Ah, an update.
The sun shone on her face alerting her to the new day's arrival. She felt like crap as her head pounded. What had she done last night?
Then an arm not belong to her slid over her stomach and pulled her even closer to a chest she hadn't realized her back was pressed against. Rachel froze and her eyes widened as it dawned that someone was in her bed.
"Morning," a deep, recognizable voice mumbled into her ear. Rachel relaxed a little when she remembered it was Finn. She turned her head and saw him sleepily smiling at her. Uneasily, she smiled back then turned away from Finn again.
Oh God! They'd had sex didn't they? She couldn't handle this right now. That wasn't what she wanted!
"Last night was fun," Finn said as he snuggled closer to Rachel, if that were even possible, and nuzzled his face against her neck.
Rachel giggled nervously. "Yeah, what I can remember. I got pretty drunk last night." She turned to look back at him. "Finn," Rachel needed to find out if they'd actually had sex or not, "did we, um, did we sleep together? Like have sex?" She felt horrible about not remembering. If they did have sex it sucked that she didn't even remember it and if they didn't she would feel embarrassed about even asking.
Finn chuckled a little. "No, we didn't."
Rachel blew out a sigh of relief. So she hadn't wasted her first time with Finn.
"But we both really wanted to," he added.
Rachel turned in his arms to face him. "Why didn't we?"
"I didn't want our first time to be while we were drunk and I didn't think you'd want it to happen that way either." He brushed a stray piece of hair out of Rachel's face.
"Thank you," she replied quietly. They stared at each other momentarily before Finn leaned forward to tenderly kiss Rachel. He held her in his arms as the kiss grew deeper until he rolled them over so he was on top. She ran her hands over Finn's bare back, holding him as close to her as she could.
He moved his lips to her jaw then to her neck and down to her shoulder and collarbone. She moved her hands to run through his hair and moaned as his hand moved over her breast. She could feel his arousal against her leg and grew wet herself.
Just as Rachel was about to stop and confess to Finn why she had been apprehensive and appreciative of him stopping things the night prior, Rachel's phone rang. Finn groaned and reluctantly pulled away from Rachel when the phone didn't stop.
"Do you want to get that?" he asked bitterly.
"Since it won't stop, I guess." Finn rolled off Rachel and she got up to grab her phone. "Hello?"
"Rachel, hey, it's Rocco. Just wanted to know what time you and Finn will be over today because Alice is coming over but I need to know what time to tell her. Sooner would be better than later."
Rachel looked over at Finn who was lying in wait for her. She really wanted to just hang up on Rocco and jump him but that would be rude and she did need to get Finn home. "We'll be there as soon as we can; probably an hour and a half or so."
She mouthed 'sorry' as Finn's face fell. He got out of bed and stretched, making Rachel drool as she watched his muscles flex without him knowing.
"Rachel, Rachel!" Rocco yelled through the phone when she didn't respond to his query.
She shook her head and looked away from Finn to keep her mind clear. "Sorry, what?"
"I said make sure Finn brings my shoes back. I need them."
"I will do that. See you soon. Bye!" Rachel hung up the phone and rubbed her face. They had been so close.
An hour and a half later after Finn and Rachel were showered and dressed they stood outside Rocco's waiting for him to answer the door.
"My mom is probably wondering where the hell I disappeared to. I'm not exactly an easy person to lose for two days."
Rachel looked thoughtful. "Actually, I think you reenter time from the point you left from. The two times I came back I came back at the same time I left."
"Really?" Finn shrugged. That worked for him. That way his mother wouldn't be worried and demand to know where he'd been for over two days.
Rocco opened the door and greeted the pair. He looked a little smug. "And how was your night?"
Rachel rolled her eyes as she breezed past him, Finn following behind handing his borrowed shoes back to Rocco.
"So how does this door thing work?" Rocco asked with interest, placing the shoes down in the kitchen as they walked past.
