I DO NOT OWN ANY PART OF GLEE
Rachel could not stop talking about her heart to heart with Finn. So Quinn decided to leave early and stay at Rachel's for the night, much to Sam's disappointment. As she was leaving Sam's, he briefed her on Finn's plan.
"Okay, I'll get a hold of her dads and see what I can do." She grabbed his backpack.
Sam grabbed her hand, "Hey! Where are you going with that?"
She turned around and kissed him "I'm going to need an excuse to see you tomorrow when I'm with Rachel. Play along." With that she was out the door and in the car.
The next morning while Rachel was in the shower, Quinn snuck down to the kitchen to call Rachel's dads. They were okay with the plan and said the boys could stay, but everyone had to sleep in the living room. They told her to grab the spare key off of the rack by the door. She thanked them for their permission and then ran out to her car and stuck the key in the front pocket of Sam's backpack. She texted Sam. "Call me in ten minutes."
Quinn made her way back up to Rachel's room. She was doing her hair, dancing and singing to Journey.
Quinn shook her head, "Really we're going to rock out to Journey even when Mr. Shue is not around?"
Rachel shouted "It's where we all began!" She grabbed Quinn's hands and started dancing, "somewhere in the !"
Quinn couldn't stop laughing. "Rachel I'm really glad to see you happy again."
She hugged Quinn, "Happier…I was happy, I had you guys."
Just then they heard "Lucky" and Quinn answered her phone. "Oh really? Well, yeah it's probably still in there then…well Rach and I were heading to the mall. I suppose I can, you can't wait til tomorrow? Okay, we'll be by soon."
Rachel had gone into the bathroom to apply her makeup, "Hey Rach, before we go shopping I need to drop Sam's backpack off at his place. I promise we won't be long."
"Okay! So what do you think I should wear tonight?" Quinn laughed to herself, why the elaborate cover? she is in her own little world.
Quinn joined her to do her own makeup, "Well, did he say where he was taking you?"
"No, he just said we could wait one more day. That would be today right?"
Quinn thought for a moment, "Well it depends, was it after midnight when he said it?"
"QUINN!"
"Yes, Rachel that would be today. You have to calm down, we'll go shopping, have some lunch. Get you a cute outfit. He won't know what hit him." Rachel finished applying her mascara then followed Quinn out.
She drove to Sam's and left Rachel in the car. "Be right back."
"No problem, take your time. I'm going to listen to some music and sing about love."
"This will need to stop in a few days, I'm going to want to punch you again." Quinn winked.
She ran into Sam's house and handed him the backpack seemingly out of breath. " key is in the front pocket, you guys have four hours….if you need more text me. Her dads said you can use anything in the house, I gotta go!"
Sam kissed her fast, "WAIT, Quinn we have to go over your part once you get there…."
"Just text me!" She ran out of the house and back to Rachel.
Everyone met at Sam's house. Finn, Sam, Mercedes, Kurt, and Blaine were in one car while Puck drove Tina, Mike, and Brittany. Artie wanted to use his re-walk tonight, but it took a lot out of him so they decided to let him rest for the day.
They pulled up at Rachel's house and unloaded the cars full of boxes, bags, and most noted by the boys… lots of food. Then Puck and Kurt drove the cars a little ways down the block so they wouldn't be noticed by Rachel. Everyone else walked into the house and the girls decided they would be downstairs so they could cook and do the task at hand. The boys would handle upstairs. Sam, Blaine, and Mike lead the way to Rachel's room. Finn knew Puck had been in there obviously, but it was weird to see all of them head up there like they'd done this before.
Sam started on one of the walls. "Damn, out of tape…Hey Mike? Is there any tape in her desk drawer?"
Mike opened it, "Nope. What about the desk in her dad's study, or the top drawer in the kitchen?"
Sam shouted downstairs, "MERCEDES!"
He could hear a muffled "YEAH?"
"ANY TAPE DOWN THERE?"
"QUINN SAID HER DADS HAD THAT STUFF IN THE GARAGE"
"THANKS!"
Finn couldn't believe how at home everyone was in her house, and it hurt. They noticed Finn looking at the room with a sad expression on his face. Sam nodded towards all the guys to exit the room "Okay we'll go raid the garage, be right back."
