Hey Guys - thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, hope you enjoy this one :) let me know what you think.
Happy Reading
3x07 - Glee and The Return
The Diner – Park Avenue – Saturday Morning
A week after the engagement party, the girls were sat at their usual table at the Diner having breakfast together. While the other girls were eating their breakfast, Mercedes was pouring over four different wedding magazines looking for designs for her dress. Next to her was her huge wedding binder that she had put together with Matt's sister with every last detail of what the society pages of the New York post had dubbed 'the wedding of the year'.
"So, what do you think about these dresses" Mercedes asked holding up the pictures from her wedding folder "Come on I need an answer soon the wedding is four weeks away"
"They are lovely Mercedes, pick that one" Quinn encouraged, with a kind smile "When will we need to be fitted"
"Matt's mother got your measurements so you can just have them fitted a few days before the wedding" Mercedes explained. Rachel and Santana shared an alarmed look, while Quinn tried to keep a measured look.
"Is nobody else the tiniest bit freaked out that Matt's mother can get our measurements so easily" Santana quipped, rolling her eyes.
"Freaked out but not surprised" Rachel laughed before turning to Rose who was sat next to her. Rose had abounded her colouring book and was looking up at her mother, with an expression of boredom.
"Mommy this is boring" Rose groaned, dramatically leaning against her mother who looked at her amused.
"Why is the tiny one at our lunch" Santana asked, giving Rachel a look.
"Rose got some birthday money and I promised her she could get a new build-a-bear with it" Rachel answered, smiling at Rose as Santana rolled her eyes. Quinn looked amused at the young girl while Mercedes was still immersed in her wedding folder.
"I'm going to get Beast to go with the Belle I have" Rose beamed "I wanted to get Snow White but Belle needs Beast first, she misses him"
"We are going after lunch" Rachel added, stroking rose's curly hair as Rose who gave her mother a pleading look. Lunch had finished twenty minutes before but Mercedes had made them all stay to talk about the wedding, so it was no surprise to Rachel that Rose was bored and eager to go.
"When can we go?" Rose pressed, patting her eyes at Rachel.
"You guys go; Beast can't wait" Quinn said. Rachel looked over at Mercedes, she didn't want to upset her friend by leaving in the middle of the wedding talk.
"You're having this dress; it's been picked you can leave" Mercedes added. Rose immediately jumped up and started shoving her colouring book into Rachel's bag.
"See you guys later" Rachel said, putting some money on the table before helping Rose with her coat.
"BYE" Rose yelled as the two of them left the Diner.
Santana shook her head "I knew you guys having kids would ruin us eventually"
Central Park – Saturday Afternoon
Three hours later Rachel and Rose had finally left the Build-a-Bear shop with Rose's new Beast teddy bear. While the Rose knew going in what teddy she wanted that didn't mean that the young girl didn't want to look at all the different teddies available as well as all the clothes she could buy for the three build-a-bear teddies she already had. Which was why something Rachel thought would take an hour had actually taken three. The mother and daughter were walking through Central Park taking the long way home while Rose gushed about her new toy, while excitedly swinging the box in one hand while her other held tightly on to Rachel's.
"He looks so good doesn't he mommy" Rose beamed, holding the box up for her mother, despite the fact Rachel had spent half an hour checking everything on the teddy with Rose before they bought it.
"He sure does, sweetie" Rachel agreed, with a smile.
"The Elsa one looked really good as well mommy and the Snow White and Cinderella" Rose ranted, happily looking at her mother with wide eyes.
"Wait for your next birthday sweetie" Rachel quipped. The two had just reached the exit near the Metropolitan Museum, when Rachel noticed Sam getting out of a cab. Rachel had not seen Sam since the party at Finn and Rachel's over two month ago because he'd been really busy in L.A and she didn't even know that he was in town, which was surprising because he usually called them so they could meet up.
"UNCLE SAM" Rose shouted, excited. Sam looked up to see the two women walking towards him. He shut the cab door and met them half way.
"Rosie, Rachel Hi" Sam greeted, giving Rose a high five as she held up her Build-a-Bear book for him to see.
