I hope you all liked the last chapter, so in this chapter, it's Nationals, there will be a surprise in store for Rachel.
Rachel POV
I have just finished packing to go to Nationals this weekend, Shelby is staying here with Levi as I don't think that he is old enough to be in the audience that long, I am going to miss him loads but it's for the best.
I hear my phone ring so I rush to get it.
"Hello?" I say into the receiver.
"Hello Rachel," a voice says and I instantly recognise it as my dad's.
"Dad, I don't mean to be rude but I thought you didn't want anything more to do with me," I say confused as to why he was calling.
"I understand. Listen to me darling, your father and I have split up," he reveals.
"What? Why?" I ask him.
"I miss you baby girl I have spent the last year trying to talk him around into having you back and he won't budge, so I left him," he explains.
"Oh, so you want me to move back?" I ask him.
"Yes, only if you want to that is," he says giving me the option.
"I think I do but I've made some amazing friends here, much better than the New Directions. But blood is thicker than water and I miss you and think about you every minute of the day, wondering what kind of grandfather you would be to Levi," I confess.
"Levi, that is such a beautiful name," he gushes into the phone.
"Thank you, look dad, what are you doing this weekend?" I ask him.
"Nothing why?" he replies.
"Well my glee club Vocal Adrenaline has made it to Nationals in New York, do you think you could come and watch, we could spend the time to begin to get to know each other again and then you could fly over to California so that we can sort everything out, what do you think?" I ask him.
"I'd love to come and watch you perform and meet up with you, are you sure I won't cramp your style though?" he jokes.
"It's the perfect opportunity to get to know each other again, tomorrow I'll be constantly rehearsing for Nationals the following day but I'll be free tomorrow night we could meet up then how does that sound?" I ask him.
"Yeah, that sounds great darling, where are you staying?" he asks me.
"We're staying at the Hilton hotel near Times Square, I'm sure all of the rooms will be booked up there as most schools are going to be there, but if you call me and let me know what time you want to meet up then I could wait outside for you, is that ok?" I tell him.
"That sounds fabulous, I'll see you tomorrow, love you," he says.
"Love you too dad, see you tomorrow," I reply.
When the phone line goes dead I rush downstairs and explain the phone call to Shelby.
"That's great Rach, are you sure you want to leave all your friends and James behind, I'm sure you could ask your father if he could be transferred over to the local hospital," Shelby asks me.
"No, I want to go back to Lima, I think that it would be good for Levi to grow up in a quiet place, up until I graduate, then it'll be off to New York," I say. I couldn't tell her the real reason I wanted to get out of here. I think that God must have thought I needed a saviour from James and here's my father unknowingly saving me.
"As long as it's what you want then that's all that matters," Shelby replies with a smile on her face.
"Well I had better check I have everything we're leaving in half an hour," I say and go upstairs.
Puck's POV
The bus is buzzing with excitement, we're going to Nationals in New York, and I can't wait!
"So Puckerman, fancy taking me to a fancy restaurant while we're in New York, you know an expensive dinner is sure to make me want you in bed," Lauren says, oh yeah did I mention I have a thing for Lauren now. Don't get me wrong I'm still in love with Rachel but I have always had a secret thing for big chicks and their humongous knockers, so I thought I'd give Lauren a ride of her life.
"Sure," I reply and then we start talking about Nationals.
xxxxxGleexxxx
Rachel POV
"I've made it," I say looking at my surroundings.
"Yes you have, one day you're going to be the one having her name up in lights," McKenzie says making me jump.
I turn around and smile. "By the way, McKenzie, I won't be around tomorrow night I'm going to have some alone time while I have the chance, it's not easy anymore," I say to her hoping that she doesn't ask any more questions. I have decided that I am definitely going back to Lima, but no one is going to know until the last day of school, by then everything will be ready for me to go back to and I never have to see James again, it will be safer than breaking up with him, who knows what would happen.
"Ok, I can see your point which is why I am going to let you off," she replies with a smile. I can't help but think about how much I am going to miss her.
"Thanks, I appreciate you approval," I say sarcastically.
We get into our hotel rooms and I am sharing a room with McKenzie and Sophie who are my closest friends in the group. We talk for about ten minutes about what we are going to do first and then decide to unpack. Once we have finished unpacking, we go to tell Miss Sanchez that we are going out shopping.
xxxxxGleexxxx
"Hello Rachel," my father greets me.
"Dad!" I yell and give him a massive hug.
"It's so nice see you again!" my dad says, "I've missed you so much and I regret ever going along with throwing you out, I regret not seeing you progress throughout the pregnancy and not knowing my grandson from day one, I hope I can make it up to you."
"I missed you too dad, and as for making it up to me you've already made a start by coming all the way to New York to watch me win," I say to him with just as much enthusiasm.
"So how about we go to a nice vegan restaurant and catch up on everything that we have missed about each other then?" he asks me with his arm around me.
"Sure, dad," I reply and then we head off.
xxxxxGleexxxx
Last night was amazing, and I have decided for definite that I am going back to Lima to be with my dad. Nationals are today and for the first time since I started high school my dad has come to watch me.
"So are you ready for this?" McKenzie asks me.
"When am I not ready to perform?" I ask her with a smile on my face.
"That's true," she says as the bell rings for us to get ready to take our places. We've got the first slot which is the death slot as we have to make the judges remember us from all of the other contestants.
