Chapter 2

"Rachel, Hi."

"Oh Hi, Finn." She looked up as she saw him walking towards the bench she was sitting on.

"How are you? Where's Christopher?"

"Oh, he saw Alyssa and took off running." He pointed looking back over at the two kids playing on the swings. Rachel followed the direction of his finger and smiled.

"So how are you today?"

"I'm doing alright, thanks. How are you Finn?" He smiled. He loved that they'd become friends. Every Mon. Wed. and Fri. he'd come to the park to join her and watch the kids play. He just couldn't get enough of her.

"I'm doing well too. Just busy with work and Chris."

"Yea, tell me about it, I have two shows tomorrow back to back and my sitter is sick. Its the only thing that sucks about living in the city, I'm away from my family so no one is really here to help." She sighed as she began to snack on some chips she had, "Do you want some?"

Finn laughed a little as she spoke with her mouth full. "No, thanks, but hey, if you need a sitter. I can watch her… I have the day off tomorrow and I was just gonna spend it with Chris."

Rachel looked hopeful for a second before speaking, "Oh, no I couldn't ask you to do that. Especially if its your day with him. Its fine, I can just call in, I'm sure my understudy will be fine."

He turned to her, placing a hand on hers, "Rachel. I want to do this. I would not mind at all, and I'm sure Chris would love the company."

She looked down at their hands before inhaling deeply, "Um.."

Finn noticed the bit of awkwardness that was building as he moved his hand quickly. "I mean, we're going to the Museum of Natural History and then I promised to take him to the Toys R Us for this new game he wants. And then some dinner… I'm sure Alyssa would have a good time."

Rachel looked over at her beautiful girl running around with Christopher, "Well, if you're sure. I'd really really appreciate it."

"Yes. Of course."

"Alright well thank you, so much." She leaned over hugging him tightly.

Just then the two little ones stumbled their way over, "Mommy…"

"Hey baby girl. Did you say hi to Finn?" She smiled as she looked over at him.

Finn waved casually towards Alyssa, "Hey Alyssa!"

"Hi." Her tiny hand waved back and forth before she jumped up onto Rachel's lap. "Mommy, can you take me to the museum? Chris says there's a big Dinosaur and I want to see. Please. His daddy is taking him tomorrow."

Rachel and Finn both laughed a little, "Actually, would it be okay if Finn and Chris take you tomorrow to see it?"

Christopher looked over at Finn, "Really dad? She can come?"

Alyssa looked up at Rachel, "Really?"

Rachel smiled as she looked over at the boys and then back at her girl, "If you'd like to.. Mommy has to do two shows tomorrow, so Finn asked if he could take care of you. And he'll take you guys to the museum. Is that okay? Do you want to go spend time with them?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she jumped up and down excited about her day with the boys.

"Come on Alyssa. I'll tell you about all of the scary Dinosaurs." The two of them ran off towards the swings again as Rachel looked over at Finn.

"Thank you again, so much."

"Not a problem. She's a great girl."

….

"Alright, if you need anything, you have mommy's number, and I also wrote down the number to the theater okay." Alyssa nodded as Rachel crouched down adjusting her jacket and making sure that she had everything she needed, before knocking on the door.

"Hi. Come on in, Chris is just finishing up some lunch before we head out…. You excited Alyssa?" She nodded and smiled as she looked up at a very tall Finn.

"Alright. You have fun okay baby girl." Alyssa gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek before she took off running towards Chris. "I can't say it enough Finn, thank you so much. I really, really appreciate it."

Before he had a chance to respond her tiny arms wrapped around his neck as she tiptoed up to give him a big hug. He smiled. Boy did she smell good. "Yea, anytime. Now go… whats that saying.. um break something?"

She laughed at his attempt to wish her good luck "Break a leg… And thank you."

"I'll see you later then." With that she was out the door.

….

There was a light tapping on the door as he carefully made his way around the sleeping children scattered on the floor. "Hi."

She whispered softly as she tiptoed into the apartment. "Hey. How was the show… or shows?"

"They were fantastic, thanks. How was she? Did she have a good time? She wasn't any trouble I hope."

"Oh no, not at all. She's great. They had a really good day." He led her over to the living room where the kids were sleeping.

Rachel sighed as she turned to look at Finn, "You're like a child whisperer."

They both laughed quietly, "Not really, they're just beat from all of the walking we did."

"I really don't know how to thank you."

Finn smiled. This was it.. his chance to move in. "Well…" Rachel looked up at him with curious eyes when the tone in his voice changed a bit. "..How about you let me take you out to dinner next week. As a thank you."

Rachel smiled, and she was sure her face had turned bright red. Of course she thought Finn was so handsome and clearly great with kids. He was so kind and she really liked him… "Yea. That'd be great."

Finn smiled brightly, "Perfect."