Well, here it is - the Finchel wedding chapter! I want a Finchel wedding on the show so badly. Unfortunately I don't think we're getting one anytime soon. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I REALLY enjoyed writing this story. Sadly, all that's left is the epilogue. I'll start my next story after I finish "Here's To Us." Hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to review!
Chapter 25: Finally Done Pretending
The wedding day was drawing closer and closer. In fact, the bags were packed and Finn, Rachel, Kurt and Santana would be catching a plane from New York to Toledo tomorrow to go home for the wedding. This was it. They were really getting married this time.
Finn had made some great physical progress. He, Rachel and his therapists had done run throughs and he was sure he'd be able to be on his feet all day on the wedding day. He still had his chair so he could use it if necessary, and so he could conserve energy, but he was needing it less and less.
He looked over at the clock. It was 6 in the morning. They'd have to leave for the airport soon. He patted Rachel on the back. Rachel opened her eyes and smiled at Finn.
"Ready to be Mrs. Hudson?" Finn asked Rachel.
Rachel smiled wide. "I've been ready since the day I met you!"
Finn had been ready to have Rachel as his wife for a long time, too. He gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head.
"How's your back?" Rachel asked. "And your legs? You're sure you'll be able to walk all day?"
"Not only will I walk, but I'll be ancing with you!" Finn told Rachel. He got out of the bed and then pulled Rachel out. It hurt his back a little, but he could still do it.
Finn would be spending the night before the wedding at his parents' house with the groomsmen, while Rachel, Kurt and the bridesmaids had gotten a hotel suite. After the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, they wouldn't be able to see each other until the wedding day. The current members of New Directions had agreed to perform at the wedding. Over the past few months, Finn and Rachel had fomed a bond with the new members in New Directions. Rachel had particularly bonded with Erin, Emily and Ella, and they were also going to be Rachel's bridesmaids. Through that, Finn formed a bond with Kyle, who was also going to be a groomsmen. Of course, Brittany, Santana, Mercedes, Tina and Sugar would also be bridesmaids, and Sam, Mike, Blaine, Kurt, Rory, Artie and Joe would be groomsmen, with Puck as the best man and Quinn as the maid of honor. Rachel had also asked Beth to be the flower girl.
Finn happily took Rachel's hand and led her to the living room to wait for Kurt and Santana. It was time to go.
x
Rachel stood by the mirror in Santana's bedroom, looking at her dress for the rehearsal dinner. She had picked out this dress with Kurt and Santana while in New York, and she hoped that Finn would like it. Since their suite wasn't available until after the rehearsal dinner, she was currently at Santana's parents' house. Her bridesmaids were downstairs. She wasn't feeling nervous about marrying Finn, just excited. At this time tomorrow, he'd be her husband.
Rachel heard a knock on the door. Now she began to feel nervous. She and her bridesmaids were about to leave for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner, and that's when it hit her, the wedding was coming up. She sighed and opened the door, facing Quinn and Santana.
"Are you okay?" Santana asked. "We're all waiting for you."
"Yeah, I just can't believe this is it!" Rachel said. She hugged her two closest female friends.
"I love your dress," Quinn told Rachel.
"Thanks," Rachel said. "Do you girls like the dress I picked out for the bridesmaids to wear for the rehearsal dinner?"
"We all love it," Santana said. "Let's go join the rest of the bridesmaids before the limo gets here."
Rachel followed Quinn and Santana downstairs, where Kurt, Brittany, Mercedes, Tina, Sugar, Erin, Emily and Ella were waiting.
"It's the bride!" Sugar said.
Rachel smiled to herself. "And it's my bridesmaids!" The girls sat around having snacks until the limo arrived.
x
The boys were sitting in the church hall, waiting for the girls to arrive. Finn had enjoyed his time with the boys and was looking forward to tonight, he wanted to enjoy the time with Rachel before they couldn't see each other. Soon the girls came walking in, and Rachel ran up to Finn. He would have run up to her, but he was sitting as much as he could tonight so he'd have lots of energy for walking tomorrow.
The group did a quick run through of their planned ceremony and then went into the basement for dinner. For dinner, they'd just be having pasta and salad, followed by brownies. The big dinner would be tomorrow. Finn's groomsmen congratulated him, but all that was on his mind was Rachel. When she took her seat next to him, he took her hand and smiled at her. "I can't wait to have you as my wife."
