This chapter has been re-edited.
Rachel and Will stared at her wide-eyed.
"Where did that come from?" Rachel asked.
Anna-Mae shrugged. "I dunno…I guess I thought it would be a magical story like the ones in my books about princesses and knights."
Rachel looked at Will, who shrugged. She walked over to Anna-Mae and sat down next to her.
"Well, sweetheart, it's been many years. I'm not so sure I can remember all the details."
"You can make up the parts you can't remember!" Anna-Mae replied smiling.
Rachel smiled back and kissed her on the head. "I'll tell you the story someday, I promise. Now it's time for you to get your beauty rest."
Anna-Mae nodded and lay down against the pillows closing her eyes.
Rachel kissed her on the head and left the room. Will did the same and followed her back to the room.
"Where did that come from?" Will asked closing the door.
Rachel turned to him and put her hands on her hips. "This was all you, wasn't it?"
He shook his head and stepped closer to her. "Honey, what's gotten into you? I was just as surprised as you were!"
She shook her head. "I bet you don't even remember when we first met!"
He ran his fingers through his hair. "It's not that hard. We first met when you auditioned for Glee Club."
"Singing what?" She replied narrowing her eyes.
He sighed exhaustedly. "On My Own from Les Miserables. Not easy to forget. Look, we both had a stressful day, so let's sleep it off."
He climbed into bed and turned away from her.
She stood there dumbstruck. Even after their marriage started falling apart, he still remembered how they first met! But still, that didn't make up for pushing her and Anna-Mae away.
I wanted to be like you
I wanted everything
So I tried to be like you
And I got swept away
I didn't know that it was so cold
And you needed someone
to show you the way
So I took your hand and we figured out
That when the time comes
I'd take you away
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares
I'm sinking slowly
So hurry hold me
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares
All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me you know I'll be there
Oh, yeah
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone?
The next morning during breakfast, both Rachel and Will sat at the table with tired eyes.
Will was the first to speak up.
"Rachel, honey, I'm really sorry. I've been so busy and never took any time away to spend time with you and Anna-Mae. I promise to focus on you as well as my job."
Rachel sighed, got up from her seat and sat in his lap.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting to hear you say that? But I'm sorry too, for being too demanding and over-dramatic."
He kissed her cheek. "Hey, hey, I'm the one that should be apologizing. I love you so much, I always have."
She hugged him tightly. "So should we tell Anna-Mae the story?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. If you want to. I think it's a great idea."
She smiled and kissed him passionately.
Later that night, they tucked Anna-Mae into bed.
"Pumpkin, tonight we are going to tell you the story of how me and Mommy met." Will said to her.
Anna-Mae's eyes lit up and she squealed.
"Once upon a time," Rachel began. "there was a young, naive princess named Rachel Berry."
"That's you, Mommy!" Anna-Mae squealed.
Rachel smiled and continued. "She lived in the kingdom of Lima, Ohio with her two fathers."
"Why did you have two Daddies, Mommy?" Anna-Mae asked.
"Sweetie, Mommy can't tell the story if you keep interrupting her." Will said.
Rachel smiled at him. "It's ok, she can. Actually, I did sort of have a mother. First it started with my father who fell in love with another man and they wanted a child, so they asked a woman named Shelby, my somewhat mother, to have me for them. I'll explain it more when you're older."
"And you said that it's ok for 2 men and 2 women to fall in love like you and Daddy did?"
She nodded. "Most definitely. So as the princess grew up, she devoted her whole life to performing, whether it was acting, singing or dancing. Eventually she made it her lifelong dream to be on Broadway in New York, on the BIG stage!"
"Did she get to make it to the big stage?" Anna-Mae asked.
"Not right away, she had to go to school first. So the princess went to McKinley High School. She wasn't very popular at first, always being teased by the cheerleaders and football players."
Anna-Mae's eyes widened. "I don't think I like those kinds of people."
Will chuckled. "It's ok, sweetie, they're not like that anymore, especially at Daddy's school."
Rachel continued. "The princess ignored all the teasing because she knew they were just jealous of her talent. Finally, she found her starting point at making it to the big stage. Daddy, who was my Spanish teacher at the time-"
Anna-Mae shot up in the bed. "Daddy was your TEACHER? Like Mrs. Walden and Mr. Carnes?"
