Hey y'all, this is Chapter Three: of Light This Night :D I really hope you enjoy it! Again, thank you for all of comments- I'm hoping to get at least 15 for this chapter (I've been getting about 10 story favorites with each chapter so I know it can happen. PLEASEEEE!)! I'll also repeat again that I'm in the market for a beta so if you know anyone, I would love to know! I hate grammar, despite the fact that English and I are best friends now that I'm in college. Isn't that just how it goes?

Also, I got some comments about how unusual it was that Finn was so serious about Rachel right off the bat. I have two things to say to that- the first being, I claim creative license. The second, I've always thought that Rachel and Finn were a bit ardent in their feelings when they first met. Rachel has always been adamnet, from the very beginning, that they should be together. And Finn has always felt drawn to Rachel. I took their chemistry and amped it up ten-fold. But this is my first Glee story so it might take a little getting used to at first.

I don't own Glee, though I do wish I owned Sam. Don't tell my boyfriend =P

Chapter Three

Three Weeks Later…

Finn

"I told you to talk to her, not marry her. Mercy is going to kill me when she finds out I instigated this."

"Sam, this is all we've talked about for the past few weeks. Get over it. My wife is hotter than yours. End of story." Finn exhaled steadily and counted to fifteen. His world had been in constant turmoil since he met Rachel- coming together and exploding apart in ways that he still wasn't sure how to deal with.

After a terse silence, Sam shook his head and hastily swiped the hair out of his eyes, "Does Puck know?"

"Puck hasn't been to work in three weeks. He and that cougar must be trapped in some Den of Equality."

"Inequity."

"Right, sure. She's probably got him tied up in a basement somewhere."

"He's going to ride you about this, man. Especially when he finds out she's a Jew."

Finn shrugged and kept sweeping. His thoughts drifted back to Rachel, who was tying up lose ends back in New York. Since the morning after their mistaken marriage, he constantly felt lucky and terrified. If he thought about it too carefully, he thought he might be going crazy. A smokin' hot chick had walked into his bar and married him. Despite the fact that he had kept his promise to her and urged her to work it out, he hadn't missed the shadow of doubt and uncertainty that passed over her beautiful face.

"FINNNNNNNNN!" Rachel skipped up to his barstool, tripping and falling into his arms. He caught her and laughed, feeling his world spin slightly. She was so damn beautiful. Her black dress hugged her curves deliciously and he couldn't stop staring at the way her cleavage peeked out from the top. He also couldn't stop staring at the pin on her left shoulder. It looked like a dog.

"You have Snoopy on dress!" He laughed loudly- too loudly it seems because people turned to look at him incredulously.

"It's not Snoopy! It's a Scottie! Like…a President had. I can't remember."

Finn lifted up his shot glass and was amazed to see it was empty. He turned it upside and tapped it, for luck. He raised his hand up and motioned for Sam to shoot him another but Sam shook his head. He shrugged and swiveled back around to Rachel.

"You're so pretty," Rachel blushed and blew her bangs out of her face.

"My Dads used to say I was classically beautiful."

He needed to touch her. The attraction between them was powerful- like a magnet pulling them together. He leaned in closer to her, enjoying the way her breath hitched and her lips puckered. Kissing her would be the first objective.

Rachel's eyes watched him and then she pulled away, swaying slightly.

"You're trouble Finn…Finn…Finn?"

"Hudson. Finn Hudson."

"That's a good name. A strong name. I'm Rachel Barbara Berry. You may not have heard of me yet, but someday you will." The conviction in her voice was so strong that Finn felt a pang of envy. He had never been that sure of anything in his life. She was hypnotizing him with her weird, perky energy. She was like a troll doll but with brown hair. He eyed her belly button critically.

"I want to sing you a song!" Finn was mesmerized by the way her brown eyes sparkled with mischievous energy. He nodded his head vigorously, feeling the world swim around him. Too much. He had drank way too much.

"Rachel, we're drunk."

"Never! A lady never gets drunk. We're living! Now queue up the song!" She pressed a kiss to his cheek and her smell surrounded him. She smelled like lavender and daises. He placed a gentle hand on the side of her face and turned her to face him. She raised her eyebrow at him, a smile playing at her lips.

"You can kiss me if you want to."

"I want to."

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her like his life depended on it. She responded with equal fervor. Her tongue battled his and she moaned quietly as he nipped her bottom lip. When they broke apart, she rested her forehead on his and smiled.

"I've never felt this before. What I feel with you…it makes a mockery of everything I thought I've ever felt. Tell me you feel it too."

