Sorry for another long wait! School's been overwhelming. I can't believe this story's almost over. I will miss it. The good news is, I've already gotten started on my next story. The last chapter of this story should be up in a few days. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to review!
Chapter 21: Nationals in New York Again
Rachel looked across the aisle on the plane to see Nick and Emma sharing a seat. Emma was resting on Nick's lap. In front of them, Ryan and Ava were sharing headphones on Ryan's iPod. She felt bad about wanting to beat the team that had given her some of her best memories, but she just wanted her kids to get the feeling of what it was like to be National champions.
Of course, in the fall, Ryan and Ava would be living in New York. It was hard to believe these kids were all going their separate ways. The senior girls were very close, as were the senior boys. And fourteen seniors was a big class to say goodbye to.
The plane landed in New York, and the group caught a bus from the airport to the hotel. It was the first time lots of the kids in the group had been to New York, and Rachel could relate to their excitement when she heard them ooing and ahing over the sights of New York on the way to the hotel. When they arrived at the hotel and checked in, Rachel leaned and whispered to Finn, "You know there's no way they're going to observe curfew rules. They're in New York."
"True," Finn said, before calling Sarah and her friend Kailey over to give them their room key. They'd agreed to let Sarah bring a friend along, so she'd have someone to hang out with.
"Circle up, everyone," Finn called to the students as they came over. "I'm going to give you your room keys and go over a few ground rules. In Room 811 Emma and Ava, in Room 812 Lizzie, Meg and Lexie, in Room 813 Laura and Izzy, in Room 814 Audrey and Grace, in Room 815 Allison and Michelle, in Room 816 Caroline and Stephanie, in Room 817 Ryan and Nick, in Room 818 Ben and Evan, in Room 819 Ricky, Jeremy and Connor, in Room 820 Jack and Kyle, in Room 821 Gabe and Andrew and in Room 822 Tyler and Noah. Rachel and I are in Room 823 with Grant and Zoe. We're rehearsing every day from 9 to 12 and 1 to 4. Other than that you're on your own, but be responsible. Don't go anywhere alone. Have your phones with you. And please, no funny business." Rachel noticed Finn eyeing Ryan and Emma.
"We'll follow the rules, don't you worry," Ryan said to his parents as he took his room key. As the students walked off, Grant looked up at Finn and Rachel. "You know Ryan and Emma will go into Nick and Ava's rooms."
"You're a smart kid, Grant," Finn said. "I think so, too."
"When can I bring a friend to Nationals?" Grant asked.
Rachel looked at Finn. Before she knew it, Grant would be on his way to high school, too.
"You're not big like Ryan and Emma, but you're still big," Zoe said to Grant.
"Don't worry, your cousins are going to be here for you guys to play with," Rachel told her two youngest kids.
"Yay!" Zoe said.
x
Emma and Ava sat in their room, unpacking their things. As Emma was unpacking, she felt her phone vibrate. She looked at it and saw that it was Nick. "Dinner at Sardi's tonight?"
Emma smiled to herself and replied. "Of course!"
"Was that Nick?" Ava asked.
"Yeah," Emma said.
"Ryan and I are going to see Chicago on Broadway tonight," Ava said. "We'll think of you, since you'll be in Chicago in the fall."
"I'm excited, but I will miss you guys," Emma said. "Can you help me pick out what to wear to Sardi's?"
"That's what best friends are for!" Ava said. "But in return, you have to help me decide what to wear to Broadway."
"It's a deal," Emma said.
x
Finn and Rachel began walking into the hotel lobby. They were planning to meet up with the alumni of New Directions in the hotel's party room for a dinner.
"Hey!" Puck said, coming over to Finn and Rachel with Quinn.
"Hey!" Finn said. "You guys even got here before we did."
"Yeah, Adam's at the hotel next door with New Directions," Puck said.
"Is he excited for his first Nationals?" Rachel asked.
"Very," Quinn said. "So, Ryan's going to NYU and Emma's going to Chicago?"
Finn nodded. It was crazy to think about it. "I bet it'll be great. Two great schools and two great cities."
"And Sarah will be in the Gold Stars next year?" Quinn asked.
"That's right," Rachel said.
Kurt and Blaine arrived next, bringing both their sons with them. Brittany and Santana arrived shortly after, and Brittany immediately asked where Ryan, Emma and Sarah were. Finn and Rachel had considered bringing them, but knew that they wanted to do their own thing tonight.
