Wow, this story is almost done and I can't believe it. Only three chapters left after this one! Where did the story go? The views keep coming in and I really appreciate them. I wish I could thank all my reviewers personally, but I can't, but I really appreciate it. I'm really happy with how this story is coming and am already making plans for my next one.

Enjoy Chapter 21 and don't forget to review! Please feel free to suggest songs for Nationals - they'll be singing two songs they've sang before and one new one (like a "greatest hits" performance). One song will be a duet - most likely a Finchel duet.

Chapter 21: New Directions in Black

The weekend after prom, everyone was exhausted but excited. Nationals were in two short weeks. This year, they were determined to win. It was the last chance the original members had to prove themselves.
The Monday after prom, everyone was sitting in the choir room to come up with ideas for Nationals. Since it was the senior year of the original New Directions members and their last competition, the plan was to bring back two of their greatest hits and to do one new song.
As they were making plans for Nationals, Ms. Pillsbury came into the choir room. "Mr. Schuester, Ms. Corcoran, excuse me. May I see Hannah Zippert and her boyfriend in my office?"
"Of course," Mr. Schue said.
Hannah and Johnny started walking to Ms. Pillsbury's office with looks of concern on their faces. If Ms. Pillsbury was asking Johnny to come with Hannah, it couldn't be good news.
"Text me when you know what's going on," Kylie said to Hannah.
"Okay, I will," Hannah called before she and Johnny left with Ms. Pillsbury.
The room fell silent. Rachel leaned against Finn.
"Okay, everyone," Mr. Schue said, trying to ignore the tension in the room. "Anyone else have ideas for songs for Nationals?"
"What do you think is going on?" Mercedes asked.
"We'll find out in time," Ms. Corcoran said. "Right now, we need to get started on our assignments."
About half an hour into working on assignments, Kylie held up her phone. "I got a text from Hannah."
"What does it say?" Erin asked, as the group turned to Kylie.
Kylie opened her phone. "Oh no. Taylor died about an hour ago."
Everyone looked around the room at each other, no one knowing what to say.
"Okay, considering these circumstances, I'm going to let you guys go and also give you tomorrow off," Mr. Schue said. "This way, you can visit with Hannah if you would like to. When she gets back, I don't even need to tell you to give her your full support. This is going to be near impossible for her."
"But what about our setlist?" Brittany asked.
"If necessary, Ms. Corcoran and I will just write the set list," Mr. Schue said. "You guys should just go home. I know there was a death right before Nationals last year, too, but this time it's even more important that we support Hannah and her family. She's part of our group. One of our most promising new members."
Finn drove Rachel home after practice. He held her close in the living room as she cried quietly into his shoulder. He felt near tears himself, but struggled to console his girlfriend.
x
The next day after school, Finn, Rachel, Jake and Kylie drove to Hannah's house in almost complete silence. They knocked on the door when they arrived and were greeted by Johnny. He led them to the living room, where Hannah was sitting with five other kids, putting together a photo poster with photos of Taylor. Hannah stood up and came over to the foursome. "Hey," she said, giving each of them a hug.
"We're really sorry about your sister," Finn said.
"Thanks," Hannah said, starting to tear up.
"Where are your parents?" Jake asked.
"They're at the funeral home, planning the services. Thanks for coming by, though," Hannah said.
"We couldn't not," Rachel said. "Everyone at Glee is thinking about you, Hannah."
"This sucks, doesn't it?" Hannah sighed.
"Beyond. I just wish there was something we could do or say to make you feel better," Kylie said.
"How do you like our poster?" one of the other kids asked, clearly faking a smile.
"It's very nice," Finn said, looking at the poster. Taylor's name was across the top, and photos of her from babyhood to recent photos covered it. With her family, with friends, playing sports, on vacation, at school, on holidays or just other events. Not a single photo of her in the hospital.
"We didn't put any photos of her in the hospital, because we know she doesn't want us to remember her as someone who had cancer," another kid said. "She wants us to remember her like this."
"I noticed that," Finn said. He glanced at Rachel, who was now starting to tear up.
"Guys, it's getting late. How about I order a pizza?" Johnny said.
"Oh, I'm not hungry," several of the kids said.
"Well, you might be later, and your parents will probably be too tired to cook," Johnny said. "I'll have a pizza delivered."
Finn knew that their parents were probably too upset to cook, and the kids were probably too upset to think about eating. But how could they tell the kids this? The youngest looked about 7 or 8, the oldest looked slightly younger than Hannah. They were too young to have had this happen to them. It was probably the first time they had experienced death (let alone the death of a child).
"I miss my sister," Hannah suddenly said, turning to Kylie.
"We all do," Kylie said. "We all do." Finn turned to Rachel as Kylie hugged her friend. What could he say to his teammate to make her feel better? She knew more about loss now than Finn could imagine. This could happen to anyone. What would Finn do if this happened to RACHEL? He didn't even want to imagine. Now he began thinking more and more... what if it happened to Kurt? Or Sam? Or Puck? Or Blaine? Or Mike? Or Artie? Or Ally or his parents?