I take my place back stage getting ready for the opening number of I won't give up.
"Good luck babe," James says and kisses me on the cheek. I try my best not to flinch at his touch or turn away so that we won't mae a scene, well that and I'm embarrassed at what has been happening.
"You too," is all I say, and then he goes back offstage which leaves me on my own.
"And now with the first performance for the 2012 Nationals is Vocal Adrenaline from California," the announcer introduces.
Everything goes quiet, and the curtain comes up.
The opening bars of I won't give up begin to play and I glance around the audience and then begin to sing.
When I look into your eyes I won't give up on us
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
When I finish the first chorus I glance around the audience again and I see the New Directions, shit this cannot be happening. The looks on their faces though are enough to show that they were not expecting me to be part of Vocal Adrenaline. And when you're needing your space 'Cause even the stars they burn I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily I won't give up on us I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up) I won't give up on us
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not
And who I am
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
Still looking up.
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
When I finish the song, there is a standing ovation, I haven't felt this special since the day I gave birth to Levi, after realising that he would need me for life, I felt like the most special person in the world. Now everyone, even the New Directions were giving me a standing ovation and it felt amazing.
I went side stage and the rest of Vocal Adrenaline took their places ready for Paradise by the Dashboard Light.
Well I remember every little thing
As if it happened only yesterday
Parking by the lake
And there was not another car in sight
And I never had a girl
Looking any better than you did
And all the kids at school
They were wishing they were me that night
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon! Hold tight! Let me sleep on it
C'mon! Holdtight!
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Ain't no doubt about it
Baby got to go and shout it
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Baby don't ya hear my heart
You got it drowning out the radio
I've been waiting so long
For you to come along and have some fun
And I gotta let you know
No you're never gonna regret it
So open up your eyes I got a big surprise
It'll feel all right
I wanna make your motor run
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon! Hold tight!
C'mon! Hold tight!
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Though its cold and lonely in the deep dark night
In The deep dark night
Paradise by the dashboard light
You got to do what you can
And let Mother Nature do the rest
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely-
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way
And tonight's the night...
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way
And tonight's the night...
Stop right there!
I gotta know right now!
Before we go any further!
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
Do you love me!
Will you love me forever!
Do you need me!
Will you never leave me!
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life!
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife!
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me!
Will you love me forever!
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Will you love me forever?
Let me sleep on it
Will you love me forever!
I couldn't take it any longer
Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me
Like a tidal wave
I started swearing to my god and on my mother's grave
That I would love you to the end of time
I swore that I would love you to the end of time!
So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time
It's all that I can do
Praying for the end of time,
So I can end my time with you!
It was long ago and it was far away
And it was so much better that it is today
it never felt so good it never felt so right
we were glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
They smashed it and then we left back stage to go into the audience.
We go the refreshments stand in the foyer to purchase drinks and snacks before we headed back in. I have just finished my purchases when I turn around and walk straight into a wall of muscle, I was about to apologise when I realise that it was Puck I walked into.
"What the hell Berry?" Puck asks me.
"I was just purchasing snacks, I thought that was obvious," I say playing dumb.
"You know what I mean," he says and grabs me by the arm to pull me to the side, where the rest of the New Directions were.
"Hi," I say sheepishly.
"What the hell! You leave without an explanation and now you're competing against us!" Santana exclaims.
"I didn't have much choice in the matter of moving, and as for competing against you I didn't even now you'd made it to Nationals. None of you made an effort to contact me when I left so why do you suddenly give a shit now?" I ask them and they gasp in surprise, I never cursed before I moved to California.
"We don't we just want to know why you left without a word," Santana says simply.
"Look Satan, I get it, you are jelous because I actually have talent and I am going places, you on the other hand only have a talent in the bedroom department and seeing that is all you're good at, there will be only two jobs you'll be good for, a hooker or a lap dancer," I say, tired that even after all this time Santana can't be nice to me, if only it was this easy when it came to James.
"Looks like someone grew a backbone and I respect that," Santana smirks, "Seriously though you more than likely going to beat us with those numbers."
"Well it'll count for nothing before long," I say without thinking.
"What do you mean Berry?" Puck asks me.
"You might as well know, I'm moving back to Lima in the fall, my dad's are back so I am moving back there," I say not realising McKenzie is behind me.
"You're what?" she gasps.
"I am so sorry McKenzie I was going to tell you as soon as Nationals were over, I'll still be visiting you like all the time and you can come and visit me," I say praying she won't say anything about Levi, and once again I find that there definitely is someone watching over me.
"Obviously, and I see why you never told me, you're going to have to fill me in on what went down with your dad's when they told you have to come back," she says without blowing my secret.
"Obviously!" I say and then turn back to the New Directions.
"Good luck and I'll see you in the fall," I say to them.
After an agonising few hours and watching the New Directions nail their performance, it was time for the results.
We go to the list for the top three and find that Vocal Adrenaline, Supreme Vocals and Soul were the top three.
We make our way to the stage and then Lindsay Lohan who was a celebrity judge announces the results.
"In third place is, Soul!" she says, "And the winner is... Vocal Adrenaline."
We cheer and then go for a much needed celebration.
So I hope you all like this chapter- the next chapter will be Rachel telling Vocal Adrenaline that she is leaving and her moving back to Lima. Don't forget to let me know what you think :)