When I'm With You

Disclaimer: I do not own any Glee characters, songs belong to the singers and songwriters

Chapter 4

'It's hard to fight these feelings

When it feels so hard to breathe

Caught up in this moment

Caught up in your smile

I've never opened up to anyone

So hard to hold back

When I'm holding you in my arms'

"Just A Kiss" by Lady Antebellum

Rachel looked up at her reflection in the mirrored ceiling of the elevator. She tucked her hair behind her ears, trying to calm her pounding heart. Looking over at the other two passengers, she gave them a nervous smile as they looked at her cautiously. She was going to see Finn for the first time in almost 2 weeks. She missed seeing him, hearing his sexy voice. She was on her way to pick him up from his office for their luncheon 'date'.

As Rachel got off the elevator on the 26th floor, she turned and headed for Jessica's receptionist desk. She was too ready for this little confrontation, smiling widely as she approached her desk. "Hi, Jessica. I'm here to see Dr. Hudson."

Jessica looked her up and down but Rachel didn't stop smiling, a polite but leering smile she had practiced last night. "Uh, Ms. Berry, do you have an appointment because he is preparing to leave for lunch."

"I know, Jessica. He's having lunch with me. So, if you don't mind, would you tell him I'm here. Now, please?" Rachel never stopped smiling.

Jessica looked at Rachel for a moment then pointed toward the lobby. "If you would have a seat, I'll let him know that you are here."

"Sure, but please let him know now. We only have an hour to be together." Rachel then turned towards the lobby as Jessica picked up her phone, reluctantly.

She hung up the phone and approached Rachel Berry. "Miss Berry, Dr. Hudson said he would be with you shortly." She then turned and went back to her desk.

Jessica sat there completely disappointed. She knew that Finn Hudson had been avoiding Rachel Berry for a few weeks now and it had made her so happy and hopeful. Hopeful that she now had a chance with Dr. Hudson, now that he had stopped that clingon from hanging around him. She had been bringing him coffee most mornings and they had been having short conversations in the mornings before his patients arrived. She thought she was making headway with him. That was until yesterday when he had firmly rejected her offer of meeting after work for drinks or dinner. Rejected her 'for the 5th and final time', telling her again that he didn't date employees. She had never heard him be so firm and abrupt with her but she had put it down as stress. Now she saw what the reason was. Miss Rachel Berry was back, sniffing behind her Dr. Hudson. Ahhh! What did she have that Jessica didn't? What did he see in her anyway? She was terribly short, almost a midget. And that nose. It was the first thing you saw when she came around the corner. Unlike herself. She was tall and had been told she had a beautiful figure. Most men loved her long golden hair, unlike Rachel with her plain, unflattering brown hair. Maybe she was putting out for Dr. Hudson. Yeah, that was it. Well, if he would just give her half a chance, she could show him a thing or two in the sack!

As she looked up, she saw Dr. Hudson greeting Rachel in the lobby. Then he put his arm around her waist as they left, toward the elevator. Oh well, she would have to find out what was going on when she met with her girls at lunch.

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Finn looked across the table at Rachel. He had longed for this for days. He had decided that he couldn't NOT be with her. He had missed her so badly. He was willing to accept just friendship, being careful to not reveal that he was totally in love with her. "So, what have you been up to, Rach? It seems like ages since we've talked."

"Finn, please. I have tried to text you, call you. Hell I even went up to your office and that guard dog you have as a receptionist totally turned me away."

"She wasn't rude to you, was she?" asked Finn.

"No, not really. She was quite professional but firm. I think she enjoyed turning me away, enjoyed it a little too much," Rachel said, looking across at Finn. "I took it as her only following her boss's orders," she continued, looking pass Finn where she spotted Jessica staring at her. "She acts like she gets off screening your contacts. You have to know she has a big crush on you."

Finn chuckled. "Well, at the time, she was following my instructions. I was pretty busy catching up on my cases since I had taken those days off."

Rachel looks up at him, "Finn. You were avoiding me. Please."

He looked her in the eyes, his filled with guilt. "Well, yeah. I needed time, Rachel. We had a lot to think about."

"And, what conclusion did you come to, Dr. Hudson?" Rachel looked at him with those big brown eyes, eyes that pierced his soul.