Rachel chewed her lip. "I'm not entirely sure. All I know is that the door behind you has to be closed to go forward."
"Heh, interesting."
"Where did you get the cabinet from?" she asked.
"An antique shop. The woman selling it didn't know much about it; said a man brought it in a few weeks before I bought it."
She turned to Finn. "What do you know about your cabinet?"
He shrugged. "It's a cabinet. It's always just been in my room holding my coats."
Rachel sighed. "I guess we may never know the answer to the mystery… Well we should probably go so you can get to Alice." Then a thought hit Rachel. If they reentered time where they left from, did that mean time froze until they got back? What if it stayed frozen forever because someone never went back? Since Rachel would be back after her one day with Finn anyway she supposed it wouldn't hurt for time to freeze just for today, if that was how it worked.
Rachel gripped Finn's hand and pulled him to the spare room where Rocco kept his magician's supplies. She opened the door and motioned for Finn to enter.
"Ladies first," he said, nodding for her to go before him. He wanted to be sure Rachel wouldn't back out on him at the last second and make him go home alone. She just rolled her eyes and stepped in first. Finn smiled and turned to Rocco who was in the doorway. He stuck his hand out. "It was really nice meeting you Rocco. Thanks for everything."
The older man shook Finn's hand. "No problem. Anytime you need someone to smack you over the head, I'm available." Both men chuckled before Rocco turned serious. "Please make sure Rachel makes it back safely. I don't want anything to happen to her."
Finn's face hardened. "Of course. I would never let anything happen to her." He meant what he said. Finn would do everything in his power to make sure Rachel would always be safe, loved and appreciated. He never wanted her to feel sad again.
Rocco released him and Finn walked over to the cabinet to grab Rachel's outstretched hand. It was soft and warm and seemed to fit perfectly inside his. "Bye Rocco," Rachel waved with her free hand before pulling the cabinet door shut.
The pair stood in the tiny cramped space together in the dark until Finn stuck his hand out to push the back open. He only felt a solid wall though. "Uh, where's the door? This is solid." He panicked a little, thoughts of never seeing home again flitting through his mind until Rachel snapped back the solid wall and pushed open the door into his bedroom. They stumbled out into Finn's bright room and looked around assessing the situation.
Finn noticed the time on the clock and as Rachel said, it appeared they had arrived at the moment Finn had left from. It was strange; two days had gone by yet they hadn't.
"So what are we doing tod-"
Before Rachel could even finish her sentence Finn's lips were on hers picking up from where they had left off that morning. He held her face in his hands while Rachel hugged his torso tightly. When they had kissed so long they needed to break for air, Rachel took the opportunity to interject.
"What happened to taking me out to see the kingdom?" she asked through a giggle.
"I'm starting now. The first stop on our grand tour is my bed." He smiled an adorable but cocky half-smile before leaning forward to kiss Rachel again, this time picking her up and carrying her over to his bed.
Finn laid her out under him, his hand beginning to run up her creamy smooth thighs until they found the elastic of her panties. His hand sneakily slid under it to cup her bare ass to which Rachel moaned appreciatively.
In all her life Rachel had never been so connected to someone on so many levels. Though she had only known Finn for a few days it seemed like they had never known a time without the other. Like a lock and a key, Finn and Rachel seemed made for each other and maybe Finn was right when he said she had found the doorway for a reason. Maybe they were supposed to find each other, to be with each other.
Suddenly a little squeak pulled Rachel out from her musings about her relationship with Finn just as he had begun to unbutton her blouse. "Finn!" she whispered trying to draw his attention to the fact that a woman was standing in his room watching them. When he finally noticed, his expression went from elation to horror.
He shot off Rachel and stormed over to the woman. "What do you think you're doing in here Quinn? You can't just barge into my bedroom!"
