A week had passed and the family of two had been very busy packing. The morning after Rachel texted her father she actually wanted the job she got a phone call from the hospital for a phone interview. Which she thought went very well. Because she got the job only after a few questions. She was overly qualified, she knew it. And her father knew it too.
Hiram invited her and Grace to live at his house until she found an apartment in the city. Rachel was grateful that he did that because it would take longer to get everything unpacked.
It was hard telling her daughter the news, but Rachel was pretty shocked to see that Grace was okay with it. In fact, Grace was beyond excited. She had only been to Ohio when she was two.
Day by day they got closer to moving day. Kurt and Blaine helped box things up and even pitched in some money for a Uhaul truck. Something Rachel didn't want but they insisted.
On the night before the big move, Kurt and Blaine threw her and Grace a farewell party. It was a nice gesture, but Rachel just wasn't in a party mood. Nerves replaced any excitement she had.
She was alone in the kitchen drinking a glass of wine when Kurt walked into the room. "Rachel, sweetie. What's wrong?" Kurt asked as he put his hand on her shoulder.
Rachel shrugged. "Just nerves. I don't know what to expect. I know this is a nice hospital top work at. Blaine has said that only a thousand times. But is it better than where I was before?"
"Well they hired Rachel Berry, so it's going to get much better."
Rachel laughed a genuine smile for the first time in a while appearing.
Kurt continued. "Honestly I think this is a good time to say everything happens for a reason. I think this is going to be a nice change and a fresh start. You don't know what's going to happen but please, Rach. Give it a shot and keep an open mind.
Rachel nodded. "I know, I didn't spend a week and a half packing not to keep an open mind. I am going to miss New York so much. I spent most of my childhood and into high school dreaming about this city, and I'm leaving so fast. I thought I would retire here.
"We will bring you as much New York as we can in our carry-ons when we come visit. Anything, a yogurt muffin from your favorite bakery. These visits will happen. It's going to be hard at first with Blaine still in his residency. But in two years it will be more frequently because he will be done. Who knows, maybe there will be a fellowship at Columbus Children's at that time.
"Well, that will be amazing. I would definitely put in a good word for him. He has done the same to me multiple times."
Kurt nodded. "Yeah. But he would do it for anything for you. He knows you are a great nurse. Which is why you are going to kill it in Columbus. So stop worrying and come out and enjoy your last night here in New York with us.
Rachel sighed, walking over to her bedroom window and looking out of it, the beautiful New York skyline in view. She then turned around, only to hug Kurt. "You're right,"
—
The next day came and Rachel woke up Grace for the last time. Kurt and Blaine came over with breakfast for all of them. And they finished off a few things.
Kurt and Blaine thought they would go ahead and take a few days off last minute and fly down to Ohio with Rachel and Grace. Not only to help but their families were also there. It would be a great opportunity. Even if there is a hundred miles distance between the cities.
When the time came they took a cab to the airport and checked in. They were told that it was going to board soon so they hurried through security. The adults all had suitcases. A few of Graces clothes were in Rachels. Once they were through they went to the terminal and waited to board. It wasn't that long of a wait and pretty soon they wee allowed on the plane.
"So Grace, are you excited?" Blaine asked the little girl. He got a small nod in return.
Rachel giggled. "I think she is excited for the both of us. I have too much to do when we get there. Like, find her a preschool or day care." She said as she sat next to Grace and buckled herself and Grace tight. Rachel hasn't flown much and Grace only has once. But she was an infant. Still, it beats driving in a car for six hours.
"I wouldn't say so, you see I was doing some research on the hospital in the cab, Rachel and the hospital has a daycare and preschool just for hospital staff to put their children in. That way it's convenient ." Kurt said. They found their seats which were right across the aisle from the girls.
"Oh really? That is great, thanks for doing some research, Kurt." She replied. Before long they were ready to take off. "Okay Gracie, the plane is going to go really fast for maybe a minute or two, wanna hold my hands?" Grace nodded and Rachel took Graces left hand.
Grace cried a bit but as soon as the Blaine was in the air she stopped. In fact, she thought it was cool at how high the plane was going. She could see the city get smaller and smaller behind them.