"You don't have to wait long," Rachel said.
Finn smiled and kissed Rachel on the cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too, Finn," Rachel said. "How's your food?"
Finn smiled. "It's REALLY good."
"So is mine," Rachel said. She looked at her fiance, still finding it hard to believe that tomorrow, he would be her husband. He was perfect. And he chose her. He was so sweet and so talented. He could have anyone he wanted. But he chose her.
x
After the dinner, Finn was watching a movie in the basement with Puck, Sam, Blaine, Mike, Artie, Rory, Joe and Kyle. He realized how hard it was to NOT be able to see Rachel. He felt his phone vibrate. He looked at the phone. It was Rachel. He smiled and opened his phone. How's the groom?
Missing the bride.
Awww, I miss you too, Finny! The girls and I are watching a movie.
Yeah, so are the guys and I. I can't believe it's tomorrow.
I know, right? I've been waiting for this.
We don't have to wait much longer. And that's when it hit Finn. He and Rachel were going to be married. What if he made a mistake of some sort tomorrow? What if Rachel left him at the altar?
"Finn, what's going on?" Sam asked.
"I just - I can't believe it's actually happening," Finn said. "I just hope Rachel doesn't change her mind."
"You think she's going to change her mind?" Kyle asked.
"Well..." Finn began.
"God meant for you two to be together!" Joe said.
"She loves you so much," Rory added.
"I love her too," Finn said.
"Tomorrow, she's going to be your wife," Mike said. "You shouldn't be worried."
Finn smiled to himself. For the rest of his life, Rachel would be at his side.
x
The next morning, Rachel woke up in the bridal suite. None of the bridesmaids were up yet. She went into the closet, slipping on her dress, her shoes and her veil. She was waiting for the girls to do her hair and makeup, but already in her dress, she'd never felt more beautiful.
The alarm went off and the girls and Kurt began crowding around Rachel. "You look gorgeous!" Quinn declared.
"Thanks!" Rachel said. "You girls have been the best bridemaids ever."
"You'd better put on your dresses," Rachel told the girls. "And your tux Kurt." As the girls put on their dresses, Rachel stared at the floor, fiddling with her veil. "Are you okay?" Kurt asked.
"I'm so nervous," Rachel said quietly.
"There's no need to be nervous," Kurt said. "Finn can't wait."
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Yes really!" Kurt said.
Rachel looked up at the girls who began coming in. "You all look beautiful."
"The first New Directions members to get married!" Brittany said.
"I think we all knew Finchel would be first," Tina said.
Rachel smiled at her friends. "Are you girls ready to go down to see the church?"
"If the bride is, we should get going," Erin said.
Rachel led the girls and Kurt out of the bridal suite. She felt her nerves building up as they waited for the limo. When it arrived, she got in it, realizing that there was no turning back.
x
Rachel sat in the dressing room with the bridesmaids. Kurt had gone to join the groomsmen, and the girls were having some final moments together before the wedding. The bridesmaids all had gotten updos, and Rachel had waves put in her hair. The girls each had a bouquet of flowers the color of their dresses.
Rachel heard a knock on the door. She went to it to answer and saw her biological parents standing there with Beth.
"Rachel - you look so beautiful!" Shelby said.
"Thank you - Mom," Rachel said. Finally, she felt comfortable enough to say that.
"Our daughter's getting married before we are," John said. "It means a lot to us that you wanted us at the wedding."
"Of course I want the people who gave me life at my wedding!" Rachel said, looking at Beth. "And you look so pretty in your flower girl dress!"
"Thanks, Rachel," Beth said.
"She's been talking about this nonstop," Shelby said. "We'll leave her with you girls and go take our seats. Good luck, sweetheart."
"Thanks," Rachel said, hugging her birth parents. She watched as Beth ran over to Quinn to hug her. Then, she heard another knock on the door. This time, Kurt was standing there, with Hiram, Leroy and the groomsmen.
"Finn's at the front of the church, it's time!" Kurt said.
