(Finn's point of view)

DIIIIIINGGGG!

And just like that the day was over and we were on Spring Break.

I sighed because two weeks ago, I hated Noah Puckerman for stealing my life, but after a lot of reflection I was just ashamed that I almost killed him. I've been avoiding him. I wasn't ready to deal with any of it and I didn't know when I would be ready.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Everyone is headed out. You locking up?" Mr. Shue asked.

"Yes. Have a great spring break Mr. Shue!" I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster up.

He smiled and ran out.

Once again, I found myself there alone, so I took a seat at the piano.

I'm going to make a change for once in my life

It's going to feel real good, going to make a difference

going to make it right

I didn't hear when Puck came in. He took the next part.

As I turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat

This wind is blowing my mind

I see the kids in the street without enough to eat

Who am I to be blind pretending not to see their need

Suddenly, I was having fun. Me and my old buddy singing songs that we meant from the heart.

A summer's disregard a broken bottle top

And one man's soul

They follow each other on the wind you know

Cause they got nowhere to go

He joined me at the piano with our old handshake.

"Finn. It's good to see you man."

"It's actually nice to see you too Puck. You sound like you've been practicing." I joked.

"No more than three times a day. Once in the shower, then at breakfast time, and of course in the car ride."

He cracked me up. Somethings never change.

"Hey man, can we talk?"

I got up from the bench beckoning for Puck to follow. We walked in silence I guess wondering where this conversation would take us.

We found ourselves sitting in the bleachers.

"Finn, I was wrong to lie to you."

"Puck, I can't be mad anymore. This situation stole a part of my life that I will never get back and I'm not sure that we can go back to being friends because of that, but I forgive you."

Puck froze.

"Finn.."

"Look dude, I'm sorry. I could have killed you and until now I didn't realize how hurt I was and how far I was willing to go, but Rachel was right. I went digging for answers and I ended up disappointed."

We sat in silence before Puck did something unexpected.

He hugged me.

"This is for you." He handed me an envelope with my name on it.

"Beth and I leave for Chicago in a week if you want to meet her."

With that he walked away.

(Santana's point of view)

"Quinn, do you think these pants make my butt look big? I want to look red carpet ready for Berry's recital."

She rolled her eyes as we took our seats.

"I'm surprised you're going." She admitted.

"Well, who else is going to help you clean out that apartment of yours?" I said.

Beth waved at us before going for her window seat.

Apparently Berry had a few tickets to go around, so Shelby sat with Beth a few rows in front of us on the plane to New York.

Talk about weird, which reminded me.

"So you and Puckerman are a thing now?"

Quinn sighed.

"It's complicated San."

"Good thing we have some ways to go until we're in New York." I said grabbing her headphones.

"Quit while you're ahead San." She said.

"C'mon Quinn. It's me you're talking to." I rested my chin in my hand.

She gave in.

"I'm scared. He told me that he'll stay if I do, but San I don't know if I'm ready to be a parent with all the responsibility." I rubbed her arm to comfort her.

"I mean, you two make it look so easy, but it's not. I'm playing catch up and if I'm being honest, I think Beth would be better off with Shelby and Puck."

"No. You don't get to do that, unless you plan on telling Beth yourself." She grew quiet.

"Look, I love you both, so I'm just going to say it. You two had something, you always did and to me it looks like it's still there. When you're here Puck is whole again, Beth has her mom and I have my friend. You don't know how tough it was to watch him look at your daughter knowing that he'd probably never see you again. It was the closest he could get to having you back."

"I don't know San. I love New York. I left behind a lot in Ohio." Quinn admitted.

I shook my head.

"Ok, you're right. I do love being with Beth."

I cleared my throat.

"I also love being with Puck." She said probably daydreaming about sex.

"I..love him." She whispered, clutching the charm that he gave to her before they had Beth.

"And my job here is done." I said smugly, putting in headphones before falling asleep.

(Puck's point of view)

I finally got the approval to drive, so I borrowed Santana's car for the weekend. I wasn't surprised when she made me drive them to the airport earlier.

She liked to do two things at once, you scratch my back I scratch yours.

I smiled to myself.

Where would I be without my best friend?

My body was healing nicely until I'd turn and twist reminding myself that I am no superhuman.

I sighed looking around my apartment.

So much had changed. I've experienced so much in these four walls and now I was about to leave it all behind. I was about to leave her behind. Again.

I always swore that I wouldn't drink wine, but I secretly thanked Santana for buying me a bottle when Beth was born.

I found a glass in a box in the kitchen.

I opened the bottle of wine taking a sip in silence.

I sighed, turning on the radio.

It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance

It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance

I looked out the window, listening to Westlife, dreaming that The Rose would be my story, my happy ending.