"I'm sorry, your Majesty. I just needed to talk to you. I had no idea you had company," the blonde explained, trying to come across as innocent as possible. Her eyes flickered over to Rachel who was buttoning up her shirt and trying to make it look like she and Finn hadn't just nearly had sex…again.
"It doesn't matter if I have company or not, you can't just sneak into my room. How did you even get up here anyway?" Finn was genuinely confused. There were servants and guards everywhere. How would she go unnoticed?
Then Quinn's whole demeanor changed. "I live in a castle myself. I know how to navigate my way around servants and guards when I need to." She stepped closer to Finn her eyes growing darker, voice more flirtatious. "I just wanted to tell you that I don't blame you for not wanting to marry me." Finn's eyebrows knitted together. "We hardly know each other; of course you would be doubtful about marrying someone you know nothing about. So I thought I'd come up here to surprise you and get to know you better."
Quinn looked up at Finn through her lashes as she extended her hand and placed it on his chest. Finn was about to tell Quinn he was less than interested and kick her out so he and Rachel could resume their activities but Rachel beat him to the punch.
Throughout the exchange between Quinn and Finn, Rachel had sat on the bed silently watching. She knew Finn could handle this situation and she believed him when he said he didn't want Quinn. She was through fighting Finn anymore, it was clear to her now that they both wanted each other and though it would be difficult, they'd figure out some way to make it work. So she patiently waited for Finn to tell Quinn off and chuck her out the room until the blonde put her paw on Finn. Inside an intense feeling of jealousy welled up making Rachel a little infuriated. She hopped off the bed and strolled over to Finn and Quinn.
"Finn is not interested Quinn! He's told you that on numerous occasions and nothing will change that," she asserted loudly to the woman. Rachel snaked her arm around Finn's and looked up into his smiling face.
Quinn looked disgusted by Rachel attaching herself to Finn. Who was this scantily clad harlot who thought it appropriate to speak in front of her and the king that way? She was Quinn Fabray, daughter of one of the most prominent Ladies in all of McKinley while this thing looked like a prostitute! She shouldn't even be allowed into the castle much less the king's bed.
Anger boiled over in Quinn. "You're choosing her over me? She looks like a common whore and definitely not worthy of your time or ti-"
Finn moved forward, pulling Rachel protectively behind him as if his body could keep Quinn's words from hurting her. "Don't you ever speak that way about someone I care very deeply for in my presence again!" he growled out, cutting Quinn off. His eyes were dark and threatening as he towered over Quinn. "You forget who you're speaking to. I may be nice but I am not a pushover and you will not insult me by insulting my guest."
Quinn swallowed harshly as she cowered away from Finn. "I-I'm sorry your Majesty. I forgot my place. I spoke before thinking and I apologize." She looked at the tiny brunette peeking around Finn at her. "I apologize for my behavior and I'm sorry if what I said hurt you." She bowed her head and stared at the floor.
"I suggest you leave now," Finn said in a low voice. Quinn just shook her head still staring at the floor as she turned and exited the room.
The atmosphere had changed and now Finn was in a foul mood. Who was Quinn to come into his room and judge him and his company? He was the king and he loved Rachel and Quinn had zero right to do what she did. Finn composed himself trying to wipe the anger from his face before turning to look at Rachel again.
Rachel wore an expression he couldn't quite place as he looked down at her. "I'm so sorry about that. Quinn should not have come up here. I told them to go home after I left but obviously they didn't listen and I can't believe you had to see that. I'm not usually that angry. When she said those things about you…I just snapped a little."
"It's okay Finn, really." Rachel started to blush a little. "I actually thought it was rather chivalrous how you came to my defense. No one's ever done that for me before." She glanced up at him shyly. Without another word Finn took Rachel back into his arms and started for the bed again until a knock on the door and a high pitched voice stopped them.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to bother you again but your mother would like a word," Kurt said from a crack in the door. "She says it's urgent."
Finn groaned as he put Rachel back on the floor. "What does she want now?"
"She wants you to come downstairs."
