Longest chapter so far. Also, my favorite chapter so far.

Enjoy.


"Finn?" She asked in her child-like voice, smoothing down her dress.

She was nervous. And Rachel Berry hardly got nervous. She was a confident, charming young woman. She shouldn't be worried about meeting Finn's mom. If Finn liked her, his mom would too… right?

"Yeah?" He replied absent-mindedly, humming along to the music on the radio.

"Maybe I shouldn't meet your mom just yet." He saw her biting her lip from his peripheral vision. "It's not that I'm nervous or anything." She added quickly. "I just need time to think."

"Think about what?" he asked innocently.

"Think about what I'm going to say." He knew she was bluffing- her facial expression said it all. He may be rather dense at times, but he knew Rachel. And he guessed she just needed some reassurance.

"Rachel, my mom will like you." She didn't look convinced. "Promise."

"How do you know that, Finn? I mean, look at me!" She gestured to her dress. "This is my most professional dress and it has ruffles."

"I think you look cute." He offered.

"I look like a child." She huffed.

"But it's you."

She didn't say anything (he was right).


Already parked in the driveway, he gave her hand one last squeeze before getting out of the car. He walked over to the passenger door and opened it for her.

She didn't go out.

With a sigh, he grabbed her hands and gently pulled her out. She didn't try to fight back or stay in her seat (which was a weird thing, Finn noticed), but instead she allowed herself to be dragged.

He looked at Rachel anxiously. Her face was tense (but a fake smile was plastered on her face). His mom would meet her in a few moments and she needed some encouragement. He was about to give her a pep talk but it was quickly erased it from his mind. Sometimes words weren't just enough. A few encouraging sentences would make her smile, but it would fade in a few seconds. A hug couldn't possibly make her feel better now. And a pat on the back would make her scowl. A kiss would have to suffice.

As she was about to knock on the door, he bent down and kissed her. It was a quick peck, something forgettable if it were any other time. But in that moment of doubt, that was exactly what she needed.

Finn gave her a charming smile and opened the door.

"Mom?" he called out, lightly pushing Rachel with one hand and closing the door with the other.

"Finn?" she came out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron. "You said you would bring her here at 7:00pm?" she asked worriedly.

He nodded.

"It's 6:50pm."

He nodded again, now looking at Rachel out of confusion.

"I'm not done!" She exclaimed, running back to the kitchen.

He was about to laugh but saw Rachel's glare.

"What?"

"If I were in the same predicament, I would've been upset too." She told him, eyebrows threatening.

"But you're not." He reminded her.

"You should've brought me here on time." She lectured. He rolled his eyes. "I feel bad for her, Finn. She just wanted to be a good hostess and be prepared, you shouldn't laugh at her. Trust me; I know what it feels like- meticulously planning something important only to find out that someone forgot." He looked offended. "Or in her case, someone coming earlier than planned."

"Why am I the "someone" in both examples?" he complained. "And you're the one who forgot to tell me about the picnic."

She ignored him and went on, "Please try to be more sensitive to women, okay?"

He agreed (he was not whipped; he just didn't want to have an argument with her).


Rachel told him that she was going to the comfort room. It's been 5 minutes since then. Either she was doing number two or an accident has happened (Finn guessed she was too polite to poop in someone else's house so something must've happened).

Pausing the DVD, he got up and started searching for her. A few steps out of the living room, he heard women talking. He stopped walking.

Is it possible?

He redirected his steps and made his way to the kitchen.

When he opened the door, he saw his mom and Rachel chatting. Chatting like they were old friends, chatting like they knew each other, chatting like they got along.

"Huh?" was his profound question.

"Hey, Finn." His mom greeted. "Rachel was just helping me with the recipe." She explained, smiling at Rachel.

"It's not a big deal, Mrs. Hudson." She said modestly.

Since when was Rachel modest?

"It is!" Carole reassured her. "I didn't know you were so good in the kitchen."

"Okay." Rachel admitted. "It's kind of a big deal. I love lasagna as the next person and your original recipe was great," Carole rolled her eyes playfully. "But it lacked some flavor, you know? My dads enrolled me in cooking class when I was twelve years old so I'm very well-versed in making new recipes and spicing up old ones. It's one of my many talents." She boasted gleefully.

"That's… nice to know?" Rachel smiled at her. "You're such a gem, Rachel. You're smart and funny and pretty and nice and you cook well! I don't know why you're with my son, actually."

Finn was about to interject but he saw Rachel's blush and decided he liked it.

"Thank you Mrs. Hudson. Finn has also made a huge impact in my life, but I'm the one who should be thankful that he's still with me."

Carole smiled at Rachel and told her, "You've helped me enough. Go to the living room and relax."

"Are you sure?" she asked warily.

"Yes, Rachel." She rolled her eyes playfully (Finn noticed she's been doing it a lot lately). "I need to talk to my son anyway."

Finn's head snapped up.

"Okay." Rachel happily agreed and skipped out of the room.

"Mom? Is this because of us being early because Rachel already lectured me already and-"

"No. It's not."

"Oh." Finn smiled. "Then what's this about?"

"She's great, Finn."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I know, mom. That's why I'm dating her."

"I mean, she's really great. She's different. She's gonna make it out of Lima."

Finn nodded, already knowing this (and is constantly reminded by Rachel).

"You picked the right girl this time. I'm proud of you." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Happiness filled his heart. That was his life's goal- to make his mom proud. And he did it. By making Rachel his girlfriend. It was a weird reason but he gladly took it.

