A/N: My finals are over, and I'm pretty sure my muse is as relieved as I am. I have summer classes, but I hope to still be able to write a lot as well. I guess all I can do is wait and see.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy part three of New York Adventures!
Disclaimer: Holly and Dominic are mine, the other characters are not.
"You did what?!"
Across the table, Holly blinked at her cousin in mock-surprise as she heard her reaction to the news that the recordings of her performances had been shown to her ex-boyfriend.
"Don't be such a drama queen, cousin," Holly told her. "You're both too stubborn for your own good, so I'm just helping push you two in the right direction."
"If Jesse and I are truly meant to be, we'll find each other again in our own time," Rachel responded, crossing her arms over her chest while leveling a glare at her cousin.
"Rachel," Shelby said calmly. "While I don't agree with Holly's methods, I do think it's time you and Jesse at least talked. No one is going to force you two to be together if you don't want to be."
Rachel sighed and uncrossed her arms as she nodded, acknowledging that her mother was right.
"What did he think of the performances?" she asked her cousin.
"He seemed to like your first song better, but I think that was for a different reason other than the performance being really good. He said the second one would be better for your class performance," Holly answered. "Personally, I liked the second one better, too."
"Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking, too," Rachel agreed. "Do you know if Jesse will be home this afternoon?"
"I can ask him…or Dominic if you want to surprise Jesse."
"Why don't you tell Jesse that I want to see the apartment…and then Rachel will decide to come with us at the last minute," Shelby suggested.
Holly grinned at her aunt as she took out her phone.
"You're the best, Aunt Shelby."
"I guess I can tell my dads that my scheming and penchant for grand ideas comes from my Corcoran genes," Rachel said with a laugh.
"Oh, it definitely does," Holly agreed. "That may actually be a Costa trait, to be completely accurate, though."
"Costa?"
"My mother's maiden name," Shelby explained.
"Oh."
"I have a whole album at home of pictures of people from the Corcoran side of our family, if you'd like to look at it sometime," Holly offered.
"I'd like that."
"Did Dominic respond yet?" Shelby asked her niece.
"Yes. He said he knows I'm up to something, but he'll humor me," Holly responded.
"It sounds like he knows you very well," Rachel observed.
"He does. We've only been together for about a year, but he already knows a lot about me. It's kind of nice to have someone around who almost knows you better than you know yourself."
"How does he feel about your scheming?"
"He usually just shakes his head and tries to make sure I don't go overboard. He's kind of the opposite of me, very calm and not very dramatic. He affectionately calls me drama queen."
"Well, you come by it naturally," Rachel told her as they shared a smile.
"That's very true."
"What time did Holly say she and Shelby would be here?" Jesse asked his friend as he walked into the living room.
"They should be here shortly," Dominic responded.
"I'm still a little fuzzy on why Shelby wants to see this place."
"Holly is Shelby's niece…and Holly's mom probably asked Shelby to keep an eye on things."
"That's true," Jesse conceded, but was stopped from saying anything else by the sound of the door being unlocked.
"Jesse, I have a surprise for you," Holly called as she walked in, Shelby and Rachel not far behind her.
"I don't know if I should be thankful or scared," Jesse called back as he waited for Holly to make her appearance in the living room.
"I'd go with thankful if I were you," Dominic advised.
Jesse turned his attention from his friend to the spot where Holly stood with Shelby and someone he hadn't expected to see again so soon.
"Rachel?" Jesse asked, unsure if he was hallucinating or not.
"Hello, Jesse," Rachel greeted with a small smile. "I was hoping we could talk. When Holly said Shelby was stopping by to see the apartment, I thought I would tag along so I could see you."
"Uh, sure. We could go outside and sit on the balcony, since it's still nice outside?"
"Okay."
"So, what made you decide you wanted to see me again?" Jesse wondered as he and Rachel settled outside on the balcony.
"I've had a lot of time to think about things during the last few months. I could never stop thinking about you; you were always in the back of my mind. I realized that I owe you an apology, at the very least. We both made mistakes, but you apologized for yours and I didn't. Call it some weird twist of fate, but also watching Kurt and Blaine together. They way they just understand one another, the way they can communicate with just a look. It made me realize that I had that once…with you."