He ran his hands over his face in annoyance before turning to Rachel. "I don't want to leave you alone again, not because I think you'll leave," he clarified when she went to speak, "but because I just don't want to leave you." Rachel smiled softly as she intertwined her fingers with Finn's.
"Then don't. I would be more than happy to meet your mother."
"Really?" Finn looked skeptical.
"Of course. I'm happy to meet anyone important to you."
"Okay, I'll take you to meet her." Finn and Rachel met Kurt outside the door and he looked rather confused.
"What are you wearing?" he asked noticing that Finn and his mystery lady had changed clothes.
Finn looked down at himself realizing he still had on the jeans and plaid shirt Rachel had bought him. "Oh, these are some clothes Rachel picked out. They're really comfortable."
Kurt nodded his head. "They aren't very befitting of a king. And no offence but do you really want your mother to meet your…what was your name again miss?"
"My name is Rachel, Rachel Berry," she introduced sticking her hand out. Kurt daintily shook it.
"Kurt, Kurt Hummel. I dress the king and basically keep his crown on his head." He chuckled a little. "Anyway," he turned back to Finn, "do you want your mother meeting Rachel when she's dressed so inappropriately?" His eyes scanned over Rachel's attire. What woman went around wearing skirts that short and sleeveless tops?
Finn looked down at Rachel's outfit too. He had grown used to her cute clothes and completely forgot that Rachel would stick out if she went around McKinley wearing them. "He's actually got a point Rachel. Not that I don't love your clothes, I do," Rachel blushed at his statement, "but you'll draw a lot of attention if you wear them here. I'm sure Kurt could find something for you though."
They both looked at Kurt who graciously bowed his head. "I would be more than happy to assist you in finding a look that suits your skin tone and body type. If you come with me I can dress you then bring you back downstairs when we're done." He looked up to Finn to see if that would be okay.
"Sounds good. I'll go see what my mother wants I guess." Before leaving Kurt to direct Rachel to the wardrobe wing – yes, they had an entire wing dedicated to only clothes at Kurt's urging – Finn pulled Rachel into a hug then held her face in his hands. He gave her a scorching kiss then reluctantly pulled away. Still looking at Rachel, he spoke to Kurt. "Don't take too long, Kurt. We have plans today." Rachel smiled at him.
Finn backed away slowly then turned to go find his mother leaving Kurt and Rachel alone in the hall. Kurt arched an eyebrow while a small smile played on the corner of his lips. He had never seen Finn so taken with anyone and he'd known him his entire life. Who was this girl and where did she come from?
"Walk with me." Kurt extended his arm to Rachel and she took it. They walked in the opposite direction Finn had gone, Kurt leading the way. "So, you seem to have stolen our king's heart. Are you a witch?"
Rachel chuckled a little uneasily. "No. I'm just a girl."
"I only ask because many women have tried and failed to gain his attention and here you come out of nowhere to win him over. It seems like witchcraft."
"Witches aren't real."
Kurt raised his eyebrow at her again. "I guarantee you witches are very real. Most are good, but not all. Finn's own aunt, Sue, has one in her employ who constantly works to try to off him. Luckily, she's never been successful, obviously."
Rachel was surprised to hear this. There were witches here? And Finn's aunt was trying to kill him? It sounded like something out of a fairytale or medieval history. Then again this whole situation was something out of a fairytale.
"I wonder if the fact you seem to roam around in your underwear has anything to do with Finn's feelings for you," Kurt assessed, looking at Rachel closely.
"Where I come from this isn't underwear. This is quite appropriate for the summer months." Rachel loved her pink ruffled skirt and yellow button down sleeveless blouse. It was very summery and very comfortable.
"Where do you come from exactly?"
"You wouldn't know it but it's called New York, specifically Manhattan."
