Chapter 21
The rain began to really pour when Carole jumped out of the car and called for them to come back. Finn pulled away from Rachel's lips smiling, he began to apologize again stumbling on his words when Rachel grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the car. They ran back quickly and carefully, and when they reached the car Carole ran to her son embracing him as tightly as she could, "Finn Christopher Hudson, don't ever do that to me again. Do you understand?"
Finn nodded as he wiped away his mothers tears.
The drive home was quiet. No one said a word. Rachel sat in the back starring out the window watching the rain fall as Finn stared at her. 'Was everything really okay' he thought? 'She hadn't said a word or even looked at him since he kissed her and she didn't let him apologize.
Rachel was confused. She loved Finn so much. And she believed that he didn't kiss Emily. But he lied.
She kindly asked Noah to drop her off at home, and when they pulled into her drive way, she looked forward at Carole lightly placing a hand on her shoulder, "I'm glad I could help. I'm sorry about all of this though. Have a good rest of the day. And please send my best to Burt." Carole nodded as she placed her hand over Rachel's as she quietly whispered thank you.
Rachel opened the door of the car, "And I'll see you boys later. Don't be late."
As she was getting out of the car, Finn grabbed her arm, "Rachel?"
She turned around, "See you tonight Finn." She slightly smiled as Finn released her arm. She gently shut the door and ran through the light drizzle to the front door of her house. Puck waited as he watched her fiddle with her keys and then proceed to unlock the door.
Rachel shut the door and found Quinn and the rest of the glee girls waiting for her in the living room. When she saw everyone she ran up to Quinn and started crying again. Puck had text Quinn that they had found Finn and that it looked like Rachel had forgiven him.
"Rachel, why are you... Because Puck said..." She was so confused.
Rachel pulled away wiping the tears and straightening herself out, "Yea we found him. But I can't stop thinking about it all. It's too much... I" She looked around at everyone who had stood up and moved closer towards her and took off running upstairs.
They all followed grabbing their bags in hand. They'd all grabbed their stuff for the party that night and were planning to help Rachel get ready just in case. Quinn knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. She peeked in and found Rachel tossing stuff out of her closet.
"What are you doing?" Quinn walked over a dress flying over her head.
A very frustrated Rachel turned around to face her, " My dress. I can't..." She took a deep breath composing herself, "I'm sorry. I'm overreacting, we have a performance and just like I've said and done before, no matter if its a heart attack or heart break the show must go on."
Quinn knew trying to figure out what was going on in that head of hers would just stir up more confusion and conflict, so she nodded towards the girls as they made their way in. "Well good, because I have your dress, and we all would really like to start getting ready! Crank up the tunes Miss Berry. We need to warm up our voices."
Rachel sighed a little as she rolled her eyes. She had a show to get ready for and that is exactly what she did.
Puck, Finn and Carole pulled into the Hudson driveway. Finn was about to get out of the car, "Oh wait. I'm not going in there. I don't want to be anywhere near that bi..."
Carole's eyes widened, she knew her son was upset, but she cut him off, "Finn! Burt had them leave. They're not here anymore."
"Really?" Finn looked over at Puck for some clarification as he nodded.
They all got of the car and quickly made their way inside. Burt was sitting at the end of the stair case, phone in hand. When they got inside he jumped up grabbing and hugging Finn. "You do know I have weak heart don't you?"
Finn's own heart sank a little, "Burt...Dad, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking and I was being selfish, and I am so sorry. I can't believe you kicked Emily and her family out. I owe you, and a thank you wont be enough."
Burt smiled a little at the sound of Finn calling him Dad, "Just don't do that to your mother again please. We love you son."
Finn smiled and turned around to see the glee guys including Kurt and Blaine standing and watching.
"Come on guys, lets get all suited up, we got a party to go to."
He clapped his hands together as they all grabbed their things. Before heading up stairs following the rest of the boys, Finn turned around to face his mother, "Mom?"
Carol turned around smiling a little, "Yes honey?"
He moved closely hugging her as tight as he could, "I'm sorry I put you through that today, never again okay. I promise."
She grabbed her son, holding him tightly, "I love you Finn. And so does Rachel. You guys just need to talk it out. Or sing it out. But I know she loves you, and you guys will be just fine."
She kissed her sons cheek before he could run away, "Thanks mom. Love you."
