A/N: hey guys, so here's the last chapter!
it kinda bounces back between present/past tense so bare with me.
btw, i understand it seems kind of rushed &i'm osrry for that, but i kinda just wanted it done.
i hope you guys are happy with it!
i'm working on the prequel so i hope you guys stay tuned for that! :D
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Chapter Thirteen
Rachel took a deep breath as they crossed the field. The sky was slightly clouded, "I'm so uncomfortable."
Daniel raised an eyebrow to her, "Ray-Bear, you love being the center of attention…"
Rachel laughed, "Not in four-inch heels, I don't."
Her heels dug into the ground and she simply couldn't wait until she stood on the portable wooden aisle that was lined with chairs and flowers. She licked her glossy lips and then bit down on her bottom one.
"Are you sure you're okay, baby?" Daniel pressed, slowing their walk as they hit the aisle and the music started.
Rachel swallowed and glanced at him before looking over all the guests who had stood up. She could see Jesse at the end standing next to the pastor and grinning at her, his hands clasped in front of him, "I'm fine- just nervous."
"You'll be great, Ray-Bear," Daniel assured; lifting his hand to rest on Rachel's and squeezed it lightly.
Rachel took in a deep breath and swallowed, stepping onto the wood with her father and walking down it slowly. Quinn was standing up at the alter with Mercedes (her two bridesmaids) and they were both grinning at her; Quinn's grin was a little tight, Rachel could tell. Finn smiled as she walked by him and Puck's mother smiled warmly at her from her spot behind Marcus.
Rachel blinked, her eyes suddenly feeling dry as she reached Jesse. Jesse smiled and took her left hand, both of them turning to the pastor who started the ceremony.
She could feel Quinn's eyes on her, basically burning into her back with the silent messages she was sending.
Rachel tried to focus on the words Pastor Bobby was saying but she couldn't. Could this be anymore ironic?
Pastor Bobby was the one who married herself and Noah. He told them that they were too young to get married but did it anyhow and the request of her fathers and the could themselves.
Now? Now he just had a smug look on his face.
What an asshole.
"I love you," Puck whispered to her as Pastor Bobby started speaking.
"I love you too," Rachel mouthed back, smiling at him.
She couldn't look at Jesse. She couldn't whisper anything to him like she could with Puck because she knows Jesse would just hush her.
And those frickin' shoes are making her feet hurt.
"… If anyone objects to this marriage-"
"Ms. Berry! Ms. Berry!"
A frantic man was yelling and Rachel looked around, trying to find the source of the interruption. She felt Jesse hold her hand tighter as he too looked around.
"Ms. Berry!" The sound was closer and Rachel looked down the aisle to see Mr. Talcum (her lawyer) rushing down, "Ms. Berry, I need to speak to you!"
Rachel dropped Jesse's hand and ignored the puzzling look he threw her, "Mr. Talcum, what are you doing here?"
The lawyer cleared his throat and looked around at all the confusing looks he was getting. He looked back to Rachel, "Ms. Berry-"
"I sent you the papers," Rachel whispered, looking over her shoulder as she took a couple steps towards him. She smiled at Jesse nervously before looking back to Mr. Talcum with a frantic look, "He signed them we're okay- what are you doing here?"
"Rachie, what's going on?" Jesse asked, straightening up slightly as he looked over to his mother who raised an eyebrow to the brunette talking to her lawyer, "We're in the middle of getting married."
"One moment," Rachel looked over her shoulder again and turned back to her lawyer, "Mr. Talcum…?"
"Ms. Berry," Mr. Talcum began, looking around and leaning forward a bit, "He signed them…" Rachel nodded and raised an eyebrow to him, "You didn't."
"Signed what?" Jesse asked, finally sick of trying to keep his temper under control, "Rachel?"
Rachel glanced over her shoulder and then looked back, "What do you mean I didn't sign the papers? I sent them to you after I got his signature."
Mr. Talcum shook his head and frowned, "You guys are still married."
"Rachel?" Jesse finally stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "What's going on?"
Rachel's stomach tightened and her forehead immediately dampened; I'm still married?
Marcus and Daniel got up from their seat and walked over to her, "What's going on, Ray-Bear?"
"I'm still married," Rachel whispered out, fully aware that Jesse was gawking at her.
"You're what?" Jesse's mouth fell open as Shelby got up from her chair and walked over, standing next to her son.
"Excuse me?" Shelby cut in as thunder rolled above, "You're what?"
"I'm married," Rachel shrugged, the shock still sinking in, "I'm still married."
"Ms. Berry, I'm very sorry," Mr. Talcum shook his head, "I have the papers here- you can sign them."
Rachel swallowed and looked back to her lawyer. Daniel squeezed her shoulder and looked at her while biting his lip, "Okay…"
"Rach- wait!" Jesse gaped at her, "I- You… you're married?"
Rachel stared at Jesse with wide eyes, "I'm married."
"And you just didn't tell me, why?" Jesse glared at her.
