Alright, so first off, let me just apologize for not updating sooner. I'll explain why... I go to a boarding school and we have internet through the school... and for some odd reason, is blocked.. :( I have no idea why. But yeah, I go home about every two weeks, which is when I will probably have to post the new chapters. I wish I could update sooner! If anyone knows how I could do that from my phone possibly, that'd be great! Secondly, THANK YOU for loving this new story! I am already liking it as well. I'll preface it (sort of) by saying that RACHEL WILL NOT DIE. She may get hurt, if I decide to be mean, but i'm not sure. Finn won't die either. The Finchel love will live on, I promise. :) Any suggestions, ideas, or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
She woke to the sound of rain hitting the windowsill next to her bed. She blinked a little and looked around, remembering her surroundings and nestling herself deeper into the warmth of the bed. Quite honestly, she didn't want to get up at all. The bed was just too inviting; loving arms that welcomed her into their embrace. The usual strong arms that she woke up inside were elsewhere.
Rachel sighed and closed her eyes again for a moment, only listening to the sound of quiet rain outside and the soft purr of Dorothy at the foot of the four poster bed.
About half an hour, she forced herself out of the bed and made herself a light breakfast of fruit and cereal. She could already tell the day would be long. But she hoped that Finn would call or email her. Something to let her know that he wasn't lying dead in a ditch someplace.
Upon finishing her breakfast, Rachel dressed herself for the day, constantly sneaking peeks at her phone. But every time she looked, it was the same blank screen that she'd seen two minutes earlier.
She dressed in her usual attire: Some sort of skirt or dress with tights, a sweater, vintage pumps, and a warm, woolen coat and matching hat. The rain had let up and had turned to a light snowfall. Perfect Christmas weather. Which reminded her, Christmas was only one day away. Today was a prime shopping day. Obviously, Finn wasn't going to be here to do it with her, so she may as well get it over with.
She stepped back and inspected her outfit, smiling a little. It was suitable; very Rachel indeed. So she grabbed her purse, set a bowl of food out for Dorothy, and left the warmth and comfort of her apartment to venture into the cold, NYC air.
After spending all day shopping at Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Barney's, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue, she decided she'd had enough of department stores for the day. Incase anyone couldn't have guessed, she shopped when nervous. Which, could potentially become a very bad thing. But luckily, Finn made good money with his job, and Rachel got paid well for every show she did. Besides, she deserved to treat herself to some Christmas gifts. She'd also bought some things for Finn, though he wouldn't be home for Christmas to open them.
Sighing, she trudged up the escalator from the Subway and walked down her quiet street slowly. Once inside, she rested her many bags on the floor and flipped the light switch on.
She was taken aback when she saw what was in front of her. A small, wrapped package rested on the coffee table. Someone had been in her apartment. Instantly, her heart started racing. Rachel glanced around warily before cautiously picking the package up and examining it.
It was roundabout the size of a business card, so she easily tore the paper off and her eyes widened at the sight of the Tiffany&Co. jewelry box resting in her hand. Shakily, she opened it up only to find the most beautiful piece of jewelry she'd ever seen in her life. It was a thin, gold necklace with a diamond infinity symbol pendant.
"Want me to put that on you?" She heard a male voice ask.
She turned around, knowing that voice very distinctly. "Finn?" She asked quietly, a smile spreading across her face. "Finny?" She asked, almost childlike. She couldn't believe this. Her Christmas wish was coming true.
Suddenly, she felt those familiar strong arms wrap around her small waist and lift her off the ground ever so slightly. She leaned back into the sturdy chest of her lover and looked up, finally seeing his face.
He was clean and shaven, his hair cut to a buzz, and he had on his military uniform. She couldn't help but think he was the most handsome man in the world right then.
Rachel turned around in his arms and cupped his cheeks in her hands, smiling up at him.
"Oh my God! Finn!" She gasped, coming to the realization that this was happening; it was real. He was here, in the flesh, not just an imagination.
He smiled faintly and leaned down to kiss her gently. Man how he had missed her. Every day he'd think of her; her smile, her eyes, her personality. His Rachel.
"I'm sorry I didn't call or email you.. We weren't in a good place for a week, then I decided to surprise you and come home for about two weeks." He explained, grinning from ear to ear.
"Don't apologize. I was just worried.. But you're here now. That's all that matters." She told him, unable to keep the smile from her face. "I love the necklace, by the way. It's absolutely stunning." Rachel said, grinning up at him.
Finn smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I only had today to get it, because my flight just got in about four hours ago. I had to make sure it was perfect."
"Well, it is. And now Christmas won't be so lonely, because I have my Finn back here with me." Rachel happily told him, her huge smile taking over her face.
