before enveloping her in a tight hug, pulling her off her feet as she giggles.
"Thanks daddy."
"I told your dad he shouldn't be doing anything risky before our big trip to New York. I said, Leroy, don't lift that box, think about your back, but does he ever listen to me? Of course not. It's entirely his fault that he's bedridden in Lima and when I get back home and show this video to him," he holds up the video camera in his hand, beaming at her, "I'll make sure to tell him how much he's disappointed you."
She laughs, shaking her head as she hugs him.
"Go easy on him."
"He misses you, you know."
"I miss him too."
"We're both wondering if you're ever going to come back home."
She tenses for a few moments, smile still frozen in place as her father fusses nonchalantly with the cardigan she's wearing, tying it at the waist over her white dress.
"You know how busy I've been-"
"For the past five years, yes."
"Daddy," she sighs, moving to sit on the couch, picking up her bouquet and staring at it studiously.
"Look, Rachel all I'm saying is that you need a break sweetie. Your dad and I both knew, from the moment you came out of your birth mother's womb with those lungs of yours, that the stage will always be your home. But you've been working non-stop for five years Rachel, you're exhausted."
"I'm not," she answers stubbornly. "I'm young, daddy, and- and they want me now, okay? I can't stop now. You know how fickle this business can be. Taking time off is like career suicide right now."
"I'm just-"
"I'll think about it, okay?" she cuts in, more for her father to stop talking than anything, and the look on his face tells her he knows that. He sighs.
"Fine."
She smiles at him, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
"C'mon," she says quietly. "Let's get out of here. I'm starving."
"Honey, don't you have your after-party?"
"Oh I don't have go to that," she answers easily. "Besides, I've only got a few hours left to spend with you before you jet back to Lima."
"Rachel, don't be ridiculous. This is your after-party. You're the star of the show!"
"Daddy it's not that important."
She ignores his incredulous stare, rolling her eyes when he pulls her hand to stop her from walking out of the dressing room.
"What's wrong sweetie?"
She lets out a small chuckle, shaking her head.
"Nothing's wrong. I just want to spend the little time that we have left together."
"Rachel, I am your father. Do you really expect me to believe that you'll turn down a party in your honor to go home and help me pack my bags and watch reruns of Ellen Degeneres on TV?"
"Well like you said, she's a national treasure."
"This is about Luca isn't it?"
"No."
"Honey, you have to confront this sooner or later-"
"It is not about Luca daddy," she snaps. He looks at her, wounded, and she smiles at him apologetically. "Sorry. But it's really not, okay? Can we just go home? Please?"
Xxx
She stifles a sigh as she stands in the corner, drink in hand. She never knows what to do at these things, when she's not meant to be networking. She sees him standing on the far end of the room, his arm around her understudy, and stifles another sigh. His hair is flawless, naturally, as it catches the light, messy blonde locks falling over his eyes just so, in that effortless way even though she knows he probably spent about half an hour with a comb and that hair gel of his. She doesn't have to see to know the way his blue eyes twinkle. There's a tug in the pit of her stomach, and she hates her father for leaving her here and going back to her apartment, where it's warm and cozy and she's safe from the scene in front of her.
Luca catches her eyes and grins as he walks over to her.
"What's the star of the show doing standing in the corner of the room looking like a wallflower?" he teases as he walks up to her and gives her a hug. She doesn't allow herself to linger in his arms.
"Hey Luc," she says quietly instead, smiling up at him. His infinitely taller stature means that she's used to looking up, but she's always been attracted to tall men. Placing a palm against the wall she's leaning on, he bends down to whisper in her ear.
"While you were gone, I talked to Jack."
"Oh?" she asks in disinterest, hardly noting his conversation with their producer as a worthy topic. Will this be what they're reduced to now? Random, mundane topics every time their paths cross?
"Evita is coming up. Guess who the producers have been asking around for?"
Her eyes widen as she gasps dramatically, leaning back to look him in the eye.
