I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am about keeping from updating! I feel so awful DX. Please feel free to hate me; I promise I will never take this long to update again. I am very easily distracted and broke my promise to all of you and updated four other stories before this one. I feel absolutely terrible. The reason why I kept from updating at first was because I lost two of my friends in a terrible car accident and was mourning their loss. I updated 'Seventeen Reasons Why' because I felt like that story expressed more of how I was feeling then. I then proceeded to update 'Bury Me in Black' because I was still feeling upset. But afterwards, I began reading some of 'The Other Way Around' and I got distracted and updated that one. I was then in the mood to write 'The Only Hope for Me is You' and updated that story last. It was then that I remembered this story and nearly killed myself (not literally) as I busted my ass trying to finish this update for all of you. I know that my distractions isn't a good excuse, but it's the only one I have. I promise it won't happen again. Anyways, the entire plan has changed for this story. Things between Rachel and Finn won't go to the extreme that I had them going before. Of course, there will be issues between them (as portrayed in this chapter), but it won't be as extreme. Well, that's it. Please enjoy Chapter 7 and expect Chapter 8 later on tonight! This chapter is entitled 'Swing Life Away' by Rise Against.

"Rachel." Finn repeated as they sat on their bed. She turned away from the wall she was staring at her and pulled her eyes to Finn's face. His eyes were filled with concern. "Are you okay?" Rachel sighed and in response, shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know." She mumbled.

"What's wrong?" He asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder comfortingly.

"I feel like…" She frowned. "Like we're growing apart."

"That would never happen to us." Finn said softly, but Rachel couldn't help but notice that he didn't deny anything.

"If I tell you something, will you promise not to get angry?" Rachel asked slowly.

"Um…okay…" Finn frowned.

"I think…I think Ellen might like you…"

"Oh, yeah. She said I'm her favorite teacher. So she likes me." Finn beamed.

"No, Finn. I mean like you. Like, more then friends." Rachel clarified.

"That's stupid." Finn snorted. "She knows I'm married and that we have a kid."

"But…that doesn't change anything." Rachel said sadly, glancing at the floor.

"What do you mean?" Finn asked, looking confused.

"Well…in high school, when you were with Quinn and you thought that Beth was yours, I still liked you. And I stopped at nothing to make sure I made you mine." Rachel explained.

"I'm glad you did." Finn murmured, kissing her softly on the forehead.

"I just don't want you to have an affair with her." Rachel said quietly. Finn smiled and chuckled, squeezing her shoulder tightly.

"Never, Rach. I promise." He pressed his lips to hers and then they were kissing. As the time passed, their kisses grew much hungrier. It seemed to have been forever since they were so close.

They missed each other.

-glee!-

"I feel great!" Finn exclaimed as he stepped into the teachers' lounge, taking a seat across from Sam.

"Someone got laid last night." Sam muttered, raising an eyebrow.

"Things between Rachel and I are finally okay. It seems like forever since they've been this way. Like, I've felt like there's been some sort of wall between us these past two weeks. But last night, we talked. Like, seriously talked. And everything was suddenly…okay." Finn smiled.

"I'm glad." Sam mumbled, glancing at his hands nervously. Finn frowned.

"What's up with you?" He asked quietly. Sam shrugged his shoulders, but refused to meet Finn's eyes.

"Nothing." He mumbled.

"Yeah, something isn't right with you." Finn's eyes widened. "Did you and Santana break up?" Sam shook his head, sighing before his green eyes met Finn's.

"Just the opposite." He paused. "We went to Vegas over the weekend to, you know, celebrate our being together. And…we just so happened to get…married…"

"Seriously? What the fuck?" Finn hissed.

"I love her. And we were drunk. So…we eloped."

"There's that word again." Finn muttered. Sam raised an eyebrow so he quickly explained. "When we were in tenth grade, Rachel and I were talking. I asked her what she thought we should do, and she said elope. I never exactly figured out what that word meant." Finn admitted sheepishly.

