Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or The Vow. All rights go to RIB and Spyglass Entertainment.
A/N: Thank you for all the great reviews on the last chapter. I'm so sorry this one took so long, I did mean to get it up sooner but I've been back at school and I wasn't sure where I was going but luckily I made up my mind and here it is. This will be new year in Lima. There will be some M rated content.
Chapter 7: New Year in Lima
Rachel
She was a little nervous about going back to Lima for new year, though she hadn't admitted it to Finn. The only person in his family that she remembered, other than Finn himself was his mother Carole.
"Stop being nervous, they already love you" Finn says appearing behind her.
"How do you always know exactly what I'm thinking?" she asks.
"We've been friends for twenty years Rach and a couple for thirteen of those, I know you pretty well by now. You might not feel like you do but you know me pretty well too" he says.
"I just wish I had all your memories of us. It's so frustrating-like I know a story but I can only remember parts of it" she says.
He turns her away from the mirror to face him, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Listen to me Rachel. You will remember. It might take time but your memories will come back and they'll be just as clear as mine are" he says.
"How can you have so much faith in me?" she asks.
"Because you're Rachel Hudson and I love you" he says kissing her. Since Christmas kissing him has become second nature to her-the awkwardness that had been between them since the accident was no longer there. She wants more now, she knows she does but she's not sure how to bring it up.
"Are you ready to go?" Finn asks breaking into her thoughts.
"I think so. Where's Natty?" she asks.
"Here Mommy!" Natty says running into the room.
"I swear that kid has superhuman hearing" Finn says catching his daughter in his arms and spinning her round.
"Daddy I'm getting dizzy" Natty says laughing.
He puts her gently down on the floor kissing her head.
"You ready princess?" he asks.
"Yeah! I want to see Grandma Carole, Grandpa Burt and Uncle Kurt" Natty says.
"And you're going to help Mommy aren't you?" Finn says.
"I thought Mommy knew Grandma Carole" Natty says.
"She does but she doesn't know Grandpa Burt and Uncle Kurt" he says.
"Don't be nervous Mommy" Natty says.
"That's exactly what your daddy said" Rachel says. She feels a sharp pain in her stomach and doubles over.
"Are you okay?" Finn asks worry immediately creasing his forehead.
"I think I just felt the baby kick!" Rachel says, grinning from ear to ear.
"Really?" Finn says.
"Yes" she says grabbing his hand and placing it on her stomach. He smiles as he feels the strong kick against his hand.
"Is that the first one?" she asks.
"Yes" he says.
"Can I feel Mommy?" Natty asks.
"Sure sweetie" she says placing her daughter's hand on her stomach. Natty smiles as she feels the kick.
"Does it hurt Mommy?" she asks.
"It is a little painful" Rachel says.
"Stop hurting mommy baby" Natty says to her stomach.
"It's okay Natty, it means your baby sister is healthy" Finn explains.
"We'd better get going, or we're not going to make it to your mom's in time" Rachel says checking her watch.
"Go get your stuff Natty" Finn says. Their little girl runs out of the room and Finn turns to face Rachel.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" he asks.
"Always" she says kissing him. She can't deny the wonderful, warm feeling that fills her every time he kisses her.
"I'm ready mommy, daddy!" Natty says running back into the room with her pink suitcase.
"That looks exactly like the one I used to have when I was her age" Rachel notes.
"It is. You gave it to Natty" Finn says.
"Come on Natty, let's go wait in the car while Daddy brings the bags down" Rachel says.
"So you're not going to help?" Finn asks putting a mock outraged face on.
"Six months pregnant here, I can't be carrying heavy bags" Rachel says sticking her tongue out.
"She's not even here yet and you're already using our baby against me" Finn says.
"You know you love it" Rachel says. He turns around to get the bags from the room and Rachel slaps his ass. His head turns and a questioning look appears on his face.
"What? You have a nice ass" she says shrugging.
"You know it" he says laughing before walking back into their room.