"Shut up."
He laughs.
"I knew that would make you feel better. Swear to God Ray," he says with a hand over his heart. "Jack tells me you're practically a shoo in."
"For Evita?" she squeals.
"Ssh! You're not supposed to know this yet."
"Right, right," she answers calmly, ignoring the twinkle in Luca's blue eyes. "But still, oh my God Luca! This is Evita, this is my dream!"
"I thought that was Fanny?"
"Yes, but this is my second dream!"
He shakes his head, laughing.
"Whatever it is, you're on fire Rachel Berry. Every producer on the Great White Way is going to be knocking down your door. The question is," he continues, raising an eyebrow. "What are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean, what am I going to do?" she asks incredulously, the wide grin still on her face. "I'm going to get in character, that's what I'm going to do."
He stares at her appraisingly, but she hardly notices in all her excitement.
"Take it from someone who's been around longer," he says quietly, leaning closer towards her. "You need a break Ray, or you're gonna drop."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" she grumbles in annoyance.
"Because it's true. Rachel, you work your ass of every single day, 24/7, and that's why you're amazing, but you need some time to yourself babe, or you're going to lose it soon. Believe me, it happens."
"But I like working. Working makes me happy."
"It also stops you from living your life," he points out.
"This is my life."
"Exactly."
She rolls her eyes. She's forgotten just how annoying he can be.
"Not all of us get to be so lucky to have it all, Luca. We don't all find our fiancés while starring on a hit production. Some of us have to choose, and my choice is my career."
He shakes his head, smiling in amusement.
"Don't I know it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Rachel," he answers dryly. "We dated for a while. I'd think I'd be the few who knows how much work will always come first for you."
"Work came first for both of us," she argues. "That was why we decided-"
"No. Ray, you decided. I just know when to cut my losses."
"But-"
"Look, babe," Luca starts, a friendly hand gripping her shoulder. "As your very good, very attractive friend who cares about you, all I want is to see you happy."
"I am happy."
"Are you really?"
She says nothing as she glares up at his knowing look.
"Does Sarah find your whole life guru act and pointless drones as annoying as I did?"
"Not nearly as."
"I hate you, you know. You always point out my flaws."
"You love me, admit it. If there's one thing I know about Rachel Berry, is that she appreciates the cold hard truth. Look, Ray, I'm happy."
She tries not to let her smile fade as he grins, but she's just having an off night.
"You are, aren't you? You know, you're a very lucky man. Sarah is an amazing woman."
"I do know that."
She sighs, taking a long drink before she looks up to find him winking suggestively at his fiancé from fifteen feet away. She finally understands what that tug in her stomach means. It's not unrequited love, heartbreak, or even longing.
It's just loneliness.
"Luc," she says quietly, looking out at the loud crowd before them. "We were happy, weren't we?"
"We were. It just always felt like you wanted something more."
Xxx
She waits.
It has been exactly seven days since her last show, and she waits restlessly for the call. She's been getting a few, and her agent has been pushing for three different roles, but Rachel Berry has a one track mind. She's waiting for Evita.
That's what she's doing right now. sitting on the couch, pretending to watch the TV with her phone in hand.
"They're going to call, right?" she asks, looking down at the orange Scottish Fold currently sprawled on her lap. It looks lazily back up at her, and as if noticing that his owner is visibly upset, stands on all fours to climb up her body. Rachel laughs, affectionately scratching behind his ear.
"Your hugs are the best," she whispers. The buzzing startles her, and the cat falls down, hissing unappreciatively as she stands up. She shoots it an apologetic look.
"Hello?" she greets cautiously.
"Rachie?"
"Oh. Hi, dad."
"Hey sweetie. What's the matter? You sound sad."
"No, no I'm fine. I'm just… waiting for a call. What's up?"
"Our anniversary."
She smiles.
"I already have the perfect gift planned out."
She's thinking, cruise ship through Europe.
