Thanks for the alerts, favorites and reviews. I truly appreciate the thoughts about this story. I am definitely having fun, period.
Disclaimer: I do not owe Glee, its affiliations, or anything that is copyrighted/owned by someone who is not me. Although, it really would be nice for some sort of "donation" to the "dcrosie28 help-pay-the-bills" fund.
A/N: Welcome to the Gleek edition. Now, if you haven't noticed this is an alternate universe (AU) fiction. I'm trying to get into a somewhat adult dialogue and characterization of the Gleeks. Then, again, I know, from my own personal experience, that when you get together with old friends, old habits die hard and sometimes one can regress. So, without further ado….
From the Cathedral…
Veronica officially declared that today was not her day. She had been knocking on the Bridal Suite door for what felt like an eternity.
"Rachel?... It's time… Rachel?"
The wedding coordinator continued to knock on the door, and there still was no response. Oh shit! Why are there flowers on the floor? Don't panic! She might be in the adjoining bathroom. The poor woman opened the door and began to search high and low for the bride. Why is the window open? Oh shit! I knew it! Oh shit! There's some torn fabric on the window sill. I am not paid enough for this crap. Oh God, the groom's side is going to kill me. Veronica, calm the f' down. The Berrys will defend you and make sure that it's going to come out ok. Time to first let the Bride's parents the 'News'.
"Mr. and Mr. Berry. Mrs. Puckerman. I am no member of CSI, but I can definitely attest that Rachel Berry is not here. What should we do?"
"WHAT?"
"There is a God!"
"Who's telling Finn? Veronica?"
The wedding coordinator looked at the three parents and shook her head. "Uh uh, I am not walking up to the groom. I have done enough for this circus. You all must be crazy. Craa-zzzay."
If the awkward silence wasn't a sign, the glares from Ben and Deborah definitely let their exact opinion of Veronica's last statement. Veronica cleared her throat, adjusted her blouse, and apologized, "I'm sorry that was not professional of me. Ok here's my reasoning for not informing the groom. You all know him better. Actually, from our previous moments, Mrs. Puckerman, I suggest you do not, I repeat, do not go up there. I believe that Mrs. Hudson may kill you."
"Not if I get to her first… Sorry, I know, we are in house of God. Sorry. I'll just go find my son and my daughter. Alan, Ben, are you two going to be alright?"
"Deborah, go find Noah. He'll know where the Diva would go. Ben and I will go up to Finn." Alan informed his friend.
The wedding coordinator looked at the Berrys and nervously said, "Also, I don't think the groom should go to the Bridal Dressing Area."
They all froze in their spots. Deborah quietly asked, "Sweetie, why would you say that?"
Well, if I tell them now, maybe it won't be a big deal. I mean the chemistry between Mrs. Puckerman's son and the bride was hot during the rehearsal wedding and dinner. Half the betting pool thought those two were going to get married. AND, before the start of the processional, he did go up there for half an hour. I mean, it is just friendship.
"Well, the bouquet's flowers are everywhere, and it appears that Rachel's dress may have torn when she left via window. Ahh, uhm, also, Rachel did not leave a note. If from the past 12 months of working with groom and his family, I think they will think the worst case scenario," the wedding planner paused, "Your son was the last person to physically see Rachel, and from the glare he received earlier from Mrs. Hudson, I have a feeling this might get ugly."
A chorus of one word came in reply from the parents, "Shit!"
Veronica looked at her hands. I hate it when I'm right. Fathermuckers!
Further down the aisle, on the Bride's side….
"Guys, this is the longest wedding processional I have ever witnessed. I mean Days of Our Lives wedding episodes are faster." Tina whispered to her fellow Glee Bridesmaids.
"Oh Thank the Lord! I see Kurt and Quinn. It can't be long." Mercedes quietly responded, "My feet are killing me. If Kurt tells us, "pain is fashion" one more time, I will cut him."
"Can they walk any slower? I mean, Quinn and Kurt are moving slower than coal turning into diamonds at sea-level pressure. I mean seriously." Santana muttered. Looking at the confused, pained faces and forced smiles of the bridesmaids, Santana continued, "Look I have to know where and how my quality bling comes from, and I dated the heir to the DeBeers throne. Anyways, 'Cedes, I'm with you, girl. I can't believe Rachel let the psycho, monster-in-law from hell decide our shoes. Propriety, my ass!"
"San, I totally agree," chimed Tina.
