Here's the epilogue, hope you enjoyed.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee
Those were the first three, but not last times he ever heard those words. Shortly after, they packed her belongings and sailed across the channel again. Noah had been left as user and caretaker of the New York house, to be used at his heart's desire as long as he kept it pristine. He said he would do it for free, he knew how to do the cleaning. They sailed one October day and at her insistence, they had gone to his cottage to meet his family. His discomfort as to what she'd think of his pathetic little cottage dissipated as soon as he saw his mom. In that moment, he felt so ecstatic he feared the next second because it might end. Rachel and him stayed there for a month, in which she fell in love with Carole and Rory. Rory had gotten himself a girl, and was hoping to marry her yet did not have enough money. Rachel, being the angel she is, insisted Carole come to live with them in London. She only convinced the woman when she said she was the only mother figure she'd ever had. Rory and his girl could move in and though they refused monetary help, accepted gladly her open invitation for an all-paid visit. Finn was gob smacked the woman he loved not only saved him, but his family too. It only increased his incentive to make her the happiest woman on earth.
They moved to London and stayed three blissful years where Rachel's fame catapulted her into stardom. His mother met Burt Hummel, an old friend of Rachel's dad and they moved to America too, to be with Burt's son Kurt. They returned to New York soon after, Rachel could no longer ignore the Broadway offers from the city closest to her heart. When he dropped to one knee the night of her closing night, she only nodded tearfully, putting her hands around his shoulders, whispering "Oh Darling, Darling!". At that moment, he finally feels worth of being his father's son, because he had created a love with her so strong it made him a better person.
When their son and daughter came into this world, she heard her say it again. Once again when he took her to London after twenty years of marriage, to relive the start of her life and their relationship. They fortified the love they had for each other, even if they thought it was not possible as it already grew exponentially each passing day, every new challenge. As they kissed in the theatre he proposed in, he said:
"Rachel. Every day I wake and wonder how do I deserve you? How can I make you happier? Because that's impossible. You make me so, so incredibly happy I can only hope to compare. I wanted to come back to tell you again that I want to spend my life with you, because the portion of it we already did? Amazing"
She rewarded him by saying her phrase yet again.
When the doctors told her she was sick, her hair was fully white. Still shiny, lengthy and thick yet a soft hue of gray that accompanied the gentle wrinkles of her still beautiful face. There was not much they could do; it would be a couple of months. Finn did everything for her, each day. From taking her places, to making sure she felt loved. He'd sit with her every night, repeating "baby, I love you so much. You must go but you were always loved. Always" over and over again. One day, he was reading to her one of her favorite books when she grasped his hand. She looked into his eyes and smiled, the Rachel Hudson-Berry smile that could make the sun shy away in shame. She grabbed his hand, looking for the last time into his eyes as the twinkles slowly dwindled away "Oh, Darling, Darling!". She closed her eyes and left him.
Every time he had heard that phrase, it had marked the end of something. Of his pain, of her marriage, of her life alone, of her pregnancies and finally, her doubts she wasn't enough for him. Now? It was the start of something, a promise that their forever was just slightly interrupted. That they'll reunite for sure and in the meantime could only continue to allow their love to expand, for their tether was stronger than anything, even death. He kissed her head softly, expecting her to fulfill her promise, because he knew she never promised that which she could not accomplish. He could trust her, so he would wait. And that phrase? He's sure it will be the first thing she'll say when they reunite.
