Disclaimer: If I had owned Glee or the used songs I wouldn't be still living in the Netherlands and Glee wouldn't have ended.
Thanx for your patience, the follows, Favs and reviews.
I don't know anything about the American education system or owning a private jet / yacht other than my extensive research has taught me.
English still isn't my native language but it's getting better and better mostly thanx to my reading, writing but also to my previous and current beta's.
Special thanx for my beta jenmer61977, who has some amazing stories of her own, please check them out.
Previously on Changing Directions:
A little bit later as they head down the road Santana looks out the window. "Uhm Rae, the driver missed the exit to the airport," She warns her friend.
"I know," Rachel smirks.
"What do you mean you know? Aren't we flying to our next destination?" Lexi asks.
"Nope," Rachel pops the p.
"But our luggage is on the plane. My laptop," Lexi panics.
"In the trunk of the car," the brunette reassures her twin. "Just sit back and relax."
"No way, really Chell?" Noah's eyes widen when Rachel nods grinning. "In that case I'm sure as hell gonna sit back and relax. You girls should do the same cause you're in for a treat." He smiles leaning back pulling Rachel against him.
Little over thirty minutes later the car enters the marina. The girls look confused from one another to Rachel who's cuddled up with Noah looking out the window. As the car glides closer and closer to their destination the confusion among the three older girls grows. When they come to a stop Santana can't contain herself anymore.
"Rae, I thought you said your grandfather wants us to check out a hotel. What's going on?" She asks.
"He does" the singer confirms. "He's letting me take the ship to make this a little bit of a honeymoon since we're not going on one yet and my grandfather thinks they taught me I have to work for my money long enough and that it is time I get to enjoy the luxury of our wealth." Before she could continue the driver, who brought their luggage on board came back with a tall Latino in uniform.
"Ms. Berry, good to see you, it's been a while," the man greets her.
"Actually," she wiggles her left ring finger at him. "Since the day before yesterday it's Puckerman and Mrs. Good to see you too José," The brunette corrects the man greeting him with a hug.
"Ah, the latoso finally grew some balls and asked you huh," he smirks slapping Noah on the back. "Bendiciones to the both of you."
"Muchas gracias. Girls," Rachel addresses her sister and friends. "I want you to meet José. Captain of my grandfather's yacht. José, these," she motions Lexi and Beth, "are my sisters Lexi and Beth. The blonde is Quinn and the Latina is Santana, my friends."
"Nice to meet you girls," He smiles. "Now, let me welcome you on the Solandge. We have a nice trip in view and the chef is already preparing an amazing diner. Estrella, do they know where we're going?"
"Not yet," she grins. "I was planning to surprise them. Let's get on board so we can leave."
"Rae wait," Quinn stops her. "What about Beth? I don't think Shelby will be pleased when she finds out we took her to the ocean on a yacht."
"Quinn, relax," the singer lays her hand on her friends arm. "As long as Beth stays with one of us at all time and listens she'll be perfectly safe. Noah and I have been going on boat trips with my parents and grandparents since we were as old as she is now. My grandfather called ahead to have our old life jackets ready for Beth to wear. If my mom has a problem that we took Beth on this trip she can take it up with me or my grandfather. Now come on, paradise it waiting." She grabs Quinn's hand and pulls her on board.
Once they're on open sea their dinner is served. The captain was right promising them an amazing dinner. Rachel and Noah hadn't expected anything less and after a short talk with the chef he retires to his galley telling them to give him a holler if they needed anything.
Starting up her laptop Rachel notices she had several emails from their friends with ideas for the set list among requests for footage of particular performances. Since she already had a list with all the songs she decided to use that one and just turf the votes behind them. Seeing not everybody has mailed their preferences yet she decides against discussing it with the rest.
The next morning she's awoken by her phone, again. This time it's the captain letting her know they'll be arriving at their destination soon and that breakfast is served before that. So she calls her friends and sister to let them know. They're savoring the sun until Santana lets out a squeak.
"Dios mio. Rae, are we staying at the Atlantis?" Rachel nods smiling. "And your grandfather is thinking of buying it?"
"In fact, he is buying it," she comes clean with the rest. "We've been here before on vacation and it seems that since then the service and hospitality in some departments and activities have been decreased enormously. Some of the personal are flat out rude towards the guests. It's our job to research in how much and how it can be improved."
"That's right," Santana confirms. "We were here last year on a family vacation and some of the personal were really rude, especially in some restaurants and bars and in the kids' activities. It's a good thing we have Beth with us."
Rachel grins, "In that case, yes it is."