"Hi Sam" Rachel said, giving him a quick hug "I didn't know you were in New York are you visiting someone"
"I'm actually back, I moved back to be one of the faces of Burberry's new men's line" Sam explained. Rachel couldn't hide the surprise from her face, while she knew things were tense between Sam and Mercedes especially after he found out about her engagement but Rachel assumed Sam would have still told them about him moving back.
"Wow that's amazing Sam, really! Why didn't you tell us you were back?" Rachel asked, keeping a tight hold of Rose who was trying to lean over the wall when he thought she saw a squirrel.
"I told Finn" Sam answered, cautiously, rubbing the back of his head "I asked him not to say anything yet because I wasn't sure how Mercedes would feel about it"
Rachel nodded "I get it"
"Do you like my Beast Uncle Sam" Rose asked, holding up her Build-a-Bear box, when she realised her mother wasn't going to let her chase after the squirrel.
"It's great Rosie" Sam exclaimed, for her benefit.
"We should go now Rosie, your dad and Henry are waiting for us" Rachel said, taking the box from her and lifting her up "It's good to see you Sam, I'm glad your back. Why don't you come back for some dinner?"
"I would but I have to get to a fitting, maybe another time" Sam replied
"Of course," Rachel nodded. Sam gave Rose another high five before walking off, Rachel straightened Rose on her hip and continued their way home.
Rose looked at Rachel, with a smile "Mommy Uncle Sam is back!"
Rachel and Finn's House – West Village – Saturday Afternoon
Half an hour later Rose and Rachel walked through the front door, While Rachel put away their bags and coats, Rose skipped into the living room to find her father, to show off her teddy, she found him laid on the sofa watching a basketball game while Henry laid across his chest fast asleep.
"Hey Sweetie, did you get Beast" Finn asked, Rose nodded her head eagerly then leaned closer to her father.
"I think you're in trouble Daddy" Rose whispered.
"Why?" Finn asked, confused. He sat up and put a still sleeping Henry next to him on the sofa. Rose gave her brother a quick kiss on the cheek then looked back at her father.
"We saw Uncle Sam" Rose smiled, before ripping open her box to take out her Beast teddy bear.
"Crap" Finn groaned just as Rachel walked into the living room, with a determined look on her face.
"How come you didn't tell me he was back" Rachel argued, taking a seat on the love seat "I had to run into him on the street"
"He asked me not to say anything to anyone"
"Your wife doesn't count in that" Rachel quipped, giving Finn a pointed look, Finn nodded reluctantly.
"I know but I didn't want you to be in a position where you had to lie to Mercedes. Sam isn't ready for her to know yet" Finn explained. Sam had told Finn three weeks before that he was moving back to New York and he'd insisted that Mercedes didn't know which in extension meant Rachel, Santana and Quinn couldn't know either because they would have told her. Finn glanced over at Rachel and could see he she was conflicted about keeping something from her friend.
"Why not?"
"I think we all know why not" Finn replied, giving Rachel a knowing look.
"Ugh now I have to lie to my friend" Rachel sighed "I'm never going to build-a-bear again"
Rose gasped "Mommy don't say that!"
10th Street – Manhattan – Sunday Morning
The next day Rachel and Quinn were at the playground with the children before they had to head over to the Bridal Store to meet Santana and Mercedes. Despite saying they wouldn't need to try them on Mercedes had quickly changed her mind so she could make sure the dresses suited each of her friends. None of the girls were too pleased as they had a feeling Matt's mother would also be at the store and they didn't want to deal with her but they decided to suck it up for their friend, because despite what they thought about the wedding they knew how important it was to Mercedes that everything be perfect.
"So, Mercedes wants to us to go The White Gown which is in Midtown to try on the dresses" Rachel explained to Quinn as she watched Rose help NJ climb the stairs of slide, while pushing Henry's pram back and forth as the one-year-old slept.
"I thought she said we wouldn't have to do that until the day before" Quinn asked.
"She picked another dress and wanted to make sure it would match all our skin tones" Rachel added, glancing over at Quinn who seemed lost in thought like she wasn't really listening to Rachel.
Quinn nodded, distracted "Okay"
"You okay Quinn, you seem miles away" Rachel acknowledged, glancing over at Rose and NJ to make sure they were okay before turning back to Quinn, who was ringing her hands, nervously.
