A quick (ish) update? Why, It's a late Christmas miracle! Also, I apologize in advance for the angsty chapter.

"Wait a minute, what's happening? What are you doing?" Marley seems almost panicked as Finn climbs back down the trellis, Rachel on his back, her suitcases on the ground below them. He doesn't blame her, and he feels terrible for keeping this from her, knowing what she went through to help them, but he has to get Rachel out of there, and he'll make her understand somehow.

"We have to get out of here Marley," Finn explains as they reach the ground and Rachel climbs off of his back with a bit of struggle. "I'm sorry, I know I should have told you."

"You can't just leave," Marley says, her voice still panicked "What if somebody catches you they'll kno—

Marley is unable to finish her thought as a piercing noise sounds, so loud Rachel's hands immediately go to cover her ears.

"What is that?" Rachel shouts above the noise.

"I don't know," Finn yells. "Some kind of alarm."

"It's the fire alarm," Marley says, and at that she looks up, a small smile reaching her face, and Finn looks up too, seeing what Marley is seeing, it's Santana, looking down at them, a knowing grin on her face. "It's a diversion, Sylvester's going to open the gate so we can evacuate the building. You have to go now before she catches you, once she realizes you're gone she'll assume you escaped during the commotion."

"Why didn't we think of that?" Kurt says.

"I guess Santana Lopez doesn't have the same qualms about getting kicked out as me and mom do," Marley explains. "She's a sly one."

He looks up at Santana one last time and gives her a grateful smile as he takes Rachel's hand and they move toward the gate, each of the young men carrying a suitcase. He knows there's no time to really say a proper goodbye as Marley opens the gate for them again, but Rachel leaves her with a big hug, and Finn with a grateful kiss on the cheek and a sincere thank you for her help before the four of them pile into the car and drive off into the night.

He's never known her to be this quiet before, and he wonders to himself what's wrong as Kurt drives and he sits with her in back, his arm firmly around her. Santana's words stick with him and he wonders just how sick she is. She was always such a tiny little thing, yet so strong, and seeing her like this scares him.

"Hey, you doing okay honey bear?" he says, mimicking her nickname for him and putting a weak smile on her face. She nods but it does little to quell his fears. "Well, as soon as we get to the next town we're taking you to the ER, we have to make sure everything's okay with the baby."

"He can tell that she wants to argue, but either she's too weak to protest or she too knows that something is wrong, and going to the doctor can't be avoided, either way she nods again before laying her head against his chest and closing her eyes. She'll be okay, he knows it, having a baby is hard on a woman's body, everybody knows that, he's sure that the doctor will just say that she needs some rest, that's it, and with Rachel in his arms and comforting thoughts flowing through his mind he lets sleep take him too.

She shouldn't have been up there, he knew it, if her parents found out then he would be a dead man, but he couldn't bring himself to leave. He liked being there, after meeting Rachel, for the first time since setting foot in Lima he didn't feel so alone. He had a friend, the nicest, sweetest prettiest friend anyone could ever ask for, and all he wanted to do was spend as much time with her as he could, so they sat together in the treehouse, each reading their books and stealing glances at each other, glances and kisses, they kissed all the time now, kissed more than a fourteen and sixteen year old probably should, but whenever he kissed her it felt too right to stop. Her parents still didn't know, and since going to live with Burt he knew that they couldn't know. They were old fashioned people, traditional, and Finn was anything but, and news of his situation was all over town now, surely they knew that he wasn't the type of boy that their perfect daughter should be with. But he couldn't deny how much he truly loved her. He hadn't told her yet, he didn't know if he ever would, but he felt it with every fiber of his being, he loved Rachel Berry, and he knew it from the very moment he saw her in that library, maybe he even knew it before then.

"Do you think I can really pass? I mean I missed so much school already," he says, flipping through his history book."

"Of course you will Finn," Rachel assured him. "You're very smart, don't let anyone ever tell you differently."

He loved the way she believed in him so much, so much more than anyone else ever did, more than he believed in himself really. With that look in her eye he couldn't help but smile warmly and return to his studies, determined to give her a reason to have so much faith in him.

"Finn, I was thinking…" she said after a few silent moments, and as she paused he looked up from his book at her, noting the pensive look in her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked cautiously.

"I was thinking that maybe it's time."

"Time for what?" He asked, somewhat nervous about where this was going.

"I think it's time to tell my parents about you."