"I do. I really do." Her face lit up beautifully at this and she kissed him again and then skipped off to the stage. He watched after her, feeling every part of his body ache with arousal. There was no doubt about it; Rachel Berry was going to be trouble.

"Finn? Finn? Dude, are you even listening?"

"Look, I'm tired of these arguments, Sam. I'm tired of feeling tense every time I walk in here. Rachel is just…she's perfect. Ok, maybe not perfect. She's kind of scary intense and a little selfish but she's…she makes me feel things I've never felt. She gets me. And doesn't make me feel dumb."

"It's only been three weeks, Finn."

Finn threw the broom down and swung around to face Sam.

"I'm sick of this! I'm so sick of every one thinking I'm crazy! I heard her voice- heard her singing this stupid song called 'Crush' and I felt something wake up inside of me. I've been walking through a fog since my Dad died. Then we went to Iraq and I almost lost two more people I care about in my life. Just cut me a fucking break, dude."

Sam quieted and looked at Finn with concern etched into his face, "Look, we all remember the Shebeast in High School. I know you haven't dated since. And I would be the first one to tell you we went through some fucked up shit in Iraq. But do you think getting married like this is the best idea?"

"Sam, what about you and Mercedes? Didn't you just know?"

"That's different. Mercedes saved me. She knows all of my secrets and she didn't care about the scars. She's…perfect."

"You know, you and Puck act like I'm not smart enough or brave enough to make decisions like this. We have known each other since the playground, and you, Sam? You should know better. Puck might have thrown himself on top of you to save your life but I would have died for you too. I would have died for both of you. So fuck off."

Sam stared at Finn's back- and nodded.

"Sorry man, I just worry about you." Sam picked up the shipment of Jack Daniels and hauled it into the backroom.

I'm doing the right thing. Rachel is amazing. And there's something about her. This isn't a mistake.

Finn ran his thumb over the glossy metal of his wedding band and clenched his jaw.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and he whipped it out, still irritated at Sam's doubts.

'I can't wait to be back in Vegas and back in your arms. Xoxo- Rachel'

Finn smiled, definitely the right choice.

He couldn't stop pacing. His mother had come by and helped him scour the apartment, leaving behind a lemony-fresh scent that was hanging heavy in the air. It made his lungs burn a little. He walked down the hallway again, his heart racing.

She's coming here. She's going to be living here. With me. We're married.

He exhaled and heard his stomach growl.

Food. Food always helps.

A light knock on the door made Finn's heart race. His hands shook as he tried to walk calmly to the door. He shook his shoulders a little, trying to lose some of the tension and lowered his eyes to the peephole.

Mercedes.

"I know you're not looking at me through the peephole and not letting me in, Finn Hudson." She tapped her foot impatiently, a hand slung over her baby bump.

He moved from the peephole and moved away from the doorframe, hoping that she would go away.

"Oh HELL no, Finn. I see the shadow of your big ass feet under the door."

He opened the door sheepishly and stepped aside as Mercedes marched in.

"Finn Hudson! What is this I hear about you being married?"

"'Cedes…"

"Oh no! You don't get to 'Cedes me right now! Are you trying to make me go into early labor? Married? Really Finn?"

Mercedes looked studied his face for a moment, taking in his pale, flushed face and panicked expression, and felt herself soften. He was scared shitless.

"I didn't come here to yell at you. I'm worried about you. Honey, Sam has been trying to hide this from me for the past three weeks but I'm upset you didn't tell me yourself. What happened?"

Finn stared at her, watching as she twirled her wedding ring on her finger and flipped a glossy curl over her shoulder. He knew she felt hurt and betrayed but a part of him felt like he just wanted to keep Rachel to himself for awhile. He motioned toward the living room and then rushed into the kitchen for their favorite snack- pretzels, Cheese-whiz, and chocolate frosting.

"What do you want to know?"

"Try everything, honey. I get pregnant and you go and get married to a stranger. Finn, she could be crazy! Sam told me about that girl from High School. You don't need to go rushing into things because you finally feel something for another woman."

"I know- it's not like that though. I felt this pull to her, even now, when we're miles apart, I feel connected to her. I can't explain it and I know it sounds crazy but this feels right."

"Finn, just tell me what happened. Sometime this decade, because I'd like to get home and enjoy my husband."

He looked at her for a minute before deciding what to do. He told her everything- avoiding her eyes while he poured out his heart. Everything from making his vows to waking up with a foggy memory and a panicking Rachel in his bed. He even told her about the crushing guilt he felt about marrying her when he realized that she had been more drunk than he'd realized. Through this, Mercedes rubbed her belly and listened quietly, nodding when the moment called for it.

Mercedes raised and eyebrow but remained silent. She dipped a pretzel into the chocolate frosting and chewed thoughtfully.