"Well ladies, I have good news. I heard Sweet Caroline when my alarm went off this morning. There's too much sunshine outside, so I don't think Rachel is going to get married today." Brittany whispered.
"Brittany!" Tina hissed.
"What the fuck, Britt." Santana stared at her Supermodel blonde.
"Santana Lopez, language! We are in the house of the Lord!" Mercedes reprimanded the Latina and then looked at the blonde, "OMG, did Finn hear you? Did Noah?"
The Glee bridesmaids all looked at the Groom. Finn still looked the happy groom, chuckling with his groomsmen. He looked like he had not a care in the world. Mark was giving the ladies the most uncomfortable, skeezy looks and kissy-lip thing, and John looked like he was a combination of things: getting sick, wanting to throttle Mark and wanting to smack Finn up.
"Eww, Mark is creepy. Ugh, he's doing that kissy thing, ew," Tina gritted out her smile.
"Ignore the idiot. I think I like John," muttered Mercedes.
"Aww, Mercedes," cooed Brittany, "Mike said John seems to be a decent guy after the rehearsal dinner. I think he would perfect for you."
"Brittany, shush it," hissed Mercedes.
"Ladies, let's check on our boys and Lil' Puck before this circus starts," sighed Santana.
Like synchronized swimmers, they looked at where the Glee men were sitting in the Bride's section. Artie check… Sarah/ Lil' Puck check… Matt check… Mike check… Noah….
The bridesmaids all silently mouthed to the Gleek guys different forms of 'Where's Noah?' (Examples: "Where's Noah?" "Where's Puck?" "Where's the dumbass?" "Where did grumpy go?") Artie signed to Tina as Matt and Mike just smiled at Finn to not arouse suspicion. Sarah was pinching the bridge of her nose and shaking her head at the subtlety of the Gleeks, which was none. How are they friends with my brother and Rachel? They are so not part of my Puckerman ninja squad.
"Tina, spill now!" Mercedes commanded.
"Artie says, 'Noah's phone buzzed, and he left.'" Tina translated.
"You don't think…" Santana pondered.
"Told you so. Hey Q! Hey Kurt!" bubbled Brittany.
"Hello, my beautiful dolls!" Kurt eyed at the groomsmen as he glided into his designated place.
"Kurt, stop hitting on them. Get to your place. Why are you girls looking like you've been electrocuted?" Quinn suspiciously looked from Gleek to Gleek.
Bubbly Brittany, of course, had to answer, "I told them I heard Sweet Caroline today, and we noticed Noah left. Artie signed to Tina it was because Noah's pants were buzzing. I think it's because Rachel is going to fly away with the bluebirds."
Kurt and Quinn immediately looked like they were hit with lightening and looked at Mrs. Hudson. They didn't care about the Groom or his groomsmen at that point. They knew that "Mom" was the real threat to their Berry, especially their beloved Puckleberry. They looked at each other and looked at Sarah. See this is why Kurt should be one of my ninjas. Oh crap! Totally forgot about the Hudson Monster! Kurt and Sarah almost telepathically communicated their horrific concern to their sections.
The Gleek bridesmaids and the Gleek Pew were finally getting it, with the exception of the smiling Brittany, synchronized a telepathic thought of "Oh shit." They had all been worried for the reaction of the wrong person.
On the Groom's Side…
Finn looked like a happy man. He kept telling himself he was going to marry the ultimate prize, Rachel Berry. Soon to be Rachel Hudson. His marriage was going to lead to endorsement deals that would make his team, the Giants, America's Favorite Team. The NFL league president was looking up to him to re-establish the NFL's dominance on prime-time. The McCormicks and the Hudsons were depending that this marriage occur and this wedding come out spectacularly. Everyone was counting on him. No pressure. No pressure. No pressure.
Looking out to his guests, he noticed that the famous Puck was not back. Finn knew that Puck would not be able to stomach losing Rachel. Why do I feel so guilty? Like I'm robbing something from him? I'm not. He had his chance.
Finally, Quinn and Kurt had reached their spots, and he gets to wait for his prize, err, bride. Finn looked at his mother and smiled. This was for her, too. She would have a daughter-in-law, who would please her. His mom needed to be happy for all their sakes. As his mother said, Rachel would be the most excellent starter wife and truly raise the stakes for the Hudson and McCormick family names. I mean I do like Rachel. I do love her. I know that this isn't forever, so Puckerman may have his second/third chance. I know she will make me happy. I will do everything in my power to make her happy. Rachel will never know about the other deals. Yep, nothing to worry about now.