She walks downstairs to Finn's car with Natty. Since Christmas she hasn't felt like she's just pretending to be in love with Finn for Natty's sake. She really does like him, maybe even loves him. Who's she kidding anyway? She's loved him since she was fifteen years old-she's not even sure what she's waiting for. He loves her, she loves him, so why can't she tell him?
"Mommy are you okay?" Natty asks breaking into Rachel's thoughts.
"I'm fine sweetie. Mommy was just thinking" she says.
"Mommy?" Natty asks.
"Yes sweetie?" she replies.
"When my little sister comes can I name her?" Natty asks.
"I think that's a great idea. Did you have a particular name in mind?" Rachel asks.
"Yes. Zoe Faith Hudson" she says.
"That's beautiful sweetie" Rachel says.
"What is?" Finn asks coming up behind them with the bags.
"Natty wants to name her little sister and she's thinks Zoe Faith Hudson should be her name" Rachel replies.
"That's beautiful. Zoe means eternal life" Finn says.
"And Faith after you and Mommy's song" Natty says.
"Looks like we named our daughter. Well done honey" Rachel says kissing Natty's forehead. Finn helps Natty into the car at does her seatbelt up before getting in himself. Rachel places her hand on the door but she pulls back, a sudden memory washing over her.
Flashback
She can't see anything, the snow outside is blurring her vision. The car comes out of nowhere, she only glimpses the flashing headlights briefly. "Finny look out!" she yells. She sees him desperately trying to stop the car but it's too late. She squeezes her eyes tight shut and feels Finn's hand on hers, his arm around her. Her vision is fading, she whispers a quick prayer. "I don't care what happens to me, just let Finn live. Let our baby live. I love them more than I care about my own life" she says her eyes fixed on the stars. She hears the screeching of tyres, the cracking of the windscreen and then nothing.
End of flashback
She staggers away from the car screaming. She doesn't want to get in there again, the car that almost killed her, almost killed Zoe and Finn. Finn throws the door to the car open, running over to his wife.
"It's the car isn't it? You remembered the accident" he says hugging her as she cries onto his shoulder.
"I can't get into that car, I just can't" she sobs.
"It's okay honey, it's okay" he says stroking her hair.
"How are you not freaked out? You were in that accident too" she says.
"I'm not over it Rach. I have nightmares every night about it" he admits.
"Don't make me get in there please. I can't" she says.
"We'll take the train, it's okay. You don't have to go anywhere near the car if you don't want to" Finn says.
"Thank you" she says visibly relaxing.
Finn
He hadn't expected that, though he probably should have. That accident was terrifying and if he's honest he's pretty glad that he didn't have to get into his car again. He hasn't been in it since the accident and the thought of driving again was making him incredibly nervous. If he's completely honest he blames himself for what happened, even though it was the other driver's fault.
"You're not mad at me are you?" Rachel asks breaking into his thoughts.
"Why would I be mad?" he asks.
"Because of me we have to take the train, and our journey's longer now" she says.
"You're scared of the car, it's understandable. We were almost killed in that car, I can't honestly say I was looking forward to driving it again" he says. She leans over and hugs him.
"I can't help feeling like it was my fault" he says. She slaps him right in the face.
"Finn Hudson don't you ever let me hear those words come out of your mouth again! Our accident was not your fault, it was some damn drunk driver who should never have been driving in the first place" she says.
"You sound exactly like you used to when you got mad at me" he says with a sad look in his eyes.
"I haven't changed Finn, I just need a little help to find who I was before the accident" she says.
"You know I'll always love you right? Even if you never remember" he says.
"I know but I'd rather remember" she says smiling and kissing him. She rests her head on his chest and is soon as fast asleep as their daughter on the other side of him.
"I love you Rachel" he says kissing the top of her head.
Twelve hours later, the train pulls into the station in Cleveland. Rachel yawns and stretches waking up. "Well sleepyhead, you do realise you slept through an entire twelve hour train journey?" Finn says with a twinkle in his eye.