"I remember. I know we were only together for a short time, but I want you to know that everything was real. Shelby was the one who wanted me to befriend you, and I can't say that I blame her for wanting to get to know you."
"What made you decide you wanted more than friendship?" Rachel wondered.
"Singing with you," Jesse answered. "I had heard you sing before, but when we sang Hello that day, it was like magic."
"I never had to hold myself back when we sang together, it was a nice change."
"You deserved a much better male lead than Hudson. Your team only won Nationals because of your solo."
"Your team's performance made me up my game…that and I knew Dean Tibideaux was in the audience, or at least I'd hoped she would be. They didn't fire you, did they?"
"Who? Carmel? No. They asked me back, but I said no. I wanted to go to New York, pursue my Broadway dream. I had some money saved up so I didn't have to ask my parents for anything."
"So how did you end up living with my cousin?"
"Dominic and I were in Vocal Adrenaline together and we kept in touch. He and Holly wanted to move in together, but couldn't find a place they could afford on their own. At least not one that wasn't so far it wouldn't make the savings worth it. They had found a two bedroom they could afford if they found a roommate, though. I had no idea that Dominic's Holly and Shelby's niece was the same person until I met her."
"I never knew she existed until a couple of weeks ago," Rachel said sadly.
"You two seem to have bonded pretty quickly," Jesse told her.
"I like to think we have. She's fun to be around."
"She does keep things interesting, plus she makes Dominic happy. I can't dislike my friend being happy."
"He wasn't a part of the egging, was he?"
"No. He refused to be a part of it. I wish I had had the courage to say the same thing."
"You were eighteen, Jesse. You thought your scholarship was on the line and you gave into what I now know was an incredible amount of peer pressure. Thinking I still wanted Finn or Noah probably didn't help, either."
"It didn't."
"I'm sorry, Jesse. For so many things."
"I know….and for the record….I heard what Hudson did to you. That was cruel and I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"As much pain as it caused, I realized that it was nothing compared to the pain of losing you, of watching you walk out of my life. Yes, I was hurt by what Finn did, and no, I don't think I'll ever forgive him for it, but he saved me from making a big mistake. If we had gotten married, I'm honestly not sure I would be here right now. I might still be stuck in Lima."
"You've always been destined for great things, Rachel. You need someone by your side that will support you, not someone who's going to tear you down because that's the only way he can feel good about himself."
"I agree."
"Well, someone had a good day," Kurt teased when Rachel walked into their apartment later that night. "This is the most I've seen you smile in a long time."
"Shut up," Rachel retorted good-naturedly.
"Did you talk to Jesse?" Blaine inquired.
"We talked for a while, actually."
"A good talk or a bad talk?"
"Good, I think. At least I think it went well. He said he'd call and we could maybe go out for coffee or something."
"You want more than that, though, don't you?" Kurt guessed.
Rachel sighed as she took a seat between the two boys.
"I know it isn't wise to rush into anything with Jesse, but I can't help it. He's…magnetic. I've always been drawn to him and I was foolish to try and fight that connection. He and I have barely talked in the last couple of years, and yet he still understands me better than Finn ever did."
"Jesse always gave you his complete attention," Kurt remembered. "Every time you talked, all of his attention was on you. You two were also always touching, too-holding hands or arms around each other. I have to admit it was kind of cute, actually."
"Do you still have feelings for him, Rachel?" Blaine wondered.
"Yes, of course, I do. From what Holly has told me, he seems to feel the same."
"You didn't ask him?" Kurt demanded.
"I didn't think it was appropriate, considering we just reunited with each other. I have a feeling he knows, though. He always does."
"Well, I hope things work out for you two this time around," Blaine told her.
"How do you feel about it, Kurt?" Rachel wondered.
"If he makes you happy, then I'm happy…and I've seen firsthand that he does make you happy. You also push each other to be better-both professionally and personally."
"Are we still more annoying together than we are separately?" Rachel asked with a laugh.
"Definitely," Kurt agreed, "but I'm willing to tolerate it if you're happy. We're friends now, Rachel. I'm pretty sure I could learn to like Jesse. It's not like he was cruel to me and I have to find a way to get over that. He left Carmel, the best performing arts high school in Ohio, to openly be with you. It must be love."