Finn was left alone. He was at the wall where she once had all of their pictures. There was nothing around the room to suggest he'd ever been there before, and looking at the pictures he saw how much he'd missed. There was one of Rachel wearing a ballcap sideways while Mike was teaching her a dance move. One of her and Puck dancing, he guessed from the wedding: Puck was looking at the camera as he dipped Rachel, he could tell she was laughing with the way her head was tilted back. Another had her, Tina, Blaine, and Kurt smashed into the backseat of a car. There was one of her on skis with Sam on one side and Brittany on the other. There were several of the entire group at restaurants, bowling, and her bedroom. He noticed one of her and Quinn someplace dark- Quinn had her tongue sticking out and Rachel was flashing devil horns with her fingers. He was touching it when Sam came up…"They went to see Bon Jovi."
Finn was pulled out of his trance. "Huh?"
Sam nodded towards the picture. "Bon Jovi concert."
Finn ran his hand through his hair, "Oh, Quinn had tickets? I figured she'd take you."
Sam looked past Finn, "Well…it was actually your Christmas present from Rachel, we convinced her to go." He patted Finn's shoulder twice and went back to the task at hand. Finn stared at the pictures and miscellaneous things around the room that belonged to the others in glee. He'd missed it all, and there was no trace of him ever being there. Then in the corner he noticed a picture of her at Regionals, right after he told her he loved her. It was overlapped by the picture of her and Quinn at the concert. He pulled back the corner and had to catch his breath, then he smiled. It was him holding her…he was still there she didn't take it down. They finished the room then joined the girls.
Kurt bounded down the stairs, "How long do we have?"
Tina was rushing around, "Probably another hour, you guys finish this, we have to focus on the food. You do want to eat don't you?"
Finn made a sweep in the air with his hand "Say no more ladies, do what you gotta do."
Meanwhile at the mall, Rachel was in the dressing room. "Quinn, do you think it's going to work this time, with Finn and me?"
"Yeah, I really do. We wouldn't have gone through all that otherwise. You two have been through a lot together. It bonds people."
Rachel saw her chance to bring up Noah. He had sworn her to secrecy about his feelings for Quinn, but just bringing up his name doesn't mean she's telling her anything.
"Kind of like how you and Noah are bonded?"
"RACHEL!"
"What? I mean you did have a baby tog…"
Rachel saw a glimpse of the old Quinn, "Look, we do NOT talk about me and Puck, got it?"
Rachel had always avoided asking about Beth, but she thought knowing how Quinn felt was the equivalent to how Shelby felt, and today she just wanted to know, "Okay…. but I mean…. do you ever wonder about her?"
"RACHEL. I WILL LEAVE YOU HERE."
Rachel faced Quinn with equal determination "ALRIGHT, I'm just saying, I've BEEN her Quinn, and one day she may want to meet you. I'm not saying you owe her anything, but I HOPE you give her more than what I got from Shelby."
With that Rachel went back to the task of trying on her dresses. She stepped out when Quinn attacked her with a hug.
"I'm sorry Rachel. I shouldn't have taken that out on you. I need to talk about it, but I don't want to right now. Maybe someday I will tell you, okay?"
Rachel noticed Quinn's eyes watering, "Are you okay? I didn't mean to upset you, don't worry about Beth. I'm sure she has a mother that loves her and thinks the world of her like you do."
What Rachel didn't know was that Quinn wasn't crying solely about Beth, but the secret she had been keeping from Rachel as to who adopted her…or rather who Quinn and Puck gave their baby to.
Quinn looked down at the floor, "Do you think you missed out on things because she wasn't there?"
Rachel returned to the dressing room, "I don't know, I've never been "mothered" I have two amazing dads… but yeah, there are times I wish I knew what it was like to have a mom." Rachel walked out in the final dress and hugged her friend…against all odds her BEST friend. "Quinn please don't cry."
Quinn fought back tears and swallowed hard, "I like the red one!"
Rachel jumped up and clapped, "Me too, I think that's the winner!"
Just then Quinn got a text from Sam. "we're ready u know what 2 do." Rachel was paying for her dress while Quinn made her way to the front. She saw the scariest sight, especially given the conversation she had just had with Rachel, and she froze. It was Shelby pushing Beth's stroller. She didn't want to see her, but more than that... Rachel couldn't see her. She heard Rachel coming behind her and panicked. She had to get her back in the store.
She whirled around, "Rachel! Did you get the sweater to go with it?"
"No, you said my other one would…"
"On second thought it won't, you want to look perfect for Finn right?"
"Of course, okay be right back!"
Shelby spotted Quinn and waved, Quinn turned around and fought back the urge to cry. She needed to talk to Puck now, but tonight was about Rachel and Finn. She could wait.
It was about another thirty minutes when the car pulled into the drive. Finn was nervous, he didn't know why…she'd said they were back together as of last night, and this wasn't exactly an apology. All of those had been said last night. It was more an, I'm sorry I've missed so much.