"Your daughter is making me tired okay, and extremely hungry. Can I get something to eat?" she asks.
"Sure what do you want?" he asks.
"The biggest, greasiest hamburger you can find" she says hopefully. She knows she's a vegetarian but Zoe seems to want meat. Just saying that she wants to eat meat makes her feel bad.
"Are you sure?" he asks. On boxing day, he and Natty had to eat their chicken in a different room because the smell of it was making her sick.
"Yes" she says grumpily. He rushes off to get her burger leaving Rachel with Natty.
"Wake up sweetie, we're here" Rachel says shaking her little girl awake. She hopes that Natty won't be up all night tonight after sleeping so long on the train. She takes Natty's hand and they walk off the train together.
Rachel
She shouldn't have made Finn go and get food for her, she doesn't even know what his family looks like apart from his mom Carole. She panics, looking round to see if she can spot her.
"Grandma!" Natty calls running towards Carole.
"Natty don't run off without Mommy" Rachel calls after her daughter, following her across the platform to where her daughter is hugging Carole in what looks to be a rib crushing hug.
"Someone's pleased to see you" Rachel says.
"Well I'm pleased to see her too" Carole says ruffling Natty's hair.
"Aren't I going to get a hug?" Burt says from behind Carole.
"Of course Grandpa" Natty says laughing and hugging him before turning to Kurt.
"You want a hug too Uncle Kurt?" Natty asks.
"Only from my favourite niece" he says giving her a hug.
"We're going to need to take you shopping; your parents' dress sense is rubbing off on you" Kurt says giving a mock disapproving look.
"I'm right here and my dress sense is not that bad!" Rachel says indignantly.
"And remind me again who's responsible for that?" Kurt asks.
"I'm guessing you" Rachel says.
"Oh that's right, you don't remember anything past freshman year. Sorry I forgot, no pun intended" he says.
"Finn says we're friends so it's nice to see you" Rachel says giving Kurt a hug, then Burt and finally Carole.
"It's so good to see you again Carole" she says.
"You too sweetheart. How's the baby?" Carole asks.
"Just fine. She kicked for the first time today. Do you want to feel?" Rachel says. Carole places her hand on Rachel's stomach and smiles from ear to ear when she feels the baby kick.
"Natty gave her a name as well. Zoe Faith Hudson" Rachel says.
"That's beautiful sweetie" Carole says to Natty.
"Thank you" Natty says.
"Can I?" Kurt asks gesturing to her stomach.
"Go ahead" Rachel says. She should feel more strange about this since she can't remember Kurt but she feels quite comfortable with him already. He places his hand on her stomach.
"Wow she's quite the kicker isn't she?" Kurt comments.
"Yeah, we're going to have another football player in the family" Rachel laughs wryly. Looking at Kurt's face, she feels a flash of recognition.
Flashback
"I can't believe my mother is getting married again" Finn groans to Rachel whilst they are getting ready for the wedding. Finn is one of the best men and Rachel is the maid of honour, as she has been like a daughter to Carole in the eight years since she's known the Hudsons.
"You like Burt remember? He takes us to football games, and he's teaching you how to drive. He's like the dad you never had" Rachel says.
"But that's just it. I don't want to forget about him. I don't want to feel like Burt is replacing him" Finn says.
"He isn't trying to. Finn your dad will always be the hero that you look up to but at the end of the day you never knew him. Burt makes your mom happy and he treats you like you're his son" Rachel says.
"When you put it like that, it doesn't sound so bad" Finn says.
"That's because it isn't. So put on your smiling face and be happy for your mom" she says.
"How do I deserve a beautiful girlfriend like you?" Finn asks.
"Because you're a handsome, wonderful man who loves me" Rachel says.
"You're right I do love you" Finn says.
"And I love you too" she replies kissing him. A head pokes around the door to the room.
"Have you met Kurt? My new stepbrother?" Finn asks.
"No I don't think so. I'm Rachel, Finn's girlfriend" she says holding out her hand.
"I'm Kurt Hummel" he says shaking it.
