Chapter 2:

Finn didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do. His wife who he never divorced and still loves is standing right in front of him. Ella hasn't turned around since she has her face buried on her daddy's shoulder.

Rachel herself hasn't said anything either. She just came and showed up at the door crying uncontrollably. "Rachel?" Finn breaks the silence.

"Finn...I'm so sorry." Rachel continued to break down. "I'm so sorry." Finn blinks his eyes. Something tells him he should let Rachel in.

"Baby girl, can you please play in the playroom?" Finn asked. Ella hasn't lifted her head. "Daddy needs to talk to the lady." He said.

"You make her happy?" Ella asked caring for a woman she doesn't even know.

"I'll try.."

"Okay.." Ella whispers in his ear. She walks her way to the play room. Ella left her daddy alone with the lady. Something tells her that Daddy knows who she is. She knows that this si an adult conversation.

It was silent between them. Finn wanted Rachel to be the one to do all the talking. He thought his decision was fair enough. "Maybe it's better if you come inside? We'll have a cup of coffee.." Finn suggested. Rachel slowly nods. Finn welcomes Rachel into the home that once used to be there's.

Finn fixes Rachel a cup of coffee. He remembers the way she likes it. Rachel prefers dark with no milk and sugar. "Here." Finn says. He hands tissues over to Rachel as well. "Thank you." Rachel thanks him. She tries to stop herself from crying. "I had a successful career. I went from Eponine to Maria. I have three Tony's. Sometimes the famous life isn't always so easy. I'm followed everywhere I go. I can't just be myself. It was my dream, but now I need a break. Throughout my last performance a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't stop thinking about the important people in my life. They are you guys. You and Ella...I've missed you Finn. I've missed you so much. I thought about you every day and every night. And Ella? I couldn't stop wondering how she is, how grown up she looks, and her personality. I came back here...to be part of your lives now..I know I'm never going to have your forgiveness after what I did." Rachel said taking a deep breath. "Finn? Please say something.." She hestitated to reach out for Finn's hand but she held his's.

She can tell he's lost and confused. She left him to be a single parent. She's afraid of what he'll say. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either. Where you were, and what you were doing...It's so painful to look at Ella most of the time. She looks a lot like you. I fear she'll ask about you. She hasn't, and if she does..I don't know what to say. How do you tell a child your mother left you because she wanted her d reams to come true?" Finn asked. He paused as he felt tears streaming down his face. "I never stopped loving you. And you're right, you may never have my forgiveness...but there's a little girl who needs you." Finn says. He takes out his wallet and shows a photo of Ella on her third birthday. "She's beautiful, just like you are." He said. He gives Rachel the photo to look at the little girl.

He was right. She is beautiful. "She's Ella Grace Hudson. My little girl, my princess, my Ella-Bear. She's my pride and joy. If you want to be a part of her life, you cannot walk away again. I will not let you hurt her in a way you hurt me. In a way that you hurt us." Finn said. And he truly meant it.

He was giving Rachel what he thought he'd never give her.

A second chance.


Finn entered the playroom where Ella was having a tea party with her dolls. There's a big smile on Ella's face and she runs to her daddy. "Hi daddy." She said kissing her daddy on the cheek.

"Hey Princess Ella." Finn tickles Ella and makes her giggle. "I can see your busy." He said.

"I do a tea party with my dolls. I not too busy." Ella stucks her tongue out. Rachel can't help but how cute Ella really is. "Daddy? Who da lady?" She asked all of the sudden.

Finn and Rachel shared exchange glances. It's the moment of truth. Finn thought. He sighed and sat down on the pink comfy couch. "Princess? I need to talk to you."

Ella nods. "Okay."

"This lady is Rachel Berry..." He isn't sure rather or not if she still goes by the name of Hudson. He continues to go on. "She's famous on Broadway. She sings and she dances." Finn said. "And she's someone very special." Come on, Finn..tell her. He needed the confidence. She's too young to understand. He doesn't want to break her tiny heart. This isn't going to be easy.. "Nana is my mommy. Nana raised me when I was a baby. She raised me all my life. She's been there, just like I am for you. She kissed all my boo-boos, sang me to bed, and gave me candy when I went pee-pee on the potty." Ella giggled at that part. "Mostly everyone has a mommy." He saw the confusion on his daughter's eyes.

Ella looks back and forth to Finn and Rachel. "I got a mommy?" She asked concerned.

"Yes baby girl. You have a mommy." Finn said hugging Ella close to him.

"Who daddy? Who my mommy?" Ella asked. She's no longer looking at Rachel. Finn gives Rachel the look that it's okay to finally tell Ella. Rachel bends down to the little girl.

Rachel tries to hide her tears. "Hi Ella." Rachel says.

"How you know my name?" She asked in shock.

"Ella, honey..I'm you're...you're mommy." Rachel's scared. She wants to run but she can't. She's not going to hurt her little girl again. "I held you in my arms the day you were born." Rachel explains. She wants to comfort the girl, though she doesn't know what her reaction will be.

"Hi." Ella says shyly hiding her face. "Daddy I cuddle with you now and my sippy cup." She says softly.

"Are you tired already? You just ate breakfast, silly." Finn reminds Ella.

"Daddy! I cuddle!" Ella cries. Just then Finn realized Ella was getting cranky. She didn't want to talk to Rachel or get to know her. "Sippy cup!"

"Alright, Ella. Daddy will get it." Finn says. He stands up and apologizes to Rachel. He walks her to the front door. "I'm really sorry, Rachel. Ella is very shy..." Rachel nods and understands. "It's fine, Finn." Rachel clears her throat. "And it was very nice to meet you, sunshine." Rachel gave a nickname to Ella. Ella starts whimpering and holds onto Finn.

"We'll talk, Rachel." Finn shouted at the door as Rachel left. What Finn was really concerned about if this was coming from a very shy or jealous Ella.


The past couple of days Finn and Rachel have been talking through the phone and sending text messages. Neither of them have seen each other, due to how Ella reacted the first time she met Rachel. Ella was very clingy to Finn after that. Finn began to worry.

He took her out to the park on a nice beautiful day. He got out bread so he can feed the ducks with Ella. "Duckies are hungry." Ella laughs.

"You bet." Finn laughs along with her. "Hey Ella?" Finn asked, making sure she gets his attention. "What do you think about Rachel? Mommy..." Finn asked seriously.

Ella's face fell. She didn't want to talk about Rachel/her mommy. "Daddy more bread." She says changing the subject.

"Sweetheart, please?..." Finn says. He refused to give Ella a piece of bread. Ella crosses her arms. "I your Princess and you my Prince. Mommy not nothing." Anything. Finn thought to himself as he wanted to correct his three-year old. He decided to let it go. "Mommy not going to take you from me." Ella responds truthfully.

Yup. Jealously. "Ah, so that's what this is." Finn bends down and sits Ella down on his lap.

"I promise that isn't going to happen. It will always be me and you. Mommy just really wants to know you."

"I Ella." Ella tells Finn. Finn laughs. "Oh, silly." He says. "Can you give mommy a chance?" He asked.

"I..I don'ts know!" Ella shrugs her shoulders.

Finn sighs and lets Ella go back to the ducks. "Here go for it." He said. Ella takes the bread and throws them.

He hopes things will change for his little family.