"That's nice honey. But your daddy and I are throwing a party."
"A party?" she asks blankly.
"Yes, and we are hoping that you could plan it for us."
"Of course."
"It's going to be a big bash, for everyone we know. Ever since our 25th, your daddy's been worried that we're getting old, and what would make us feel younger than a huge party for our anniversary right?"
"Dad, of course. I'll do anything I can."
"That's wonderful. So when can we expect you?"
"Huh?"
"When are you coming home?" he asks slowly.
"To Lima?" she asks blankly.
"No sweetie. To your grandpa Joe's, who threw me out of the house when I was sixteen. Of course to Lima."
"But dad-"
"It's going to be in two weeks. While you're at it, why don't you just stay for the whole Summer?"
"Dad I can't-"
"Doesn't that sound just wonderful? Alright sweetie, I'll talk to you later. Daddy and I are making fondue tonight, we wish you could be here!"
"Dad."
She pulls the phone away from her as the dead tone starts, staring at it blankly.
There's a tug on her sweatpants, and she looks down to find her cat looking up at her curiously as it stand on its hind legs. She sighs, picking him up.
"Drizzle, pack your bags, 'cause we're going to Lima."
Xxx
She's still fuming as she steps out off the airport, holding Drizzle's carrier up to soothe the hissing cat.
"Ssh baby, I know. We'll get home soon and I promise I'll let you out."
Drizzle's looking at her like she just betrayed his trust and she feels bad, especially after the horrible way she saw the young man at the baggage claim treated him.
"The nerve of that man, calling you a hairball. Your fur is beautiful Drizzle, which is more than you can say about that horrendous excuse he called a haircut," She tells her cat furiously, ignoring the looks she's getting from the people around her. Her floppy hat is covering her face anyway, and the sunglasses she has on practically hides everything else that's not her nose.
"When we get home, I'll-"
"Rachie!"
Her head snaps up at the familiar tone, and the beam stretches wide on her face when she sees Leroy Berry practically barrelling oncoming traffic to get to her.
"Dad!" she squeals when he reaches her and swiftly picks her up to spin her around. In her surprise she almost drops Drizzle, but Hiram is there to take the carrier away. "Dad, your back."
"It's not going to sprain itself just by picking up my dainty little daughter," he says affectionately, lowering her down. "Sweetie, have you lost weight?"
"You say that all the time. No," she answers with a laugh as he takes her luggage from her and pulls her hand to follow Hiram towards the car.
"I missed you Pumpkin," her dad says softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She smiles, leaning against him, the familiar softness of his wool coat welcoming her.
"I miss you too dad."
Xxx
Drizzle is mewling softly up front on her daddy's lap. She'd rolled her eyes when he refused to come to her once they were in the car, glowering at her from her daddy's arms. Hiram for his part, refused to let him go either. She swears he treats Drizzle more like a grandson than a feline, and that's exactly why the cat is always so spoiled whenever he visits.
She takes the time to observe the scenery, torn between relief and exasperation to see that Lima is still Lima even after five years. She vaguely remembers her last car ride down the same stretch of road, back when she had been a little too distraught to really remember anything. Rachel holds back a sigh, choosing instead to focus on the present. There's the roller rink, the Bowling alley, Bread-
She sits up, frowning.
"Where's Breadstix?" she asks out loud.
"It's still there Pumpkin. It's Une Baguette now. Apparently that's Breadstix in French. They're trying to expand the business, be more sophisticated."
"Oh."
"See, Rachel? You miss a lot when you don't come home for five years."
She sighs this time.
"Dad, you know how busy I've been. This is my first break ever since I landed my first Broadway role and- where are we going?"
She frowns. This is not the route home.
"Burt's Tire and Lube," Leroy answers, turning around to look at her briefly. "We sent your car for service yesterday, but someone forgot to pick it up this morning."
"Oh, enough of that Leroy," Hiram answers breezily. "I'm sure Rachel won't mind taking that car out for a spin, right sweetie? Lord knows you haven't driven in years."