"Well, Finn, you dumb ass, put two and two together and you might be able to come up with a meaning." Sam snapped impatiently. Instead of snapping back at him, Finn shot him a dumbfounded look. So Sam sighed and began explaining. "Eloping is getting married without the planning or the fuss or the people. It just happens. End of story."

"Wow." Finn frowned. "I'm gonna have to bother Rachel with that that later." Sam rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You don't get it." He muttered tiredly.

"Do you regret marrying her?" Finn asked.

"No." Sam sighed. "I regret marrying her now. We were totally wasted. I mean, wouldn't you have liked to remember your own fucking wedding?"

"Oh." Finn sighed. "So it's not that you regret marrying her…it's the fact that you can't remember any of it…"

"Exactly." Sam sighed. "And no one knows yet. Hell, I don't even think Santana has fully figured it out yet."

"What's this about marriages and regrets?" An eager voice piped up behind them. Finn winced; he recognized that voice all too well. Ellen. He opened his mouth to say something, but she took a seat next to him before he could. Sam flashed Finn a glare before standing up and walking away. Ellen frowned and flashed Finn a smile. "Is everything okay with you and Rachel?"

"Better then okay." Finn answered coolly, remembering his conversation with Rachel the night before. He needed to watch himself around Ellen.

"What's wrong? Are you mad at me? Did I do something?" Ellen flashed him a pouty look. Finn sighed, finishing his lunch.

"No; I'm just stressed. Nationals will be coming soon and Rachel's having that baby…" His voice trailed off as Ellen reached out and lightly touched him on the arm, smiling uncertainly.

"You can talk to me about it all." She purred. Finn stiffened and held his breath as she ran her fingers down his arm.

"There's nothing to talk about." Finn said shortly, rising from his seat and starting out of the teachers' lounge. Ellen jumped to her feet and followed him.

"I'm sorry, Finn; I didn't mean to upset you." He didn't know why, but he turned around to face her. She was glancing at the floor shyly, and for a brief moment, she reminded him of Rachel. "It's just…we're friends, right?" The question took him by surprise. Finn blinked slowly, trying to think of an appropriate response.

"Yeah…I guess…" Finn said slowly.

"Friends are supposed to help each other, and…I want to help you, Finn." Ellen said softly.

"With what exactly?" Finn asked, hoping he didn't sound too sharp.

"Broaden your horizons." Ellen smiled coyly. "All you talk about is your glee club and your family. I think you need some time for yourself." Finn frowned as he thought about what Ellen had said. "A few of the other teachers here are going to a karaoke bar to celebrate the school year ending. You should come with us; bring your friend Sam, too."

"I don't know…" Finn answered, unsure of what he should do.

"It will be fun, and you could use the distraction."

"Rachel wouldn't like it…"

"Well, Rachel needs to get over it and realize that you have needs, too. Everything can't be about her and the baby and your other kid." Ellen answered impatiently. Finn sighed and ran his fingers through his hair nervously.

"I guess I could."

"Great! We'll see you there Friday at around eight." Ellen winked at him and walked away just as the bell rang, signaling lunch was over. Finn held his breath as he watched her disappear.

Maybe Ellen was right; maybe he was being too hard on himself. He needed a break. He deserved it.

This would be fun.

-glee!-

"Hi, Mrs. Hudson!" Everyone exclaimed as she flounced into the choir room. Finn smiled and winked at her before returning his attention to the students.

"So when we competed at nationals the first time, we wrote our own songs and sang them. We placed twelfth, but it was still an awesome experience. I think we should try writing our own original songs." Finn declared. Rachel blushed and nodded her head.

"Everyone should either pair up or write a song alone, but you should each have one." Rachel smiled at Finn, who nodded his head in response. Jackson draped his arm over Julia's shoulder and grinned as if the best idea ever had come to mind. On the other side of the room, Michele and Dylan were flirting and exchanging several small kisses. Rachel smiled inwardly, betting that they hadn't even hear what the lesson was about.