They were in the air for and hour and thirty minutes. They had been delayed a bit because of a thunderstorm in Pennsylvania. But they safely landed on time and they were glad to be in Columbus. Rachel had texted her father who was picking them up and taking them to the house.
"Dad!" Rachel said when she saw her father in the lobby of the airport. Grace ran up to him.
"Grace! Hi, baby girl!" Hiram hugged her granddaughter before looking up to Rachel. "Have a good flight?"
"It was very good. Quick." Rachel answered as she hugged him. She almost forgot how nice it felt to be in his arms.
"Well let's go," Hiram said.
"We're going to go get our rental car, see you guys later," Blaine said and took Kurt's hand. Rachel hugged him and Kurt both. "Thanks for coming with us. I appreciate it more than you know."
"Anytime Rachel," Blaine said, squeezing her shoulder. She then took Grace's hand and waved to her two friends and then stopped to look at her father. "So how are you? I feel like I've only been talking about me or Grace."
"Never better. My daughter is here, back in Ohio to stay. You know it was really hard when you moved up to New York. And then I left your father, it's been crazy lonely since then."
"I can imagine," Hiram said as they walked out to the car. He looked down at his granddaughter. "And how are you doing princess? Is your mom treating you good?"
Grace laughs and nodded. "Yes. She wuvs me. I wuv her." Hiram and Rachel laughed as they got in the car. Her dad thought ahead and had a seat for Grace to sit in the back.
Hiram started the car. "The buckeye state welcomes you Back." He said and Rachel laughed.
"What's a buckeye mommy?" Grace asked.
"It's a kind of nut, you know like the nuts you can't eat since your allergic to them. But these aren't edible nuts. They grow on trees."
"Oh." Grace sighed.
They were at Hiram's house after the twenty-minute drive. It was so good to be there. It wasn't her hometown of Lima but it was just as good. Rachel looked around after getting out of the car. Hiram lived in a very nice neighborhood. Almost nicer than the one she had when she was a child herself. Plus the air definitely felt cleaner, with more oxygen.
"So how about you two get settled in and I will order some food."
"That sounds great dad, thank you." Rachel said.
"I want pizza!" Grace said, jumping up and down.
Rachel and Grace had a great first night at Hiram's house. They caught up with one another and had Pizza delivered, just like Grace wanted.
The next morning Kurt and Blaine came over for breakfast. Grace didn't eat that much, claiming that she had a tummy ache. but Rachel thought nothing of it. Because she does that sometimes. Even Blaine didn't press on looking into it. They had a busy day ahead of them. The truck arrived with all of their belongings. Rachel had rented a cheap storage space for most of the items she brought. Since staying at her father's was only a temporary fix.
Rachel's dad had to be at the hospital at 9. Rachel wasn't due until the next day for paperwork.
They did Graces room first, a few toys and stuff animals. And most of her clothes.
Meanwhile Rachel was working on her room. She didn't have as many everyday clothes much to Kurt's dismay but she had a reason. She always worked 60 plus hours a week in New York wearing scrubs.
They finished moving in and headed to the storage space to unload the rest. Grace, of course, stayed in the car with Kurt. They were supposed to leave for Dayton later that day to see Burt and Carol.
"Thank you so much, Blaine. For coming to help me.. for everything." Rachel said hugging her friend.
"We were happy to come. Anything for you." Blaine told her seriously as he got in the passenger's side of the car while Rachel got in the driver's side, putting the key to the unit in her purse.
She started to drive. Kurt was still sitting with Grace. "It hurts still." She cried. Rachel was getting nervous. Grace was never one to complain about anything.
Blaine looked back and felt her forehead. "She is really warm, Rach." Rachel didn't want to hear that. She pulled over and parked in a parking lot. She also felt Grace's forehead. "Your right... She is." She looked to Blaine.
"Should I take her the hospital?" Rachel asked Blaine.
Blaine thought for a moment He could have a look at her at the house, but he didn't have any of his tools. But he was interrupted when Grace started to throw up right on Kurt's designer shoes.
"Oh my-god-gross!" Kurt shrieked and Grace started to cry.
Blaine turned to Rachel. "Go to the hospital."
Okay that was Chapter 3! Next chapter will have Jesse! I'm very excited to introduce him. Please review/favorite/follow. I will have Chapter 4 up in the next week!