Rachel and Will looked sheepishly at each other. "Yes, like the teachers at your school. So Daddy, who was my Spanish teacher, was reviving the school's Glee Club, and right away the princess knew that was where she'd get her first start."
"What it love at first sight like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White?" Anna-Mae asked.
Rachel and Will both laughed. "Goodness, no. We had our share of arguments and disagreements. It was a while before we fell in love."
Anna-Mae nodded. "I like this story. So that's how you and Daddy met? What happened afterwards?"
Rachel smiled. "We'll tell you more another time. It's getting late, time for bed, angel."
Anna-Mae nodded. "Ok, thank you for the story."
"You're welcome, sweetie." Will said, turning out the light.
Back in their bedroom, Rachel was curious about something.
"Will, you didn't ring in any of your experience. How were you feeling when we first met? And be honest.
FLASHBACK
Will had left the signup sheet up for a week and he went to go check it, excited to see who was willing to get involved. He knew Terri disapproved of him reviving the Glee club since she wasn't a big fan of show tunes, but they agreed that it would be only fair if they pursued their own interests in their own time.
He looked at the sheet and was a little disappointed to see that not many people had signed up.
Kurt Hummel. He's seen this kid, walking around dressing pretty snazzy. He must have a knack for performing too.
Mercedes Jones. She was in his class. She had a pretty drawn-out attitude and every time he looked at her, he always thought of Aretha Franklin. She must have a fantastic voice for blues and soul music.
Artie Abrams. He also had this kid in his class, but he didn't really look the type that would sing. Artie was handicapped from the waist down, and used a wheelchair. He also had this kind of computer nerd look, but Will knew better not to judge him too quickly.
Tina Cohen-Chang. He'd seen this girl walking around the halls. She had a weird stutter and always wore Goth clothing. This girl must have a lot of independence.
Finally he took a look at the last name on this list and his eyes widened.
Rachel Berry. And this wasn't just any normal girl's signature. She signed her name in huge cursive letters that took up the rest of the space on the list as if she had signed an autograph and even decorated her signature with gold star stickers. He didn't know what to think of this girl! Was she stuck up, did she think she was a professional? He'd have to wait and see at auditions.
The day of auditions finally arrived. The five people that signed up filed in and took a seat.
He smiled very welcome at them. Hi, I'm Mr. Schuester. I see a few familiar faces from my Spanish class. I'm so glad you chose to help revive our former victorious Glee Club and I can't wait to work with you. Now let's see what you got."
Rachel raised her hand. "Mr. Schuester, may I go first so I can show these ametures what kind of talent you are looking for?"
He looked at her. "You must be Rachel. I'm guessing you have a bit of musical experience?"
She smiled proudly. "Yes, I have been performing since I was 3 and my lifelong goal is to make it to Broadway!"
He nodded understandingly. "Well Rachel, I encourage that, but while you are in this club, you all are at the same level and are here to work together. I will hand out solos every now and then but I do not like over-achievers. As for the auditions, I'm going from top to bottom from the list if that is ok."
She looked slightly disappointed but using her amazing acting skills, she pulled herself together.
"Very well, I shall put on a mind-blowing closing act."
Kurt went first, singing Mr. Cellophane from Chicago. His voice was perfect for musicals, but Will could definitely see that this guy was a soprano.
Mercedes went next, singing Respect by of course, Aretha Franklin. Her voice was so full of soul, so he was thoroughly impressed.
Artie went next and did a small rap solo. (Pick a song, any song) and Will was impressed. Rapping could come in handy for some songs.
Tina, in her independent-minded glory sang I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry. Will thought that took some guts singing that song, especially if you are a girl.
Finally it was Rachel's turn. She was doing a few warm up vocal exercises with the pianist who took a few minutes and finally she was ready to begin. For her audition song, she sang On My Own from Les Miserables and Will could definitely see how she ever thought she'd make it to Broadway. Her singing was phenomenal, and she was fantastic at portraying her character. Will could really feel her sorrow and pain that the song was about and he never thought he ever heard anything so beautiful in his life. By the time the song ended, he was on the verge of tears but composed himself.
"Great job, everyone. First rehearsal starts tomorrow after school."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Like I'd never heard anything so beautiful in my life." Will said, holding her close.