"Well," Finn said, blinking to break her trance, "We...I can do this. We can be friends. Hang out together. Look Rachel, life's too short to not start enjoying things. I enjoy being with you and I'm not letting both of our situations stop us." He reached across the table and grasped her hand. "Okay?"

"Okay," she answered, looking at their joined hands. "And in the meantime, we will work on our other relationships. I have some things I need to take care of as far as that's concerned. But I promise you, Finn. I have given everything some thought. Serious thought. I want to continue to be your friend, at least. And we will see where it goes from there. Okay? For now?"

"Agreed." They smiled at each other. "So, Rachel Berry, my best friend, my confidant. I have an appointment tomorrow with my real estate agent after work. She has lined up 3 condos for me to look at."

"Oh, you haven't found a place yet?" Rachel asked.

"No, I'm still in that small apartment in Chapel Hill. But I have arranged to look at these tomorrow starting at 11am. And, I would like for you to come along with me and help with the decision. Look at them with me and see what you think? Do you think you are up for that?"

"Me? You want me to help?"

"Of course, Rachel. This is a big decision. This is my first major investment since I...well you know."

"Of course, Finn. I would be honored But I must warn you. I am a stickler for details, and quite critical until I see what I think you would like. I am an analyst, you know. Detailed oriented." They exchange smiles. "So, text me the address to meet you and I'll be there bright and early."

"Thanks a lot, Rach." He reaches across the table to join hands with her again. "Let's make a day of it. Lunch afterwards?" Rachel nods, rising up and gathering her tray.

They head out of the cafeteria, Finn with his hand placed at Rachel's lower back, sending chills up her spine. "Well, back to work." She stands on her toes and kisses him on the cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rachel. I've got a meeting in Raleigh at 2." He turns and heads out of the building, leaving Rachel with her heart pounding as she gets onto the elevator.

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"Finn, I don't like any of these places," Rachel whispered to Finn as they walked around the last of the condos the agent has shown them. "They are all nice but they are...not you." She turns toward the small bay window. "They look too...too crowded? Don't she have anything else, you know, better to show you?"

"Well, this is the last one she had on her list. And this is the first time we've gone out looking,"said Finn.

"What were your guidelines, Finn?"

"Well, I told her Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary..." He trails off.

"Cary?"

"Well, yeah. All those cities are nice and just about an equal distance to work."

Rachel smiled, seeing right through his lame explanation. "Okay. What else?"

"I also said 1500-2000 sq feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. That's about it."

"Finn, all of that really gives the agent just a brief idea of what you are looking for. That makes it kinda hard for her to guess. And, I take it that she doesn't really know your taste, it's hard for her to narrow things down." She grabs his hands. "Look, if you don't mind, we can talk to her together and set up an appointment next Saturday, giving her time to find some new choices. We can email her more specifics after we discuss them over lunch. Okay?"

"That's fine with me, Rach. That's why I wanted you to come along. Last time I looked at houses, I was married and didn't have much input in the decision." He saw the sad look on Rachel's face so he guided the conversation away from that. "Anyway, let's go talk with her and then let's go eat. I'm hungry. House hunting with you is hard work." He winked at her.

"Good, let's go," Rachel said weakly, trying to recover from that little playful wink he gave her. Friendsfriendsfriends, she repeated her mantra.

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Finn pulled out Rachel's seat at the small cafe they were having lunch at. "Thanks, Finn. So," she said as Finn thanked the waitress for their menus. "Let's narrow down our search. Cities...let's exclude Chapel Hill. Looks like they are overpriced and not many areas for condos, to my liking. What do you think?"

"Agree," Finn says with a smile. Rachel looks up at him, rolling her eyes. "What?" he asked.

"Finn, you just can't agree to everything I say. I need your help here. This is your next home."

"I know, I know. So, Ms. Berry, continue."

"Okay. Cities - Raleigh and Cary. Size? Let's say 2000 to 2800 sq. Feet. Open floor plan a must." She raises her eyebrows up at Finn, waiting for his input.

"Agree? But, don't you think that's rather large for a single guy?"

"No. You are a big, single guy, Finn. You need space. And besides, you are a doctor, Finn. You need to live in comfort, a little luxury. You've earned it. Not too fancy, though. You're not the type to feel comfortable with a bunch of frills."

