Rachel didn't want to leave New York. Being with her biological father she had never felt so at home and so comfortable with whom she was. "Do you have everything sweetheart?" Derek asks.
"I think so," she answers, looking at her room one last time.
"It won't be long before you're back here, you can leave some clothes if you'd like?" he smiles "this will be your room from now on unless you'd prefer one on the main level?"
"Really?" she says almost in a whisper "this will be my room?"
"Of course, you're part of this family now."
Not able to hide her excitement Rachel quickly opens her suit case and takes out a stack full of clothes and places them in the draws. "In that case, this room is perfect and I will leave some clothes here," she giggles.
Derek watches with amusement as she makes minor changes to the furniture and when satisfied turns to him "Okay, I'm ready."
The drive to the airport is filled with conversation about their return in two weeks for the premier of Bombshell. Karen offers to look for a dress here in New York for Rachel, to which the young girl is more than willing to accept. Derek offers the same to Kurt for a tux, but Kurt politely declines stating he has an original design in mind. Rachel also promises to confirm the number of those attending as both she and Kurt asked if they could bring their significant others. She had already confirmed her fathers would attend. They were anxious to meet both Derek Wills, her biological father, and Derek Wills, the Broadway Director. Pulling up to terminal Derek parks the car and makes his way around to where Rachel, Kurt and Karen are standing.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality," Kurt says extending a hand to Derek and offering a hug to Karen.
"You're more than welcome," they both reply "We can't wait until you come back." Karen exclaims.
Rachel looks at Derek and tears start to form in her eyes "Thank you for everything," she tells him. "You are more than I could have ever hoped for," she finishes by putting her arms around him.
"I am the one who should be thanking you; you didn't have to look for me and you definitely didn't have to give me a second chance," he answers.
Sniffling she tells him "technically, I just gave us the chance my mom didn't', and I owe my dad's for helping me find you. I love you."
"I love you too Rachel Berry and I look forward to meeting the two men that raised my daughter to be such an extraordinary young woman," he replies gently kissing her cheek.
When Rachel pulls away and turns to Karen, she can see tears also falling from her eyes. She walks up to her and opening her arms leans in to give a tight hug. "Thank you for accepting me," she says. "I know this wasn't at all what you expected when you got together with my dad, and I'm so grateful that let me into your lives."
"Thank you Rachel, for allowing me to become a part of your life. I look forward to growing together as a family and getting to know more about you. You have made my relationship with your father so much stronger." She replies. "And I can't wait to see you again."
Kurt and Rachel wave goodbye one last time and make their way into the terminal. Once in the car Karen turns to Derek and sees a thoughtful look on his face. "You okay?" she asks
He starts the car and looks to her with a smile. "I'm more than alright," he tells her squeezing her hand. "I'm the luckiest man in fact; I get a second chance with my daughter and I'm living with the most amazing girlfriend who I hope one day soon will want to become my wife." he grins
"Derek Wills, I am yours forever and longer," she answers.
On the plane, Rachel and Kurt talk about what tomorrow has in store for them at school. Both had received texts while in New York following their run in with the press. Finn had been upset with Rachel demanding to know who Leo was, and Blaine was upset with Kurt, upon seeing a picture of him talking to Bobby. They had also received texts from Mercedes and Santana claiming the two were now divas since their pictures were all over the place.
"Do you think Finn and Blaine will still be upset with us?" Rachel asks
"I don't know," Kurt answers "And part of me doesn't really care right now about Blaine."
Shocked she asks "Why?"
"Even before I made this trip, I don't know, I fell like we are growing apart. The spark that we had in the beginning isn't there right now. I mean I know I love him, but if he can't even handle me being gone for a week with you; how will it work when I go to school in New York?" he questions
Letting out a sigh Rachel answers "I know what you mean. I love Finn but right now he seems so lost in terms of what he wants to do with his life. I can't see myself without him, but now knowing my father is in New York, I have no doubt I want to move there for school."
"Rachel,"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for asking me to come with you, this has been the most amazing experience of my life," he tells her.