"You and Kurt have a lot in common. He's into all that Broadway stuff too" Finn says.
"Broadway is not stuff!" Kurt and Rachel say indignantly.
"See, you'll be best friends in no time. I'd better go and check on mom" Finn says leaving Rachel and Kurt alone.
"So you sing?" Kurt asks.
"Every day since I was a little kid. I'm singing a duet with Finn at the reception" Rachel says.
"How long have you and Finn known each other?" Kurt asks curiously.
"Since we were about eight years old. I crashed my bike into him when I first moved here. We've been best friends ever since and we started dating last year" Rachel says.
"Forgive me for saying this but you don't seem exactly Finn's type" Kurt says.
"Opposites attract. Besides we both love music and football. He's possibly the sweetest guy I've ever met" Rachel says.
"That's adorable" Kurt says.
"How about you? Do you have a girlfriend? Or boyfriend?" Rachel asks.
"You're the first person who's ever said boyfriend when they ask that question" Kurt says.
"I have two gay dads, I don't assume that every guy I meet is straight" Rachel says shrugging.
"No boyfriend as of yet. I'm hoping to meet a nice guy at this wedding" Kurt says.
"I think I know of one" Rachel says.
"Really?" Kurt asks.
"Yeah. He's a friend of mine, I think he'd really like you and yes he bats for your team. Definitely" Rachel says.
"I'm in" Kurt says laughing. The door swings open and Finn walks in again.
"I think we're about to get this show on the road. Mom needs you with the other bridesmaids Rach" Finn says.
"Okay. I'll see you later. Remember to save a dance for me" Rachel says.
"Baby you know I can't dance" Finn complains.
"Save one for me anyway" Rachel says.
"She seems like a great girl" Kurt says when Rachel leaves the room.
"She is" Finn says.
"You really love her don't you?" he asks.
"Of course. I'm going to marry her one day" Finn says.
"How can you know that for sure?" Kurt asks.
"She's been my best friend since I was eight years old-I can't imagine life with anyone else but her as my wife" Finn says confidently.
During the wedding, when everyone is watching his mother walk down the aisle, Finn only has eyes for Rachel. She looks gorgeous, in her short red dress with the gold star necklace Finn gave her for Christmas round her neck. He hasn't seen her without it since the day he first gave it to her-she said it was so she could always have a piece of him with her. The ceremony is lovely, with both Burt and Carole saying their own vows. Everyone cheers when the couple share their first kiss and soon Finn is walking down the aisle, his arm linked with Rachel's.
"I'll be back in a minute, I just promised Kurt that I'd introduce him to a friend of mine" Rachel says giving Finn a kiss as they walk into the reception hall.
"Don't be too long. You owe me a dance remember?" Finn says.
"I remember" Rachel says winking.
She walks over to Kurt. "So remember that guy I was telling you about before?" she asks.
"Your gay friend?" Kurt replies.
"Yeah. Well he's over there" she says walking over to her friend.
"Kurt Hummel, meet Blaine Anderson. I think you two will really hit it off" Rachel says before walking over to the top table where she is sitting with Finn and the rest of the wedding party. Finn taps his glass to signal that it's time for his speech.
"Hi everybody, I'm Finn Hudson, one of the best men. I thought it was going to be really difficult today watching my mother marry another man. But it wasn't, because my mom deserves to be happy. She wasn't for a long time after my dad died and Burt brought happiness back into her life. He made her whole again. That's what love is right? When you find someone who knows you better than you even know yourself, when you're with them you feel whole yet without them you feel incomplete. And you just know you're going to love that person no matter what. That's what my mom and Burt have. They're an inspiration to the rest of us. To mom and Burt, and their lifetime of happiness together" Finn says raising his glass.
It's Kurt's turn to make a speech next. "My dad is the most amazing man I know. He's a loving, generous, kind hearted man who deserves someone who will love him just as much. I know he's found that in Carole, a wonderful wife to spend the rest of his life with. Today we become a new family and I couldn't be happier to share my dad with people as wonderful as Carole and Finn. So to the Hudson-Hummels" he says raising his glass. Carole and Burt make their speeches and then it's time for dinner.