"He did say that Shelby wasn't thrilled with his decision to transfer, but she went along with it because he convinced her that it would help accomplish her goal faster."
"Does Shelby support you and Jesse being together?"
"She does, actually. I'm pretty sure Holly is playing matchmaker, too. She showed those videos to Jesse."
Kurt and Blaine exchanged a look before they both burst into laughter.
"You actually thought she was taking those videos solely for comparison purposes?" Kurt managed to get out.
"Looking back on it, no, but at the time, I wasn't sure. I figured she was up to something, but I didn't know that would be showing those videos to Jesse."
"You weren't actually mad at her for it, were you?" Blaine questioned.
"No, I know she meant well. Plus, she's family….family I'd like to learn more about."
"Whatever you decide, about Jesse, about getting to know Shelby's side of the family, we'll be here for you," Kurt promised before he hugged her.
Rachel smiled as she hugged first Kurt, then Blaine.
"Thank you, both of you. For everything. I think I'm going to go call my dads and then go to bed."
"You wouldn't happen to know if they're sending another care package anytime soon, would you?" Kurt wondered as Rachel stood.
"I can ask," Rachel responded. "If not, I'll convince them to."
"Why are you still out here?" Holly questioned as she stepped out onto the patio Jesse still occupied. "It's getting cold."
"Just thinking," Jesse replied.
"Well, think inside. Rachel will kill me if anything happens to you, and if you're sick, you can't audition."
"You're starting to sound like Shelby."
Holly smiled a little as she shrugged.
"I know things still aren't great between you and my aunt, but thank you for letting her stop by to see the place. My mother refuses to take my word for it that things are fine here."
Jesse chuckled as he nodded.
"I figured as much, but you're welcome. Also, I don't know what you did to convince Rachel to hear me out, but thank you."
"I didn't do anything," Holly insisted. "Except for mention that we're roommates. Everything else was all Rachel. I still can't believe I lived literally across town from Dominic and just a couple of hours away from Rachel, and yet I never met either of them before moving here."
"Life is funny that way, I guess."
"For the record, I hope things work out between you and my cousin…and not just because she'd be around more that way. You two make each other happy…and you've both had enough bad things happen to you, had enough things, or stupid jocks, stand in the way of you two being together. You should get your chance at being happy, too."
"Thanks," Jesse told her with a smile.
"Dominic made hot chocolate if you want some," Holly offered, changing the subject.
"That does sound good," Jesse agreed as he stood, "and you can tell Rachel that I'm back inside now, so I won't catch my death out here in the cold."
Holly gaped at him as he walked past her, chuckling as he walked back into the apartment.
"But….how?" was all she could manage, shutting the patio door behind her as she followed Jesse inside.
"I know you, and I know Rachel. Besides, if you hadn't convinced me to come inside, I'm sure I would have gotten a phone call from Shelby in a little while demanding I go inside and go to bed."
"She cares about you," Holly reminded him.
Jesse sighed as he poured himself a cup of the hot chocolate Dominic had made.
"I know. She's the closest thing I ever had to a mother; she was my mentor, the person I looked up to most. The sad thing is, she probably cares about me more than my own mother ever did or will."
"So don't throw that away," Holly advised. "I know you two have a complicated history, and I'm a little biased because she's my aunt, but she and Rachel have been really trying to make amends. I think it would mean a lot to both of them if you attempted to do the same."
"I'll think about it," Jesse agreed.
"That's all I ask," Holly told him with a smile. "Goodnight, Jesse."
"'Night, Holly," Jesse responded before taking his phone out and sending a short text to Shelby.
I'm back inside now, so you can stop worrying that I will catch my death.
The next morning, Rachel awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. Without looking to see who was calling, she answered the call.
"Do you know what time it is?" she demanded of the still mysterious caller.
Once her still-sleepy brain recognized the masculine chuckle that sounded at the other end of the line, her eyes flew open.
"I thought you were an early bird, Rach?" Jesse teased.
"I was up late talking to my dads…and I don't have class today, it's Sunday. I was planning on sleeping in. Why are you awake this early?"
"I was going to go for a run, figured I would invite you along, since you mentioned you didn't bring your elliptical with you to New York."
"I suppose you're outside my building, aren't you?"