"Kurt, I'm so glad we've become friends. Never in a million years when we first met, did I think I would be on a plane coming back from New York with you; but now, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Rachel's dads meet them at baggage pickup and the drive home is somewhat quiet as Kurt has fallen asleep and Rachel can sense her dad's are uncomfortable talking while he's in the car. To avoid the awkwardness, she decides to close her eyes. Twenty minutes later she hears her dad call her "Rachel, we're home."
Slowly opening her eyes she realizes she is alone in the backseat and they are now parked outside her home. While in her heart she knows New York is where she wants to end up, for now she's happy to be home sweet home. She makes her way into the house and although tired, she knows her dads are anxious to talk.
"So, did you have a good time?" they ask
"The best, Derek and his girlfriend are amazing and I have my own room for when I come and visit. Did you get the pictures I sent you of their apartment?" she inquires
"We did and it's beautiful," they reply ""So you have a room?"
"Yes, and when we go back they offered for us to stay with them. My fath…."her voice trails off recognizing her mistake.
"It's alright Rachel, if you want to call him your father," they assure
"I don't want to hurt you," she states "I love you so much and you will always be my dads."
"We know that, but we also understand he is your father; and he wasn't given the opportunity to be your dad so we can't hold anything against him." they smile "And we look forward to meeting him."
She smiles and gives both of them a tight hug. "I love you."
"We love you too. Now get some sleep, I know you have a big day tomorrow."
Sure enough as soon as Rachel's head hit the pillow she's out. Her alarm startles her, but after awhile, she is excited to start the week. She dreads however, seeing everyone's reaction, especially Finn who hadn't even text to see if she was home.
Entering the halls of McKinley, Rachel is first greeted by Mr. Shuester. "Hey Rachel, I saw your picture. I cannot believe you got the opportunity to meet Derek Wills and Karen Cartwright. How did you manage that?"
Smiling at him, Rachel decides it's time to be honest, "He's my biological father."
Shocked, Mr. Shuester answers "Wow, so the papers were right?"
"Yes!"
"Well congratulations, did everything turn out okay?" he asks with concern now lacing his voice.
"More than okay, he wants to be a part of my life and Kurt and I along with hopefully Finn and Blaine are invited back to the premier of Bombshell in two weeks. My dad is paying for Kurt, my dads and Finn if he wants to come."
"That's fantastic! That will be an experience."
"I know I can't wait," she squeals as she is getting ready to head to class. Turning, she remembers something "Oh, Mr. Shuester, my dad invited us to a matinee when we're in New York for Nationals" she smiles walking away.
Shocked Mr. Shuester shakes his head anxious to share the news with Emma.
Rachel notices people starring but decides to ignore them, as she wants to find Finn. Turning the corner she sees him looking into his locker. "Hey!" she cheerfully greets him.
"Hey," he nervously replies "Listen, I'm sorry. I know I should have text you last night to make sure you got home alright, but honestly, I was afraid you'd still be mad with me."
"Mad?" Rachel looks at him
"Yeah, for being a stupid jealous jerk," he smiles "I trust you Rachel, I was scared"
"Why?" she asks
"Because seeing you in that picture, you looked so happy. Living in New York is your dream and now that you know you father lives there, I'm scared you're going to forget about me."
"Finn, I love you," she tells him grabbing his hand "You're right, New York is my dream, but that doesn't mean I'll just forget about you. You are my dream too. In fact, my father wants to meet you and is willing to fly you out there to be my date to the premier of Bombshell" she squeals.
"Really, you told him about me," a smile now appearing on his face.
"Yes, why wouldn't I tell him about the guy I love?"
"Then yes, I would love to be your date and meet your father. I love you Rachel Berry and I will do everything I can to support your dream," he firmly states while leaning in to give her a kiss.
This is more than what I could have ever hoped for Rachel thought. She was going back to New York in two weeks and she would be surrounded by people who loved her. She would also be a part of the new chapter her father was starting and she couldn't wait to see Karen's expression when he proposed.