Finn looked at the back, and waited… and waited… and started to get nervous. Finn looked at the back of Cathedral, and started to get even more concerned. Alan, Ben and Deborah had just looked at him with that deer-in-the-headlights look that many a mailman had given him. He looked at the Bridesmaids for a hint. They had scary plastered smiles. He looked at the male Gleeks seated with Sarah Puckerman, and they were smiling and ready to take pictures of Rachel. They wouldn't know. I mean they are just Gleeks and not actors. What is going on? What is taking her so long? Oh... Well, Shit!
He looked at his mother, and she looked very pissed. She looked the tantrum-ready, scary pissed. Finn swallowed and nudged at Mark and moved his head as to grab John's attention, "Look, I don't know what's going on, and I don't want my mom to go back there. She looks really angry and looks like she's going to freak out Hulk-style like that time I hit the mailman with the car in high school for the second time… Don't judge, her car had faulty brakes… Mark, make sure all the groomsmen distract my family. John, I know the Gleeks trust you, tell them you need help in controlling the situation."
Finn paused as he saw his two best friends finally grasping the severity of the situation. Carol Hudson was one scary Momma Bear. Mark cracked his neck and said, "Ok, fearless leader, go talk to your bride. We got this. Your mom is not moving from that pew even if the She-Hulk kills me."
John had to admire Mark's courage and determination. Or maybe he's been knocked so many times in the head that Mark doesn't have the sense to run away screaming like a girl. Well, he certainly is the one for the job. He looked at Finn, "Don't worry about what happens out here, Finn. We are Triple H. Mark's right, we got this. Remember, no matter what you two decide, we got your back. Right, Mark?"
Mark looked at the men he considered brothers, and declared quietly, "Finn, do what you need to do. No matter what we are Triple H." I hate it when John's right. Man, I am going to miss Football, beer and the ladies. Stupid conscience.
Finn felt better knowing his brothers had his back. Finn looked at Quinn Fabray and searched her eyes. Her eyes had always been a window of truth to him, even when her mouth had spewed lies. He had always known that Drizzle wasn't his from her eyes, but he never wanted to believe it until Babygate forced him, too. I loved her so much back then. So, now he looked at her eyes. Even though she tried to avoid his gaze, for one second, he locked his eyes into hers. The entire story and her suspicions spilled out of hers. He also knew that his guilt, his shame and secrets were just read by his ex-girlfriend from his own as her wide eyes indicated the growing flashes of anger and sympathy. One second was all the former high school sweethearts needed to communicate what was needed. One single second provide Finn the courage that was required of him. Shit. I'm going to have to tell Quinn everything.
Finn looked briefly at his mother with an acknowledging nod and a goofy smile that he would find out and take care of it. She never really knew me. I'm her son, and she never really knew me. Rachel once said I could be a great actor if I worked hard enough. I've been acting for the last twelve years, and I want to retire.
As the congregation whispered, Finn Hudson walked towards the front doors where his bride should have come out moments ago. If she found out about the secret deals, I pray to God she forgives me. If it's because she's just scared, I will tell her the truth. All of it, and then beg for her forgiveness. I have my brothers. They are my family. If it's because she realizes she loves Puck, God help her, and I will wish her well. I may not need to tell her. I'll ask Quinn for advice… and…
As he continued his walk, he heard the whispers and felt the glares. Finn peripherally glanced at his "investors". His Hudson and McCormick ties. His NFL "sponsors." The dread grew as he remembered his deal with his devils. The not-so-legal devils. The ones that could actually act out threats with not a care in the world. In the end, I am going to need their help, the Berrys, the Puckermans, the Gleeks for my brothers and for me. Triple H is going to need other players. God, give me strength. I really hope Puck will forgive me to hear me out. He is going to need to forgive me, because alone, we are not going to be able to survive the fall out. These people are far too connected.
He was going to do something he should have done many years ago. He was going to talk to the only real mother he knew, Deborah. When he reached the end of the aisle, he closed the doors behind him and looked at Mama Puckerman's eyes. He knew she was going to listen to him, try to kill him, comfort him, and welcome him home. The shit is going to hit the fan, and I'm going need help to save us all.
A/N: Now, I had stated before I'm not a fan of Finn as I'm a huge Puckleberry fan. Nevertheless, I needed a chapter to help flesh out the characters and try to bring more perspective for what's to come.
As always, I appreciate all opinions and commentaries.
Hints and Suggestions are welcome.
