Hey everyone, here's the next chapter. First though I just wanted to address the 'guest' who decided to make fun of me anonymously; you're a dick and a coward.
To everyone else, I love you for reading and reviewing and there will be a chapter a day until it's finished. Enjoy!
I own nothing.
Rachel sat on the front step of her father's home beside Noah with her phone pressed to her ear. She was nodding along as her daddy explained that they wouldn't be arriving until the next morning before the wedding.
"Alright Daddy." She told him. "I'll see you both at the wedding."
She hung up and blew out a breath. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or not. She hadn't relished parading Noah around in front of her fathers. She had a feeling that they'd adore him which would make the lie that much more deceitful.
"You know I was telling the truth when I told you I've never done a wedding before." He admitted.
"Why did you agree to help me?"
"There was something in your voice. Something different." He explained, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Desperation?" She supplied sardonically.
"I think it was hope."
His answer surprised her. She was roused from her thoughts as Sam's car pulled to a halt on the road in front of them.
"Hurry up, you lot! We're getting married in the morning!" He yelled out the window happily before pulling away.
Noah stood up and brushed off his pants before offering her his hand.
"M'lady." He teased as he pulled her to her feet, letting go of her hand only after he'd opened the car door for her.
She scanned his IPod for a few moments as he began the drive towards the lake house where the wedding was going to be held. She decided on a song by Michael Bublé and settled back against her seat.
"I never asked how the Bachelor party was."
She noticed that Noah's eyes narrowed for a moment before his face cleared and he smiled at her easily.
"There was a lot of drinking and debauchery. I doubt you'd approve." He answered teasingly.
"Strippers?" She asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
Noah chuckled as he pulled the car smoothly onto the highway.
"Yeah. It wasn't too bad. I thought Sam might die from alcohol poisoning but Sebastian and Blaine helped me cut him off before he made any bad decisions." He told her lightly, making her wonder if there wasn't more to the story.
"So what's the game plan?" He asked her an hour later as they neared the end of their journey.
"We'll have some time to freshen up before the barbeque. Sammy will be grilling our lunch and we'll all hang out in the garden. Then tonight we have a sort of dress rehearsal meal at the vineyard near the property. Tomorrow morning will be a bit crazy but you can sleep in while I'm getting ready with the bridal party. Sebastian and Blaine are staying at the lake house too so they'll drive you." Rachel explained as he pulled onto the dirt road that would eventually lead to Quinn's parent's lake home.
"Sounds good." He assured her.
She found herself watching him as he drove. He'd put the roof down on the convertible and the wind had ruffled his casual attire a bit but he was still physical perfection. She was sure that the wind had left her own locks a tangled mess.
"Where did you say the turnoff was?" He asked her.
"Just on the left up here."
He followed her directions and they found themselves driving along a paved driveway that was lined with willow trees. He whistled through his teeth and she grinned as they took in the rolling fields.
"Did I forget to mention that her family is filthy rich?" Rachel mused.
Noah simply laughed as he pulled up towards the large country house. He pulled to a stop in front of the house and his eyes widened when a man came running out in uniform.
"Valet parking?" He mumbled.
"It's their daughter's wedding." Rachel said by way of explanation as he hopped out of the car and came around to her side quickly. "And they have a lot to make up for."
She accepted his help out of the car and watched in amusement as he pulled their things from the trunk before tossing the keys to the waiting valet. They wandered inside the home as Rachel told him about the house.
"There are twelve bedrooms and nine bathrooms. They have a large kitchen just down the hallway and to the left. Our room will be upstairs. San said they'd assigned rooms so we just need to find the right one."
Noah nodded along with her words and carried their suitcases up the stairs. Their bedroom was one of the first that they came upon and it was beautifully decorated. Rachel wandered over to the large bed and fell backwards onto it.
"This is a big bed." Noah joked as he joined her on the bed.
The two of them simply laid there and stared at the ceiling.
"I'm so frustrated." She whispered.