After dinner, it's time for Carole and Burt's first dance as husband and wife.
"Are you ready for our duet?" Rachel asks.
"Of course. There's nothing I love more than singing with you" he says taking her hand, leading her up the steps to the stage. They stand, one at each microphone and eyes fixed on each other begin to sing.
Finn:
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
Rachel:
Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
So if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
Both:
I love you baby and if it's quite alright
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you
After they finish their song Finn sweeps Rachel into a passionate kiss causing wolf whistles from the high school aged crowd at the wedding. Finn leads Rachel onto the dancefloor as the professional band take over the music.
"I believe you promised me a dance Mr Hudson" Rachel says.
"I did indeed Miss Berry. May I have this dance?" he asks kissing her hand.
"You may" she says. He places his arms around her waist and they slowly dance together. As she's dancing Rachel catches a glimpse of Kurt and Blaine together.
"I am a genius matchmaker" she says pointing to Kurt and Blaine.
"They do look happy. Thanks for that by the way. He really seems to like you" Finn says.
"Well he's a nice guy. I'm hoping we'll be good friends" she says. They dance together for a while until late into the evening. Towards the end of the night Finn takes Rachel's hand and leads her out to his car.
"Where are we going?" she asks.
"It's a surprise" Finn says winking.
"Does everything always have to be a surprise with you?" she says mock groaning but he knows she loves how spontaneous and surprising he is with her.
"Yes because if you knew where we were going then it wouldn't be as good" he says. As soon as he pulls in at the turning for his house she knows where they're going. He takes her hand and leads her through the house, down the stairs to the basement.
Her mouth almost drops to the floor when she sees the basement. It's covered in scented candles and rose petals. In the centre of the room there is a bed covered in rose petals.
"This is amazing. How the hell did you get a bed down here?" she asks him. He puts his finger to his nose as if to say-"that's a secret I'll never tell". He takes her hand and leads her over to the bed, lying her down on it. She pulls him onto the bed with her, and they lie facing each other. He kisses her, soft and slow. She unbuttons his shirt, placing a trail of kisses along his chest before throwing it to the floor. He removes her dress, then rips off her bra and panties eagerly. She laughs at his eagerness, kissing him even more hungrily. She pulls his trousers off with her teeth and then rips his pants off. They both lie there naked for a few moments. She takes a condom from her purse and rolls it onto his hardened dick.
He sucks on one of her nipples, causing her to moan softly. He slips a finger inside her and she moans louder. "Finny please, I need you now" she whispers in his ear. He slides into her causing her to scream with pleasure. He kisses her fast and furious as he thrusts inside her over and over again, quickening in pace. She wraps her legs around his waist, he runs his hands through her hair, over her breasts, all the time moving inside her. She moans louder with each thrust into her until reaching her climax, when she screams with satisfaction and pleasure. He slides out of her rolling onto the other side of the bed.
"That was incredible" she says.
"You never told me what a noisy little minx you were Miss Berry" he says cheekily.
"And you never told me what a big boy you were Mr Hudson" she purrs in his ear, grabbing his dick in her hand, feeling him harden under her hand.
"You're such a tease" he says.
"Now that one I'll give you" she says. He kisses her again. She licks the tip of him, then along the length. She takes him into her mouth, sucking along his dick. He moans softly. She stops for a moment hearing footsteps on the stairs, but continues moving her mouth up and down him, feeling hot, sticky liquid filling her mouth. Suddenly the door to the room flings open, and Kurt and Blaine enter the room kissing.
"Oww my eyes!" Kurt says pulling away from Blaine when he notices his stepbrother's girlfriend giving him a blow job.
"Oh my god!" Rachel says letting Finn's dick slide from her mouth seeing Kurt and Blaine there.
"Dude get out!" Finn says.
"With pleasure, I don't think I'll ever get that picture out of my head" Kurt says taking Blaine's hand and rushing away.