Some of the Glee clubbers with younger kids brought their kids along, and Finn was relieved when Grant went off to play with George Chang and Ian Abrams. Zoe was also playing with Puck's brother Jake's two-year-old daughter Kelsey.
"It's crazy to think that it's been more than twenty years that we were all here, competing as New Directions," Sam said as the group watched their kids.
"I know, isn't it?" Tina asked. "And the New Directions are going to win again!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that!" Finn said, feeling slightly uneasy. He wanted his alma mater to do well, but he really wanted his kids to end their high school careers as champions.
"Beth told you she's coming in to New York for Nationals, right?" Quinn asked Rachel.
Rachel nodded. "Yeah, she's spending the night in Ally's dorm."
"Ally's really excited to have Ryan and Ava in New York next year," Blaine told Finn.
"Yeah, she told me," Finn said. He turned to Kurt. "Our little sister in college!"
"Did you know she has a boyfriend?" Kurt whispered to Finn.
Finn shook his head. "Since when?"
"Blaine and I saw her and a boy in Chinatown a few days ago, kissing," Kurt said.
"We'll have to ask her about it at Nationals," Finn said.
"Is Rachel visiting with any of her Broadway friends?" Mike asked Finn.
"Yeah, I know she wants to get together with her friend Harmony," Finn said.
"The one who's married to Jesse?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, but luckily Jesse's out of town," Finn said. "It'll just be Harmony and their one-year-old son."
"That's definitely a good thing," Artie said.
x
Ryan sat in the stands at the Broadway show, with Ava at his side. He had to admit, living with his mom and with Sarah had made him appreciate Broadway more than the average guy did. Ava, however, seemed to LOVE the show. She was cheering on the cast, and when they took their bows, Ava turned to Ryan and whispered, "In the fall, we can go to these all the time!"
"Living in New York with you will be amazing," Ryan whispered back. He'd had a rough time academically at the start of high school, but now he was going to New York with his amazing girlfriend to chase his dreams.
"Do you think we have a shot at Nationals?" Ava asked Ryan.
"We've sounded amazing in practice," Ryan said. "I really hope we do."
x
Emma sat in Sardi's with Nick, looking at the menu. As she read it, she wondered how well Nick's job at home paid, because this place was not cheap.
"Don't worry about the prices," Nick said to Emma. "It's on me."
"I love you," Emma said.
"I love you, too," Nick said. Emma was about to talk about how much she'd miss Nick next year, but they promised each other that they wouldn't talk about the future this week, just enjoy New York and each other.
"Look," Emma said, pointing at a cartoon on the wall. "There's my mom's idol, Barbra Streisand."
"Oh yes," Nick said. "I personally think your mom's better than Barbra Streisand though."
"Of course she is!" Emma said. "Oh, and so are we, because we're totally going to win this thing."
x
The week in New York flew by. Actually, the week ALWAYS seemed to fly by for Nationals. It was competition day, and the Gold Stars were standing backstage in their costumes. The girls had on sky blue dresses, and the boys had white shirts with blue ties and dark blue pants. Finn and Rachel had been told that they were performing first, which made them both nervous, but they weren't going to tell the kids that.
"Circle up," Finn called to the kids, who formed a circle. "You guys have been amazing this year," Finn continued. "Every song you've performed has gone above and beyond the original. Just focus on yourselves today. Don't worry about the competition."
"You're at your best when you're in bubbles," Rachel said. "Don't think about anything else."
"And just let me say," Nick said, "I was talking to everyone, and we all agree that you two have been amazing directors."
"Thank you, Nick," Finn said. "Let's do this."
Finn and Rachel went to their place in the stands. Finn felt Rachel squeezing his hand tightly. He was nervous, too.
x
"Hey," Adam said, walking up to Sarah and smiling awkwardly at her. New Directions wasn't performing for a while, so she figured he could get away with leaving his team. But still, she was wondering what was going on.
Sarah looked over at Adam. "Hey." They'd been friends since they were kids, but Sarah felt some sort of adrenaline.
"Having fun in New York this week?" Adam asked.
Sarah nodded. "This is my favorite city. I'm going to come visit Ryan and Ava all the time here next year."
"That's awesome," Adam said. "How do you think your siblings are going to do today?"
"They'll win," Sarah said confidently.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Adam said. "I think New Directions will beat them!"
"You only think that because you're in New Directions!" Sarah giggled.
"Hey, I was wondering..." Adam began. "When you come to Lima this summer, would you like to hang out, just the two of us? We could go to dinner or a movie or something."