The door opened into a dark room, and as planned Quinn went first so Rachel wouldn't turn on the lights or worse head upstairs. Quinn gasped and had to smile. Sometimes…Finn got it right.
Rachel had her hands full with her bags. She walked in with her head down and then shut the door by kicking her foot back. "Do you think you could've helped me Barbie?" She heard a familiar laugh and turned to see Finn alone in the dark next to a lighted Christmas Tree in her living room. "Finn? What are you…" He began singing:
I'm so glad you made time to see me.
How's life? Tell me how's your family
I haven't seen them in a while.
You've been good, busier than ever,
We small talk, work and the weather,
Your guard is up and I know why.
because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses and I left them there to die.
Rachel hadn't noticed that Quinn had left her side until the chorus began and Sam flipped the light switch. There was lighted garland, mistletoe, Christmas and Chanukah decorations EVERYWHERE, and finally a banner by the kitchen Happy Birthday Rachel. Everyone was there in their caroling sweaters singing backup for Finn.
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night",
And I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you.
Wishin I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December all the time.
He began to move towards her, never breaking his gaze at her.
These days I haven't been sleeping
Staying up playing back myself leavin'
When your birthday passed and I didn't call.
He became a bit emotional staring into her eyes and stumbled on the next words. She grabbed his hands and began to sing:
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times,
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
He touched her cheek and joined her in singing again:
Realized I loved you in the fall
Then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was "Goodbye"
They were duet partners again, forgetting anyone else was even in the room.
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night".
And I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missin you,
Wishing I realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time.
He placed his index finger on her lips and whispered "shhhhhh, I got this now." And smiled that perfect smile.
I miss your tanned skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinking,
Probably mindless dreaming,
If we loved again I swear I'd love you right...
His forehead met hers and the singing became barely a whisper
I'd go back in time and change it but I can't.
He gently touched where her Finn necklace used to lie against her delicate skin.
So if the chain is on your door I understand.
With tears in her eyes, Rachel joined him again singing equally as soft.
But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night"
And I go back to December...
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you,
He couldn't wait anymore and pulled her face close to kiss her.
Their friends finished the song:
Wishing that I'd realize what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I'd go back to December all the time.
All the time
SURPRISE! Brittany yelled.
Finn and Rachel both laughed in the middle of the kiss, then broke to mingle with their friends…plus, Finn had to admit there was some super delicious food calling his name over at the table.
They were all talking and taking pictures when Sam yelled. "Finn! Hurry she's going upstairs!" Finn dropped his plate on the table and took off after Rachel taking two steps at a time. He cornered her at her door.
"Finn, I've missed you too, but our friends are downstairs."
He laughed, "No, I just want to be here when you walk in."
She turned the doorknob, "what, why?" She walked in to find a tree decorated, more lighted garland around her walls and an insane amount of mistletoe over her bed. She didn't turn around.
Finn leaned in to her ear, "I figure your dads will make us take it all down in the living room so I wanted this to last as long as you wanted." She still didn't turn around. "Rach?"
She spun around and flung her arms around his neck, "I love you, I could never love you more than I do right now."
Before he could get out his I love you, she crushed her lips to his and he pushed her back up against the bed. She pulled him down on to the bed with her and slowly kissed down to that spot on his neck, the one that always had him thinking about the mailman. He turned his head to the wall with the pictures. "Rach?"
"Hmmmm?" never losing her place on his neck.
He whispered, "Rach, I have to give you your Christmas present."
She sat up like he'd told her the house was on fire, "Wait, this wasn't it?"
"No, not at all….I got this for you before…." He held out a wrapped box.
Her eyes got big as she opened it. She picked up the dainty chain and looked at it 'Finchel'. He started to run his hands through her hair and kissed her forehead "I liked your Finn necklace, but I didn't get it for you. I like our names together, and now I can always see it when I look at you." She didn't say anything and his smile faded. "You don't like it. I mean, yeah some people won't know what it means but..."
She put her hand on his chest and cut him off, "No, no I love it, I love what it says, I love that it's from you. Will you put it on me?" She turned around and lifted up her hair as he clasped the chain. She faced him "How do I look?"
"Like something special.' She leaned in to kiss him again and he decided to have some fun with her.
He slapped his hands on his knees "Okay, my turn!'
She was touching the necklace and looked up at him "What?"
"My turn, you were really excited about Christmas, so what did you get me?"
"Oh um….she turned red….."I got you…"
He smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Did you have fun?"
"What?"
He pointed to the picture, "Bon Jovi, did you have fun?"
"FINN HUDSON!" She tried to tackle him but he just laughed at her playful punches. "Yes I did, it was so amazing!" She told him about the concert and he asked her other questions about all the pictures.
