Part XII-Start of Something New
I am wrapping up this story with the next chapter. I am also thinking about writing another one! Please review.
Sorry it's been so long that I've updated, I've been out of town and was bombarded by midterms, but I have Spring Break now and can work on it.
Disclaimer: Don't owe Glee. If I did, Rachel and Finn would still be together and Sue would have fallen into a cave. I also do not the song "Young". It is owned by Kenny Chesney and he has all the rights to it. I also do not owe the song "Graduation (Friends Forever)". It is owned by Vitamin C and she owns all the rights to the song.
Finn and Rachel did it! It was their graduation day. Finn had received his Bachelor's degree in Human Relations while Rachel received hers in Music Education. Finn had gotten a job offer in Indiana, but he was skeptical to take it as he never wanted to leave Lima again. Rachel had gotten a job at McKinley taking over for the music teacher, Mrs. Martin, who was retiring. She was also going to head up the Glee club as Mr. Schuester was stepping down from that position. They were excited to be graduating from college and to begin their new lives as OSU's newest graduates.
"Finn?" Rachel Hudson yelled to her husband. "Does this make me look fat?"
"Of course not, Rachel, you look absolutely stunning. We're going to be late for graduation if you don't decide what you're going to wear."
"Oh, all right." Rachel said and jetted off into their bedroom to find the perfect outfit. She finally came out a few moments later wearing a sundress and flip-flops. She put on her cap and gown and she grabbed her purse and they headed out the door.
The commencement ceremony took place in the gym. Thousands of graduates were there anxiously waiting to receive their diploma. Finn sat next to Rachel as they were next to each other in the alphabet. Rachel used to be before Finn, but once they got married, she was right next to him and she couldn't be happier about it.
The ceremony began with the marching band playing "Pomp and Circumstance". Finn hated that song because they played the same thing over and over and over again. He didn't understand why they couldn't play a different melody instead of the same one over and over again. He decided to just ignore it, after all, this was going to be the very last time that he had to hear it—ever (well at least not for a while). He just relaxed while the rest of the graduates made their way into the gym gently placing his arm around Rachel.
The president, Mr. Martinez welcomed the crowd. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our commencement ceremony. All of these students have reached the peak in their lives where they are now going to have a "real" job. They have worked tremendously hard and now they are going to embark on a new journey. Today will be the start of something new. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the class of 2016!"
There were over 16,000 students graduating this afternoon and Finn was going bored. It seemed like it took forever for them to finally reach the "H's." It was his turn and his wife would be behind him.
"Finn Christopher Hudson" (AU: After reading several other stories, I've realized that Finn's middle name is Christopher, not Stewart and his given name is just "Finn" not "Finnigan". My apologies, anyways, enjoy my story nonetheless.)
Rachel clapped for her husband in line waiting for her to receiver her diploma. She was next. "Rachel Barbara Hudson". Finn clapped for his wife and they grabbed each other's hand and they headed back to their seats and waited for the rest of the graduates to receive their diplomas. It must have been another three hours before the ceremony had concluded.
Finally, the commencement ceremony had ended and it was time for the graduation song "Young" by Kenny Chesney to play.
Looking back now, well it makes me laugh Listen to our music just a little too loud Man I don't know, where the time goes
We were growin our hair, we were cuttin' class
Knew it all already, there was nothing to learn
We were strikin' matches just to watch 'em burn
We were hangin' in there with the outcast crowd
Headin' to the rapids with some discount beer
It was a long train tussle but we had no fear.
But it sure goes fast, just like that
We were wanna be rebels who didn't have a clue
With our Rock n' roll T-shirts, and our typically bad attitudes
Had no excuses for the things that we'd done
We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly
Young
Talked a good game when we were out with the guys Man I don't know, where the time goes Man I don't know, where the time goes
But in the back seat we were awkward and shy
Girls were a mystery that we couldn't explain
And I guess there are some things that are never gonna change
But It sure goes fast, just like that
We were wanna be rebels who didn't have a clue
With our Rock n' roll T-shirts, and our typically bad attitudes
Had no excuses for the things that we'd done
We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly
Young
Young, Young, yeah wishin' we were older
Young, hey I wish it wasn't over
But it sure goes fast, just like that
We were wanna be rebels who didn't have a clue
With our Rock n' roll T-shirts, and our typically bad attitudes
Had no excuses for the things that we'd done
We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly
Young
Young, hey wishin' we were older, wish it wasn't over
The graduates then tossed their hats into the air and walked out the Ohio State University gymnasium for the very last time. Finn grabbed Rachel close and told her something.
"Rachel, I love you. You've made me the happiest man in the world. I have a beautiful wife and a beautiful little girl. I've made you a surprise. Would you come with me?"
"Sure, Finn. What do you have for me?"
"Well, if I told you what it was, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"
Rachel just shook her head in agreement and she followed Finn back to their house. He opened the truck door for Rachel and he got in the other side. He started up the ignition and they were on their way.
Rachel was completely oblivious to what her husband had planned for her. She had no idea where they were going. She thought maybe they were going to Finn's parent's house, but he passed already and he passed her dads' house. Before she knew it, there were out of Columbus and onto the highway. They were going to Lima back into Glee club (before she took over) because Finn had planned something special for Rachel and the rest of the Glee club. The whole club was going to be there: Quinn, Artie, Brittany, Santana, Mike, Tina and Puck. Even Mr. Schue was going to be there.
Finn and Rachel arrived at the school and was taken aback.
"Finn, what are we doing here?" she asked.
"Shh…just come in and find out." He grabbed his wife's hand and they walked into the building hand-in-hand.
They walked into the Glee club classroom where she noticed everyone from high school. They had somewhat departed since high school graduation. However, Rachel still kept in touch with some of the girls from Glee club.
Finn took Rachel over the chairs and then she sat down. Then he headed over to the piano and took out his laptop. He pulled down the screen and began showing a slideshow of all of the fun times the Glee club had together. He then began singing a song with the help of Sam and Puck.
Finn begins:
And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of the night in June
I didn't know much of love, but it came too soon
And There was me and you, and then it got real blue
Stay at home talkin' on the telephone and
We would get so excited, we'd get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels
Puck and Sam join in: As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, from whatever
We will still be, friends forever
Puck signs:
So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money
When we look back now, will that joke still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Brittany find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels
Puck, Sam and Finn together:
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
As our lives change from whatever
We will still be friends forever La, la, la, la; yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, we will still be friends forever
Sam sings:
Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there? Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
Sam, Puck and Finn together:
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
As our lives change from whatever
We will still be friends forever
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
As our lives change from whatever
We will still be friends forever
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
As our lives change from whatever
We will still be friends forever
The Glee club clapped and tears began streaming down everyone's faces. They couldn't believe it. This was the very last time that they could see each other again. They were all getting on with the rest of their lives. Finn and Rachel were staying here in Lima (Finn turned down that job in Lima and is taking over Burt's car business) and Rachel is the new music teacher at McKinley. They all hugged each other and realized that this was the start of something new for each and every one of them.
So there you have it, my story is almost finished. My high school graduation's song was "Young" and I've just always liked the Vitamin C song and they always play it at graduation time.
Please read and review. Working on wrapping it up in the next day or two.