Sarah nodded. "Yeah, that would be fun. Good luck today." Was he interested in her?
"Thanks, good luck to your siblings," Adam said, leaving. When Adam was gone, Kailey leaned over to Sarah and whispered, "He's cute."
x
Emma paced around backstage. In a few minutes, the curtain would go up and she and Nick would be performing. Nick took Emma's hand. "You okay?"
"I'm just nervous," Emma said.
"Don't be," Nick said, kissing Emma. Emma smiled up at her boyfriend as the MC announced the Gold Stars and she heard the music for the duet begin. She took a deep breath and stepped on stage with Nick.
Nick: Highway run into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round, you're on my mind
Emma: Restless hearts sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love along the wire
Both: They say that the road ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And loving a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be
Emma: Oh boy, you stand by me
Both: I'm forever yours...faithfully
Emma: Circus life under the big top world
Both: We all need the clowns to make us smile
Emma: Oh, through space and time
Nick: Through space and time
Both: Always another show
Wonderin' where I am, lost without you
And bein' a part ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
Nick: Oh girl, you stand by me!
Both: I'm forever yours...faithfully
Gold Stars: Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh...
Nick: Faithfully
Gold Stars: Oh oh oh oh
Emma: Faithfully
Gold Stars: Oh oh oh oh oh
Emma: I'm still yours
Gold Stars: Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh...
Nick: I'm still yours
Gold Stars: Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Both: I'm still yours
Faithfully
It was over. Emma's final competition duet with Nick. She gave her boyfriend a big hug and smiled wide at him. They then took their positions for the second number as the music began.
Emma: Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero
But hey, everyone you wanna be
Probably started off like me
You may say that I'm a freak show
Ava: I don't care
Emma: But hey, give it just a little time
I bet you gonna change your mind
All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take
Ryan: That's right
Emma: Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name and I'll just look away
Ryan: That's right
Gold Stars: Just go ahead and hate on me run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
Baby I don't care
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be
A loser like me A loser like me
Nick: Push me up against the locker
And hey all I do is shake it off
I'll get you back when I'm your boss
I'm not thinking about you haters
Cause hey I could be a superstar
I'll see you when you wash my car
Ava: All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take
Ryan: That's right
Ava: Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name
And I'll just look away
Ryan: That's right
Gold Stars: Just go ahead and hate on me run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
Baby I don't care
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be
A loser like me A loser like me
Girls: Hey you over there Keep the L up up in the air
Hey you over there Keep the L up cause I don't care
You can throw your sticks
And you can throw your stones I'm like a rocket just watch me go yeah
L-O-S-E-R, I can only be who I are
Gold Stars: Just go ahead and hate on me run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be a loser like me
A loser like me
A loser like me
They'd sounded amazing! The group had done both these songs before, but these were the best they'd sounded. What the seniors considered their theme song was next, and if it sounded good, Emma thought they might have this in the bag.
Emma: Give me a second, I
I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom
Getting higher than the Empire State
My lover, he is waiting for me
Just across the bar
My seat's been taken by some sunglasses
Asking 'bout a scar and
Nick: I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you're trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies
You know I'm trying hard to take it back
Ryan: So if by the time the bar closes
Ryan and Ava: And you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home
Gold Stars: Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Lizzie, Lexie, Laura, Izzy and Meg: Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Lizzie: Now know that I'm not
all that you got
I guess that I
(with Izzy: I just thought) maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
Emma: But our friends are back
So let's raise a cup
Cause I found someone to carry me home
Gold Stars: Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Meg: Woah!
Lizzie, Lexie, Laura, Izzy and Meg: Tonight
We are young (Boys: We are young)
So let's set the world on fire (Ensemble: fire)
We can burn brighter (Ensemble: brighter)
Than the sun
Ava: Carry me home tonight (Ensemble: Na na na na na na na na)
Just carry me home tonight (Ensemble: Na na na na na na na na)
Carry me home tonight (Ensemble: Na na na na na na na na)
Just carry me home tonight (Ensemble: Na na na na na na na na)
Ryan: The moon is on my side (Ava: Carry me home tonight)
I have no reason to run (Ava: Just carry me home tonight)
So will someone come and carry me home tonight
Lexie: The angels never arrived (Boys: Na na na na na na na na)
But I can hear the choir (Girls: Just carry me home tonight)
So will someone come and carry me home
Emma: Tonight
We are young
Emma and Nick: So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter
Than the sun
Laura: We are young
Laura and Izzy with Ensemble: Tonight (Meg: Yeah!)