It was then that Julia raised her hand and gently shrugged Jackson's arm off her shoulder. Finn nodded at Julia and she began to speak.

"Can I talk to Mrs. Hudson, please?" She asked quietly. Both Finn and Rachel exchanged confused looks before Finn slowly nodded his head.

"Um…sure…" Julia got to her feet and quickly paced out of the choir room without even glancing back at Jackson. The quarterback frowned confusedly but shook his head, obviously trying not to think anything of it. Rachel followed Julia out of the room and took a seat with her on a bench outside the choir room. There was silence between the two, so Rachel took it upon herself to start the conversation.

"What did you want to talk to me about, Julia?" She asked softly. Julia's bottom lip quivered and tears began to spill over.

"I think I might be pregnant." She whispered. She began sobbing and Rachel reached out and embraced Julia, letting the shock of her announcement sink in.

"Wow…Julia…"

"I've been thinking it for a long time." Julia sobbed.

"How long?" Rachel asked.

"Before Jackson and I got together." Julia answered quietly. Rachel frowned; that had been about a month ago.

"Explain why you've been thinking this." Rachel suggested.

"Before Jackson and I started dating, Dylan and I had been together. We hadn't been dating for long and then we…you know, did it. It didn't feel right for me, so I broke up with him. Days later, he started dating Michele and I started feeling sick. I didn't think anything of it at first. Jackson started expressing interest in me and I had always been the slightest bit interested in him. After regionals, as you know, we started dating. But he never knew about me and Dylan. It was that night, when you announced to us that you were going to have another baby, that I started to wonder. Everything fell into place, but I wasn't sure…and now I'm almost positive because I've even gained a little weight and my feet get swollen every now and then." Julia took a deep breath. "I haven't told anyone else; I don't have the heart to."

"Not even Jackson?" Rachel asked.

"He'd immediately know that he isn't the father; we haven't gone farther then second base." Julia mumbled. "He'd suspect that I'm cheating on him and break up with me."

"What about Dylan?"

"He's so happy with Michele; I can't ruin their happiness."

"Julia, you're going to have to tell someone." Rachel said quietly.

"I told you." Julia pointed out.

"Besides me."

"I can't tell my parents; they'll murder me."

"I'm sure—"

"They practically disowned my twenty-two-year-old sister after she had sex wit her long-time boyfriend…because she wasn't married." Julia interrupted. "My case is much worse then that; I had sex when I was fifteen and ended up pregnant."

"You don't know for sure if you are or if you aren't." Rachel countered.

"You've been pregnant before and you're pregnant now; does it sound like I am?" Julia's eyes bored into Rachel's and she glanced away uncomfortably.

"I'm no doctor, but I suggest you see one." Rachel said quietly.

"Because you think I am." Julia whispered, tears filling her eyes.

"I don't know. But I really think you should see a doctor, Julia. I'll take you tomorrow, okay?" Rachel asked. Julia sighed and nodded her head. "You do know that if you are, you're eventually going to have to tell both Jackson and Dylan."

"I know." Julia said, sounding defeated. They stood up and Rachel gave her a reassuring hug.

"Everything will be okay." Rachel flashed her an unsure smile. "When I got pregnant with Seth, Finn lived in Columbia and I lived in New York. I didn't even tell him I was pregnant; we broke up before I could. I was ashamed, so I kept Seth a secret for a year and a half. He was nearly two when I finally told Finn, and I technically hadn't even told him. He found a scrapbook I made and found out he was a dad by looking at the pictures."

"Really?" Julia wiped her eyes.

"Yeah. I don't suggest you do the same." Rachel smiled. "Jackson is a great guy; I'm pretty sure if you just tell him and be completely honest, he'll stand by your side."