"Considering I don't know where you live, no, I'm not. I could meet you there, though, if you give me your address. That will give you time to get ready."
"Who said I was agreeing to this?"
Jesse laughed again as he answered Rachel's question.
"Because you can't turn down the opportunity to spend time with me," he responded confidently.
"You owe me for this, I hope you know that."
"I figured as much. Breakfast is on me."
"Ugh, fine," Rachel agreed before giving Jesse her address.
"Is Rachel still sleeping?" Kurt asked his boyfriend as he walked into the kitchen later that morning.
"She's with Jesse," Blaine answered, holding out the short note Rachel had written them.
"Good, then we'll have the place to ourselves for a while."
"The note says they'll be back after their run. Jesse promised Rachel breakfast and she wanted to shower and change beforehand."
"They'll end up spending the day together," Kurt told him. "That's how they always were."
"You seem to have changed your tune awfully quickly," Blaine observed.
"Like I told Rachel, I just want her to be happy. Jesse makes her happy. He'll treat her right this time around. He's always adored her."
"I'm interested to see them together."
"I doubt you'll have to wait long. Rachel just texted me to let me know they're on their way up."
Knowing both Rachel and Jesse separately, Blaine was very interested in seeing them together. Kurt had been correct that he wasn't going to have to wait long to do this, since they were currently on their way up to their apartment. Not long after Kurt had shared that information, Rachel and Jesse made their appearance.
The first thing he noticed was that the two weren't standing very far apart, and the second was that they both seemed completely enthralled in whatever conversation they were having. Rachel was also smiling more than he'd ever seen her do before, but especially more than she had since arriving in New York. It was nice to see.
"Do you think Holly and Dominic would like Kurt and Blaine?" Rachel inquired as she and Jesse walked to his apartment.
"I think so," Jesse responded. "Maybe we could arrange a movie night with the six of us."
"Can we have it at your place? It's so much nicer than mine."
Jesse chuckled as he nodded.
"As long as Holly and Dominic are okay with it, I don't see why not. Your place is nice, Rach. The three of you have made it into a home, and that's the most important thing."
Rachel beamed at him as she nodded in agreement.
"I think the only person who could be a better roommate than those two would be you," she blurted out before she could stop herself.
"We'll have to test that theory someday."
Rachel nodded again, unsure what to say and feeling slightly embarrassed. Deciding that now was as good a time as ever to be honest with her, Jesse stopped walking and pulled her aside.
"I know that we just reconnected yesterday, but we've always had a strong connection. I'm tired of fighting it, Rach. I'm not saying we should rush into a relationship, but just know that I don't want anyone else. I want to make….whatever it is we have…work, for the long haul."
Rachel smiled up at him as she whispered, "Me, too."
Returning Rachel's smile, Jesse reached for her hand, his smile growing when he felt her lace their fingers together.
"Holly, I brought you a present," Jesse called as he walked into his apartment with Rachel at his side.
"I'm not fully awake yet, St. James, this better be good," Holly grumbled as she walked into the kitchen. When she noticed her cousin, her frown turned into a grin.
"You two chat, I'm going to go shower and change," Jesse said, leaning down to press a kiss to Rachel's cheek before walking out of the room.
"Please tell me you have more coffee," Rachel pleaded.
Holly laughed as she walked over to the coffee pot, which had just finished brewing. After pouring a cup for her cousin and then for herself, she took out the various creamers and sugars that they kept in the apartment, since each of them had a different way they liked their coffee.
"Thank you," Rachel said as she sipped the coffee.
Holly smiled and nodded as she mimicked her cousin's actions.
"I knew I smelled coffee, and that you wouldn't be far from it," Dominic said as he walked into the room, earning a giggle from Rachel.
"I resent that hidden accusation," Holly retorted.
"We didn't properly meet yesterday," Rachel began. "I'm Rachel Berry, Holly's cousin and Shelby's daughter."
"It's nice to meet you again, Rachel," Dominic returned with a smile. "I'm Dominic. I was in Vocal Adrenaline with Jesse."
"I know, he told me. I'm glad you two were able to keep in touch over the years."
"Me, too. Are you two going somewhere?"
"Breakfast. His treat because he woke me up this morning."
"Sounds like someone else I know," Holly mentioned with a pointed look for her boyfriend.