"I guess, with everything with Mercedes planning her own wedding, it's just making me think about my own future" Quinn sighed.
"Everything okay with Noah?" Rachel wondered, although she'd been expected the conversation with Quinn ever since Mercedes had gotten engaged, Rachel knew that secretly Quinn had always thought she would be the next to get engaged.
"Yeah great but… do you think Noah thinks about marriage?" Quinn asked "I mean we've never talked about it but he must know that it's what I want in my life but I'm not sure if it's what he wants and what if it's not where does that leave us. And we have NJ to think about, we took such a risk when we decided to be together and I don't want it to be for nothing" Quinn shook her head "As you can see I've been freaking out"
"Okay I'm going to deny this if Noah ever finds out I told you but I know for certain that marriage is on his mind" Rachel promised, with a smile "I'm not saying right now but I know it's going to happen to for you"
"He's spoken to you about this" Quinn wondered, looking away from Rachel when they heard Rose and NJ's delighted screams as they finally went down the slide. She looked back over at Rachel then gave her a pressing look to answer the question.
"Quinn, you know I can't say anything else but I know you have nothing to worry about" Rachel said, playfully rolling her eyes as Quinn gave her a quick hug.
"Thank you, Rachel" Quinn smiled, reassured. Quinn knew that Puck loved her and that their future was together but sometimes she liked to hear from other people that she wasn't the only one who thought that.
Rachel wrapped her arm around Quinn "Come on you can be the one to tell our children they have to sit in a Bridal Store for an hour"
"Joy" Quinn sighed as they walked over to Rose and Henry.
The White Gown – Midtown – Sunday Afternoon
AN hour later the Rachel, Santana and Quinn were all stood on platforms in their bridesmaid dresses while Mercedes and a seamstress at the store checked them over. Luckily for the girls neither Matt's mother or his sisters had been able to make it and Mercedes hadn't been too bothered about the three children in the expensive Bridal Store. Rachel had set up a Disney movie on her iPad for the children to watch and she glanced over to see they were all still immersed in the movie with Henry cuddled in-between Rose's legs, trying his best not to fall asleep again.
"So, what do you guys think?" Mercedes asked bringing Rachell back to her friends.
"They are lovely Mercedes" Rachel replied. Mercedes and Matt's mother had chosen royal blue Bridesmaid dresses they had lace trimming at the top with a flowing skirt that fell by the ankles, and while they hated to admit it Matt's mother did have good taste and she had picked beautiful dresses for them.
"ARE WE DONE YET?" NJ shouted to the adults, startling both the seamstress and Henry who had fallen asleep on Rose's leg. Rachel suppressed a grin as Mercedes went to apologise to the seamstress as Quinn span around to face the children.
"NJ don't shout" Quinn reprimanded, giving her son a subtle glare. NJ groaned quietly then went back to the Disney Movie.
"Why are the little people here again don't you have husbands to look after them" Santana complained as the seamstress went back to work fixing Quinn's dress. Santana stepped off the stool she was on and began to take off her dress.
"Noah and Finn are at the gym, there are coming to get the kids before we go for a drink" Quinn answered evenly, knowing how Santana could get when she thought the children were interrupting their friend time. Santana nodded thankfully happy with the answer.
"Anyway ladies. Dresses. What do you think?" Mercedes pressed, clapping her hands for their attention. They all turned to face Mercedes each with different levels of exasperation, she had asked them the same question 6 times.
"We love them Mercedes" Quinn encouraged, Rachel and Santana just nodded.
"Okay good now take them off" Mercedes rushed out, when she saw Henry crawling over to Rachel, she obviously thought the dresses wouldn't stay clean when young children were involved. Rachel met her son the rest of the way and swiftly picked him up and settled him on her hip.
"So how is everything going with the wedding" Rachel asked, as she softly stroked henry's head while Santana helped her take of the bridesmaid dress as she was eager to finish in the bridal store and go for a drink.
"Almost everything's done" Mercedes beamed, she was sat on one of the stools looking through her wedding folder so she couldn't see Rachel watching her closer, taking great stock of each of her answers.