He swallowed hard, he was worried that that was what it might be. Her parents barely tolerated him, he saw the way they looked at him when he came around, which was often at that point, and he knew that they at least suspected they were more than friends. Ever since it came to light that he was a minor they knew there was reason to worry about Rachel's relationship with him, but as long as they didn't know the truth for sure they could fool themselves into believing that he was simply a boy she took pity on from time to time. He wasn't sure if he wanted that to change.

"What's there to tell?" he said, his voice a bit shaky, even they hadn't acknowledged that they were steadies at that point, they supposed it pretty much went without saying. They saw each other whenever they could, and she helped him study in her free time and they talked for hours and held hands and kissed until they ran out of breath, but he had never actually used the words boyfriend and girlfriend, but he supposed now that she was talking about telling her parents he ought to get used to those labels.

"You know," she continued, entwining her fingers with his. "About you and I, about… about how much I love you."

She breathed the words in almost a whisper, and his own breath caught in his throat at the sound of them.

"You… you love me?" He said, gripping her hand tighter.

"Of course I do silly," She said, blushing and looking down at the floor. "I love you with all of my heart Finn Hudson… do you love me too?"

He had pictured it over and over again in his mind, how he would tell her, when he would tell her, and every time the words got lost in his own self doubt, he didn't realize that it was possible for anyone to love him, let alone someone as pure and good and beautiful as the girl sitting across from him. So he never said it, but hearing her say the words and asking if he loved her too, the most ridiculous question he could ever imagine her asking, he simply couldn't hold his feelings in any more. But he couldn't say the words, he couldn't make his mouth do anything but capture hers. He kissed her harder and deeper than he ever had before, and that was saying a lot, and he untangled his hand from hers and found her waist, pulling her close, letting her hold him tight around the neck as they kissed like grown ups kissed.

"Finn," she gasped desperately into his mouth, holding him tighter and letting him rest his forehead against the crook of her neck, feeling his hot tears on her shoulder as he kissed her there too.

"Are you crying honey bear?" she chuckled warmly.

"No," he lied in a soft whisper.

"Do you love me too?" she repeated, and he nodded firmly, still holding her.

"Can you say it?" she continued.

At that he finally let her go, and looked into her big, brown eyes.

"I love you," He finally said. "I always have."

And it was her who kissed him that time, cupping his face and letting his hands touch her waist again. He could have spent the rest of his life kissing her, but their amorous embrace was cut cruelly short. She was snatched away so fast he couldn't even process what was happening until he saw her father grabbing her by the shoulders, almost shaking her, fury in his eyes as he yelled.

"Rachel Barbra Berry what in god's name do you think you're doing with this boy?" Hiram shouted.

"Daddy it isn't what it looks like I promise," She cried, clearly scared. He knew it was his fault, he knew it was wrong to sneak around with her like that, but he couldn't stay away, even if he wanted to. "We were just, I was—

"Throwing your life away?" Hiram yelled, "Is that it?"

"Mr. Berry I—

"Go home Finn, right now," Hiram barked, interrupting Finn "We'll have words later."

"Mr. Berry just give me a chance to explain—

"I'm not interested in your explanations, all I care about is keeping you away from my daughter. Go home, right now before I call the authorities."

"But daddy he didn't do anything wrong," Rachel protested.

"I'm sure they can dig up something if they look hard enough," Hiram said angrily. "I'm not going to tell you again Finn."

She looked at Finn pleadingly, telling him with her eyes that there was nothing more to be done, at least not right then, and as much as it hurt him to leave her, he knew she was right. He could only make things worse by staying.

"I love you," he mouthed silently before exiting the tree house, not sure if they would ever let them see her again.

"Finn!"

The sound of Rachel shrieking his name is enough to jolt him wide awake in a panic, she's doubled over, her hands clutching her stomach in pain and tears streaming from her eyes, and his heart seizes at the sight of his love in so much distress.

"What's the matter Rachel? What happened?" he says fearfully as Kurt quickly pulls off the road.

"Is she okay? Does she need to throw up or something?" Kurt says, concerned.

"I think something's wrong," she whimpers, clutching her stomach.

"We have to get her to a hospital, right now Kurt," Finn insists, and it's all Kurt needs to speed off once more.

"It's alright sweetheart, everything's going to be alright," he says, his voice tremoring more than he would like it to, he doesn't know how far along she is, but he knows it's way too soon for her to be in labor already, yet the way she's crying and shaking right now that's exactly what it seems like. He doesn't know what to do, this isn't supposed to be happening, he doesn't know exactly what's happening but he knows that it's all wrong, and he wants nothing more than to make it stop.

"Finn," she cries after awhile, her voice so scared as she lifts her small hand to look at, and he swallows hard at the sight, it's too dark to see clearly, but he sees enough and it makes his heart feel like it's dropped into his stomach. "Is— is this blood? Am I bleeding?"