Kurt shook his head. "You're right, I've never heard of it." They came to a stop at a door and Kurt opened it. On the other side were more fancy dresses than Rachel had ever seen in her life. Kurt let go of Rachel and waltzed in immediately searching for the perfect thing.
Downstairs Finn found his mother staring out the window of the grand hall. "Mom, you wanted to talk to me?"
She turned and smiled at him. "Yes, I did." She paused tilting her head at how Finn was dressed. "What are you wearing?"
Finn sighed. He really needed to remember to change before leaving. "It's not important. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Carole ignored his clothing and went back to her original train of thought. "I sent Lady Fabray and Quinn home like you asked but…I want you to reconsider marrying Quinn." Finn rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "Just hear me out. You need a wife and Quinn is the best choice. She comes from a good family and she's beautiful and intelligent and maybe a little harsh but you cannot deny she would make an excellent queen."
"Mom, I appreciate your concern about finding me a wife, but I am an adult. I can find one myself. I actually have someone in mind."
Carole's eyebrows shot up at this. "Oh? And when did this happen? Who would that be? Do I know her? It's not that Brittany girl is it? She's a sweetheart but I don't think she'd be right for the kingdom."
Finn shook his head. "No, it's not Brittany. You don't know her. We haven't known each other that long but it feels like we have. I've never felt this way about anyone and I can't imagine not having her in my life. I'm trying to think of a good way to tell her that." The entire time he spoke about this girl his face was alight and he couldn't stop smiling.
Carole smiled at her son. "You really think you've found someone?" Finn nodded. "You think she'd make a good queen and would make you happy?"
"Yeah, I do."
"And she could provide an heir?" Carole pressed.
"Is that all you care about?" Finn groaned.
"No, it's not. Believe it or not I don't just want you to have a child to carry on the Hudson line. I'd like to be a grandmother some day." She smiled again. "If you really think this woman, whoever she is, could be the one, I suppose I can try not to force Quinn on you. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy and to have a family to be happy with."
"I want that too. I wanted to find it on my own though."
Suddenly from behind them a throat cleared alerting them to someone else's presence. "Your Majesties, I'd like to present Miss Rachel Berry," Kurt announced, showing off a beautifully dressed Rachel.
She wore a simple long sleeved tight fitting dark blue floor length dress that cinched under her breasts and had a wide oval neck at the top then flowed out toward the bottom. Though it wasn't as racy as what she had worn the night before in Manhattan she looked beautiful in it. Finn swallowed thickly as he stepped forward to take Rachel's hand.
"You look lovely," he told her quietly, kissing the back of her hand.
"Thank you." She grinned at Finn then nodded her head at Kurt in a silent thank you.
"My mom," Finn remembered once the shock of seeing Rachel wore off. He turned around, still holding Rachel's hand, to face his mother. He cleared his throat. "Mom, um uh, this is Rachel. She's the woman I was telling you about."
Carole moved forward to assess the woman her son was smitten with. Rachel showed off her brightest smile to her. "I must say until a few moments ago I've heard absolutely nothing about you but Finn, it seems, can't stop thinking about you. He had a dopey grin on his face the entire time he told me about you."
Rachel looked up at Finn to see him looking away, turning red from embarrassment. She couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.
The room went silent for a moment until Carole suddenly pulled Rachel in for a hug. "It's so nice to meet you." Finn, Kurt and Rachel were all caught off guard by Carole's reaction. She wasn't one to randomly hug people she just met but she was holding onto Rachel as if she were her own daughter. "I don't know who you are but you make my son happy unlike every woman I've ever tried to set him up with so I'm very grateful for that."
Rachel looked at Finn unsurely. "Well I'm glad to make him happy. He makes me very happy too." It was the absolute truth and she would never deny it again.
Finally Carole released her. Finn took Rachel's hand again and brought her back next to him. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "'S good to know everyone knows everyone now but Rachel and I actually have plans for the day. I'm riding her – I mean, we're going for a ride…on horses…together." Finn shook his head at the slip and started turning red again.