Would Taylor want them to sit around the house grieving? They certainly wouldn't. But it was hard to do much else.
"When are my parents going to get home?" Hannah asked her boyfriend when he came back.
"I don't know. Soon, I hope," Johnny said.
Hannah collapsed on the couch and started crying. Johnny sat on the couch and put his arm around her. Kylie sat next to her and rubbed her back. Now Finn REALLY didn't know what to do.
Then, the kitchen door unlocked. Hannah bolted of the couch and ran into the kitchen.
Hannah and her parents came into the living room. "Johnny, thanks for coming by to help," Mrs. Zippert said. "Oh, hi Kylie, Jake, Rachel, Finn. Thanks for stopping by."
"Oh, I want to do anything I can," Johnny said.
"So does everyone at Glee," Rachel said.
"Do you like the poster we made?" one of the kids said, holding up the poster.
"Yes, I do, very much," Mr. Zippert said. "I'm sure Taylor would love it, too."
"By the way, we ordered pizza for the kids, so don't send them home yet," Finn said.
"Actually, I talked to my siblings and we thought Hannah might be less lonely tonight if her cousins slept over," Mrs. Zippert said. "This is going to be really hard on her."
"I'm sure it will," Jake said. "I can't even imagine."
"How'd planning come along?" Kylie asked.
"We're making a really big service for her," Mr. Zippert said. "After all, since she won't have a graduation, wedding or baby to celebrate - this is it. We'd like the Glee club to sing."
"Of course we will," Finn said.
"I don't know how you're going to do it," Rachel said.
"It will be hard," Mr. Zippert said. "But we knew for some time that this day was coming."
"Just let us know if there's anything else we can do," Rachel said.
"Thanks for coming by. We all appreciate it and Hannah's really going to need support from Glee," Mrs. Zippert said.
Hannah came into the kitchen. "Guys, I love all of you, but could you go home? I'd just like some time with Kylie."
"Of course," Finn said. He turned to Hannah's parents. "Rachel and I will take the boys home."
"Thanks, you two," Mrs. Zippert said.
x
Three days later, the members of New Directions were gathered at the church, all dressed in black. "I know not all of you know Hannah that well, but you've got to give her as much support as you can today," Mr. Schue said.
The group took the front of the stage. Finn put his arm around Rachel as the family processed in. His heart sank when he saw Hannah struggling to walk straight. Johnny had to help her down the aisle. As the family began to process, the New Directions sang the song they had prepared.
Rachel: Every night in my dreams
I see you. I feel you.
That is how I know you go on.
Kylie: Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.
New Directions: Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Finn: Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never go till we're one
Jake: Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on
New Directions: Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
"Thank you," Hannah whispered as the New Directions headed back to their seats, as she continued to squeeze Johnny's arm.
During the speech given by Hannah's parents, Rachel squeezed Finn's hand. "When you love someone, you just want them there with you. But they can't always stick around. The past few years have taught us to appreciate every moment we have together. Don't let go of who you love. Even if it seems right at the time, they may be gone before you know it."
That's Finn for me, Rachel thought. Even if graduation is a crossroads for us, I can't let go of him. I just can't.
When the service ended, Finn and Rachel went up to see Hannah and her parents. "We're really sorry," Finn said, giving Hannah a hug.
"We are," Rachel said, hugging Hannah. "Just let us know if there's anything we can do."
"Thanks, guys," Hannah said, with tears.
As they left the church and climbed into Finn's car, they sat in the parking lot for a minute. Finn leaned down on the steering wheel, burying his face in his arms. Rachel leaned over and kissed the top of her boyfriend's head, then started running her hands through his hair.
Finn looked up at Rachel, his face streaked with tears. "This is just so hard, I don't know how I'm going to handle it when people close to me start to die," he said.
"I know," Rachel said, breaking down again. She was worried about saying goodbye to Finn when they left for college, but at least they would still get to see each other on breaks.
x
The next day, it was back to school and time to prepare for Nationals. Everyone was still recovering emotionally, but the plane for Washington was leaving in less than a week.
"Okay, everyone, time to announce our Nationals set list," Mr. Schue said. "I know this has been a difficult time for us, and Hannah, we're here for you in any way we can be. I hope Nationals and being in DC is good for us and helps us feel better."
"Thank you," Hannah said. "And thanks again to everyone for performing. It's good to know I have such good friends here."
"Our set list combines what I consider the two best songs we've done so far and one new song," Mr. Schue said. He took out his pen and wrote the songs on the white board.
Rachel looked at Finn with excitement. What a set list! This could give them the advantage at Nationals - and this year, they may have a shot at the title.

Chapter 22 preview:
Nationals
Several couples have loving moments
A proposal
ND meets someone famous