"Oh, I'm not, am I?" asks Finn, teasingly.

"Come on, Finn. You drive a freaking pickup truck. All of your colleagues drive BMW's, Audi's. Hell, I even saw that Dr. Cooper drive up in a freaking Porsche."

"Okay, okay. I get it. So, next."

"Well, it must have a fireplace and big windows in the livingroom. Also, 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths for resale value. Price?" asked Rachel.

"Well, $200,000 to $300,000 max. That's what I told her before."

"Sounds good. So why did she show us that crap, then?" questioned Rachel, frowning.

"Rachel. Be nice. She's trying and she's my buddy's wife. I want her to have the commission." They started eating their meals. Rachel was really excited about helping Finn chose his next home. Maybe, if things went like she planned, it might be her home, too.

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"Good morning, Veteran Services, Jessica speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hi, Jessica, can I speak to Dr. Hudson, please?" Rachel said, cheerful as she could, considering who she was speaking to.

"Uh, may I ask who's calling?"

"Are we going to play this game, Jessica? You have caller ID on your switchboard and you know who I am. You know my voice. So, switch me to Finn, please."

"Hold please." Damn her! Jessica had had it up to here with her arrogant ass. "Dr. Hudson, you have a call on line one."

"Thanks, Jessica." He clicked her out. She had tried several more times to get him to go out with her and he had politely told her no and not to ask again. She had even started bringing him fresh coffee from Starbucks not only every Monday but on other days, also. Yesterday, she knocked and went into his office with his cup of coffee and there 'she' sat, with her little butt on his desk, laughing and talking with her Dr. Hudson, sipping on coffee with him. Well, he'd soon grow tired of her little arrogant ass.

"Finn! Good morning!" said Rachel, excited.

"Morning Rach. What's up?" Finn asked as he looked over his next client's records.

"Well, Clarice and I have signed up for this class that's meeting this Tuesday and Thursday at 6PM. I want you to come with us. It will be fun."

"What kind of class?"

"Oh, just a class. She's taking her new boyfriend, Cameron and I thought it would be something awesome for the four of us to do."

"Sound good but what about..." started Finn.

"Finn. We hardly see each other and I have one foot out the door already," Rachel giggled. "We have talked about this. I sleep in the spare room, have half my shit at Clarice's anyway. Just trying to get up my nerves to end it completely, you know?"

"I know Rach. Well, I've got a client coming any minute so tell me where to meet you tomorrow."

"At the Community College. Classroom 210, 2nd floor but I'll wait for you in the main lobby of the Arts Building. Oh, Finn. I am so excited!"

"Well, we'll see how excited I am when I get there. Do I register and pay when I get there?" asked Finn.

"No, no. I've already registered you and paid. It's a couples class."

"Rachel..."

"Bye, Finn. See you tomorrow night".

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"Rachel Berry, I'm going to kill you," Finn whispered as they stood at the counter in the school's industrial-sized kitchen.

"Oh, hush Finn. You're going to love this. Stop being so grumpy." Rachel whispered back, tying her apron around her. "And, you look so cute in your apron." She turned and kissed him on the cheek, making his cheeks turn red.

"I'm still killing you. I can't believe you signed me up for a cake decorating class! Cake decorating, cooking class, Rach?"

"Oh, Finn," said Clarice from across the island from them, "this is going to be so much fun. And, the winner between you and Rachel or me and Cam will pay for our next outing. Deal?"

"Alright. But I'm still going to kill Rachel," he responded, smiling down at her. So, for 3 hours they learned how to read a cake recipe, how to safely handle the kitchen equipment and appliances (geared mostly toward the men in the class). Then for the remainder of the class they watched a video of layering, frosting and cake decorating. Finn had his arm around Rachel's shoulder during the videos, alternating between rubbing her back and squeezing her shoulder, much to Rachel's joy. The feelings she got from just his touch!

Then they each got the chance to practice icing a cardboard 3-layered cake. Next they practiced using decorating tools like the decorating bag, couplets and tips. Rachel looked over at Finn and a broad smile crept across her face as she saw him really concentrating, with his tongue hanging out of the corner of his mouth as he practice making straight lines with his couplets and tips. He looked so damned adorable.