"I'm going to pretend like this isn't crazy for a minute. Show me a picture. Tell me what you love about her."

"I can do you one better. Why don't you meet her? She's moving in tonight. Why don't we meet you for dinner on Wednesday."

"Fine, Finn. But please slow down. Don't have kids anytime soon."

As she waddled out the door, she stopped and looked at him, "We just want you to be happy. You do know that right?"

He nodded and hugged her, laughing at the kicks he felt against his stomach.

"You take care of my godson, ok?"

"Goddaughter."

"What? Sam didn't tell me!"

"I don't think he wanted to add that to your plate. Sammy has been so stressed out since we found out. He's been laying fence after work. He also bought a gun and pepperspray. Apparently our daughter is going to live in a fortress." Mercedes giggled, rolling her eyes, and walked closer to the door.

"You know what you should name her, right?"

"Finn, I'm going to stop you right there. We're not naming my daughter after a piece of fruit, anime character, space character, or porn star."

"Porn Star?"

"Puck wants to name her Jenna Jameson Evans. Sam has been calling her 'Padme' when he thinks I'm asleep!"

Finn laughed loudly and hugged Mercedes again.

"Thank you for being such a good friend."

She kissed his cheek and smiled, "Anytime. You're Sam's best friend. Which makes you family."

Rachel

"I do." Rachel hiccups softly as she looks up at Finn with a goofy smile on her face. Her hair was outrageously wavy and the tiara that perched precariously on top of her head threw sparkles onto Finn's face.

"Uh, me too." Finn's face looks dazed as he stares at Rachel.

"Sanny, this is so exciting. Rachel is getting married." Brittany holds the fake flowers in her hands tightly and waves at the camera excitedly. She leans over to Santana and kisses her lightly.

"I feel like we're on the Real World." Santana rolls her eyes and pets Brittany's hair lightly.

She saunters up to the cameraman and proclaims loudly and drunkenly, "I'm going to marry you someday, Brittany Pierce."

"Santana, get out of my spotlight!" Rachel throws down her bouquet and stomps over towards Santana, getting only a few feet before Finn catches up to her and brings her small, squirming body closer to him.

"Hey, you have to kiss me!"

Rachel giggles, too loudly, and leaps towards his face. As they begin to kiss passionately, a loud crash sounds and the camera rushes forward catching Santana throttling the Elvis impersonator. The camera tumbles to the floor as a set of boots appears in the shot and a set of arms attempts to ply Santana off.

"You don't want to fuck with me! I fought in the HOOD." Quick, rapid Spanish fires out from her mouth sounding ominous as she struggles against the person restraining her and suddenly the tape ends.

Kurt spun around in his egg chair, laughing.

"My favorite part of this wedding video is Elvis trying to come on to Brittany and Santana punching him in the face. She sounds demonic when she's screaming at him in Spanish. Also, the close ups of your boobs make a nice, classy touch to this forever memory."

"Kurt, I let you watch this video to share an important moment of my life. Not so you could critique it like Joan Rivers at the Oscars. Be my best gay or go sit in a corner with Quinn."

Kurt looked appalled and slightly aghast as he threw his hand over face dramatically and sighed, "I won't be your best gay anymore? Whatever shall I do?"

Rachel rolled her eyes and packed up her pink dress with the Peter Pan collar. Honestly, it was like Kurt didn't appreciate her spontaneity. She continued folding as Kurt pressed play and swiveled around to keep watching the tape.

"Despite the fact that I'm on the fence about your fly by night marriage, I have a few things I need to say. You're moving to Vegas. Rachel, no one moves to Vegas. You party in Vegas, get married in Vegas, get divorced in Vegas, and get arrested in Vegas. You don't move there. Yet here you are. Breaking the mold yet again. You and our great diva goddess, Mrs. Celine Dion, will be the only two divas in Vegas. You're practically a diva innovator."

"Kurt, you don't have to butter me up, your travel case is packed and I bought you a plane ticket. You don't have to wait until I'm settled to come to Vegas, you're helping me move and staying for a few weeks."

"In that case, I'm a huge fan of your marriage, God bless you both, and I'm going to double check what you packed for me." Kurt shot up from his seat and raced into his room without another word.

Quinn emerged from the kitchen, a grumpy sneer present on her face, as she flopped herself on the couch.

"Skanks move to Vegas when their lives have collapsed."

"Well, Quinn, if that were the case, you would be living there. In a mansion. Now back off and feel what I want you to feel- absolute jealousy."

"Har-de-har. You're lucky that I get a free room out of this- otherwise, I'd smack you."