"But-"
"I already gave Burt a call besides, so you don't have to worry about paying him a visit on Sunday. Someone will be around."
"But-" How can she say no without making it weird? "I'm just- I'm really tired."
"It's just a ten minute drive Rachel."
"But Drizzle-"
"Oh don't you worry about him. Papaw Berrys going to take good care of him, won't we?" Hiram coos. She hears Drizzle purring. Traitor.
"Besides, Burt already has someone waiting for you. It'll be rude not to."
She bites back a groan, trying not to let the slight anxiety that's taking her over show.
"Fine."
Xxx
She's been to Burt's Tire and Lube a total of two times in her entire life. The first was when she was fifteen and a half, the first week she received her car, when she had insisted to send it for service on her own (for the first and last time ever. Until today, that is), and that had been pretty uneventful.
And the second, well the second and last time she went to Burt's garage, she was eighteen, and it was Prom night. And she tries her best to forget that one. Or at least to store it deep in the recesses of her brain, where she can pretend it never happened.
She stands just outside the entrance, looking up at the sign before she snaps out of her reverie, squaring her shoulders. She's just here to pick up her car, no big deal. She steps gingerly into the garage, frowning at the silence.
"Hello?" she calls out tentatively. "Is anyone here?"
She takes another step, looking around for anyone.
"I'm here to pick up my car."
There's a bump coming from the table at the far end of the garage, and she hears a loud squeal before a blonde head pops up from under it.
"Hi! Sorry, I dropped something earlier, and I couldn't answer you. Hey, you okay?"
Rachel stands frozen in place as she looks at the girl in front of her. She looks to be about ten or eleven (Eleven, she remembers. How could she forget?), hair piled up messily above her head. She steps out from behind the table, and Rachel can see the oil stains on her coveralls as she comes closer.
Her eyes, her eyes are unmistakable.
They're Quinn's.
"Beth," she breathes out. Beth takes a step back, a little cautiously.
"Yeah, that's me. Hey, how'd you know that?"
"I-" She shakes her head, trying to clear her mind because she probably looks like an idiot right now with her mouth open. "I'm Rachel."
She offers a small smile as her feet shuffles closer to the little girl.
"Rachel Berry. You probably don't remember me, do you? The last time I saw you, you were just six."
Beth smiles then, coming closer to shake her hand.
"Oh! Yeah, I do know you. We have pictures of you at home," she says, her face lighting up with recognition. The random bit of information takes Rachel by surprise though.
"You do?"
"Yep. It's in the living room. You and a bunch of other people at some singing competition or something."
"Glee," Rachel says, smiling.
"Yeah, that. And plus, I kinda knew you were coming. Grandpa said you were, and that's why we're waiting for you. Look, I have your keys and everything," Beth continues, fishing Rachel's car keys out of the pocket of her coveralls. Rachel notices her name stitched onto the right side of her chest and smiles.
"Do you work here?" she asks with a straight face, politely thanking the girl when she takes her keys. Beth shrugs.
"Nah. I just hang out here with dad mostly. He likes me to keep him company, and he made me this uniform so I won't get my real clothes dirty."
"That's nice," Rachel says, ignoring the way her heart speeds up just a little at the mention of him.
"Beth?"
For the second time in merely ten minutes, she freezes again, only this time it's worse. This time, she can hear the furious beating of her heart ringing in her ears.
"Who are you talking to?"
Beth cranes her neck to look behind Rachel, her blue-green eyes twinkling as she smiles.
"It's Rachel dad. You know, the lady that's coming to pick up her car."
It's painfully quiet behind her. Her pulse is racing as she waits for him, listening for any trace of movement. She gets nothing. Beth has turned back towards the table, rummaging for the receipt, oblivious to the tense silence.
This is ridiculous. She's almost afraid to turn, unsure of the reaction she'll be receiving. Who is she kidding? She's terrified.