Rachel stammered and looked around, "I thought I signed- but I guess I didn't…"
"When were you going to tell me, Rachel?" Jesse's voice was rising as he began to grow more frustrated.
"I don't know…" Rachel shrugged again, "I came down here to get him to sign the papers and-"
"Who?" Jesse narrowed his eyes, "Who, Rachel?"
"Ms. Berry-"
"Shut up!" Jesse cut Mr. Talcum off and stared at Rachel, "Who were- are! Oh my god, who are you married to?"
"I didn't know-"
"Wait!" Shelby cut in, stepping in front of her son and glaring at Rachel, "When were you going to tell my son that you were married?" Rachel stared at Shelby with wide eyes. Shelby was very intimidating and didn't hesitate in anything, "Before or after you had a joint banking account?"
"Whoa!" Marcus stepped in front of Rachel, "You may want to lay off, Shelby."
She scoffed, "I don't think so- Rachel, answer me!"
"Shelby-" Rachel was cut off by Daniel.
"Rachel is many things but a conniving thief is not one of them!" Daniel stood beside Marcus, hiding Rachel behind them, "You may want to watch your next words, Shelby."
"Ms. Berry," Mr. Talcum whispered out, making Rachel turn around and raise an eyebrow, "If you sign these, I can sign for you to get married."
"Can I talk to Jesse first?" Rachel asked, looking over her shoulder and then back to her lawyer who shrugged, "Jesse?"
Jesse furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Rachel, his eyes filled with hurt and confusion, "Rachel, why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't know," Rachel whispered out, smiling to her fathers who stepped away, but were still in front of Shelby, "And I'm sorry for that."
"Rachel, I love you," Jesse informed, "I love you so much, but you lied to me. You lied to me about something huge!"
Rachel blinked and looked down, unsure of what to say. Her heart was breaking, but not in the same way her heart broke when she thought her and Puck's marriage was over. But now that she knew it wasn't, she had mixed feelings. This is just happening all too quickly and Jesse was looking to her for the answer she knew she had to give.
"Jesse, I-"
"Just sign the papers," Jesse whispered, looking around at all the anxious guests, "If you want to marry me and you love me, I don't care who you were married to before. We'll work through it; just sign the papers and we'll forget this ever happened."
What if Rachel didn't want to forget this ever happened?
"Jesse-"
"Does anyone have a pen?" Jesse asked, cutting off Rachel and looking around, "Mr. Talcum, you're a lawyer- you have a pen right?"
The lawyer shook his head and glanced around, "Pen?"
"Jesse, listen-"
"I have a pen," A voice sounded from beside Rachel. The brunette turned to her left and saw Quinn holding out a pen that Finn obviously had in his pocket, "Rach…"
Rachel stared at Quinn with wide eyes. Quinn sighed and handed the pen over, placing a hand on her stomach and leaning forward to speak into Rachel's ear.
"Things like this don't just happen for a reason."
Rachel pulled away and looked at her fathers and then at Jesse who had a stern look on his face. Her stomach was aching and her heart was hurting and her throat felt tight. Her head was pounding from the horrible stomach pains she was feeling and she seriously thought over Quinn's words.
They were completely true.
Things like this don't just happen; they happen for a reason. And her sending the papers without her own signature had to mean something. Her own subconscious was telling her that her marriage wasn't over; she should've taken the hint when her heart was breaking after she thought they were finally over.
Things with Puck would never be over for her.
That was more than evident a few nights ago.
"I'm not wearing UGGS," Rachel blurted out, shaking her head and staring at Jesse; another thunder-clap could be heard.
Jesse raised an eyebrow, "What?" He shook his head and pointed to the papers, "Rachel, you can wear your UGGS later- just sign the papers."
"I'm not wearing UGGS, Jesse," Rachel blinked, "That means something."
"We're in the middle of summer, what are you talking about?" Jesse narrowed his eyes in confusion and frustration, "Rachel, just sign-"
"I can't!" She shook her head, "I'm not comfortable and I haven't been for seven years and I'm sorry, Jesse- I really am!"
Jesse blinked and tilted his head slightly, "What are you saying, Rachel?"
"I can't marry you," Rachel shook her head, "You see, I gave my heart away- my whole heart and I haven't gotten it back; it's unfair to you, I know that, and I'm sorry," Rachel shrugged, her throat feeling tight as her voice shook, "I'm so sorry, but I can't marry you."
"Excuse me?" Shelby broke out, stepping past Marcus and Daniel and standing between Rachel and Jesse, "You set this thing up to just dump him in front of your entire friends? Do you have any idea how rude you're being?"
"Mom-"
"Jesse, shut your mouth!" Shelby snapped, "You are manipulative and untrustworthy and worst of all- a cheater! You better not marry my Jesse and poison him with your… your sick and twisted bitch-like behavior!"
Rachel gasped; it was like she had just been bitch-slapped by someone 25+ years older than her. She felt like a child.
"Whoa!" Marcus called out again, "It's one thing to be angry and show some emotion over the entire situation, it's another when you insult our shining star!"