"Why's that?"
"I've spent the whole week baring my life to you. You've met all of my crazy friends and you'll meet my folks tomorrow. You know all of this stuff about me. And I know nothing about you." She admitted.
He was silent for a moment.
"I'm allergic to fabric softener. I majored in psychology at Cornell. I fucking hate anchovies. I'm a diehard Saints fan. And I think I'd miss you even if we'd never met."
Rachel's face lit up with a smile. His fingers tangled with hers on the bed and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I think you're bluffing." Noah told her as he glanced up at her from his cards.
Rachel leaned towards Santana as she started whispering in her ear.
"There's got to be something wrong with him." Santana insisted. "It's his cock isn't it? Is it crooked?"
Rachel turned and shook her head with a triumphant grin.
"Oh it's just fucking perfect isn't it? Like the rest of him. Bitch." Santana muttered.
"She never loses Noah." Sam warned him from where he was grilling their lunch.
"I call." Noah said.
"Well looky here! A full house!" She bragged, dropping her cards on the table.
Noah nodded with a grin and folded his cards.
"Has anyone seen my beautiful fiancé?" Sam asked them. "She'll kill me if any of you eat one of her turkey burgers."
Rachel and Santana shared an evil grin before jumping to their feet and trying to grab one of the turkey burgers off of the plate.
"She'll kill me!" He yelped as he tried to dance away from them.
"Yeah right!' Sebastian joined in with a laugh. "You two have never even had a fight!"
Sam pouted. "Well I've heard that make up sex is the best kind. But I'm never going to know because I won't let you steal any of these burgers!"
The chase was on and Rachel and Santana were giggling loudly. Blaine turned to Noah. "Want to go and find her? He won't be able to hold them off for long and no one wants to witness their first fight."
Noah wandered away from the group and went to check the little cabin they'd used to change into their swim clothes. The door was ajar and he was about to step through it when he heard yelling. He pushed through the doorway in time to see The Douche shaking Quinn angrily.
"What do you want from me?" She yelled as she tried to squirm out of his grasp.
"I just want you to tell me that-" Finn trailed off when he saw Noah staring at the two of them. "Um how to tie my tie for tomorrow morning. You know I always forget."
Quinn didn't respond and Finn let go of her arms. He stepped around Noah and stormed out the door. Noah's eyes were still on Quinn and for the first time since he'd met her he felt like he was really seeing her. She bit her lip and sat heavily in the chair by the window.
"I suppose you're probably wondering what that was all about." She whispered and he shook his head.
"I think it's pretty clear Quinn." He told her as calmly as he could.
"Have you ever done something you wish you could take back? Something so terrible that just won't go away?" She asked him pitifully.
His lips twitched sarcastically. Yeah she clearly had done someone that just wouldn't go away. He watched as tears streamed down her face and he didn't know what to do. He'd suspected this but to have it confirmed was hard. This little bombshell would just ruin everything. He felt like he'd been punched in the chest. Rachel. Shit. Poor Rachel.
"Rach, I think we need to clear the air a bit." Finn was telling her and she was surprised that he seemed nervous.
"Right now?" She was sure that there was a better time for this little talk.
"I just need to tell you something."
Rachel's attention left him as she noticed Noah walking towards them. His expression was hard and his eyes looked inexplicably sad. His shoulders were hunched and he looked so weary.
"You're not even listening to me!" Finn accused as she continued to look past him.
"Excuse me." She muttered to him as she rushed towards Noah. She could hear Finn protesting but she ignored him.
"Noah?"
He said nothing as he pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly against his chest with his face buried in her hair. She could hear him taking deep breaths and she was so worried about him in that moment. They held each other for a few moments before he stepped back. His eyes were guarded and she recognized that he wasn't going to talk about it.
"I'm starving." He told her with a forced smile.
She allowed him to pull her towards the lunch that Sam had laid out for them.
So now you have some idea of what happened. The details come out in the next chapter. Thanks!