Rachel resisted the urge to scream. She watched each of her bridemaids pair up with their partner for the procession and took the arm of each of the men who raised her. The doors opened, and the ceremony was beginning.
x
Finn stood in the front of the church. Strangely enough, he didn't feel weak at all. He watched Beth walk down the aisle with the flowers, followed by Artie and Ella, then Kyle and Emily, then Joe and Erin, then Rory and Sugar, then Mike and Tina, then Sam and Mercedes, then Blaine and Brittany, then Kurt and Santana, then Puck and Quinn... and finally, he saw Hiram and Leroy walking Rachel down the aisle. He'd never seen her looking more beautiful.
Then Rachel's dads gave her to Finn. He leaned down and whispered in Rachel's ear. "I love you."
"I love you too," Rachel whispered.
Finn could barely pay attention throughout the ceremony. He was staring at Rachel, waiting for her to become his wife. Then it was time for him to say his vows. He'd written them a while back. "Oh Rachel - I remember the first time I saw you I knew you were something special. It's not just because you're pretty and talented, though you are that. It's that you bring out the best in me and support me like no one else does. You've given me my best memories. From Don't Stop Believing, to the auditorium picnic and our first kiss, to bowling, to Somebody to Love, to No Air, to our first Sectionals, to Borderline/ Open Your Heart, to our kiss on the stairs before Regionals, to Faithfully and the journey mashup, to promising never to break up, to locker room visits, to The Only Exception, to Don't Go Breaking My Heart, to Rocky Horror, to my parents' wedding, to your first drink, to our second Regionals with your amazing original songs, to our stakeout, to Central Park and Sardi's, to Pretending, to the library, to West Side Story, to our first Christmas together, to our first wedding attempt, to our Nationals victory, it's been an amazing journey, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I love you so much, Rachel, and I can't wait to create more memories together."
Finn looked at Rachel, she had tears in her eyes. "Oh Finn - I just - I can't follow that, but I might as well say what I've prepared. You are the love of my life. Every morning I feel so lucky to be waking up next to you. Not a day goes by where you don't make me smile. You've helped me realize that it's okay to be different, and to never give up what I love. Before I met you, I thought all there was to life was Broadway. Now, even if I never make it, that won't matter, as long as I have you. Thank you for being so amazing. I love you, Finn Hudson."
Finn couldn't resist leaning in to kiss Rachel as the priest said, "Finn, do you take Rachel to be your lawful wedded wife?"
Finn smiled and nodded. "I do."
"And Rachel, do you take Finn to be your lawful wedded husband?"
Finn was so happy when Rachel said, "I do." They slipped rings on to each other's fingers as the priest said, "By the power vested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Finn pulled Rachel in to kiss her as the congregation applauded. "I love you, Rachel Hudson."
"I love you!" Rachel said.
Finn put his arm around Rachel as they processed out of the church and into the limo for the reception. When they got in the limo, Rachel screamed, "Finn, you're my husband!"
Finn smiled. "And you're my wife."
Rachel began crying. "I can't believe it. I'm so happy right now."
Finn wrapped his arms around his wife. "I've never been happier."
The limosine began driving to the hall where the reception was being held. The limo the groomsmen and bridemaids were riding in had already arrived, so the married couple were the last to get to the reception. When they arrived, Rachel grabbed Finn's arm. "Should we sit for a little first? You've done a lot of walking today."
"I feel great," Finn said. And he really did. "Maybe it's because of how amazing our lives are now, but it feels as if I was never in the accident."
Rachel smiled at Finn and took his arm as they walked into the reception hall. The crowd applauded as they walked in. Finn looked around the room and saw the groomsmen and bridesmaids sitting at the bridal party at the front. He also saw his parents sitting with Rachel's mom and dads and Beth near the bridal party, at a table with Mr. Schuester, Mrs. Schuester, Coach Beiste, Coach Sylvester and Robin. He also saw his friends who he was in the accident with, who definitely weren't in top form, but were well enough to be at the wedding. Some people who'd been in Glee briefly were there too, like Matt Rutherford and Lauren Zizes.
"Let's welcome for the first time - Mr. and Mrs. Finn Hudson!" the MC said.
Finn and Rachel stood at the front of the hall as their guests lined up to congratulate them. Finn was surprised how many people had showed up. When his mom came up to him, she whispered in his ear, "I'm so glad you married her. She's such a good girl!"
Finn smiled at his mother. "Thanks Mom."
"I'm so proud of you," Carole said. "My son - now a married man."
"I love you," Finn said.
"I love you too," Carole whispered.
When the guest finished greeting Finn and Rachel, Rachel looked at Finn. "I never would have thought you were in that accident."