"Says the one who yells at me in French when English doesn't seem to be working," Dominic teased in return.
"Where did you learn French?" Rachel wondered, smiling at the couple in front of her.
"My dad. He's a French translator at the hospital in Akron," Holly told her.
"Do you speak French, too, Dominic?"
"I'm nowhere near fluent like Holly, but I've learned to keep on top of it because otherwise I won't have any idea what she's yelling at me about."
"Well, I think it's cool that you're fluent in another language. I took Spanish in high school, but that doesn't make me anywhere near fluent in it," Rachel revealed.
"I could teach you some French, if you'd like," Holly volunteered.
"Sure," Rachel agreed, smiling at her cousin.
Before any of the three could say anything else, they were interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing.
"Ugh, my mom's calling. Again. I better answer it, it was nice seeing you again, Rachel, have fun with Jesse," Holly said, grabbing her phone and answering it as she walked out of the room.
"I'm beginning to think being high-maintenance is another Corcoran trait," Rachel commented, making Dominic laugh.
"I'm pretty sure it is. I'm also pretty sure she inherited every possible dramatic or high-maintenance in the entire Corcoran family, too."
"You love her for it, though."
"It's part of what makes her who she is, and I love everything about her, so yes," Dominic agreed.
"Do you think you'll get married someday?"
"I hope so. We've looked at engagement rings, so I'm assuming that means we're on the same page with it, but we'll see. Holly mentioned that you have two dads?"
Rachel smiled and nodded.
"They're both great and I miss them terribly. They've supported me my entire life, and they're the best example of true love that I can think of."
"Holly is afraid they won't want to meet her, even though she wants to meet them."
"They're actually interested in meeting her the next time they're in New York. I'm afraid I've been talking their ears off about her. Once they do meet, I wouldn't be surprised if they start sending her care packages, too."
"It sounds like they really love you, which I think is great."
"You don't think it's weird that I have two dads?" Rachel questioned.
"I'll admit that it took some getting used to, but no. They love each other and they raised you surrounded by that love. Not everyone can say they were raised that way. Besides, my family isn't exactly normal, either."
"What do you mean?"
"My dad remarried when I was young, and I lived with him and my step-mom until I moved here. My mom was around sometimes, but not very often. My step-sister lives here in New York, too, and people get confused when I refer to her as my sister."
"My Dad isn't biologically related to me, but he's still my Dad and it doesn't make me love him any less. I understand," Rachel said with a smile.
"I'm glad," Dominic told her, returning her smile. "I should probably go check on Holly, though. Have fun with Jesse, and I hope to see you around."
"It was nice chatting with you, Dominic."
Alone with her thoughts, Rachel began to think more about what it would be like to officially be with Jesse again. Some might call her a sentimental fool, but deep down, she knew that she'd never gotten over Jesse. She was beginning to think she was never supposed to, either. For now, at least, she would enjoy his company and see where things took them.
"All of these delicious smells are making me even hungrier than I already am," Rachel commented with a laugh as she looked over her menu.
Jesse chuckled as he nodded in agreement.
"I know, it's doing the same to me," he told her.
Once she had decided what she wanted to order, she set down her menu and posed the question she had been thinking about since earlier to Jesse.
"Why did you call me this morning?" She wanted to know.
"Because I wanted to see you," Jesse answered. "I also wanted to make sure I wasn't imagining our conversation yesterday."
"I meant everything I said yesterday, Jesse. Additionally, I need you to be sure this is what you want….because if you're not, then I need you to leave right now. I won't let myself get attached to any more people who don't want me around."
Jesse reached over to take her hand in his, lacing their fingers together.
"I have wanted a real chance with you since the beginning, Rach. I'm not about to give that, or you, up."
Rachel smiled a little as she nodded.
"I used to dream about you coming back to me," she revealed. "I finally convinced myself that you were only with me because Shelby wanted you to be."
"That's not why at all," Jesse immediately responded.
"I know that now, but I didn't know that then. You never made me feel like I wasn't good enough, and then when you left, that's how I did feel. I was really confused….and of course, Finn couldn't be patient. He saw me with you and then all of the sudden he decided we should be together and in love. I fooled myself into believing that was true because I just wanted so badly to be wanted."