Carole pretended to not hear what her son wanted to do with Rachel and looked happy for them. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. You should show her around the kingdom."
"That's the plan. Well, we're going now. Come on Rachel." He really wanted to get out of there before he said anything else stupid in front of his mother and Kurt. Rachel waved goodbye to Kurt and Carole and let Finn lead her away.
Two miles away on a road leading out of town Lady Fabray and Quinn were pulling their carriage over to the side of the road. They sat in silence until a knock on the door came and alerted them to their conference's arrival. The mother and daughter exited their own carriage and walked across the road to the much larger one sitting on the other side. The man who had knocked on their door opened the dark door of the new carriage and helped the women inside.
"Tell me there's a wedding or I will not be pleased," a deep menacing voice said from the shadows of the side of the carriage Lady Fabray and Quinn were not seated on.
Quinn gulped. "We tried but he refuses. I was even willing to use my body to persuade him but he shut me down and threw me out."
Sue Sylvester leaned forward into the light with rage in her eyes. "That is not acceptable! I had your word you would get the job done! I need Finn to be married for my plan to work and you were supposed to be the one he picked."
"Your Highness, we tried-"
"Well try harder!" Sue barked at her. She took a few deep breaths, nostrils flaring. "Why is he so against marrying you? He needs a queen; you're the best woman he's been offered so far."
Lady Fabray spoke. "He's insistent on finding his own wife. He doesn't want one chosen for him."
"Then don't make it seem like he's choosing. Make him believe he wants Quinn. How hard is that?"
"There's a girl, a whore is more accurate," she couldn't get the sight of her wearing practically nothing out of her head, "who he seems to have developed feelings for."
"What?" Sue screeched at her. "Since when? You've never mentioned this before."
"I only just discovered her today. She doesn't seem to be from around here. I've never seen her before but Finn…he has very strong feelings for her."
Sue looked enraged. Why couldn't Finn just be a good little boy and marry Quinn like his mommy wanted? He had to be stubborn just like her brother was! "You will break him of these feelings and you will marry him. You have to if you want a place in my monarchy."
"Yes, your Highness, we'll do everything we can-" Lady Fabray began until Quinn cut her off.
"That is one thing I've always wondered about… Why should I help you? I could marry Finn and rule by his side as queen. If I help you with whatever your sure to be nefarious plot is, I'll only be a princess. Why should I help you?" she asked coolly, arching a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
Sue narrowed her eyes before smirking evilly. "Maybe you've forgotten Quinn, but let me do you a favor and remind you. Once there was a girl who got pregnant by her daddy's no good scum servant boy and when mommy found out took care of daddy so he wouldn't be able to throw her out of the house. The law found out about daddy but after a deal was struck with a very powerful woman, the law wasn't a problem. The girl gave birth and the powerful woman found the bastard child a home. In return for the protection and help, the girl and her mommy swore to help the powerful woman with whatever she needed otherwise the woman would turn their ass' in faster than I could shave off a curly man's hair. I don't trust a man with curly hair. I can't help picturing birds laying sulfurous eggs in there and I find it disgusting. Anyway, point is Q, if you don't do what I say when I say, you can kiss this pretty little lifestyle you've grown accustomed to goodbye. Do you really think Finn would want a little slut who opens her legs for the help as his wife and queen and a murderer as a mother-in-law? I doubt it. I don't like failure and if you turn on me, you will regret it."
She stared both women down until they felt as if she were looking into their souls. "Get the job done or I'm finding someone else who will," she intimidated. "Now get out of my carriage and figure out how to get Finn down the aisle." With that Sue leaned back into the shadows and went silent.
Lady Fabray and Quinn exited the carriage now set on their mission more than ever. They had reputations and a lifestyle to protect. If they didn't succeed they were screwed.
I know it wasn't too exciting this chapter but it was important. Next chapter: tour of McKinley! Yay!