"So where were we?" Finn asks.
"If it's okay with you I think I'd just like to sleep now. There's nothing like your stepbrother walking in on us to kill the mood" Rachel says.
Finn wraps his arms and around Rachel and they fall asleep together.
End of flashback
"Rach are you okay?" Kurt asks. She blushes when she looks at him, after that memory.
"Yeah, I just remembered the night of Carole's wedding" she says happily.
"So that's why you're blushing" Kurt says winking. Finn appears behind Rachel with her burger.
"The biggest, greasiest burger they had with honey mustard, gherkin and extra pickles" he says handing her the burger.
"Yum delicious" she says taking a big bite.
"Mommy's not supposed to eat meat" Natty says pointing to the burger.
"Zoe wants the meat sweetie" Rachel explains.
"We parked the car out front" Burt says. Rachel starts to shake even at the mention of the word car.
"We'll have to take the bus. Rachel won't go in the car, she got too freaked out when we were planning to drive down here, hence the train" Finn explains.
"Okay then we'll wait for the next bus. I've got the fireworks ready to go in the garden when we get home to ring in the new year" Burt says. He helps them with their bags and they walk from the station to the nearest bus stop.
A few hours later they arrive at the Hudson-Hummel house in Lima. Rachel wraps Natty up in several warm layers of clothing, then herself. The family sit outside, in the Hudson's swinging lawn chair as Burt prepares the fireworks. They check their watches and start counting down to the new year.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1" we yell.
"Happy New Year, Mrs Hudson" Finn says.
"Happy New Year Mr Hudson" Rachel says kissing him.
The happy couple don't notice when the Hudson-Hummels sneak off to give them privacy but little Natty refuses to leave her mommy and daddy.
"You know I remembered our first time today?" Rachel says.
"Yeah, you said at the station. Why?" Finn asks.
"I was hoping we could….recreate it" she whispers in his ear.
"Really?" he asks.
"Yes, really. Why?" she says.
"It's not that long since you got out of the hospital and I wanted to make sure you were ready first" he says.
"I'm ready now. I've wanted more since Christmas but I was too afraid to bring it up" she admits.
He takes her hand. "Rach you never need to be afraid to bring anything up with me, you know that" he says.
"I know" she says kissing him passionately. He kisses her back but then pulls away.
"What's wrong?" she asks. He nods in Natty's direction. She's fast asleep under the blankets the Hudson-Hummels brought out for during the fireworks.
"Let's take her to bed and then Mr Hudson, you can take me to bed" Rachel says winking.
Finn picks up Natty and takes her up the stairs into Kurt's bedroom, Rachel following behind him. He tucks her in and gives her a kiss on the forehead.
"Night sweetheart" he says.
"Night Daddy. Where's Mommy?" she asks.
"Mommy's right here munchkin" Rachel says.
"Can you sing for me Mommy?" she asks.
"Sure sweetie. What do you want Mommy to sing?" I ask.
"Defying Gravity" she says.
She smiles and starts to sing Defying Gravity but Natty falls asleep by the end of the second verse.
"Night princess. Mommy loves you" Rachel says kissing Natty's forehead.
"She reminds me so much of you" Finn says.
"I hope Zoe is like you" Rachel says placing a hand on her stomach.
"How come?" he asks.
"I always imagined having a beautiful little boy or girl who was exactly like you" she says.
"I can understand that. I mean I am adorable" he says, a jokey look in his eyes.
"Yes you are" Rachel says kissing him.
"Why don't we finish what we started earlier Mr Hudson?" she says taking his hand.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea Mrs Hudson" he says.
A/N: I know it's a little late for a new year chapter since it's almost the end of February but I've been working on Coming Home for the last few weeks so haven't had time to update this. I don't know when I'll update again-it depends on my workload and when I get an idea for a new chapter. The song used in this chapter was Can't Take My Eyes Off You-Frankie Valli, performed by Finn and Rachel Hudson. All rights go to owners.
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