Rachel rolled her brown eyes and placed her hands on her hips.

"I think Kurt might smack you. Now help me pack!" She cringed when she heard the whiney lilt of her voice and resisted the urge to stomp her foot. She would not be a diva. She had a sexy husband, who, admittedly, she didn't know very well. She had secured a lounge singer position and she and Kurt had constructed a detailed plan to meet Celine Dion. She felt a tingling of butterflies in stomach- excitement. She was excited to move. It was something that she hadn't felt in a while. Even in the months before Jesse broke up with her, any sense of happiness was nonexistent. After reflection and girl talk with Kurt, she was realizing that she hadn't been happy with Jesse. She had been living in his shadow, waiting for him to approve of her and validate her life choices. It wasn't a relationship- it was a sucking vortex of unhappiness. She sacrificed everything to be with him, to be what he wanted, and in return she got emotional abuse and infidelity. Never again would she allow Jesse St. James to darken her door.

"In all seriousness, shorty, you're not over Jesse. If he showed up here, you would jump right into his arms." Quinn tossed a short navy skirt into Rachel's clothing box haphazardly. She then turned and faced Rachel, arms crossed over her chest.

"You know I'm right."

Rachel refolded her checkered sweater, choosing her words carefully. She knew she would never go back to Jesse. She wasn't in love with him- she just felt comfortable with him. She knew what to expect when she was with him. There was a certain seductive edge to that feeling and if she were being honest with herself, she worried that Quinn was right. She might not go back to Jesse because she loved him but she might be tempted to if her marriage with Finn imploded. Comfort. Fearing the unknown while clinging to what she knew.

"Being with Finn feels right. It feels different than being with Jesse. Being with Jesse was like staring at the sun, I was in awe of him and I wanted to shine as brightly. Being with Finn is like…coming home. I can be myself and he gets me. And I get him. And I'm falling for him. It happened quickly and I didn't ask for it but I got lucky."

Quinn rolled her eyes, "I don't know how you get two hot guys. The universe is doesn't seem to understand beauty."

Kurt had emerged from his room quietly and watched the exchange with a lifted brow, "I think it's lovely. Jesse wasn't right for you. Finn brought you back- you're better than ever. Finally the Rachel Berry we all knew and loved."

"Hudson."

"Sorry?"

"My last name is Hudson now." Rachel smiled and threw her sweater into the box, ignoring the incredulous look that Quinn was shooting at her.

"I'm going to miss you, Jew-Ma." Santana leaned her head on Rachel's slim shoulder and cleared her throat, "Who else is going to reign Britts and I, in?"

Rachel smiled warmly, "You guys will be fine! Plus, you guys can visit whenever you want!"

"I think it's romantic and magical. Like Cinderella or Moulin Rogue." Brittany blew her bubblegum and nodded, knowledgably.

"Yeah, but now we're stuck with Sir-Grouch-A-Lot and Ladyfingers. It won't be the same."

"Wait, do we know a Muppet?"

Santana shot Brittany a smile and shook her head, "I was talking about Quinn, babe."

"Oh, right. Well, Rachel, in honor of you leaving I made you a pin up calendar of Sir Tubbington. It's a little risqué but tastefully done."

Rachel's eyes shot wide and she glanced, concerned, at Santana. Santana grinned and squeezed Brittany's hand.

"You're gonna miss us."

Rachel's eyes watered and she looked down, "Thank you for taking a chance on me in college, Sanny. I'd never had friends before you, Brittany, and Kurt. You're my family. Especially after my Dads died."

"Don't mention it." Brittany got up and sat on Rachel's lap and hugged her neck.

"Now go live with Prince Charming."

"What if…what if it doesn't work out?" Rachel had been afraid to say the words out loud, worried that they would jinx the small amount of happiness that she had managed to find in the wake of Jesse St. James.

"I've never seen you this happy, Jew-ma. Ever. You light up when you talk about him and he doesn't try and control you the way St. Loser did. Stop over-thinking it and get to getting."

"And Santana's uncle kills people for a living and she told me if Finn was mean she'd get him whacked! But I told her that wasn't nice." Brittany laughs as she hands her sloppily wrapped package to Rachel and strokes Lord Tubbington. Santana rolled her eyes at Rachel and shrugged.

"Well, I never said I was perfect."

Rachel wiped the tears from underneath her eyes and laughed- her family might not be conventional, but they were hers.

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this chapter- it's basically setting up our lovely couple to have some hilarious times getting to know each other and some bonding time during the angst that is headed their way. I want this story to be light-hearted and fun, but I do have some twists and turns =P

I would love to reach my goal of 10-15 comments for this chapter :D Please help 3