Once they're settled in they discuss what to do first looking over the list Gabriel gave Rachel. Since it is nearing lunch time they agree on having a light lunch before exploring the resort.
Since it's been a couple of exhausting weeks they decide to make use of the catering chef provided to the room.
"What are we going to do Rae?" Lexi asks her sister while they have dinner.
"Enjoy this unexpected vacation with my husband, sisters and friends," Rachel chuckles knowing that's not what her sister meant.
"Not funny Rae. That's not what I meant and you know it," Lexi whines.
"I know, I'm sorry," Rachel apologizes. "I honestly don't know. The only thing I know for sure is that until Sunday I intent to fully enjoy this vacation with all of you. Get to know you. Since I have a doctor's appointment on Monday we'll leave Sunday night and stay in New York overnight before we fly back to Lima on Tuesday to start with my school work and rehearsals."
"How are we getting to New York?" Santana wonders. "We came here with that amazing yacht. Do we get to take it all the way to New York?" She asks, hoping they would.
Rachel shakes her head. "No. Zayde has a meeting here on Sunday afternoon to sign the papers to finalize the sale. He, or they, will fly in with my plane Sunday morning and we'll fly to the city that evening."
"What about our parents?" Lexi wants to know. "Where are you going to stay when you get back to Lima?"
"It was the plan that m- our dads' would put the house up for sale and move in with mom until everything in Columbus is finalized but after meeting you and finding out what they did I asked them to stay at our house until we move to New Jersey. Now that I think about it maybe I can ask them not to sell it so Sam's parents can rent it and I can hire his dad as our accountant and his mom as a receptionist."
"Wait, Columbus?" Lexi looks confused. "I thought you were living in New York?"
"That's right. You don't know about the changes yet." So Rachel, Santana and Quinn explain to Lexi what changed since finding out Rachel is pregnant.
"I was wondering what you were going to study at NYU," Lexi nods in understanding. "Just to see if I understand correctly you three bought a house in West Orange, New Jersey for all of you to live while attending school in New York, start a band with mom as your manager. You're buying either two houses in Columbus or a big enough piece of land to build five or six houses on for all of you to live and starting a record label/production company/nightclub to provide jobs for all your friends and some family members."
"That's the plan," Rachel confirms.
"Wow," Lexi would love to become a part of these ideas. "Have room for one more? I might be studying Design Media Arts at UCLA right now but Advertising Design at FIT New York was my first choice. I was accepted in both plus NYU and OSU on a full athletic scholarship but mom steered me into UCLA claiming mostly because of the weather since I hate the winters in New York but especially in Ohio. She actually just wanted me on the other side of the country so there was no chance of us meeting without her having a hand in it. Now that we have met I'm researching if I can transfer into FIT. I think with my studies I can be an extension to the band and the companies. You're going need people to design stationary, CD cases and inlays, merchandising and stuff."
She thinks for a moment and smiles. "If you'll let me I'd also like to join that band of yours. I can sing, dance obviously and much to mom's annoyance I play the drums."
"I would love for you to join us," Rachel looks at her friends. "But… I'm not buying that house by myself so I have to discuss this with Quinn and Santana and in the band there are two other girls."
"I don't mind if Lexi moves in with us," Quinn shrugs. "You've been apart long enough. You deserve to have your sister around but let me warn you. You're gonna be each other's pain in the ass."
"I don't mind either," Santana agrees with Quinn. "Don't worry about Britt and Tina. They'll agree with our decisions. Besides, it was our ideas so we get to decide who can join and who can't."
"If you guys agree there's only one thing left to say," Rachel turns to her sister and hugs her. "Welcome to Little Lima Lexi."
"Little Lima?" Santana frowns.
"Yes," Rachel grins. "We're creating a little bit of home in New Jersey as well as in Columbus after graduation so ever since the ideas became concrete I've been calling the group Little Lima in my head."
She begins to walk towards the master bedroom. "Now if you'll excuse me. It's been a couple of exhausting weeks and I want to reinstate my morning workouts whenever and as long as I can. That means I'll be up early so I'm going to bed."
Santana looks at the rest of them who just nod. "What exactly does your morning workout contain Rae?"
"I used to start with a thirty minute run on the elliptical then swim for an hour and top it with fifty mile bike ride. I'll have to look for an alternative for my run since I'm not allowed to use the elliptical as long as I'm pregnant and might cut the cycling at all. Why?"
"We'd like to join you on your workouts," the Latina answers for all of them. "I haven't done anything since moving to New York if we're going to give concerts and shows we have to be in shape. The next few days we can work out with the five of us and when we get back to Lima the others will have to join us. Maybe we can run on the track at McKinley and use the pool since that one is indoor and bigger than the one at your house."