Rachel continued watching her "You excited"
"Of course, I am" Mercedes replied, loudly closing her wedding folder "I can't wait"
"Hey guys" Finn greeted, cutting off Rachel's questions as he walked into the Bridal Store with Puck following behind him. Rose threw the iPad aside and ran over to the father, throwing her arms around Finn's legs.
"Daddy, can we go now!" Rose groaned, Finn shared a smile with Rachel before looking back down at his daughter.
"Yeah get you coat and bag, and we'll get some food" Finn smiled, Rose quickly ran back to pick up the iPad and her coat eager as Santana to leave the store.
"Everything okay?" Finn asked after giving Rachel a quick kiss hello. He took Henry from her so that she could put on her jacket that Santana had thrown at her.
"I think so yeah" Rachel nodded, glancing at Mercedes to make sure she couldn't hear them "I haven't said anything, but you better tell Sam I won't keep quiet for long and I'm not even sure why he doesn't want her to know, Mercedes is happy and about to get married"
"Do you really believe that?" Finn wondered, Rose ran back over to them and started pulling on Finn's arm but he was focused on Rachel.
"It doesn't matter what I believe" Rachel shrugged.
"Are you guys leaving now, I love your children but I need a drink" Santana said, firmly, handing Rachel her bag before grabbing Finn's arm so he would notice how serious she was.
Finn laughed as he shook her arm off him "We're going; We're going"
The Roosevelt Hotel – Midtown – Sunday Afternoon
Half an hour later, the girls had said bye to the husbands and children and decided on a drink at the bar at the Roosevelt which was just in walking distance of the Bridal Shop.
The waitress put down the tray of drinks on their table and before she could hand them each their drink Santana picked up her Gin and Tonic and took a big drink.
"Oh, I needed that" Santana sighed, happily. The others all gave her a strange look, Santana had been in a weird mood all day.
"What's up with you?" Quinn wondered
"Being in a Bridal store" Santana groaned, before taking another drink. While Rachel supressed a smirk, Mercedes rolled her eyes. She knew Santana hated dressing up and being prodded and poked for an hour but she had hoped she would still be able to see how important it was to Mercedes.
"I love you too Santana" Mercedes quipped, although a little bit hurt.
"You know I'm happy for you" Santana said, still a little bit unconvincing "But I also hate how much is changing. Rachel's married with kids, Quinn's practically married with a kid and your next. You're not going to have any time for me"
"How many of them have you had" Rachel laughed, shaking her head as she moved Santana's glass away from her, the lawyer quickly snatched it back.
"We are always going to have time for you Santana" Quinn promised, wrapping her arm around Mercedes and pulling her close. Quinn could see where Santana was coming from, she was the only one not in a serious relationship and she was probably feeling left out.
"You might wanna go out and meet someone though, make our job of seeing you happy a little easier" Mercedes added, with a smile.
"Have you spoken to Brittany?" Rachel asked, sadly. Rachel had felt guilty for a while after Brittany and Santana had broken up because she thought the pressure of the trial had ended the relationship despite what Santana told her.
"Rachel this isn't your fault. Brittany and I broke up because we wanted different things" Santana explained, thoughtfully "And I do think you guys are right. I should go out and have some fun again"
"I don't think that's what Mercedes said" Quinn said, worriedly as thought about the trouble Santana could get herself into when out on the prowl. Rachel and Mercedes didn't seem as concerned.
"I know but I like what I said better" Santana replied, before taking a sip of her drink.
XoXo
"You sure you okay?" Rachel asked Santana when the two of them had gone to the bar to order some more drinks. While Santana had waved it off as a joke Rachel had wondered if there was more too Santana's sullen mood. She knew herself she hadn't been in the best mood because she had been worried about lying to her Mercedes about Sam being back. Rachel had promised not to say anything to Mercedes but she had to tell someone.
"I'm fine, cocktails make me moody you know that" Santana explained, glancing over at Rachel "What's up with you?"
"Can I tell you something and you promise not to tell Mercedes or Quinn" Rachel said, worried turning to face Santana so she had her full attention.
"Yeah of course"
"Sam's back in New York"
"Back. What do you mean back?" Santana asked, confused. The last Santana had heard was that Sam was still living in LA and the last time he'd been in New York was for Rachel and Finn's party, although she knew him and Finn spoke all the time.
