Never Forgotten
Rachel Berry rushed through time square with her long raven hair blowing out the window of the taxi. Her flight for Lima left in 1hour and she wasn't going to spend her 27th birthday alone. Her daddies' meant way too much to her than any Gavin Thackett! So what if she's only in the ensemble? She was still just as talented, if not more than Justine Wallman! Justine only won the role of Eponine because her father's the theater company's broker! Elaine, the poor vocal coach had to completely rearrange "On My Own" to fit Justine's alto pipage. And that was where Rachel kindly let herself help to coach the company through. And it was even better when they offered her a small solo in a chorus song.
It made Rachel happy that others wanted her to use her talent for her own self worth. Unlike her high school days when the speck of spotlight was struggled to be split amongst 13 hungry teens and a baby. Her boyfriend of two years, Jesse had finally fessed up and came out of the closet, saying he only pretended to love her so Vocal Adrenaline would take the wins. She was heartbroken, and a bit sickened by the fact that her boyfriend had...a boyfriend too. She was devastated. The only thing she knew to do was leave for NYC. (once school finished up. Her dads wanted to see her give her grad speech) Her fathers were more than happy to ship her to the entertainment center of the world. She'd won small roles like a line or two in plays. And even small singing parts in Off-Broadway musicals. Les Miserables was her dream musical! She was so close to getting the role of Eponine, she could taste it. She's had it in the palm of her hand. Then one rainy day the company went broke. They hired banker and broker, banker and broker! They'd almost given up completely. Until Wallman and Stein crossed paths with the company. They offered them three times as much money as they'd began with. In exchange for new set and costumes, they gave away Rachel's character. She threatened to leave, until Elaine begged her to stay to watch Justine crash and burn. Rachel couldn't pass that up, of course. So here she is now, 4 years and 246 performances later, back where she started. But happier in the place she is than was.
And in any sense, Rachel didn't need a Tony-worthy role to keep a good man wrapped around her bruised finger! (Justine had been so kind as to clobber her trying to make her cues in this morning's run-thru.) And Rachel definitely didn't need a man like Gavin to make her happy. Leon and Eli Berry were the only good men in her life, other than her doorman Rodger and sinus doctor, Garret. But Rodger and Garret were both older than Patty LuPone and Barbara Streisand combined!
She tossed cash to the foreign driver, grabbed her luggage, and ran into JFK without a breath. She made it through security (despite her under wire bra issues) and boarded the plane safely. Rachel was about to pray no one sees the two open seats next to her. But her prayers wouldn't have been answered quickly enough. She lifted up her thin gray hood and put her plane sunglasses on (the window seat wasn't worth the paper blinds). She was about to snuggle into her large seat until a tall brunette seamlessly chased a small girl to the seats beside her.
"Daddy! It's this seat! See! The numbers match!" the tiny girl screeched, causing Rachel to laugh, despite the small cringe it gave her. "Yes, Lucy. Daddy sees the seat label. Now can you please sit down so the nice lady can take her nap? I'm going to get you some mints from the cart so you'll stay quiet for the plane ride, okay?" the man said with a fatherly grin as he put a briefcase in the overhead compartment and gave the girl her backpack and stuffed panda.
Rachel had imediately had a heart attack! She knew that voice too well. She begged for dear life it wasn't who she thought. But, once again, her prayers were too slow. She was sure it as him. She'd decided to introduce herself, but he was gone in a wink. "I'm sorry lady!" 'Lucy' giggled.
"My daddy and I are excited to go go home and see my doggie, Scooter! He's been staying with Gramma Carrie and Grampa Burtie." She explained letting a small but noticeable lisp escape her mouth.