"We'll have to see what's possible. I think I can convince coach Beiste to let use the track and the pool. She's let me use the pool for the last two years of high school so that won't be a problem. What about Beth though?"
"I can watch her," Lexi offers. "I've been in training for years except for a few weeks during summer. I could use the rest right now. I can teach Beth how to swim while you guys are swimming."
"That's a good idea Lex. Make sure you guys are ready to go tomorrow at 7 am. I'm going to bed, Noah are you coming?" He nods and starts to follow.
"Be quiet," Quinn yells after them.
After the workout they have breakfast at one of the locations they have to research.
"I didn't know you two could swim like that," Santana points at the newlyweds who just look at each other.
"There's a lot you don't know about us," Rachel smirks. "Until we graduated high school we've been working out together for years."
"So we've noticed. No time like the present to change that. What else have you been holding out on?"
Noah just smirks and shakes his head. "Nope, you'll just have to wait and see."
The Latina huffs but turns her attention to the other brunette. "So Lexi, tell us a little about yourself."
"There's not much to tell," Lexi replies shyly. "Grew up in New York, lived in London for six months before we moved to Akron where I went to Carmel High. I'm attending UCLA and live off campus in an apartment with my roommate, Jesse St James"
"Please tell me not another 'Berry' who's fallen for St Jackass," Santana growls.
"Nope, out and proud," Lexi lifts her chin in pride. "So is he by the way." All except Rachel nod their head in understanding.
"So Rae," Santana turns her attention to the singer. "What are the plans?"
"I have no plans other than to relax. Let everything that's happened and I've learned these weeks sink in. We all have a list what needs to be done so I suggest except for breakfast and dinner we do as we please." They all agree and after they're all done eating they go their separate ways. Santana and Lexi want to go either scuba diving or waterskiing, Noah and Quinn take Beth to participate in the Sea Squirts while Rachel just wants to relax so she installs herself at a table with her laptop.
After a few hours of shifting through the pictures they've taken the day before and emailing a few of them to Shelby, reading and answering emails from Little Lima Rachel grows tired so she retrieves to their suite to take a nap.
Two hours later she awakes feeling refreshed. She takes a shower and picks up her laptop again. She's listening to one of her favorite artists of the moment when Santana enters the suite.
"Hey," she says. "Where's Lexi? I thought you were going scuba diving with her."
"I did. We ran into Noah, Quinn and Beth by the pool. They're teaching the munchkin how to swim," the Latina clarifies. "What are you working on?" She motions towards the laptop.
"Nothing major, just going through my music library and YouTube looking for some new songs," Rachel shrugs.
"Can I see," Santana asks curiously. The brunette nods and just turns her laptop towards Santana.
"You want to do this? Really?" Santana's genuinely surprised when she sees what Rachel's been looking at. "You're a fan?"
"Oh yes," Rachel gushes. "She's amazing and a real role model with her work ethic. I've been begging Mr. Shue to do one off her songs in competition but he always shot me down. Probably because Finn couldn't pull off a big dance number."
"Yeah, you're probably right on that one," Santana smirks already forming an idea in her head. "You really think we can pull it off now?"
"I know we can," when she sees Santana's hesitation she continues. "I can see you don't believe me so I'll show you after dinner. I'll make a call, see if there's a room or stage we can use." By the time she comes back Lexi, Noah and Quinn have returned to the room. "I managed to reserve the big stage they use for concerts for my little show." She kisses Noah hello. "Hey handsome, can I talk to you for a minute?" When he nods she takes him into the bedroom.
"What the hell, Chell. What little show," he asks when the door closes behind her.
"Santana caught me looking at new music to use for concerts," he frowns confused. "Music Mr. Shue wouldn't let us perform despite my pleas because Finn couldn't pull off the dance moves. She doubts we can pull it off now," she grins when a devious smirk appears on his face. "I think the reason she's hesitant is because she doesn't know that we've been doing this since we were kids. I want to show her we can pull it off now, with this group. So, ready to let them in on our big secret?"
"Yesss," he hisses. "Let's give them the shock of their lives. You have your instrumental IPod here?" Rachel nods and stands up to get it.
"Okay," Noah starts listing a new playlist. "Let's make it a theme." She looks at the list and nods smiling. "This time I'd like to have the last line though," she nods again.
Once they are done eating they head to the concert hall. Before they enter the hall Noah sends them ahead claiming he has to use the restroom.
The former Cheerios take a seat with Lexi and Beth while Rachel takes the stage.