Before they knew it, their 3 hours were up. After discarding their aprons and washing their hands, they headed toward their vehicles. Clarice couldn't help but notice Finn and Rachel walking hand in hand toward her car. As she waved goodbye to her two friends, she noticed them standing very close together at Rachel's car.

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At their next class that Thursday, Finn and Rachel won the decorating contest so Cameron and Clarice had to pay for their next joint adventure. Finn again walked Rachel to her car. "Rach, there was no way Clarice and Cam were going to win with that pitiful cake they had," Finn laughed, lying against Rachel's car door.

"I know," said Rachel, bending over holding her stomach which was aching from laughing. "Their cake...oh goodness! That thing was so crumbly, falling apart, they had to hold it together with the frosting," she laughed, tears rolling down her eyes.

"And," replied Finn, trying to catch his breath, "it was burnt. I thought Clarice was going to kill Cam when he forgot to set the timer." Finn was now crying with laughter.

"Well, Finn," Rachel paused, taking deep breaths. "Really, we barely won. Our cake was leaning a little." She then burst out laughing again.

"A little? I was hoping class would hurry and end before that top layer slid off on the floor." They both broke out in laughter again.

"Finn stop it! I'll pee. I'll pee in my clothes!" warned Rachel.

"Well," said Finn, "I'll stop. Don't want you driving home with a wet butt." They were then quiet for a few seconds and then Finn turned toward Rachel and tickled her in the side.

"Finn, stop it! Stop it, please." She ran and opened her car door, closing it so he could no longer reach her. She then cracked her window and licked her tongue out at him.

"You had better be glad I've got an early rise in the morning. So, gotta say goodnight, Rachel," Finn said, finally calming down.

"You? An early appointment?" Rachel exclaimed.

"Well, believe me, it's not a scheduled therapy session. I have an 8:30 meeting in Raleigh and I'll probably be there all day. So, Ms. Berry," he bent down giving her a goodnight kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you Saturday. My agent has four condos for us to look at so put on your running shoes."

"Four? Well, I hope they are better than what she showed us last time," said Rachel.

"I'm pretty sure they are with those tight restraints you have her under." Rachel hits Finn on his shoulder.

"Finn." she says, starting her car up. "Anyway, I'll see you, what time?"

"10am this time. I'll text you the address," said Finn, starting to walk away.

"Wait. No. Why don't I just meet you at your apartment, park and then we can ride together. Any of them in Chapel Hill?"

"No. You didn't like Chapel Hill, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," replied Rachel.

"She has one in Raleigh and three in Cary. She tried to add Durham but I don't really care for that area. So," he bent down again and kissed Rachel on the cheek this time, letting his lips linger just a little longer than necessary. "I really had fun tonight, Rach. See ya Saturday."

"Bye, Finn."

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"Well Finn, the last three we looked at were much better but I just haven't felt that certain something, you know. I think when we see the right one, we'll just know. Don't you think?"

"Yeah, I know exactly what you are talking about," Finn replied, looking intensely at Rachel. That's exactly the way he would describe what happened when he first saw Rachel.

They pulled up to the parking lot of the last condo they were looking at that day. Walking up and meeting his agent at the front entrance, she turns to Rachel. "Well, are you liking these much better, Ms. Berry?"

"Please, call me Rachel." Finn had explained to Brenda, his agent and buddy's wife, that Rachel was his best friend and confidant and he trusted her judgment much more than his own.

"Yes, yes, much better. That's what Finn and I were discussing in the car." The agent turned and opened the lockbox, opening the door for Rachel and Finn to enter, not missing the hand-holding of the two. She had told her husband that Finn and Rachel acted more like a couple than a lot of the married persons she dealt with. She suspected that the two were in love.

Rachel and Finn walked into the foyer and Rachel gasped. "Oh, Finn. I think this is it." She grabbed his hand again and walked into the family room which had floor to ceiling windows, beautiful wooden floors, a two-story stone fireplace, all of which opened up to a bar area that separated the family room and the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen, it had all stainless steel appliances and marbled countertops. She opened the french doors Rachel fell in love with view immediately. The doors opened out onto a huge deck with a built-in pit and a stone walkway that led to a dock and a beautiful view of the surrounding lake.

When Finn saw this, he took in a breath. It reminded him of his sister's home. "Finn, I love it! We still have to look upstairs but Finn," Rachel said, excitedly, "I have that feeling. This is where you belong." She looked up at him, smiling as Finn thought this is where they belonged, together.