"I'm aware that telling you that I'm sorry doesn't make up for my past mistakes, but I really am sorry, Rach."
"I know. I am, too."
"How are things between you and Shelby?" Rachel wondered.
"They're on the mend, I think," Jesse responded. "I'm really trying, Rach. She apologized and she told me that she wouldn't stand in the way of our relationship this time, and that she supported it in fact. I also can't deny that she still knows me better than most people."
"I'd like to see you two reconcile. I think it would be good for both of you. I've had time to get used to the fact that she was more of a mother to you than she ever was to me…and while I can't say that it doesn't still hurt sometimes, I understand it. She saw something in you, Jess. She saw all of your incredible talent that just needed the right person to nurture it."
Unsure what exactly to say back to her, Jesse settled for complimenting her instead.
"You're incredibly talented, too, you know."
"I'm finally beginning to believe that again," Rachel told him with a small smile.
"I'll never let you forget. Once you're done at NYADA, we'll get starring roles on Broadway together."
"I like the sound of that."
"I should hope so. Even if we don't get starring roles together, although I'm positive we will, you deserve to be up on that stage."
"So do you," Rachel returned. "Speaking of which, how have auditions been going?"
As Jesse filled her in on the various auditions he'd been on since moving to the city, Rachel couldn't help but smile. Talking with Jesse was still as natural as ever, and best of all, she never felt like she had to curb the Broadway talk or dumb down what she was saying. It was exhilarating.
A few weeks later, as she was going through her makeshift closet trying to decide what to wear for the day, Rachel heard a knock at the door. Jesse had landed the role of Jack in the revival of Into the Woods, and she knew he was still going to be at rehearsals for a while. To say that he had been excited about it was an understatement. It was not only his favorite musical, but as Jack, he'd be able to sing his favorite song from said musical-Giants in the Sky. He'd recruited Shelby to help him with the breath-work that Carmen Tibideaux had told him had caused him trouble during his audition with her, and then had successfully landed the part.
"Rachel, you have visitors," Blaine said as he knocked on her screen.
After quickly putting on a royal blue button-down shirt and a black skirt, she walked out into the living room.
"Surprise, cousin!" Holly greeted with a smile.
"Hi," Rachel returned, hugging first her cousin and then Dominic. "What are you two doing here?"
"Well, Jesse mentioned you wanted us to meet your best friends, possibly have a movie night…so I got your address from Jesse and here we are."
"I'm sorry, I tried to keep her at our place for as long as I could," Dominic added.
"It's okay," Rachel assured him. "This way you all have plenty of time to get to know each other before we try and decide on a movie."
"See? I told you she wouldn't be mad," Holly said to her boyfriend, earning a pointed look in return.
"Holly, Dominic, these are my best friends, Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson. Kurt, Blaine, this is my cousin, Holly Evans, and her boyfriend and Jesse's friend, Dominic Edwards," Rachel introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, we've heard a lot about both of you," Blaine told them with a smile.
"Did you bring the pictures with you?" Rachel asked her cousin as Blaine and Dominic began to chat amongst themselves.
"Pictures of what?" Kurt wondered, joining their conversation.
"Juilliard's winter formal is in a couple of months, I have some dresses at my parents' house that I'm considering wearing, but I can't decide. I can't afford anything new, so I have to re-wear something I already have."
"Can I see? Maybe I can help."
"Sure," Holly responded, taking the pictures out of her purse and handing them to Kurt.
"What did you do, start without me?" Jesse teased as Rachel let him into her apartment.
"Holly and Dominic showed up earlier this afternoon. I was right, they all get along wonderfully," Rachel responded, tilting her face up for a kiss, which Jesse readily gave her.
"I told you that you had nothing to worry about."
"I know, but you know how I am. I worry."
"I know, I think it's cute."
"You would. You think I'm perfect," Rachel reminded him with a grin.
"You are perfect. Perfect for me," Jesse told her.
"Rachel made pizza, but she wouldn't let us have any until you got here," Holly said to Jesse as he and Rachel walked into the living room area.
"Your Daddy's recipe?" Jesse asked Rachel, who smiled and nodded in response.
"I emailed him last night and I called him this morning to make sure he got it."
"I'm sure he was happy just to hear from you," Jesse guessed.