Finn smiled and glanced around the living room, noting that there were no decorations anywhere. "Where's the Christmas tree? And the Menorah?" He asked, frowning a little. "You always have those up like, right after Thanksgiving."
Rachel looked down sheepishly. "I didn't want to do it without you here. I didn't really do anything for Hanukkah this year either. My dads were on that cruise for Hanukkah and Christmas, so I really had no one to spend it with."
"Well, you know what we've got to do tonight then, right?" Finn asked, smiling a little at her.
"No...What?" She asked, already knowing what he meant in the back of her mind.
"We're going to make that potato pancake stuff and light the candle things on the Menorah, if you can still do that even though Hanukkah ended like, 8 days ago.. And we'll put up the tree and decorate it. And we can make those awesome vegan cookies you like so much."
As he finished, Rachel smiled even wider, amazed that he cared so much to want to do those things; especially the ones involving Hanukkah. "The potato pancakes are called Latkes, and yeah, we can make some of those.. And I guess we could light the Menorah, as maybe a symbolic sort of thing. I know I'm a bad Jew for not doing it on time.. but still." She laughed a little and smiled. "And I want to go get a real Christmas tree. A huge one, taller than me." She smiled, looking up at him.
"Well, seeing as you're almost legal midget height, that won't be too hard." He told her, chuckling a little. "I'm just kidding though. I love you, including your shortness. It's a good contrast. We balance each other out."
Rachel playfully rolled her eyes and smiled. "How about one that's taller than you? That might be a challenge."
"Well it's certainly one I'm willing to take. Let's go." He told her, smiling as he headed for the door. "Also, I'm starving for real food, so we should stop somewhere for dinner first." He suggested, quickly clasping the necklace around her neck and smiling as she admired it.
"Yes, we should. And I really do love this necklace, Finn. It's so unique, and so me. But answer me this... How did you pay for this? I mean, I love it, but it's a Tiffany necklace... Those aren't exactly inexpensive."
"Don't worry about that stuff, Rach. We're doing perfectly fine. I got my Christmas bonus, so I just used a little of the money from that, and the rest for something else."
"What is the someth-" Rachel began, but was stopped by Finn putting his finger to her lips. "Wait and see. It's not Christmas yet."
She grinned and sighed a little, slightly nervous about the other gift he'd gotten her. She had gotten him some things, but nothing exactly fancy or extravagant.
She and Finn hopped into her white Prius and drove to a nice dinner restaurant that was both cozy and comfortable. It was one of their favorite haunts. A beautiful, old Italian restaurant owned by some friends of Rachel's fathers.
And so they walked into the dimly lit restaurant and were seated in their usual place; a lovely table next to a window facing out onto a quiet street. A few candles stood in the center of the table, creating an enchanting and intimate vibe. Rachel reached across the small table and laced her fingers with his, glad to finally feel his rough, calloused fingers against hers. It had been so long, or so she thought, since she'd felt that familiar feeling. Really, it'd only been four months since she saw him last, but that was like a lifetime.
After they ordered their usual meal, Fettuccine Alfredo to split between the two of them, Rachel simply held Finn's hands in hers, finally believing that this was real and he was here, in the flesh in front of her.
She smiled at him, not talking much at all, just appreciating the moment they had. The small amount of time they were able to spend together. Their food came shortly after, and they ate as slowly as they needed to, chatting a little here and there. It was a bit silent, but it was a comfortable silence.
Once they finished, they stood and left, hand in hand and got in Rachel's car. They drove to a Christmas tree farm about an hour outside of the city.
Rachel got out of the car and was immediately blown off balance by a powerful gust of freezing air. She placed her mittened hands on her pink cheeks and smiled, walking toward the entrance to the farm with Finn. They bought hot chocolate at the small cafe near the entrance, then began to browse the aisles of trees. Some large, some small. Rachel wanted an enormous one.
"It's got to be perfect. No bald spots. Not too short. Not too skinny." She told him whilst gazing up at all of the trees. Finn held her hand securely in his, simply agreeing with her on everything.
"Oh!" She jumped a little, pointing to a tree quickly. "This one! This one's the one." She nodded, looking admirably up at the huge fir tree. It was enormous; certainly taller than she was, and substantially wider.
Finn smiled at how excited she was about the tree and nodded. "I love it, Rach. It's very...large. But that's awesome."
Rachel beamed and clapped, bouncing up and down a little. Finn paid for the tree and after it was securely strapped to the top of the car, they began the drive back to the city.
As soon as they arrived home and the tree was set up, Rachel changed into one of Finn's tee shirts and Finn stripped to his boxers. They crashed into the bed, tangled together and holding one another.
In Finn's arms, Rachel felt safe. She had no reason to be afraid anymore. The bed wasn't lonely and cold. It was warm, and the rhythm of another heart beating next to hers helped her to sleep.