After seeing the rest of the condo, Rachel and Finn stepped out onto the front stoop. "Well," said Brenda, "You like?"

"Yes," said Rachel, after getting confirming nod from Finn.

"Well Finn, the asking price is $220,000. This unit is brand new so that price is pretty well non-negotiable." Finn nodded.

"Is this still in Cary?" asked Rachel.

"Not the city, really," answered Brenda. "It's Orange County but the address is Cary, North Carolina. And Finn," she said turning to him, "it's exactly 8.6 miles from the Research Triangle Park."

"Fantastic. Well Brenda, make them an offer and I am willing to make a cash down payment of $100,000 with the rest being a pre-approved VA loan, if they are willing to reduce that asking price to $200,000. "

"I will draw up the offer sheets once I get back to the office and fax them to you to the number that's on the back of your card, probably Monday. And thanks to both of you. I hope we can close this soon." She reached and shook Rachel's hand. "It was so nice working with you Rachel. I love working with people that know what they want and are so organized." Rachel blushed.

"I'm an analyst." "She's and analyst." She and Finn said simultaneously, then laughed.

"I know already," said Brenda. Rachel raised her eyebrows. "Finn talks about you all of the time." Finn cleared his throat and Rachel smiled. Shaking hands, they loaded into Finn's truck and drove away.

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Rachel's home life had become very strained. She had moved into the guest bedroom weeks ago, giving Steven the excuse that his snoring had gotten so bad that it was interfering with her sleep. To her surprise, he didn't object. They had grown distant, like two busy roommates passing each other each morning. She had even stopped making those ridiculous Friday morning pancakes and he had started going out to breakfast instead. She had mentioned that her concert for the Senior Center patrons was that Wednesday which Steven just replied that he couldn't change his plans and wished her luck.

She and Clarice sat at lunch talking about her situation. "Clarice, I'm ready to end things with Steven. I think he has found someone else and you know what? I don't give a damn. It doesn't bother me and that's why I know. I need to make a big change in my life."

"Really? I have waited patiently all these months since you accepted that stupid ring. Waited for you to realize that Steven just isn't you are finally making the big exit?" asked Clarice.

"Yes. Something I should have done a long time ago. I was just making both of us miserable. Never should have accepted his proposal. We don't even like each other at this point. Perfect example. I told Steven this morning that my concert was Wednesday. He said 'good luck. Can't make it'. You know what Finn said? 'That's at 7 isn't it? I'll be there, front and center'."

"Oh, Rachel. So, what does this tell you, girl?" asked Clarice, pulling her auburn hair behind her ear.

"It tells me something that I have known for months now. I love Finn Hudson. I don't love Steven. I don't think I ever did. I think I was use to Steven. I thought I was suppose to love him. I have let him suppress the real me to the point that I never did things I wanted to do. I just wasn't happy anymore. I didn't realize how low I had bowed until I met Finn. He has shown me what fun is again. I can talk to him about everything. We support each other. We just... just enjoy each other. I wake up thinking about. I go the sleep every night thinking about that man. When I know I'm going to see him, I'm elated. When I just left him, I can't wait until the next time I see him again. That's love, Clarice." Rachel stops to take a breath. She felt so relieved to say everything out loud.

"Well, Rachel, what's your next step? I'm with you all the way."

"I'm going home tonight and end things with Steven. Then, I'm leaving."

"Oh, Rachel. I'm sorry it ended like this."

"Don't be, Clarice. I feel so much better. It was rough being so unsatisfied with my life. Being so indecisive. One thing, though," Rachel says, turning to Clarice.

"What?" asked Clarice.

"Can I stay with you for a few weeks while I find an apartment?"

"Of course you can. Just call me when you want me to come over and help you take your things over to my house," said Clarice, reassuringly.

"Thanks, Reesie."

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Rachel stood in her kitchen for the last time. She fixed dinner and had everything on the table as Steven came out of his bedroom after showering. "Um, everything looks good." They sat down and began eating quietly.

"Steven, we need to talk," said Rachel, breaking the silence.

"Okay. I had a feeling this was coming. Before you ask, yes, I'm seeing someone," said Steven. Rachel's mouth dropped open, not from the shock of his confession but that he was so upfront about it.