"Oh," Shelby turned, her eyes narrowed and shooting death-glares, "Go watch West Side Story and pretend you're Maria!"
Rachel gasped again and before she could stop herself, she raised her fist and punched Shelby St. James right in the jaw. She stumbled back and Jesse caught her.
"Don't you dare insult my father!" Rachel glared at the woman, knowing she was insulting Marcus and Daniel's sexual orientation, "And do not bring West Side Story into this and leave it as a bad memory! Maria is one of the best characters and at least she can sing, unlike some people!" She continued to glare at Shelby, "You are rude and just- and just a down right bitch!"
Finn was the first to laugh which sent the rest of the family and friends into a small pit of laughter over hearing innocent petite Rachel swear. Marcus and Daniel gave Rachel a hug as a small rain-drop fell onto her forehead.
I'm still married, Rachel grinned and bit her lip, "Mr. Talcum, I won't need those papers."
"You sure?" The lawyer asked.
"Positive!" Rachel nodded, already halfway down the aisle.
….
Puck pulled the tarp over the newly sanded boat, making sure he weighed it down by the garage. The rain was coming down slightly, but not hard enough that he was being drenched. He ran a hand over his face and over his shaved head, wiping the sweat that he collected on his shorts.
"Bear, come on!" Puck called out to the dog who was barking at a tree, "Inside, now!"
Bear looked between the tree and Puck before going back to barking up the tree. Puck shook his head and glanced down at his watch; 4:45PM.
Rachel was married by now.
Puck's heart sank and he cleared his throat before turning around to see said girl standing there looking sheepish.
"Noah!" Rachel grinned at him.
His heart fluttered with hope but he shook his head, "What the fuck are you doing here, Rachel? Shouldn't you be at your wedding?"
"My wedding was eight years ago!" Rachel informed, biting her lip and stepping from the gravel onto the grass; she had taken off her shoes.
Puck narrowed his eyes, "What?"
"It seems we're still married," She smiled nervously and stopped walking when she was about two feet away from her husband.
"You didn't sign?" Puck shook his head slightly and tried to hide the smirk and the bigger flutter in his chest, "What was that about the 'idiot proof tabs'? 'Cause I saw them and I signed my spot."
"But you didn't want to," Rachel shook her head and ignored the little jab at her words a little more than a week ago.
"And you did," Puck stuck his chin out a little bit.
"No, not really," Rachel shook her head again, a small smile tugging at her lips, "But I guess I only saw that when I thought it was final."
Puck stared at her, "Where's Jesse?"
"Probably icing his mother on a flight back to New York."
"Icing?" Puck smirked a little, "What the fuck?"
"It seems I'm more badass than I thought," Rachel tried to hide her smile.
"You punched her?" Puck gawked, "Rachel, you-"
"She made fun of my family," Rachel explained, taking another step forward as thunder rolled, "And I'm a Puckerman, so I took care of it."
Puck tried to hide the smile forming on his lips, "You're a Puckerman?"
"I've always been a Puckerman," Rachel whispered out, smiling up at him, "I just lost sight of it for a moment."
Puck looked down and bit his lip, every ounce of him wanted to kiss her and tell her he loved her but she was leaving to go back to New York in a couple days; what would become of them then? New York tore than apart before, what's stopping it from doing it again?
"I love you," Rachel stated, "And I want to be with you for the rest of my life; I'm not going to do anything that's going to jeopardize it. Before, I just lost sight of what I truly wanted and let my dreams cloud my judgment and I'm so incredibly sorry for that, Noah," Rachel shook her head, "But I promise to prove to you that I'm going to do everything in my power so we're always together," Puck bit his lip even more and looked up at her; he could see her mind spinning as she took in his expression, "That is… if you still want to be with me?"
"Rachel-"
"Oh God!" Rachel cut him off, "I didn't even think of that! I'm being so selfish! Noah, I'm so-"
"Shut up, Rachel!" Puck cupped a hand over her mouth; she looked up with wide eyes, "I love you too."
She mumbled something against his hand and he smirked before pulling it away. Rachel's eyes were soft as she gazed at him, "You love me too?"
"I've always loved you," Puck whispered out.
Rachel let out a breath of relief before biting her lip and launching herself on Puck, "Oh, I was hoping you'd say that!"
Puck grinned as he placed his hands under Rachel's thighs that were wrapped around him. She pushed her lips on Puck's and he kissed her back, raising one hand to rest around her neck as he slipped his tongue past her lips.
"God, I love you," Puck breathed out against her lips.
"I love you too."
Rachel smiled and rested her forehead against his; this was right where she belonged.
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A/N: so there it was. what did you think about it?
did you like the story?
i'm excited to start my prequel &i promise it won't seem so rushed like these last two chapters have been.
thanks for all my faithful (&some who aren't so much) reviewers, everybody who has alerted &favourited this story. it's been such a whirlwind &thank you guys so much!
it means so much to me to get all these reviews, it's incredible!
thank you so so much! (L)