Finn's forehead dripped with sweat in the kitchen. Today was the day he'd meet Rachel's parents, the men responsible for raising the love of his life. He felt like he was going to throw up. He'd never felt about any other girl the way he felt about Rachel and he wanted her fathers to know that. Finn had finished a vegan Italian meal of pasta and fresh bread, and left it in the kitchen to be served when they arrived while he mopped the sweat of his brow and put on a stripey button-up shirt and a pair of Levi's, worrying he'd be over-dressed or under-dressed.
The doorbell rang and he wrung his hands together before opening it to three smiling faces.
"Hello, Mr. Berrys," Finn greeted, his eyes swivelling between the two men, one petite and one tall and lanky, "Nice to meet you."
Finn stepped aside and let the small family in.
"Please, Finn, you can call them Hiram and LeRoy," Rachel smirked as Finn helped her take off her yellow peacoat.
LeRoy removed his scarf, eyeing the place and Hiram stepped forward, giving Finn a firm handshake.
"Mr. and Mr. Berry is fine, actually," he said gruffly.
Finn gulped as LeRoy sniffed the aroma of garlic and spices in the air. They didn't seem to care for him much at first sight. He led them into the small dining room and served up four plates of spaghetti and bread slices with oil for dipping, and attempted to give Rachel's dads the crooked smirk that made her melt so much.
"So, Finn, Rachel tells us you own a recording studio?" LeRoy raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I do," Finn nodded, "I manage the studio but I work for a label and they usually assign the clients. But we're hoping that they see as much in Rachel as I do. Then she can be our new client."
Hiram and LeRoy exchanged a glance. "That's very nice, Finn, but I wouldn't get her hopes up."
"He's not, Daddy," Rachel sighed, staring at her dinner plate, "Finn wouldn't do that."
"I wouldn't, sir," Finn shook his head, "I would never do anything to hurt Rachel. I'm doing this because I believe in her."
"Well, good," nodded Hiram, "Rachel's special and she deserves to be treated that way. Someone with that much faith in her should be good for her. Better than her last boyfriend, anyways."
Rachel tensed and Finn knew they were talking about Brody. He put a calming hand on her leg under the table and felt her ease up. After dinner, Finn cleared up their plates and brought out some store-bought vegan cheesecake.
"Have you got Finn onto your New Age rabbit food diet, Rachel?" Hiram teased.
Finn looked up from cutting the cheesecake, embarrassed. "Oh, no, I just assumed that you were both vegan, too."
Mr. and Mr. Berry laughed. "Far from it," said LeRoy, "We have a Fourth of July barbecue every year complete with ribs and buffalo wings."
"Rachel has to remind us every year to get veggie burger patties," laughed Hiram.
"Our little star's just more eco-conscious than we are," LeRoy shrugged with a fond smile.
"Well, in that case, Mr. and Mr. Berry," Finn smiled, "Maybe I could take you guys out to my favorite steakhouse here in New York. They're famous for their food."
"That sounds wonderful, Finn. And please, call us LeRoy and Hiram."
Finn couldn't contain a smile and Rachel encouragingly squeezed his hand. The three men talked about food and sports while Rachel smiled to herself, ecstatic that her boyfriend and her parents were getting along. She insisted on clearing away the dishes despite Finn's protests. After they had cleared away everything and Rachel's dads had left for their hotel, Rachel fell into Finn's lap on the couch.
"You were great tonight," she said to him, "They loved you."
"You think so?" Finn asked eagerly.
"Yes, definitely! They've never asked another boyfriend of mine to call them by their first names. You, Finn Hudson, are a keeper."
"I hope my mommy thinks the same of you."
"Aw, you still call her your mommy?" Rachel cooed, "You're such a cutie. I hope she likes me too, and your stepdad."
"I'm sure they will. And you're gonna love Canada."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Whatever happened to your real father? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"No, it okay. My father died when I was seven. It was pretty rough on my mom and me. He was role model."
"What happened?"
"He was driving home one night in winter and the roads were icy. There was a collision with another car and my dad's truck flipped. The impact was instant, so... they say he didn't suffer."
Rachel kissed his cheek as he began to tear up.
Finn let out one single tear on his right cheek, Rachel leaned up and kissed it away "he would be really proud of you Finn"
"I love you so much Rachel and thank you for being here when I needed you"
"Of course Finn I will always be here if you need me"
"You too Rachel if you ever need me I do not care if it is 2 in the morning you can call me. We have each other's backs"
"Have I ever told you your my best friend too your always here for me and I love that your my boyfriend and best friend I love you Finn Hudson"
"I love you too Rachel Berry"
"So want to have some of that cheese cake I know you didn't have any eailer" said Finn
"Sure that sounds great"
The two spent the next few minutes feeding each other and laughing and just enjoying being around one another it was a very relaxing night.
Rachel looked at the clock "oh my it's already 11"
"Just stay here tonight babe"
"Can i?"
"Of course babe you're always welcome here"
The two walked into Finn's room Rachel felt very at home here sure it looked like a guy's room but it had that feel to it that she could see herself living here although she was probably thinking too far ahead but she could only hope.
"Here I got you this" Finn said handing Rachel one of his oversized shirts
Rachel took off her clothes and slipped it on and looked in the mirror "I think I'm going to have to keep this one I like it"
"Go ahead babe it looks cute on you"
The pair laid down Rachel across Finns chest with his hands wrapped en tangled around her "I love this just being close to you with your strong arms around me, I feel so safe"
"I love protecting you I will always keep you safe"
The two kissed for a while having no problem with the roaming hands but after a while Rachel got tired and pulled away.
"Finny will you sing to me?"
"Rachel I don't really sing" he said laughing a bit at her pouty face.
"But I will for you"
Rachel closed her eyes as Finn began to sing the lyrics from wanted because that's how he truly felt for the first time in a long time both feel asleep feeling wanted.