We are young (Boys: We are young)
So let's set the world on fire (Girls: fire)
We can burn brighter (Girls: brighter)
Than the sun
Nick and Emma: So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home tonight
The crowd was on its feet, and Emma looked at Nick excitedly. This was the best the group had ever sounded.
x
A few hours later, The Gold Stars, New Directions and a team from Los Angeles were standing on stage for the top three. The team from Los Angeles was announced as finishing third, and now Rachel felt nervous. It had come down to the two teams from northern Ohio.
"And the winner of the National Show Choir Championship - from Cleveland Heights-University Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio - The Gold Stars!"
Rachel and Finn both almost started crying as the first place trophy was handed to them. They'd done it! They'd led their kids' team to victory. The students were screaming. Then, Finn nudged Rachel and pointed at Mr. Schue and the New Directions with the second place trophy. They both seemed to know what to do.
They passed the trophy to the four captains and walked over to Mr. Schue. "If we had to get beaten, I'm glad it was by your team," Mr. Schue said, hugging Finn and Rachel.
"We couldn't have done this without you," Finn said.
x
Back in Cleveland Heights, it felt like the whole town was excited. They'd made the front page of The Plain Dealer. Other students were stopping them in the hall to congratulate them. The school board was having a special meeting to give them certificates and for a performance. The four captains had talked and chosen what they thought was the perfect number. Ryan and Emma agreed that Ava and Nick should be the ones to give the speeches praising Rachel and Finn, because Finn and Rachel WERE Ryan and Emma's parents. After the school board members had spoken and given each member of the Gold Stars their certificate, Nick and Ava stood at the podium to praise Finn and Rachel.
"I've been involved with lots of sports and clubs in high school, but this was by far the best," Ava said, smiling at Ryan. Ryan smiled back at Ava. "I've also met lots of great people during my time here, but again, nothing caught up to the people I met in the Gold Stars. Finn and Rachel Hudson are the two best people you could have picked to lead this group. They pick lots of fun activities, but they've taught us endless life and social skills, that we'll carry with us for the rest of our lives."
Then Nick took the podium, and Ryan knew this could be emotional for Nick, as Finn and Rachel had been parent figures to him after he lost his real parents. "Finn, Rachel, thanks so much for everything you've done for me, for all of us," Nick said. "When my siblings and I lost our parents earlier this year, you did not hesitate to let us stay at your house. You're always here for all of us, and we couldn't have won this National title if anyone else had been leading the club. You've given us our best high school memories, and taught us how to be men and women. So, we've put together a little number for you. We love you!"
The rest of the group went to the center of the room as the music began.
Nick: I've paid my dues
Time after time
Ryan: I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
Ava: And bad mistakes
I've made a few
Emma: I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through
(Gold Stars: And we mean to go on and on and on and on)
Nick: We are the champions my friends
Emma: And we'll keep on fightin' till the end
Gold Stars: We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
Nick: Of the world
Laura: I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
Lizzie: You brought me fame and fortune and everything that
goes with it
I thank you all
Izzy: But it's been no bed of roses
Lexie: No pleasure cruise
Meg: I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
Lexie: And I ain't gonna lose
Gold Stars: And we mean to go on and on and on and on
Nick: We are the champions my friends
Emma: And we'll keep on fighting till the end
Gold Stars: We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'cause we are the champions
Nick and Emma: Of the world
Ryan and Nick: We are the champions my friends
Emma and Ava: And we'll keep on fighting till the end
Gold Stars: We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions.
Of the world!
We are the champions of the world
The crowd at the school board meeting applauded as Finn and Rachel came up to hug each of the kids. What Nick and Ava had said was true. These kids would be carrying the feeling they'd gotten from winning the title with them for the rest of their lives.
Competition Songs: "Faithfully" by Journey (performed by Nick Dougherty and Emma Hudson), "Loser Like Me" by New Directions (performed by Emma Hudson, Nick Dougherty, Ryan Hudson, Ava Crispin and the Gold Stars) and "We are Young" by fun. (performed by the Gold Stars with solos by seniors)
Victory song: "We Are The Champions" by Queen (performed by the Gold Stars)
Chapter 22: Emma, Nick, Ryan and Ava graduate from CH-UH High School. Nick and Emma decide what to do as a couple next year. Seniors in the Gold Stars pick songs to say goodbye. Moments for the Hudson family.