But she turns anyway.
The first things she sees are his well-worn boots, her eyes making their way up his coveralls, past the opening at his collarbone, up towards his face, where she finally catches his gaze. She takes a moment to study him, to see just how much five years has changed the boy that she used to know. But he looks the same. Older, scruffier, and there are traces of dirt on his left cheek, but his brown eyes are still as warm as she remembers.
"Well I'll be damned," he says softly, those lips stretching into that achingly familiar grin. "Rachel Berry."
"Hi Finn."
Xxx
She doesn't really know how it happened. Somewhere between standing stock still like a statue and now, she had somehow agreed to go out for a drink and tailed after Finn and Beth in his truck to the Lima Bean. So much for a ten minute drive, now she's sitting in the most awkward situation of her entire life, huddled in her seat across from Finn as her eyes train resolutely on Beth who's standing in line for their drinks. He hears him clear his throat.
"How are you Rachel?"
His voice still flusters her a little, if only because the last time she heard it was five years ago. But she recovers, turning her head to look him in the eye with a smile.
"Fine. More than fine, really. I've been so busy these days it's amazing that I even have this time off, to be honest."
"I noticed."
She turns to look at him sharply, annoyed by the sarcasm she thinks she heard in those words, but all he does is smile that unassuming smile.
"I- I was Fanny," she continues, pride still radiating out of her every time she mentions this to anyone. Two years on, and it still feels like a dream to her. His eyes refocus from Beth back to her, and this time his smile is wide, dimples going deep into his cheeks as he looks at her with shining eyes. It's hard not to look away when he's looking at her like that. But his next words surprise her.
"I know."
"You know?"
"Yeah, I did."
"But- but how did you? Did my fathers buy a page in the Lima Daily?" Her face colors as she says this, remembering how she had pleaded for them not to do it. There was a part of her that felt gleeful at the idea of shoving her success in Lima's face, but it felt too crude somehow. Finn chuckles and she turns her attention back to him as he looks at her in amusement.
"Nah, Kurt told me actually. He went to see you."
"He did?" she asks, both honored and surprised. She and Kurt had never been the closest of friends, although a lot of the hostility did fade by the time senior year arrived. They grew closer later, both living in the same city for years, and maybe the fact that they were two kids from Lima in New York City strengthened that bond somewhat. She remembers her last summer, five years ago, the sad smile on his face as he hugged her close. So maybe she and Kurt had been friends after all.
"But why didn't he stay? Why didn't he go backstage? I would have loved to see him!"
"I- I don't think he was too sure of that," Finn admits. She looks up, almost insulted. Of course she'd want to see him! But Finn moves on. "He said you were amazing."
"He did?"
"He said, and I quote, 'I cried, I laughed. I loved every second of it. You should have seen her Finn. She blew it out of the water. Everything she ever said she'd be, I saw it.'," he finishes. He's no longer looking at her, his eyes instead drawn to the bowl of sugar in front of him.
"Kurt said all that? About me?"
He looks up, amused at her bewildered tone.
"I'm sure the reviews those critics gave you, and that Tony nomination kinda speaks for itself Rach."
She ignores his slip back into the old nickname.
"Yes, but I never thought anybody from Lima will notice. I just mean- it's different, when it's from one of you."
"One of us?" There's something in the way he says this, something in the way he narrows his eyes that makes her react quickly, needing him to understand.
"I just meant, someone that matters, aside from my parents. I mean yes, the audience matters and the critical acclaim, and the Tony nomination, of which I was robbed blind, but- it's Kurt, Finn. It would have been like if it was you. It just means more to me."
She looks away from him, blushing. She refuses to see the expression on his face, and he doesn't say anything either.
"I always knew you were gonna kill it, you know."
She looks up to his smiling face and rolls her eyes.
"No really. You're Rachel Berry! You were, still are, the most talented person I've ever known, and I always knew your dream was going to come true in New York."
"You really believed in me that much?" she asks sceptically.