Finn kissed Rachel. "Today, all the ups and downs we've been through are worth it."
They sat down for the meal before Puck and Quinn went to the podium to give their speeches. "Hi everyone," Puck said. "I'm Noah Puckerman, the best man. Finn and I have been best friends since preschool. We've known Rachel since we were little, but we really started to get to know her when we joined the Glee club our sophomore year of high school. I think one thing everyone knew in the Glee club right away was that something was going to happen between Finn and Rachel. They were always duet partners, and they did the most amazing duets. They had great chemistry and they were clearly attracted to each other. They've had many ups and downs, but through it all, they've loved each other and supported each other. We're all so happy that they are now a married couple."
Finn gave his best friend a thumbs up as Quinn took the podium to give her maid of honor speech. "Hi. I'm Quinn Fabray, the maid of honor. I first met Finn and Rachel when I transferred to McKinley for high school. I was attracted to Finn right away, but when Rachel came into our lives, it was clear she was really the one for him. I was jealous and was mean to Rachel, but when I met Puck, I realized who the perfect guy for me was. If it wasn't for Finn and Rachel, Puck and I probably wouldn't be together. Rachel, you're the best friend I've ever had, and you deserve a wonderful life with Finn."
Finn applauded as Puck and Quinn left the podium. Puck winked at Finn and then got down on one knee. "Quinn, hearing those things you said made me think that you and I, too, are meant to be. So, babe - will you marry me?"
"YES!" Quinn shouted.
Puck slid the ring on to Quinn's finger as the group began cheering. Rachel looked at Finn and said, "Another wedding's coming up!"
Finn and Rachel congratulated Puck and Quinn as they joined them at the wedding party table. After the wedding dinner was served - shrimp cocktail for the appetizer, salad for the second course, steak, roasted potatoes and asparagus for the entree and chocolate wedding cake - and the photos were taken, Finn and Rachel took the center of the floor for their first dance, with a song performed by the bridal party.
Puck: There's a calm surrender to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling world can be turned away
Quinn: An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you
Kurt: And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
Blaine: It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
Santana: And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest
Brittany: It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
Mike: There's a time for everyone if they only learn
Tina: That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn
Mercedes: There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
Sam: When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours
Sugar and Rory: And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
Joe and Erin: It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
Kyle and Emily: And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest
Artie and Ella: It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
"I'm so happy you're my wife," Finn said.
"I'm so happy you're my husband," Rachel sighed. "Everything's been perfect."
"You're perfect," Finn said. "I love you Rachel Hudson."
"I love you too," Rachel said, leaning up to kiss her husband. "So, are you ready to do that other thing?"
Finn nodded. "I'm ready!" He and Rachel had planned to do a duet at their wedding, their first duet as husband and wife. Hand in hand, they went up to the podium.
"Hi everyone, thanks for being here today," Rachel said. "As anyone who knows Finn and me knows, we love to sing duets together. So, enjoy the first duet of Mr. and Mrs. Finn Hudson!"
Finn smiled at his wife as the music began.
Finn: Staring out at the rain with a heavy heart
It's the end of the world in my mind
Then your voice pulls me back like a wake up call
Rachel: I've been looking for the answer
Somewhere
I couldn't see that it was right there
But now I know what I didn't know
Finn and Rachel: Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Finn: Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky
Rachel: It's alright, I survived, I'm alive again
Cuz of you, made it through every storm
What is life, what's the use if you're killing time
Finn: I'm so glad I found an angel
Someone
Who was there when all my hopes fell
I wanna fly, looking in your eyes
Both: Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Rachel: Because you live, boy
My world has twice as many stars in the sky
Both: Because you live, I live
Rachel: Because you live there's a reason why
I carry on when I lose the fight
I want to give what you've given me always
Finn: Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky
Rachel: Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Finn: Because you live, girl
My world has everything I need to survive
Both: Because you live, I live, I live
Finn looked into Rachel's eyes and kissed her on the stage. This time he didn't have to worry about losing points. She was his. She forever would be. They were in love and forever each other's faithfully.
"I'm so happy right now," Rachel said.
"I've never been happier," Finn said back.
Epilogue preview: Finchel on their honeymoon. Also features the beginning of the following fall, when Blaine and Brittany move to New York, and Rachel has some big news for Finn.