"He's one of the new faces for Burberry so he moved back to New York, I saw him the other day. Finn already knew but he asked him not to say anything because he didn't want Mercedes to know" Rachel explained, before taking a drink. She glanced over at their table to make sure Mercedes couldn't hear them but luckily Mercedes had her wedding folder out again showing Quinn something.
"Why aren't we telling Mercedes" Santana asked.
"Sam just told Finn he didn't want her to know yet, I'm not even sure why"
"What do you think this means?" Santana wondered. She had to wonder what the effect of having Sam back in New York would have on Mercedes and the 'Wedding of the Year'. Mercedes had been able to focus on the wedding because she never let herself think about Sam but that would be difficult if he was back in their group.
"Why does it have to mean anything. Mercedes is getting married to Matt, that's not going to change just because Sam's back. Right?" Rachel asked, worried.
Santana nodded "Right"
Finn and Rachel's House – Sunday Evening
While the girls were having their drink together, Puck and Finn had taken the children to Chuck E Cheese for something to eat then to an adventure playhouse nearby before going back to Finn and Rachel's so the kids could watch a movie together. An hour into the movie all the kids had fallen asleep together on the sofa so Puck and Finn had moved into the garden so they could have a beer without waking the children.
"So, they are all fast asleep, you sure it's okay he spends the night" Puck asked walking back into the garden after checking on the children in the living room. he sat back down at the patio table and took a drink of his beer.
"Yeah, no point waking him, I'll drop him off tomorrow" Finn waved off.
"I better go, Quinn will probably be home soon and I can't remember the last time we had a free night together" Puck enthused as he finished the rest of his beer. It was going on 10'0 clock and he knew Quinn would be getting home soon.
"Say no more, please" Finn groaned, before turning serious "So Rachel may have told me that all this wedding talk has Quin thinking"
"I thought it might" Puck sighed, rubbing his face frustrated. He knew all the wedding talk would get to Quinn and he'd been expecting a conversation with her about it ever since Mercedes' engagement party.
"Rachel said Quinn wasn't pushing for it just that she hoped it where the two of you were heading" Finn added. While Rachel had told him not to say anything when she had told him about her conversation with Quinn, he knew the best way to ease Quinn's mind was for Puck to talk to her.
"I'm going to have to talk about my feelings to Quinn aren't I" Puck grumbled.
"I think you just might" Finn quipped as the two walked back into the house and into the kitchen to get rid of their empty beer bottles. Puck was throwing on his jacket when Rachel got home and walked into the kitchen, he eyes on Finn so she didn't notice Puck until she had already given Finn a long kiss.
"Oh, Noah I didn't know you were still here" Rachel said as she wiped her mouth as Finn wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Puck just smirked at the pair.
"I was just leaving"
"Where's your child" Rachel wondered.
"Asleep on the sofa with your children so if you'll excuse I'm going to enjoy some kid free hours with Quinn where hopefully we won't just talk" Puck exclaimed before leaving the kitchen and walking out of the house.
"Gross" Rachel said, shaking her head before turning back to Finn and given him another long kiss.
"How was your night" Finn asked once they had pulled away from each other.
"It was good; I'll tell you about it later" Rachel smiled, seductively "How about we enjoy some kid free hours of our own. We don't even have to talk"
Rachel's Office – Broadway Star Offices – Monday Morning
"Okay I'll send one of my features writers to the show, I'll be at the magazine party we can talk about the cover story then. I want to see a change if you expect it to happen Martin, okay I'll see you then" Rachel explained, before putting the phone down. She had been busy all morning and had just spent half an hour on the phone to Martin, a booking agent, who had been trying to convince her to put one of his clients on the front cover of the magazine. Rachel glanced up from the computer when she noticed Tina walk into her office, with some photos and a Starbucks cup.
"How did it go with Martin" Tina asked as she dumped the photos on Rachel's desk then handed her the Starbucks coffee.