"More," he murmurs quietly, and she feels those butterflies swooping in her chest as she watches him, his face earnest. "Actually."
Her mind flashes back to eighteen on prom night, her dress pooled to the floor when she had knelt down next to him in Burt's garage. She remembers everything he said, even though she tries hard not to. She remembers the way his big, warm hands cupped her face, as the words amazing, beautiful, and what could have been left his lips. She remembers how he told her that sometimes he wished things were different.
But they weren't.
They still aren't.
She shakes her head to shake away the memory, sitting up straight in her chair, ignoring his eyes on her. Beth is now queuing on the next line, waiting to pick up their order and she has half a mind to tell him that she's going over to help his daughter. In fact that really is what she's about to say.
"How's Quinn?" she asks instead, the words leaving her mouth of their own accord. She sees him freezing visibly and ignores that vice clench on her heart. Maybe now he'll realize that he shouldn't be here, shouldn't be saying all these things that she's always wanted to hear from him.
"Rachel," he says quietly and she looks away again, she doesn't want to see that look on his face. "Rachel, Quinn's gone."
Her head snaps up immediately, catching the pained expression on his face before he recovers and looks at her stoically.
"What do you mean gone?" she asks like an idiot.
"Rachel," he says, his voice gruff.
"No. I mean that's- that's impossible. She-"
She remembers Quinn Fabray, or, Quinn Fabray Hudson. Blonde and beautiful, with her green eyes and her pale complexion, and her everything that had been nothing like Rachel's anything. She was healthy and strong and beautiful and she can't be- she can't be-
"How?" she asks quietly.
"It was an accident. At the construction site at a new realty just outside of Lima. Three years ago."
He doesn't elaborate, and this frustrates her.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" she demands, almost angrily. How can she not know this? How can everybody just let her go by without knowing this? His eyes are flashing as he looks at her, and she deflates. They're accusing, telling her everything that's been unsaid between them this whole time.
Because you were gone. Because you left. You left Lima, left the past, left him. Because you abandoned everything.
Remember?
"We couldn't reach you."
That's a lie. He could have told her fathers. Her fathers must have known. Why didn't they tell her? She remembers past conversations, a million phone calls she had barely listened to, and she wonders if Quinn's death had been one of those things she had passed over.
She feels horrible. Tears prickle the back of her eyes, and before she knows it, her hand is on his, gripping it tightly.
"Finn- Finn I'm so sorry-"
"That line took forever."
Both hands springs apart like the touch burned and she whips her head to find Beth looking at them in annoyance.
"It took the guy like, ten minutes to make a stinking Latte."
Finn recovers quickly, standing up to take the tray from his daughter.
"You were the one who wanted the Lima Bean Beth," he says easily, refusing to look at Rachel as he hands her drink to her.
"Well I wanted hot chocolate, and your hot chocolate sucks and Grandma and Gramps aren't around this weekend so we'll probably eat-"
"Beth," Finn says warningly, and she pipes down, still looking annoyed as she sits next to him. Rachel smiles as Finn takes Beth's drink, pouring half a packet of sugar before he stirs the marshmallows until they melt, handing it to his daughter like he does this all the time. He probably does.
Her mind latches on to Beth's words and she can't seem to stop herself.
"My dads and I are having a little celebratory dinner tonight, and there's always food to spare. Do you want to come over? For dinner, I mean."
Beth's face lights up immediately, and Rachel knows she 's about to say yes when Finn speaks up.
"I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, I don't think your dads would appreciate us butting in on your dinner."
"But-"
"But dad-"
"And we have that barbecue with Uncle Puck tonight, remember?"
Beth rolls her eyes.
"I don't like his new girlfriend," she tells him. He chuckles, leaning down a little to wrap his arm around her.
"I don't either kiddo, but we promised him we'd show up so we can't bail on him."
It's ridiculous, but Rachel still can't help feeling like he just made a dig at her. He turns to her.