"Thanks mom. That really means a lot to me."

"Just don't break her heart again." His mom joked. "There are limitations in forgiveness. Even for a girl who's hopelessly devoted to you."

"Okay." He agreed, giving his mom a quick hug.

After his mom shooed him out of the kitchen, he was about to walk to the living room expecting Rachel watching the DVD or doing something "chill". He was not expecting Rachel setting the table with plates he didn't even knew they had.

"Where'd you get those?" he asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"In your china closet." She replied casually, now humming a tune.

"We have a china closet?" he asked in disbelief. He had no idea there was even such a term.

She nodded while carefully folding the napkins.

"Do you need help with that?" he inquired politely.

"No."

And she shooed him out of the dining room. He felt déjà vu all of a sudden.

So he went back to the living room and unpaused his DVD. He specifically bought 'Hairspray' for Rachel. He thought she'd enjoy it but he should've known that she preferred fixing things. Now he was stuck with a gay movie.


Approaching her house, he was contemplating if he should walk her to her door or just simply drop her outside her house. When he glanced at her, she looked tired yet happy. That rare temperament of Rachel was endearing so he decided to be gentlemanly.

As he pulled into her driveway, he found himself staring at her half-asleep state.

"What?" she asked, her eyes still closed.

"Nothing." He kissed her forehead, almost missing her half-smile (almost).

He got out of the car and walked over to her side. After opening the door, he bowed down jokingly.

She giggled and got out, curtsying back.

Then she looked up at him with those doe eyes and he couldn't help but kiss her- except this time it wasn't quick or sweet. It was long and meaningful. He really wanted her to feel what he was feeling; it wasn't just lust or infatuation. He wanted to make her feel what was inside his heart- love.

After a few minutes of heated kissing, he sort of expected her to pull away and say good night, but she didn't. His hand firmly on her waist and her hands tangled in his hair, he never wanted this moment to end. He brought her closer, so close that their foreheads were touching. And she didn't fight back.

She stopped kissing him and he knew it was over. He dropped his hands to his side and was preparing to say goodbye.

That wasn't part of her plan.

Slightly smirking, she attacked his lips once more and pulled him back to car. Her kisses weren't like his at all. It was fast and passionate- leaving him breathless. She pushed him back on the car seat, until his head tilted back a little. She tugged on his hair harder, and he pulled her closer until he felt it.

Think of the mailman!

He stopped mid-kiss and pulled back, embarrassed.

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked, her cheeks flushed.

"I- uh, um." He stuttered.

"Tell me, Finn." Her eyes looked so inviting that he agreed to tell her.

So he told her.

She didn't laugh or make fun of him or look embarrassed.

She took his hand and put it on her heart. He didn't understand.

"My heart's beating fast." She explained softly. "It's like your problem. I can't control it either; I just have to accept that you make me feel this way. Granted, it's kind of different… but it's sort of the same thing too."

"It's not." He argued.

"It is." She kissed his hand. "Yours is just more obvious. And probably way more sexual." She added.

"But I feel the same way. You just can't see it or feel it, until I show you- like my heartbeat."

"You feel the same way except you can't show it?" he asked, just to make sure.

She nodded.

"That's such a relief."

She giggled and kissed his lips once more.

"When we're both ready." She promised.


"My mom was right about you." Finn said, finally walking her to her door.

"Hm?"

"You're different."

She rolled her eyes before saying, "You don't think I know that?"

He checked out her ruffled dress again.

"Nope. Wouldn't have guessed, you dress so normally."

"Hey!" She stuck her tongue out. "I know I'm unique and I accept that."

He silently agreed.

They arrived at her doorstep.

"Thanks Finn. For tonight. I had fun."

He smiled down at her and kissed her cheek.

"You're awesome, Rach. Thank you."

"Did your mom really like me?" she asked eagerly.

"Yes."

"Really?"

He laughed. "Yes! I have to go home now. Good night."

"Did you like the lasagna?"

He nodded, slowly backing out.

She looked satisfied and mumbled a 'good night'.

Walking back to his car, he had to sneak one more glance at her. She blew him a kiss goodbye.

He smiled to himself.

He finally picked the right girl.


Author's Note:

GAHHHHHH

This chapter killed me. It's 3AM. And my brain is tired. But this chapter has a mind on its own!

I started this chapter with these thoughts, "Aw. Cute Finchel fluff. Rachel gets upset. Finn saves the day. Done." But by the second page, it started coming to life.

Example:

Me: No way, chapter 7. You are going to be mindless and cute.

Chapter 7: No! Make me serious!

Me: No. I'm tired.

Chapter 7: MAKE ME HAVE DEPTH.

Me: No!

Chapter 7: *takes control*

Yeah, pretty much happened like that. Anyway. I really like this chapter because it's not typical. And it's such a different style from what I'm used to (and I enjoyed it).

Even though I despise chapter 7, it is like my baby. I nurtured it, took care of it, disciplined it, and now I'm sending it to the world.

I'm pretty creepy (partially because I'm tired) so please leave your thoughts to help me soothe the pain (haha). Hope you guys liked it (it's kinda my baby)! :)

But for real, reviews make my day and make me smile like this - :D

HAVE A GREAT DAY GLEEKS.

P.S. For those who didn't get the mailman thing, it's in episode 2. Basically, Finn gets a boner so he thinks about that time he hit the mailman. End.