They all pulled into the parking lot around the same time, and as Finn jumped out still trying to tie his tie he heard Rachel's laugh. He looked up and soon enough he forgot where he was or what he had been doing. He starred at the tiny brunette who wore a simple strapless white dress that hugged her body tightly and had a slit that slightly parted right above her knees. Her hair fell super straight down her back and her bangs tucked away to the side, 'god she looks amazing' he thought.
Rachel looked up at Finn as she caught him starring, she slightly blushed and smiled as she kept walking inside arms linked with Quinn's.
Puck walked over to Finn, "Dude stop drooling over my girl."
Finn turned around ready to punch him, "Excuse me?"
Puck laughed a little, "I mean yea I know how hot Quinn looked but shes mine?"
Finn let out a deep breath catching on to the joke, "Ha. You're funny."
Puck laughed at himself, "Yea I know. Now come on lets go man."
Rachel looked over at Quinn, "do you think he liked it?"
Quinn stopped walking grabbing Rachel and twisting her body to face her. She took a good look starting from Rachel's heels up to her hair, "I think you look amazing. And I'm sure Finn does too."
Rachel smiled, "Well not as hot as you."
Quinn shrugged her shoulders and winked, "I know."
They laughed together as they made their way into one of the extra rooms at the country club. They could hear the DJ's music playing as they prepared for their first number. Mr. Shuester and Ms. Pillsburry walked in to check on them, "Thank you so much for doing this for my niece guys. I'm so excited to hear you guys and so is she, so good luck."
Mr. Shuester did a quick run over of how the set list was written and when they were supposed to go on.
They all lined up to do their first number as Finn walked over to Rachel, "Hey."
She turned around and looked up a little. "Oh hi Finn."
He leaned down and gently placed a kiss on her cheek. "You look amazing tonight Rach. I mean, wow."
She smiled, "Thank you. I'm glad you like it. And you, you look really handsome. Very nice."
Finn shrugged and gave her his half smile that made her weak in the knees. "Thanks. So I was wondering..."
Just then Mr. Shue came back in to tell them it was time.
Rachel clapped her hands together ignoring Finn's attempt to talk, "We'll talk later, its show time."
As soon as they finished their first number, the entire club house was cheering. Allison, Ms. Pillsbury's niece ran up to the stage grabbing the mic, "That was the most amazing group performance I've ever heard, thanks so much everyone. Now some more form our DJ and then a little later we'll call out New Directions again."
She turned around to face Rachel as the DJ began to play some music, "You are amazing. Oh my gosh, and you..." she said as she turned and pointed to Finn, "You are incredible. You guys are the cutest couple. I mean, if you guys are a couple..." Finn looked over at Rachel who was smiling brightly, "Yes, we're a couple."
Allison smiled jumping up and down a little, "Perfect, I mean all of you sound so good. I can't wait to hear what else you guys are going to do." Rachel nodded and began to head back down the stage to their table. Allison smiled as she began to follow to enjoy or her party. She quickly turned around stopping Finn, "I almost forgot, do you think you guys could do a love song of some sort? I'd love to dance with my boyfriend and I'm sure the DJ could play it, but I bet it sounds so much more romantic if you all sing something. Please, if it's not to much to ask of course?"
Finn smiled, this was perfect, "Yea, of course. Actually I have the perfect song. Not a problem I'll just let everyone know."
Allison smiled joyfully, "You are the best thank you. It should probably be right after we hand out the cake, so you can plan around for then."
Finn nodded as she turned around to walk away.
He walked as fast as he could towards Puck without dragging attention to himself, "Hey man."
Puck turned around as Finn dragged him away from the table.
Rachel watched from her seat, "What do you think they're talking about?"
Tina looked over towards Puck and Finn as she grabbed Mike's hand, "I dont know, but Mike will go find out. Wont you love?"
She smiled as Mike kissed her nose, "Looks like it. I'll be right back." He jumped up and ran over to where they were. The girls all watched as the boys soon all joined and made their way into the practice room.
They sat for a while enjoying some food and music. The boys finally returned and not one would say a word. They watched as everyone took turns for their performances and were really happy that Allison was enjoying it so much.
The girls made their way down the stage after they sang and Rachel grabbed Quinn pulling her towards the lobby to use the restroom. They were washing their hands when Alison came out of a stall and began to praise them again for their incredible work.
Tina was making her way to the restroom as well when she noticed a very tall familiar looking blonde walk in to the club. Her eyes widened, and before she could say anything she was joined by Santana and Brittany, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Emily took off her coat revealing a tiny black dress she had on. Clearly she had planned to still come to the event tonight. "Excuse me?"