"He was," Rachel confirmed. "I also skyped with them a little while ago and introduced them to Holly. They said they're looking forward to meeting her and Dominic, and to seeing you again."
"Are they planning to visit soon?"
"They're trying to work out dates and airline tickets right now. Daddy said Dad needed to confirm he'd be able to take the time off of work before they bought tickets."
"Did you say they're looking forward to seeing me again, too?"
"Yes, I did, and they are. I told them we're back together," Rachel told him. "They told me that they fully support us staying together and making this work."
Jesse smiled as he pressed a kiss to Rachel's temple.
"Good," he said, feigning like he didn't care, when Rachel knew he really did.
"If you two would stop falling all over each other in mutual adoration, could we get this movie started and eat?" Holly wondered. "I'm hungry."
"I suppose I better feed you. You get awfully cranky when you're hungry," Rachel teased as she and Jesse walked over the kitchen to get the food before they started their movie night.
Once the movie ended, Holly reluctantly began to say goodbye to her cousin.
"You know, this was all supposed to be at your place," Rachel reminded her with a laugh.
"I owe you one," Holly told her. "I like your place, though."
"Thank you."
"Don't be a stranger, cousin," Holly said as she hugged Rachel before moving so Dominic could do the same.
"Thanks for the pizza and the movie. It was fun."
"You're welcome. If you two don't mind, I think I'm going to try and convince my boyfriend to stay with me tonight."
As Holly went to grab her purse, Dominic mouthed a thank you to Rachel, who smiled and nodded before turning to find her boyfriend.
"You didn't need to help with the clean up, I know you've had a long day," Rachel said as she walked into the kitchen to find Jesse setting dishes in the dishwasher.
"It's okay. I am tired, though. I kind of wish I didn't have to walk across town to get to my place tonight."
"You could stay here," Rachel suggested. "I've hardly seen you these past few days. I've missed you."
Jesse stopped loading dishes to pull Rachel into his arms.
"I've missed you, too. Are Kurt and Blaine okay with me staying? It's their place, too, after all."
"They're fine with it. I already spoke to them about it. Please, Jess? Will you stay?"
"I might be persuaded to."
Rachel smiled as she wrapped her arms around Jesse's neck. Adopting her best puppy-dog-eyed look, she asked her question again.
"I want you to hold me, to be close to you. Please stay with me?"
"You're adorable," Jesse told her, returning her smile, "and yes, I'll stay, you know I'm not going to pass up the chance to spend time with you. I just need to text Dominic to let him know I won't be coming home tonight."
"You're all mine tonight."
"I'm always all yours."
Rachel beamed at Jesse before stealing another kiss from him and then walking back over to the living room to finish cleaning up. After sending the text to Dominic, Jesse wasn't overly surprised to see that his friend had responded with two short words.
Tell her
Later that night, after they had both completed their nightly routines, Jesse and Rachel cuddled together in her bed.
"You're beautiful," Jesse said softly as he ran his hand through Rachel's hair, earning him a soft smile from Rachel in return.
"You're quite handsome yourself," she responded.
"Thank you for hearing me out, for giving me another chance."
"There was no way I couldn't. I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too. More than I realized, I think."
"Do you still think we're meant to be?"
"Of course, we are. We're fated to be together. I guess two people as dramatic as ourselves shouldn't have expected that path to be an easy one."
Rachel giggled as she nodded in agreement.
"That's very true."
After a few more moments of silence, Jesse whispered the three words he had wanted to say to the girl lying next to him since he was eighteen.
"I love you."
"You do?" Rachel asked, not sure if she could believe her ears.
"Yes. I have since I was eighteen. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I didn't want to scare you off."
Rachel moved closer to her boyfriend before she spoke again.
"I love you, too. I want to spend forever with you, Jess."
"Forever sounds perfect," Jesse agreed before leaning over to kiss his girlfriend.
After a few more kisses and declarations of love, Rachel curled further into Jesse's arms, resting her head on his chest before closing her eyes and almost immediately falling asleep. Tightening his arms around Rachel, Jesse held her close as he joined her in dreamland. If he had anything to do with it, they would have many more nights like this in their future-sharing stories about their day before falling asleep together. In a way, she was his own dream come true, and he had no intention of letting her slip through his fingers again. She was his, and he was hers, forever.