"That's okay, darling. I was only going to sleep because I was alone. But I'd love to hear about your dog and family. It seems like you've got tons to say. My name is Rachel! What's your name?" Rachel spoke. If she wanted to make a good impression on a hot single dad, she had to snatch him through his kids first. And she didn't mind, she wasn't tired. And she could tell the man was ending a 24hour business trip. "My name is Lucy Margarita Hudson. And my daddy's name is Finn. He's really nice and he loves me alot. He tells me every time I go to sleep at night. Even when he's at work, I can still hear him." She gushed. Rachel was damn straight. It was definitely that Finn. AndShe was excited to see him to say the least, but worried about what he had to say about her leaving graduation early and not explaining anything. And now it's eleven years too late. Lucy opened her mouth to yap, but Finn sat down and put her at hush. "Lucy! What'd I tell you about bothering strangers on plane rides?" He punished. "It's a bad habit, and some strangers are or could be lethal." Lucy droned. "I'm sorry, but..when did I add the word lethal?" Finn asked with amusement. "Uncle Puck did. He said it would piss you off." Lucy Said, obviously not fully understanding the things she'd just then said. "Lucy! We don't say piss and you know that!" Finn got onto her. Rachel paid immaculate attention to the conversation, it was directed towards her, of course! "Daddy, This lady is Rachel! She wanted to talk to me! She's really friendly too. We should all talk!" Lucy innocently giggled. "Rachel?" Finn grinned in disbelief. "Hiya.." Rachel waved with embarrassment. "Daddy, don't be scay-yured! She's very friendly and she likes the dress Uncle Kurt mad me." Lucy told Finn in an attempt to bring him to. "Is she now?" Finn asked. He still hadn't taken his eyes off of Rachel which was beginning to make Lucy mad. "I try to be." Rachel smiled. "No, daddy! Rachel is suuuper nice!" Lucy grinned. "Oh, that's suuuper cool!" Finn imitated. "Are you mocking me?" Lucy asked. "Yes. Yes I am. Now, I'm going to make you go to sleep." Finn ordered. "Daaaddy!" Lucy whined. "I wanted to talk to Lady Rachel!" "Later babe, we've had a long day and you should sleep so we can go to D.J's party." Finn said. "Okay! I'm excited!" she turned to Rachel. "D.J stands for Drizzle Jane Puckerman. She's kind of my cousin. She's thirteen today… and she babysits me. I'm four." Lucy explained holding four fingers in Rachel's face. "And D.J has a baby sister named Chelsea. She's 5mos old. She's cute, but she pulls my hair, and it hurts. That's when I give her back to Aunt Quinn. Aunt Quinn says she like my hair." Lucy giggled and tugged on a strand of soft cherry black hair. "That sounds like a fun party, Lucy! You should try to get some sleep so you can play hard!" Rachel encouraged. Finn gave Rachel a grateful smile and continued tucking Lucy in. "Good idea. G'night Lady Rachel!" Lucy said. She then turned to Finn. "Good night daddy! I lovee you!" she sweetly smiled. "Goodnight LucyBoo!" Finn kissed her head and pulled her blanket up.
By the time 20 silent minutes had passed, Finn decided it was safe to break the silence. "So, New York? I always knew you'd end up there someday." he whispered. He'd expected she'd end up there. He'd gone on numerous trips to the Big Apple, being an emassador for musical arts in schools. And it was about time they'd ran into each other. He was put at ease to know she was well. "Well, my day has yet to come," Rachel began "But I'm definately happy where I am." Rachel politely smiled. "Glad to hear you're so happy. I was considering the thought of you never loving again. Y'know, after Jesse...." he whispered. "Yeah, that was hard. But I'm definitely content." She spoke. "That's good.." Finn smiled. "Yeah." Rachel blushed. "Y'know, I've been working since 2am. And I took Lucy to see The Little Mermaid. I couldn't think of anything I'd want to do more than sleep. I'd better get some rest." Finn said as he settled into his seat. "Yeah, totally. I understand." Rachel frowned. She looked up to say something, but he'd already fallen fast asleep. So Rachel did the same.
"Uhh. Finn? We're back in Ohio now..." Rachel said as she and Lucy peered at Finn from over the armrest barrier. "Oh, cool! Thanks for waking me up. Luce, let's get to it!" he said scooping Lucy up and practically flying off the coach area. Rachel had once again been ignored, and left behind…and basically unloved. She stood in the aisle of the plane just thinking for a moment. "Here's your husband's bag." the old lady in the next seat said to Rachel as she held Finn's briefcase. "Um. He's..he's not...thanks." Rachel fake-smiled and got off the plane.
She tried catching up to Finn and Lucy, but when they exited the tunnel and entered the gate she fell into depression. Rachel knew she'd have no future chance with Finn. Standing at the gate, waiting, was Santana Lopez. Rachel wasn't put at ease especially as she glanced at a passing Finn and Lucy. Santana clapped and opened her arms. An excited Lucy dove in for a hug. And Finn, to Rachel's disappointment, kissed Santana long and tenderly. "Well, this is the perfect way to start fresh." Rachel murmured to herself as she walked away. She wanted to cry so badly as she walked away feeling Finn's deep stare on her back. He'd missed his chance, and now, so had she.
Should I continue? R&R