While she stretches she begins to explain. "Okay guys. The reason we're here is because Santana caught me looking at some music for us to perform and has doubts if we can pull it off. Since I've always been in the background with big dance performances I understand why she would think that." At that moment Noah enters the hall. "To take away those doubts I want to show you all that you don't have to worry about me. Noah, would you give me a hand here?" She asks her husband innocently.
Taking their starting positions she nods to somewhere before the music starts. They start off with 'Dance Again'¹ followed by 'On the Floor'¹, 'Get Right'¹ and ending their little concert with 'Let's get Loud'¹ and Noah smirking, saying the famous last line "You didn't know I could do that did ya?" Leaving the three older girls, especially the former McKinley students, flabbergasted.
Santana's the first one to recover from their stupor. "We didn't know you could do that no. Where the hell have you two learn to dance like that and why haven't you showed us before you could?"
Noah shrugs. "You know how it was at McKinley, didn't wanna look like I was gay because I took dance lessons."
"And I didn't want to gain more hatred from Mr. Shue and Mercedes." Rachel explains. "Mr. Shue already hated me for my vocal talent. When he found out I also was one of the best dancers he always put me in the back on the group numbers with lots of dancing except 'Toxic'² because I was one of the lead singers together with him and Britt. I did all the choreography together with Britt and Mike for every competition and let them take the credit. As for where we learned how to dance like this, we've been in dance classes with Britt and Mike since we were toddlers. First only in Lima at Lyn's dance studio, when we were around ten years old our parents all chipped in for private lessons in Ballroom dancing at Always Ballroom studio in Dayton."
"I can honestly say that I think this is the best kept secret of our McKinley years along with the fact that you two have been best friends and an on off couple for years. Not even Britt never told me about this," Santana can't believe her ex-girlfriend never told her. "I'm all for putting some JLo into our concerts. But… If we're gonna do that we need some serious help with you being pregnant with twins and dancing around like that."
"I agree," Lexi intervenes. "We could ask Cassie-"
"No," Santana interrupts smirking. "I have an aunt who's an incredible dancer and performer. She also has twins and performed while pregnant with them. I hope you don't mind but I already made the call because if the Midget is thinking of adding some JLo in our performances we can use all the help we can get. She agreed to come to Lima for a few weeks and help us out."
"Well, if your aunt has already agreed to help I'm not going to decline if she indeed performed while pregnant with twins," the short brunette accepts. "Mom might have carried us but as far as I know she never performed while she was pregnant with us. If we're going to add some heavy dance numbers, like Santana said, we're going to need help. I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"Alrighty then, all in favor of bringing my aunt in to help say ay," Soon enough they all have agreed. "By the way, that performance looked awesome. Can you two teach us those steps?" She looks at the newlyweds.
"Sure," Rae promises, "but not now. Right now I want to sleep. Tomorrow after our work out we'll add an hour of dance rehearsal, how's that sound?" The rest all nods before they head back to their suite.
The rest of the week is filled with morning work outs, dance rehearsals together with teaching Beth how to swim, investigating for Zayde and enjoying the sun and each other's company. Saturday night Rachel writes a detailed report about what needs to improved and how.
After their work out and rehearsal on Sunday morning they pack their bags getting ready to leave in the afternoon. While they're having lunch Rachel's phone rings. Looking at the caller ID she notices it's her grandmother calling.
"Well hello Bubby," she picks up the phone. "Twice in one week? Are you aiming for the Guinness book of records?"
"Ha ha, very funny, young lady," her grandmother retorts. "Now tell me, where have you planted that gorgeous butt of yours?"
"We're having lunch at Olives, but wh-?" She looks at her phone. "What the hell, she hung up on me," she looks around the table. "Can you believe it, she just hung up. That shit 's not kosher," she grumbles while she tries to call her grandmother back without any luck. So after she's send to voicemail she tries again until she hears her ringtone on her grandmothers phone come from somewhere towards the entrance. She stands up to see if she can locate the woman and when she does she waves her over.
When the older Berry reaches the table she hugs all of them hello leaving Rachel for last.
"Hello my dear," She hugs her granddaughter smiling. "When you and your sister are finished eating, your Zayde is expecting you two in boardroom II at the Royal Towers,"
When they enter the boardroom their grandfather's already seated with two empty seats on either side of him and a large stack of papers in front of those two seats and a tall man, three others on the other side of the table. The same stack of papers in front of the man in front of the middle man at the other side.
"Rachel, Lexi," their grandfather stands up to hug them both. "Welcome. Rachel, you remember our family lawyer, Mr. Bernstein?"
"Yes off course," she confirms shaking the man's hand. "Nice to see you again."
"Little Ms. Berry, you've grown so much since I last saw you," the man looks her up and down.