"Sorry Rachel. We kind of have other plans."
"That's okay," she says, smiling at the little girl who's carefully blowing on her drink.
"C'mon Beth." She looks up in surprise as he stands up.
"Now? But I just sat down!"
"You're gonna be sitting in the truck too you know."
"Yeah but-"
"We didn't close up the shop," Finn tells Rachel, ignoring Beth. She nods back at him mutely, smiling at Beth who stands up half-heartedly.
"Bye Rachel. It was nice meeting you."
"You too sweetie."
She reciprocates his brief nod with one of her own, that sinking feeling returning in her chest as she watches him zip up Beth's hoodie. They take a step away from her, and another, Beth's hand firmly in his as she chatters on about something while he nods, turning briefly to look back at Rachel before he turns back around.
It's a split second decision.
She doesn't know how she got here, trailing after them quickly out to the parking lot. She touches his shoulder when they reach his truck. He turns to look at her, surprised.
"Wait," she says.
Beth stops talking midway and Finn's looks down at her, concerned and guarded all at once.
"Is everything-"
"I want to invite you, to my parents' anniversary party," she says quickly. "That's why I'm here. To- to organize one for them. So will you come? Both of you."
"Yeah!" Beth pipes up, turning Rachel's attention away from Finn's unreadable gaze. "I mean, we can come right dad?"
He looks down at his daughter, and she shoots him a pleading look. Rachel watches as he rolls his eyes before turning back towards her.
"When is it?"
"Next Saturday?"
Actually the date hasn't been set yet. But Saturday is as good as any day.
"I-"
"Please?" she asks, smiling up at him. "Beth really wants to go," she continues, chuckling at the hopeful look on the little girl's face.
"Yeah dad. I really want to."
He looks down, between her and Beth, and his skeptic look gives way to a smile.
"Yeah," he finally says, shrugging. "Sure."
She smiles.
"So I'll see you then?" she asks quietly, ignoring the thumping in her chest. He nods, still not quite looking her in the eye.
"Yeah, we'll see you."
"Great. I won't keep you any longer." She turns to his daughter, smiling as she takes Beth's hand. "I'll see you around Beth, hopefully."
"Yeah, you too. " Beth answers, boisterously shaking her hand. "I mean, if you need any help with the decorations or anything, I'm really good at that."
"Beth."
"What? I am!"
Rachel grins.
"That'll be amazing," she says gratefully. "I do need help with the glue gun."
"You should call me up Rachel. Do you have a pen, I'll give you my number-"
"Beth-"
Rachel ignores the exasperation in his tone as she rummages through her bag for her phone.
"Here. Just key it in."
Finn looks at her, mouthing an apology that she waves off as Beth does exactly that. He's smiling, a small, crooked upturn of his lips and she smiles back, warmth filling her for the first time in a while.
"Here," Beth says, handing the phone back to her. "You can call anytime. It's my dad's phone, but I almost always pick it up anyway. Unless I'm in school so-"
"I'll make sure to call after," she promises, pressing the call button on her phone to send him her number.
"Beth we have to go."
"Okay, okay," Beth answers I exasperation as she walks to the open door Finn's standing by. Before she climbs in, she turns around to send Rachel a small wave. "Bye Rachel!"
"Bye."
She steps back on the curb as he starts his engine, reciprocating his wave with a smile on her face.
Xxx
She's on her way home, pulling up on her driveway when her phone buzzes.
She grins when she sees the name. Elizabeth 'Drizzle" Hudson.
(How long are you staying?)
Her heart skips a beat at the message. It's not from Beth. She stares at the words for maybe minutes, sitting in the car with the engine still running. She recalls his hesitance, the way he had closed up on her halfway through. She hates it. Collecting herself, she answers him.
(Indefinitely.)
It takes him ten minutes to answer, her phone buzzing only as she makes her way up the stairs to her old room. She looks down at it, and the one word answer seems to mean more than just what it is.
(Okay.)