Santana rolled her eyes, "Alright listen up home wrecker, you have 30 seconds to take your scrawny chicken legs out of this club or it's gonna get ugly."
Quinn, Allison and Rachel walked out of the restroom and Rachel's heart nearly sank when she saw Emily standing in front of the door.
She took a deep breath as she inched her way close, "What are you doing here Emily?" she continued to move closer.
Emily looked up noticing Rachel and smiled a little, "I'm here to see Finn Rachel. Look, I'm sorry about the two of you. But I can't change the way he feels. You'll just have to accept that."
Quinn was ready to take a good swing at Emily when Rachel grabbed her arm holding her back, "You need to leave. I know he didn't kiss you. I know he doesn't love you, or even like you. So I'm going to ask you once and nicely. Please leave."
The girls all continued to stare Emily down as Rachel was merely now a few inches form her.
Emily scoffed a little at Rachel's attempted threat, "Yea. Like I said you need to get over it. He doesn't love you. He told me he..."
This time Emily inched her self closer to Rachel but before she could finish Rachel clenched her fist punching Emily as hard as she could causing her to fall over. She grabbed her face as her nose began to bleed. The girls all stared smiling down at Emily, they were so proud of Rachel.
"I asked you nicely, now I'm not going to be so nice. GET THE HELL OUT!"
Finn and Puck were getting ready to sing their love song with the rest of the boys but couldn't seem to find any of the girls. They made their way into the lobby just as Finn looked up to see Rachel punching someone in the face. As she fell to the ground he recognized the long blonde hair. They both stood shocked at what they had just witnessed. They ran up to where they were, as he grabbed Rachel, "What is going on out here? Emily? What the hell are you doing here?"
Emily looked up at Finn, "Finn! I don't... she just hit me, Finn I'm bleeding, help me."
Finn didn't move as he pulled Rachel in tightly, "Emily, you're lucky you're a girl and only my girlfriend can hit you. Now get out."
He grabbed Rachel and began pulling her back towards the restroom checking her hand to see if she was okay.
Emily stood up and stumbled her way out of the building. As Santana yelled out at her in Spanish.
The entire group including Allison all circled Rachel and Finn. Rachel's eyes were getting watery as Finn examined her hand and everyone praised her. Finn noticed the tears welling up, as he grabbed her face, "Rachel baby are you okay?What's wrong are you hurt?"
Quinn ran over grabbing her hand, "Rach, whats wrong?"
Rachel laughed a little, "I'm fine. I just... that felt really good." She laughed a little as a tear rolled down her cheek. Everyone let out a sigh of relief as they laughed along with her.
Sam through his fist in the air, "That's our girl." They all started to clap and cheer some more.
She smiled at Finn turning over to see Alison still standing with them, "Oh my god Allison. I am so sorry. Oh no, how unprofessional, we've ruined your night. I am so..."
Allison shook her head grabbing Rachel's arms and interrupting her, "Rachel, its fine. If anything I am so proud of you too. I don't know who that girl is or what she did, but, I don't like her. Its fine really!"
Rachel smiled, "Oh. Okay. Well, thank you." She grabbed Allison hugging her tightly.
Just then the sound of music filling the room was beginning to fade, and that was their cue. "Its our duet." She turned to look at Finn who smiled.
"Actually Rach, Allison asked if the guys and I could do something before our duet, you girls go have a seat."
Quinn linked arms with Rachel as they made their way back to their table.
Finn stood in front of everyone as he grabbed the make, "Alright so we're gonna go ahead and a quick number to our original set list. The birthday girl has asked us to do a special song for her and her boy friend. So Allison, this if for you guys. And Rachel, this is for you too."
Allison clapped really excitedly as Kurt began to push the keys on the piano.
Wise men say only fools rush in
Oh, But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I say would it be a sin
Oh, If I can't help falling in love with you
So it goes
Some things are meant to be
The girls all smiled as Rachel placed a hand on her chest and wiped a tear away with her other. Allison grabbed her boyfriend as they made their way to the dance floor. He swung her around as more people began to join them. Finn sang to Rachel never taking his eyes off of her.
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
He walked down towards Rachel microphone in hand singing the last part to her.
Kurt played the piano a little while longer when Finn stopped singing and as everyone clapped Finn moved the mic from his mouth, "Rachel, can I kiss you?"
She smiled and nodded jumping up into his arms pressing her lips to his. She was sure that if he didn't pull away first she would never let go.