"Rachel, look at me sweetheart," he says, trying to calm her down, even though he's the furthest thing from calm himself. "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you okay? We're going to get you to a doctor and he's going to take care of you. You're going to be just fine."

"A-and the baby, is the baby going to be alright?"

He swallows hard again, because he honestly doesn't know how to answer that. He can only hold her.

"Kurt, please hurry," he cries into Rachel's hair.

"Right up ahead!" Blaine exclaims, pointing at a hospital sign, and Finn breathes a small sigh of relief, even though he knows their troubles are far from over.

He can't get out of the car fast enough as they come to a stop at the hospital, it's not hard to lift Rachel out, but it takes a lot not to stop short at the sight of the blood in the hospital lights but he can't be afraid right now, he doesn't have time to be afraid.

"I need a doctor!" Finn cries desperately as they reach the desk. "My girl, she's pregnant and I think there's something wrong with the baby, you have to help, please."

"How old is this young woman?" The nurse says, almost judgmentally at the sight of the tiny girl in his arms, and Finn would be furious if he weren't so afraid.

"She's sixteen," he answers. "Please, you have to do something."

The nurse doesn't respond as she hands Finn some forms, but he notices the subtle way she shakes her head at them. He couldn't care less what this stranger thinks about them, all he cares about right now is saving the girl he loves and his child.

The wait is almost unbearable, and Finn barely notices Kurt comfortingly rubbing his back and Blaine pacing the floor. But he's thankful for them both, even Blaine, who barely knows them but has stuck by them every step of the way, if they make it out of this alright he'll drive him to San Francisco himself.

"Finn Hudson?" he looks up at the doctor entering the waiting room, an older man with thin rimmed glasses, a bald, shiny head surrounded with a halo of thinning gray hair, and a sour disposition.

"Is she alright?" Finn says, his voice still broken.

"Ms. Berry, will be fine," The doctor says emotionlessly even as Finn exhales in relief. "We've contacted her parents, they were understandably very upset but they're on the first flight out.

He knows that he should be terrified by the idea of Rachel's parents coming, but he's still far too relieved that Rachel is going to be alright, relieved and amazed, with the way she was bleeding and crying out in pain he thought for sure that something was very wrong, but as he considers the events that brought them here he realizes that Rachel wasn't the only one to be worried about.

"What about the…" he trails off trying to find the right words. "Is our baby okay?"

Just the look on the doctor's face is enough to make Finn's heart sink immediately, but he still needs to hear the words.

"I'm afraid there was nothing we could do for the baby," The old doctor says coldly, unmoved by the tears that reach Finn's eyes, at the words. "I know it may not seem like it now but perhaps this is for that best."

"That's enough out of you," Kurt says angrily, meeting his devastated friend's side. "I'm sure you have other patients to tend to."

Kurt can tell the doctor wants to say something back, but he doesn't give him the time as he leads Finn back to the chair.

"Finn, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Blaine says comfortingly as Kurt rubs Finn's back in wide circles.

"If you need to talk I'm here," Kurt adds.

"I need to see Rachel," Finn says through choked sobs. "I just— I have to see her."

"Okay, we'll go talk to the nurse," Kurt says leading Finn up from the chair and to the front desk. It's the same nurse from before, and she doesn't seem to be any more sympathetic than she was before.

"My friend needs to see his girl, can somebody give a room number?"

"I'm sorry," The nurse says, sounding anything but sorry. "Family members only."

"But you have to make an exception," Finn says, pulling himself together a little. "I'm the only one she has here, she can't be alone right now."

"And that's why we've contacted her parents Mr. Hudson, now if you would like to wait—

"You let me in her room right now," Finn spits, cutting her off. He's clearly frustrated and angry and desperately sad, but none of it seems to make any difference. "Do you hear me? I'm not going anywhere until you let me see her."

"Mr. Hudson, I feel compelled to contact security—"

"Rachel!" He shouts down the hall, slowly losing control. "Rachel can you hear me—

"Mr Hudson!" The nurse says furiously. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"On who's authority?"

"Finn shoots his glance toward the voice. He was so upset before he didn't even notice her enter. It's a woman with striking red hair, big eyes, and a strange, small voice, but something about her tells him that the unpleasant nurse knows not to go against her.

"I'm Nurse Pillsbury, is there a problem here gentlemen?" the woman continues.

"It's being taken care of," I told this young man that visitation is for family members only," The nurse explains.

"But Mr. Hudson can certainly be considered family," Nurse Pillsbury argues. "It was your child correct?"