"Why didn't you tell me Steven?"

He placed a potato in his mouth, chewing. "Well, Rachel, you have emotionally removed yourself from this relationship months ago. Hell, you have ever worn your engagement ring."

"So," returned Rachel, "Your answer to that problem was not to talk with me. See if I had a problem or some difficulty. No, your answer was to go out and find a replacement."

"Rachel, we haven't had sex in, what, 2 months?"

"But I haven't cheated on you," Rachel replied, upset.

"Well, not physically but I know you don't love me, at least not anymore." Steven lays his fork down. "You are gone all of the time doing whatever. I am cheating on you physically but you are cheating emotionally. Am I right?"

"Well, since it's true confession time. Yes, Steven. I am in love with another man. I have loved him for months now. I want to be with him. He makes me happy. Something I haven't been with you for months. But we have never slept together. He has too much respect for me."

"But you want to. That's why we haven't slept together," retorted Steven.

"I have wasted so much time on you. You are selfish, you are conceited. You don't know how to love a woman, Steven. Good luck with your new bed partner. She'll catch on soon enough. So," she says, standing. "I hate things came to this. But you disgust me."

"I disgust you?"

"Yes! I have not given myself completely to him because of you. I held on to this...to this shit pile of a relationship out of loyalty to you. And all along, you were screwing around on me. I'm done, Steven. I'm leaving. You can have this house, everything including that diamond ring in my jewelry box. I don't want anything except my clothes and my things in my room."

"Well, it's not all my fault, Rachel. You didn't bother to talk to me and tell me you were so unhappy."

"Talk to you? You couldn't fit it in your damn schedule!" With that, she went into her room and started packing her things. With tears in her eyes, she dialed Clarice's number to get her and Cameron to come and pick her up.

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Finn sat in the audience as Rachel's string quartet ended their last number. Rising out of his seat, he joined the others with a rousing applause. She was so beautiful and he was so proud of her.

"Finn!" Rachel shouted as she ran to him. He picked her up in his strong arms, twirling her around. "Was it good?"

"Yes, you were great, Rach. I really enjoyed it." He lowered her to the ground. Then he grabbed her hand as they walked over to the side door, gathering up her cello case and headed toward his truck. "How about we celebrate with some ice cream? My treat?"

"I would love to."

As they drove to the Diary Queen, Rachel started humming along to the song on the radio:

'Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
No, I don't want to push too far

Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby, I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight'

As they pulled into the parking lot of the Diary Queen, the song ended. Turning the car off, Finn turned toward Rachel, "I like that song. Who was that?"

"That's a group called Lady Antebellum. The song is 'Just A Kiss'. It kinda describe how I feel about you. About us," Rachel says, looking down at her hands in her lap.

Finn reached over and puts his hand under her chin, turning her face towards him. "Kinda says what I'm feeling, too." He pulls her toward him until their lips met. After a quick kiss, he pulled back a little to look at her and then kissed her again, pushing his tongue into her mouth, deepening it trying to express the love and passion he felt for her. He then gave her a parting peck on her lips. "Come on. Let's get some ice cream."

They sat in his truck in the parking lot eating their ice cream and talking about the condo. Then Rachel took a deep breath. "Finn?"

"Yeah, Rach?" he answered with a puzzled look.

Rachel was overwhelmed by the features of his face, glowing from the light from the dashboard. He was so, so handsome it took her breath away. "I love you, Finn. I have loved you for a long time. Months. I would say ever since I looked up at your handsome face outside those elevators that morning." Finn put his spoon down and just stared at her.

"I left Steven Monday," she continued, never looking away from him. "I'm staying with Clarice until I find me an apartment. I don't love him. I never did. I was so stupid, Finn. I held on to that relationship too long, for dumb reasons." Tears started running down her cheeks. Finn reached over and cupped her face in his hands. "I want to be with you, Finn. If...if you still want me. If you'll still have me. I just love you. Plain and simple."

He looked deep into her eyes, "I love you, too, Rach. So, so very much. I was just waiting to you decide. To decide that either you didn't want to be with Steven anymore or to tell me to fuck off." They both smiled.

"No way, Dr. Hudson. I want to be with you as long as you'll have me."

He kissed her deeply and passionately. "Always, baby, always."