"Yeah…but what am I going to do about Dylan? He's the same way; Jackson might feel threatened by Dylan's involvement; after all, Dylan is the dad. And then Dylan and Michele will break up…"

"Whoah, there. You're thinking too far ahead. Dylan and Michele are going strong, and I don't think Dylan would mess that up by obsessing over you, no offense. Dylan has always been great at balancing things. Look at how he manages to keep a high GPA and keep up with both football and glee practice." Rachel smiled reassuringly. "Trust me when I say everything will be fine. Besides, you might be worrying over nothing. I'll take you to a doctor tomorrow and we'll settle all this once and for all."

"Okay." Julia let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. I knew you would be able to help me."

"Anytime." Rachel flashed her a wide smile. "Could you tell Finn that I'm leaving to pick up Seth?"

"Sure." Julia smiled and waved goodbye before entering the choir room. Rachel smiled and started down the hallway. She paused outside Ryan's room and caught his eye. She flashed him a small smile and waved before continuing down the hallway.

"Hold on there!" Ryan called after her room. Heart racing, Rachel turned around to face him.

"Yes?" She asked innocently.

"You can't just walk by my classroom without saying hello." He grinned. "How are you?"

"Fine." Rachel answered. "And yourself?"

"Well, the students are driving me insane, but I'm fine otherwise."

Rachel giggled. "Yeah, they can do that to you."

"Are you headed somewhere?" Ryan asked politely.

"Pick up my son from school." Rachel answered. "I'll come by another day and visit you, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that, Ms. Rachel." Ryan winked at her before stepping back into his classroom. Rachel giggled, her cheeks turning red before she headed to the front office to leave the campus. Ellen was there chatting it up with one of the secretaries, but as soon as she saw Rachel, she stopped talking. Instead, she turned to face Rachel with a fake polite smile on her face.

"Why, hello, Rachel! We meet again." Ellen said cheerily. Rachel cleared her throat and glanced away.

"In case you don't remember, our last meeting wasn't exactly friendly."

"Nor was it professional." Ellen countered, her eyes flashing angrily for a second before she composed herself and plastered the fake smile on her face. "I just wanted to know if you were coming to the party."

"Party?" Rachel echoed.

"You mean Finn didn't tell you about it? Odd; he told me he was going, too…" Ellen's voice trailed off as though she were lost in thought. Rachel felt the blood drain from her face and her heart fell. So now Finn was resorting to sneaking around behind her back? What happened to the talk they had the other night? Had that meant nothing to him?

"He didn't mention a party…"

"Oh, well, I'm sure he just didn't want you stressing yourself out. After all, you're having a baby and you have a child at home…" Ellen smirked. Rachel clenched her hands into fists and did her best to keep from losing her temper.

"What's the party for?" She asked tightly.

"The faculty and staff all pitched in their money to rent a room at the local karaoke bar! We're celebrating the year finally being over!" Ellen grinned. "Finn told me he would come."

"That's great." Rachel said halfheartedly.

"I know!" Ellen squealed. "Well, I'll hope you'll be able to join. I understand if you're unable to."

"Okay." Rachel shoved her way past Ellen. "Bye." As she walked out into the parking lot and started towards her car, Rachel wondered why Finn wouldn't have told her that he was going to a party…with Ellen, of all people.

Maybe he just hasn't mentioned it to me yet. Maybe he was going to, but he never got the chance. She thought. I'll just wait for him to tell me about it and I'll pretend like I had no clue.

But what if he doesn't? A small voice in the back of her head asked. Rachel froze midstep and took a deep, shaky breath.

"Then I guess I'll know that he really is sneaking around."

She felt like she wanted to cry.

Ooh, so what do you think will happen? Do you think Finn will tell Rachel where he's going or will he keep it a secret? Hm…if he tells her, then she'll at least know that he isn't keeping secrets from her. If he doesn't, it'll just push them apart. Finn better not screw up and tell her! But part of me is thinking that he won't…uh oh. Well, that's it for this chapter. Once again, I'm sorry for the wait! Keep an eye out for Chapter 8 later on tonight because this is going to be a double update just as I promised. The main events that take place in the next chapter are Julia's doctor appointment, Rachel's doctor appointment, and Priscilla coming to visit. Well, that's it. Please review!