"It's Puckerman now, and I'll be growing a lot more the next few months," she smiles placing her hands on her stomach. "Mr. Bernstein, I want you to meet my sister, Alexis Corcoran. Although she prefers to be called Lexi."
"Yes, your grandfather mentioned something. Congratulations, on both ends," he looks at Lexi. "Nice to meet you, Lexi."
"Same here sir," Lexi replies.
"Well, let's sit down and get this party started," Gabriel suggests.
"Zayde, what's going on?" Rachel asks her grandfather.
"Shhh, sit and listen," he hushes her. "Everything will become clear in a few minutes."
They listen as the notary takes charge of the meeting, explaining why they're all here. During his explanation the girls look a few times shocked at each other and their grandfather.
"Now, if you all be so kind to sign at the places marked," the notary ends his lecture.
While the man at the other side of the table begins to sign the papers the girls both look at their grandfather with a look of 'what the hell,' on their faces.
Their grandfather nods at the papers and sings, "Just put you names on the dotted lines," and shrugs at Rachel's facial expression. "It's sometimes the only language you understand." At that they just do what's been told. After exchanging their papers and signing again the notary congratulates the girls with their buy and leaves together with the other two men.
"Zayde, what th-," Rachel begins to scold at her grandfather but he just raises his hand to silence her.
"I know you didn't want to get into the hotel business and you don't have to. It's already run by a manager who knows what he's doing, most of the time." He tells them. "I don't run my hotels either. Do what I do, sit back and get a monthly pay out the profits. First you have to hire an accountant you can trust and give them full access to the books and accounts to pay salaries."
Rachel nods, still stunned. "I know just the person. I already wanted to hire him for the band and business in Columbus."
"Okay then, talk to him as soon as you can and hire him. Do you have tenures you can use on your computer?" Rachel nods. "Good. Why don't you send him out here as soon as you talked to him so I can get him up to date? I'll stay here for a while to get things running and oversee the improvements but after you graduate and live in Columbus you'll have to come to check up on things yourself every once in a while. Now, I suggest you go back to your lovely friends, husband and little sister and fly out to New York. You do have a doctors' appointment tomorrow right?"
"Yes, I do." Rachel confirms.
"What did Zayde want?" Noah asks when they rejoin the group.
"It seems we're now the proud new owners of this resort," Rachel sigs still stunned.
"You already told us that. Why did you have to be at the signing though?" Rachel shakes her head while Quinn says the words.
"You don't understand. We," the pregnant brunette gestures between her sister and herself. "Are the proud owners of this resort."
"What?" Santana and Quinn all but yell.
"That's right," Adah answers instead. "Gabriel always hoped Rachel would to drop her Broadway dreams and take over the business one day. Because of that he was already planning to add a new hotel to our holding in her name. After her dad called us to expect her to show up we sensed something really serious must have happened, otherwise she wouldn't have run he sped up the process and placed a bid on this one. When she showed up with Lexi he altered the already drawn contracts to buy it for the both of them."
"That's right," Gabriel places his arm around his wife. "And we," he points at both their lawyer, his wife and himself, "will stay here to make sure improvements are being made and bring the accountant up to speed as soon as Rachel has talked to him and hired him." At his last statement all look at Rachel to clarify.
"I know exactly who I want to hire for this job, but I have to talk to him first because this will not be the only thing he'll be taking on as an accountant," she tells them. "Now that this is all settled can we please leave for the airport? I'm tired and would like to take a nap on the plane." By the time they arrive on Teterboro Airport there's a car waiting to bring them to the apartment.
"Uhm Rae," Santana calls for her friend hesitatingly when it doesn't seem like the car will be taking the bridge into Brooklyn. "I think we're going the wrong way, this isn't the route to the loft."
Rachel turns her head from looking out the window. "That's because we're not staying at the loft," she replies grinning mysteriously.
"What," the Latina exclaims. "Why?"
"First, there's not enough room there for all of us to sleep," Rachel explains. "And second, I got a text from Burt this morning warning me that Kurt was flying back to New York today and I'm not ready to talk to him yet."
"But all our clothes are there, and I'd like to wash what I have with me. So we're staying in a hotel again?" Santana asks.
"Nope," Rachel says popping the P. "You can do your laundry where we're staying."
Translation:
Latoso = Troublemaker
Bendiciones = best wishes; blessings; congratulations
Muchas gracias = thank you
Estrella = star
Mentioned songs:
¹ Dance Again, On the Floor, Get Right and Let's get Loud all by Jennifer Lopez
² Toxic by Brittney Spears
Reviews are highly appreciated.
Up next: a day in New York