"You learned to ski?"
"Yes, and of course I was a natural at it." She was straddling him and put her hands on her hips declaring her superiority.
"Did you snowboard?" He was drawing little circles on her legs with his fingertips.
"No, it looked kind of scary."
"You just didn't have the right teacher. I'll teach you how to snowboard, it will be super awesome!"
"Really! oh my gosh okay we have to start planning…and…"
He raised his hand up and pulled her down. "We can talk about it later, I have a promise to keep."
She licked her lips which she knew drove him crazy, "Oh yeah, what's that?"
He pulled her close, nibbled her ear and whispered, "When I start kissing you, I'm not going to stop."
Finn and Rachel had been upstairs for about an hour when they were noticed to be missing by Artie. "I rested up for this, where is the," he did air quotes "birthday girl?"
Quinn laughed, "We were giving them make up time."
Brittany tapped Quinn, "I think you mean make out time."
Quinn walked over to the bottom of the stairs, "I'll get her down here. HEY RACHEL! THERE IS KIND OF A PARTY GOING ON DOWN HERE IN YOUR HONOR!"
Rachel pulled away from Finn as he groaned, "C'mon Rach, they can wait, I've missed you."
Another fifteen minutes passed.
Quinn grew impatient, "MANHANDS GET YOUR DRAMATIC ASS DOWN HERE NOW!"
Finn pulled away and raised an eyebrow, "Did she just call you manhands?"
Rachel laughed and patted his chest, "You'll get used to it."
Mercedes had enough, "THAT'S IT WE'RE PLAYING DIRTY THEN! MIKE START IT UP"
Don't go breaking my heart began playing. Finn grinned, "It's our song."
Rachel stood up and smiled down at him, "I thought ours was Faithfully."
Finn sat up and grabbed her waist, "I know that, but this is our song too."
She bent down and kissed him, "Nope, not anymore!" She flashed that million watt smile and started heading downstairs.
Finn stared in disbelief, "RACHEL!"
She turned back to him, "What?"
He walked over to her, "Your hair… it's a mess, it's sexy as hell, but it's a mess."
She flipped her head over, ran her fingers through and flipped back up. "Better?"
Finn had to laugh, the old Rachel would be straightening her hair and applying makeup like crazy to hide that 'I've been making out with my boyfriend' look. She ran downstairs dragging Finn behind her. She joined in the dancing and singing as Kurt twirled her around the room.
She ran up to Quinn, "Guess what? Finn is going to teach us how to snowboard!"
"Oh wow, that is going to be so much fun! Hey Tina! Finn is going to….."
Finn put up his hand, "Rach, I…"
Sam crossed his arms and laughed. "You meant just the two of you."
Finn looked over at him, "Yeah"
Sam shook his head as he stared at the girls, "You'll get used to it."
The party was winding down. They had all changed into their PJ's and settled in the Berry's living room ready to fall asleep as they watched a movie. It didn't last very long, within the first thirty minutes Finn had fallen asleep with Rachel in his arms and the other couples followed suit.
Quinn had a hard time sleeping after nearly running into Shelby and Beth. Plus the guilt from not telling Rachel was starting to take its toll.
Puck heard her in the kitchen and could sense something was wrong. "You okay?"
She snapped "I'm fine" and walked out the back door.
Puck followed her as they walked along the street "You are not fine, what is wrong?"
Quinn broke down, "At the mall, I saw Shelby…with Beth."
Puck's eyes grew sad "How did she..?"
"I didn't go over to them."
He wanted to touch her but instead fumbled with the sleeve of his shirt, "How are you?"
"I'm fine."
His head snapped up, "Oh my god does Rachel….."
Panic filled Quinn's eyes, "NO! and we can never tell her…Puck, she can never know. I can't hurt her that way, I just can't."
He held her close, "I know, I know."
If only they had known they weren't the only ones on the street that night….
DRAMATIC TURN! I CANNOT GIVE THIS STORY UP! FINCHEL WILL ALWAYS BE THE CORE COUPLE OF THE STORY. BASICALLY BEST OF TIMES FOR THEM AS A COUPLE, BUT DRAMA WILL REAR ITS UGLY HEAD.
I'M GOING ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT RACHEL DOESN'T KNOW SHELBY ADOPTED BETH, BUT PUCK AND QUINN DO.
SO TELL ME, KEEP GOING ON THIS THREAD OR TITLE IT DIFFERENTLY?
REVIEW PLEASE! :)
I DO NOT OWN BACK TO DECEMBER, FAITHFULLY, DON'T GO BREAKIN MY HEART