"He knows I'm being serious about Laura Osnes' behaviour if he expects me to go ahead with the cover story" Rachel answered, while looking through the photos "Can you see if Roger is free to go to her show tomorrow"
"Will do" Tina replied, before suddenly going nervous "Uhmm Sam is at reception he said he wants to talk to you"
"Sam? Okay send him in" Rachel sighed, she had been expecting to come on and talk to her ever since she had seen him at the park. She knew there had been more that Sam wanted to say to her without a four-year-old listening to them. Rachel was only alone for a few moments before Sam walked into her office and closed the door behind him.
"Hey Rachel sorry about stopping by like this" Sam said.
"It's okay Sam, is everything okay" Rachel wondered waving her hand at the seat in front of her for Sam to sit down. He took a seat and ran his hand together nervously.
"I wanted to say thank you for not telling Mercedes that I'm back. I wanted to tell her in my own time" Sam explained, finally looking up at Rachel. Rachel shook her head, she didn't want Sam to think she was going to keep the secret much longer.
"Sam…"
"I still love her Rachel. I'm in love with Mercedes" Sam cut in, earnestly.
"Sam, Mercedes is engaged. She's getting married in 4 weeks" Rachel sighed, she didn't not want to have this kind of conversation with Sam. She already felt bad about keeping Sam a secret form Mercedes she didn't want to add to it but keeping Sam's feeling a secret as well.
"I know and if you really think she loves him and that I have no chance then I will back off but if you think I have a chance then please help me" Sam pleaded
"Sam, I think you should leave" Rachel said, angry rising from her chair. She was suddenly angry that Sam had but her in this position.
"Rachel, I don't want to put you in a difficult position" Sam reasoned, getting up from his seat, he could see he was losing Rachel and didn't know what to say for the best.
"Yet you have, so I want you to leave. Now!" Rachel snapped, pointing to her door.
Planet Hollywood – Broadway – Monday Evening
That same evening, Rachel, Finn, and their children were at Planet Hollywood having Dinner. Rachel didn't really like the restaurant she thought it looked cheap and tacky but Rose loved all the movie memorabilia that scattered the restaurant as well as the cheesecake she always got to split with her dad whenever they went. While Rose ate her burger while pulling faces at Henry who had already finished his meal, Rachel told Finn about what had happened in her office with Sam.
"I mean what did he expect me to say to that" Rachel ranted throwing her arms up dramatically, Finn smirked a little at his wife's dramatics before realising it probably wouldn't be for the best when Rachel was angry.
"I have no idea what he was thinking, I don't think he does either" Finn reasoned. Sam had called Finn after his conversation with Rachel but Finn had not been able to answer because he was in a meeting. Now he knew why he'd called, Sam had obviously realised he'd upset Finn's wife and wanted to do damage control.
"What am I supposed to do, should I tell Mercedes?" Rachel wondered, giving Finn a pleading look to help her.
"Only you can answer that"
"I can't though. Mercedes gets married in 4 weeks and if I tell her it's just going to confuse her. Or she going to blame me and think I'm trying to spilt her and Matt up because she knows we don't like him"
"Can I have a pudding?" Rose asked, cutting into her parent's conversations. Finn checked on Henry while Rachel looked down at Rose.
"Are you finished your diner?" Rachel asked, eyeing her daughter's plate. Rose grumbled a little then went back to her chicken burger, with more eagerness now she knew they might be chance of a pudding.
"Maybe you should tell Sam to tell her. If he loves her enough then he wouldn't be going through you, he should just tell her himself" Finn argued as he picked up Henry form his high chair and settled him on his knee when the toddler started to get angsty.
"I guess that makes sense" Rachel replied with a slight shrug.
"Mercedes is your best friend Rachel and you don't owe Sam anything" Finn added, before taking a bite of his burger.
"Don't I owe it to Mercedes to make sure if she has all the information before she marries someone" Rachel argued, playing with her food, she didn't have much of an appetite.
"That depends if its information she would really care about or if you just hope she would care about it"
"I hate your logic sometimes" Rachel grumbled, but gave Finn a small smile because deep down she knew that he was right.
"Can I have a pudding now?" Rose asked, holding her now empty plate up to her mother.
"We can share one" Rachel answered, she motioned the waitress and ordered two deserts for the three of them to share.
"What are you going to do" Finn asked Rachel once the waitress had left and Rose was occupied with a book.
Rachel shrugged, dis-heartened "I have no idea"