A/N: Well, here it is! I never knew how bittersweet it would actually be to finish a story! It was such a cute story (in my opinion) and I'm actually proud of myself for being able to create something like this. My first complete fanfic story! Thank you all SO very much for liking it as well. I can't express that enough. I really am thankful. Thanks to you guys, I'll definitely be writing more stories :D
July 4th, 2017.
In a few months, it would be their first anniversary as husband and wife. Rachel couldn't believe how quickly time had gone by. It felt like only a few weeks ago, she was saying her "I do's" at the altar in front of all her friends and family. The ceremony was everything Rachel could've ever asked for, and more. They decided to have it back in Ohio, and it was a beautiful fall day that Saturday in September. They had both indoors and outdoors and the weather cooperated the entire day. It wasn't too warm or too cold. She would never forget it. The colors of the leaves on the trees as they fell, Mckinley jumping around in them in her little flower girl dress, and all of her closest friends from both New York and Ohio by her side. Despite her rough relationship with her birth mother, Shelby had even managed to come, Quinn's birth child and Shelby's adoptive child, Beth accompanied her. It was perfect. Everything about it, just perfect.
A few months previously, Finn had finished his college education at New York University. He had gotten a degree in business and music management and Rachel was so proud of him. She had invited everyone over to their apartment for a party for him, knowing he had a surprise to tell them all. A month later, he started working with Atlantic Records right there in New York City.
As for Rachel, she was still on Broadway. She couldn't picture herself anywhere else, though Finn had tried to convince her time and time again to record songs and sort of make it as a solo artist. Though Rachel loved the idea, she knew now wasn't the time. Broadway was the air that she breathed, and she knew the stage was where she should be in life at that time.
A month ago, they had moved out of their apartment in Manhattan, deciding to relocate to Brooklyn Heights. Not only was the townhouse slightly larger, it had more of a 'homely feel' that Rachel had been looking for. It also had an additional bedroom that her apartment lacked. In the upcoming fall, Mckinley would be starting school and Rachel had wanted her to be in a safer environment, and though she was safe back at the apartment, she had wanted Mckinley to be able to do things outdoors when she was older with other kids her age without Rachel having to worry. She would worry regardless, knowing there were no hundred percent safe areas anywhere around New York. Mckinley had loved the new townhouse they lived in; especially because Finn had let her pick out the colors she wanted for her new room and everything else in between. They had even managed to get her a 'big girl bed' as Finn had called it.
Today was the fourth of July, and the first time Rachel had invited people to see the house. It was also like a housewarming party in a way. Her dad's and Finn's parents had both came out to see, along with people from their jobs and friends they had met while in New York.
There were people everywhere and Mckinley was running around like crazy. "Mckinley, calm down dear." Rachel had said when Mckinley ran into her from behind.
"Sorry mommy." She said before running off once more with a younger girl around her age named Katie. Katie's mother, Samantha had worked with her at the theater. She was also the one who had helped her pick out her wedding dress.
Finn walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands resting on her stomach. "How are you feeling?" he whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek softly.
"I'm okay, Finn." Rachel smiled. In a few weeks the addition to their family would finally enter the world. She had gone through this before, but the second time around was no vacation either. She currently didn't work; her due date was at the end of the month on July the twenty-seventh. They didn't find out the sex of the baby this time around, wanting it to be a surprise. Finn had desperately wanted another girl, even though Rachel had joked time and time again about having to put up with three Rachel's. Little did Finn know that in a few weeks he would get his wish. Little Kasey would be born right on time, and healthier as ever. This time, Finn would be there with her, and Rachel couldn't imagine it any other way.
Mckinley had been excited about having a younger brother or sister.
"You know, you'll actually have to share your things sometimes though Mckinley." Rachel had told her before she went to sleep one evening.
"Some of those toys are for babies." Mckinley had told her. "I'm a big girl."
Rachel nodded in agreement. "You are!"
Now here she was, nine months pregnant trying to host a party alongside Finn. It was no walk in the park, and she was more exhausted than she would have been if she didn't have this baby inside of her. But she was Rachel Berry, she could do this. As people told her to sit left and right, she'd politely refuse saying she was fine. She really was fine.
Though Rachel was still a vegan, when she became pregnant the doctor told her it would probably be best if she cut that diet, opting for a vegetarian one or possibly not just for the time being. The thought of eating meat disgusted her, but every once in a while did she take small bites of it. Not today though. She was fine with her salad and vegetables she had taken from the tray. She sat next to Mckinley at the table on the back deck, who had a hot dog on her plate along with a few carrots and cherry tomatoes. They didn't have much of a backyard, but it sufficed.
Rachel cut it up as Mckinley talked to Katie, and Kurt. Kurt had never failed when it came to kids. He had the heart of a kid anyway, so when he spoke to Mckinley she would fall into a fit of hysterics, laughing hard at everything he would say. The two possessed a special relationship, but Mckinley was like that with everyone. Rachel was so grateful for Mckinley. She knew of other parents who always said their kid would throw huge fits all the time, but Mckinley was the complete opposite. She was well behaved for the most part, and always had everyone around her smiling.
"Thank you, momma." Mckinley said politely after she was finished, grabbing a small piece of hot dog with her hands, bringing it to her mouth.
"You're welcome baby." Rachel said as she glanced over at Finn who was by the grill. He was talking but glanced over catching Rachel's eye. He smiled at her before bringing his full attention back to Burt who was speaking to him.
Rachel looked down, taking a small bite of her salad. Her life as it stood was almost too good to be true, and she couldn't be more thankful for that. Though she knew there would be tough days ahead, Rachel was certain their life from then on out would be just fine.