He winces a little at the use of the word was, but manages to nod firmly in response.

"I'm very sorry for your loss," She says, appearing to really mean it.

"Nurse Pillsbury this boy is not Ms. Berry's husband," The nurse protests. "Their illegitimate child hardl—

"And I fail to see how their marital status is any of your business," Nurse Pillsbury says, firmly cutting her off. "I suggest you concern yourself with more important matters, like helping the injured and sick. Mr. Hudson if you would please follow me."

"Thank you," Finn says tearfully, almost silently, and he exchanges glances with Kurt who gives him a sympathetic smile before heading back to his chair.

"As much as I can't stand that woman, she is right," Nurse Pillsbury explains. "Technically I'm not allowed to let you into Ms. Berry's room, but I was with her, that poor girl needs someone, and it's very clear that that someone is you."

"I'm truly grateful, really, you have no idea."

"Just try to stay quiet," Nurse Pillsbury explains, opening the door to Rachel's room. "They tend to avoid the unwed mothers so I doubt anyone will be coming in to check up on her anytime soon."

He takes a look inside, an even bigger lump forming in his throat at the sight of his beloved Rachel, curled up on the bed, her back facing him, so small, so silent.

"Thank you," he repeats one more time, before slowly entering the room, closing the door behind him.

"Rachel?" he says, slowly walking up to her bed, his voice quiet and shaking. "Rachel, please look at me."

"Go away," she says quietly. "I don't want you here."

"Now I know you don't mean that," he insists, even though her words hurt him.

"I do," she replies brokenly. "I don't want you seeing me this way, not after…"

She can't finish her sentence but he knows what she means to say, what she's thinking right now, she thinks in some way this is her fault, like somehow he would be upset with her when all he really wants to do is hold her.

"I'm not going anywhere sweetheart," he persists, placing a hand on her shaking shoulder. "You don't have to talk to me, you don't even have to look at me, but just know that I'm not going anywhere."

She doesn't say anything, she doesn't tell him he can stay but she doesn't ask him to go either, and her hand goes up to meet his, squeezing it lightly.

He just stands there, for god only knows how long, letting her hold his hand, and every time he tries to think of something to say the words get lost somehow, perhaps it's for the best, what could he possibly say to make it better? What could he do besides just be there?"

"You know, I started to picture my life differently these past couple of days, my future." She finally says. "I pictured a future without Broadway, without everything I worked so hard for all of my life, and it made me so sad Finn, it felt as if everything was changing and there was nothing I could do to stop it… But then, I pictured you, and me and this little baby and the life that we would have instead, and all I could really do is be thankful for everything I still had, because as much as I wanted the bright lights of the stage, I could picture my life without it."

She finally turns to face him then, and the sight of her puffy red eyes and the tears staining her perfect cheeks breaks his heart.

"But I could never picture my life without you Finn," She continues. "No matter how hard I tried I could never picture not having a family with you someday, and when I found out that day was coming so soon, I could only be afraid for a little while before I realized that everything was going to be just fine as long as we were all together… but what now Finn? What happens now?"

As she breaks down into sobs again he can't fight the need to be closer to her, to climb onto the tiny bed with her and take her into his arms, letting her cry into his shirt.

"We're still together Rachel," he insists. "And we always will be. And maybe we weren't ready to have a family yet but we will be someday, after you become a big star and I make my mark on the world, it'll all come together, I promise you that."

"No Finn, it won't," She protests. "I knew, deep down inside that something was wrong with me, that I was killing our baby somehow, I just didn't want to admit it to myself—

"Rachel don't say tha—

"But when it happened I knew," she continues miserably, cutting him off. "I'm not the girl for you, I didn't want to believe it before, but now I know, I was meant for another life, one full of success and loneliness. Even when the time comes when I'm old enough, I can never give you what you've always wanted… I can never give you a family."

"Listen to me Rachel," he says firmly, staring her right in the eyes. "You're my family."

"Finn I—

"You're my family Rachel," He repeats, even more firmly. "I knew it from day one, you were it for me, and maybe there won't be children, maybe there won't be Broadway, but there will always be you and me, no matter what, do you hear me?"

"But our baby Finn…"

"I'll always love that baby," He cries, thinking about their lost child. "And as sad as I am that I'll never get to meet it, I'm so thankful that I still have you, you have to know that."

He can tell she wants to say something more, but maybe she can't find the words or she's too exhausted and sad to say them, but she doesn't speak again, she simply cries herself to sleep in Finn's arms.

Stay tuned folks (It feels wrong to end with an exclamation point after that chapter).