So, this is super short, but it's really late, and I have to get up early, so I wanted to at least update.
Disclaimer:Not mine.
"She loves me."
-Pearl Harbor, 2001
…
August 17, 1941
"There's no need to be nervous," Rachel whispers into Finn's ear while they're standing in the doorway of her house, waiting for her parents to arrive.
"Of course I'm nervous, Rachel. I need to make a good impression." Finn replies, straightening his tie idly.
"They'll love you." She says with a reassuring smile.
"Dear! Our guest is here!" Rachel's mother, Shelby calls up the staircase to her husband.
Rachel's father comes down the stairs, a cautious look in his eyes. Rachel looks over at Finn, and can see him swallow nervously. It's quite obvious to both of them that her father intends on questioning Finn until the sun came up. She squeezes his hand lightly, trying to communicate to him that it's not as bad as it looks. Her father is a good man, really, just a bit overprotective over his only daughter.
"Shall we eat? I hear Martha has made a marvelous pot roast." Hiriam Berry says with a light smile. "My Rachel, though, won't eat meat. Can you imagine that, Finn?"
"I think that she is very unique, that's for sure." Finn replies, looking at Rachel. "I am more partial to meat myself, though."
Hiriam lets out a chuckle. "I know I could never live without meat, that's for sure. Especially Martha's pot roast. I'm sure you will love it." He finishes before heading to the dining room.
As Finn takes a bite of his pot roast, he concludes it is most definitely the best thing he's ever eaten. Hiriam still glances up at him every few seconds, but other than that, the table is completely silent except for the clatter of silver wear.
"So, Rachel has been spending quite a lot of time with you, young man." Hiriam says, looking at Rachel. "I dare say she's quite fond of you."
"I hope I'm worthy enough of her affections, sir." Finn replies easily.
"He's worth it, Daddy." Rachel assures her father. "I think this summer is the best I've ever spent."
"So, Finn, Rachel has told me that your aunt is Emma Shuester." Shelby says, speaking up for the first time.
"She is." Finn confirms. "They're putting up with me for the summer."
"And your plans after the summer?" Shelby asks.
"I'm not sure yet, ma'am. I'm thinking about heading back home." He says lightly.
"I am mighty proud of Rachel for getting into such a prestigious college." Shelby starts, only to be stopped by Rachel.
"Please stop, Mother." She says coldly. "I would rather not talk about the fall, if you don't mind."
"But, dear, I am curious. How are you planning to keep this relationship afloat? If you don't mind me asking, of course."
Rachel sends a glare sharp enough to cut a diamond. "Finn and I won't fizzle, if that's what you're assuming. We are perfectly capable of a long distance relationship."
"But—"
"I think that we should move to a new topic, if you don't mind my dear. You seem to be making Finn and Rachel quite uncomfortable." Hiriam cuts in. "So, Finn. Are you into politics?"
"Not much, sir." Finn admitted. "I do read the papers, though."
"What do you think about this war going on in Europe?" Hiriam asks, cutting his roast beef.
"I think it's a shame so many people are dying." Finn replied, unsure of himself.
"Do you think America will enter the war?" He asks his brown eyes unreadable.
"I do," Finn said. "Already, we've got troops helping out."
"Do you plan on enlisting?"
Finn clears his throat softly. Rachel glances over at him, her eyebrows crinkling in confusion. "I have considered it, sir. Especially after this summer. My father fought in World War I."
Rachel gasped quietly, before throwing down her napkin, and running outside. Finn immediately got up, and followed her into the warm summer air. Looking around, he didn't see her tiny figure anywhere. Walking down the road a bit, he saw her heading towards the creek. He sighed, preparing himself for the yelling he was probably going to get. Instead, he found her, huddled up, crying.
"Rachel?" He says softly, as she stops crying immediately.
"Why are you here?" She asks sharply. "I'm nothing to you, remember?"
"When did I ever say that?" He responds just as sharply. "I think you're overreacting a bit."
"I'm overreacting? Don't you dare say I'm overreacting, Finn. Did you expect me to just shrug it off when you finally told me you were thinking about enlisting in this damn war? Or were you planning on not telling me at all?" She spat out venomously.
"Baby," He says, reaching towards her.
"Don't touch me!" She shouts. "You didn't even consider my feelings! Do you know how many people are dying every day in that war, Finn? I could lose you!"
"But the fact is you're leaving for New York in the fall. There's nothing here for me anymore." He admits with a shrug. "Maybe we are just a summer romance."
Her eyes immediately fill with fresh tears, and he regrets what he just said instantaneously. "You really think that?" She whispers. "What we've shared, what we've felt, you just think that's just a fling for me?"
"Of course it's not." He says, putting a hand on her arm, but she shrugs it off again. "But we've got to face the real world, soon. We can't stay in this fantasy forever."
"I won't go to New York." She says suddenly. "I'll stay here, if that means you won't enlist in the war."
"You are not going to give up all your dreams for me." He replies, shaking his head.
"I would give them up for you, because-" She breaks off, catching her breath. "Because I'm in love with you, Finn. I think I've loved you since the first day we met. I can't give you up. I know it's selfish of me, but I can't give you up. I can't"
He pulls her into a hug, and she bursts into tears. "I love you too, Rachel. But if our love if real, you won't give up your dreams for me. You're going to New York in the fall."
"But if I go, you'll enlist." She says, hiccupping.
"I'll never leave you. I promise."
Review PLEASE?
xoxox,
kjs2259