It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give

And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live

I paced my apartment, thinking through my options.

A, stay here, B, go.

If I stayed, Beth would stay with me and she wouldn't see Shelby and Quinn would eventually go back to New York.

Beth would lose both of them.

If I went with Shelby, Beth would lose everyone here, my mom, my sister, Santana, Quinn. We would lose our chance to rebuild our family.

Either way, Beth would have to start her life over without someone who cared for her and I wasn't sure what to do or who to choose, but in that moment, I only wanted my family.

We only had a week together before things would change forever.

I had to make the most of it.

I quickly packed a bag, shut off everything and grabbed my keys.

I had a flight to catch.

(Quinn's point of view)

I was never close with Rachel.

I always admired her or was it envy?

Five years ago, she would've used that against me to steal Finn and I would've fought to keep him by my side.

I sighed, pretending to ignore the lump in my throat.

"Are you ok mommy?"

"Yes." I involuntarily shivered.

"It's cold in here." Beth seemed satisfied.

I looked straight ahead praying that the Latina next to me would let it go, when she tensed up.

"Quinn?"

I didn't like when Santana was nervous, so when she looked at me with a mix of fear and panic I followed her gaze.

"The empty seat in our row is for him." I said to myself.

Santana nodded.

(Rachel's point of view)

3 hours earlier:

I was pacing.

It took me close to six months to perfect this role.

I just hoped that He'd come. I hoped that She'd come.

Just last week, Shelby told me she was moving to Chicago to pursue her dreams.

I guess I wasn't surprised. It only meant that I had less time with her than I thought and if I couldn't see her today then I would never see her again.

I wasn't ok with that. I couldn't let her leave without saying goodbye.

I had to tell her how much she meant to me. She had to know that I wanted to be as good as her and that I forgave her and that I still loved her.

She had to know. She just had to.

End flashback

"Ms. Berry, we're ready for you." Tom called.

This was it.

Showtime.

…..

We were halfway through the first act when I started to panic.

I searched the crowd up and down left and right for them and still no sign.

I sighed, ready to walk off stage before my solo when I locked eyes with Finn.

I stopped breathing. Everything seemed to be in slow motion.

He came, and so did Santana, Quinn and her daughter and Shelby.

The tears welled up in my eyes, but that only helped me sell my performance.

I am not a stranger to the dark

Hide away they say cuz we don't want your broken parts

I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars

Run away they say no one will love you as you are

But I won't let them break me down to dust

I know that there's a place for us

For we are glorious

Shelby smiled. I pictured her singing.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm going to send a flood going to drown them out

I am brave I am bruised I am who I'm meant to be

Look out cuz here I come and I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies this is me

I focused on Shelby.

And I know that I deserve your love

There's nothing I'm not worthy of

…

I don't remember the rest of the show, which is odd because I locked myself in my room for two weeks straight listening to 'This is Me' on repeat.

I studied and prepared for my solo and for every other song and dance move, just like I would have for glee.

I missed glee, but I sure was grateful to still have my friends from glee.

Excited, I ran to Santana, hugging her.

"Berry! I never imagined hugging you five years ago but you did amazing and you deserve it." She said laughing as she squeezed me back.

I quickly found Quinn, more reserved than I remembered.

"Great job Rachel. I really admire your work. I always have." She said beaming.

I found myself hugging her. She hesitated before hugging me back.

When I looked up, there he was standing awkwardly.

"Finn." I said before he unexpectedly kissed me.

"Rachel, I was so proud watching you up there. I know our friendship has been weird but.." I cut him off, my lips crashing onto his.

Somewhere in the background I heard a little girl clap and giggle.

Blushing, we broke a part and there they were: Shelby and her God daughter, Quinn's daughter.

"Rachel you were amazing. I'm so proud of you." Shelby praised squeezing me.

"I did it thinking about how you would do it if the roles were reversed. I wanted to make you proud." I admitted.

She let me go, pushing my hair behind my ears.

"You've always made me proud." She promised, before hugging me one more time.

I guess Santana prepared for the awkward silence because she was not having it.

Quinn was looking at the ground and Finn was rocking back and forth with his hands in his pockets.

"Rachel, Finn, this is Beth." Santana said.

I got on my knee.

"Hi Beth. Do you know who I am?"

She nodded and smiled.

"You're her real daughter." Beth beamed. My heart jumped out of my chest. I nodded before hugging her.

"Finn, my mommy talked about you." Beth admitted.

Quinn folded her arms and looked down.

"She said you are friends." Finn smiled at Beth then at Quinn before kneeling and giving her a hug.

He hugged her longer than I did, but I knew he needed it. He needed her.