Here's Chapter 29 :) Just want to say I wasn't sure exactly how the Nationals Competition worked. So I hope what I wrote is okay. :) Also the songs are just what came up on my iPod :) Enjoy!
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They say it's nearly a ten hour drive between Ohio and New York City. It was over nine hours since the group left Ohio. They were now in the middle of May. Rachel was due to have her baby in less then two months. They group agreed they should get a bus to New York since Rachel was so far into her pregnancy. Everyone was there except for Kurt. He got a flight to New York the day before. He would be at his NYADA audition while the group were on their way to New York.
The trip on the bus was torture. They left at ten o'clock that morning. Just three hours into the trip, Rachel started complaining that her back was starting to hurt. They had stopped a few times during the trip to get something to eat and for the students to use the bathroom. Right now Rachel was asleep on Finn's lap. When she fell asleep, Finn lifted her onto his lap so her legs could rest on the seat next to them. Her back was leaning against a pillow she had brought with her. Finn was trying to get her as comfortable as possible.
"Mr Schue, are we almost there?" Finn asked.
Mr Schue nodded. "Another ten minutes. Finn, how long has she been asleep?"
"About an hour." Finn said, looking down at his girlfriend.
"You better wake her up. It's after eight o'clock. She will have trouble going to sleep tonight." Mr Schue said.
"I never thought of that." Finn said before gently shaking Rachel's shoulder. "Rachel, wake up."
"Are we there yet? Rachel asked as she opened her eyes.
"Ten minutes away from the hotel." Finn said with a smile.
Rachel quickly got off Finn's lap and looked out the bus window with a huge smile. "We're here!"
Finn laughed. "I can't believe it has been a year since we were last here."
Rachel sighed and rested her head on Finn's shoulder. "You know, everytime I imagine our future with Ella, I always imagine the three of us living here."
"We will live here." Finn said as he kissed Rachel's cheek. "It might take some time but we will live here."
"I hope." Rachel said,
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Kurt was waiting outside the hotel for the group when they arrived. Rachel walked over to him and pulled him in for a hug.
"How did the audition go?" Rachel asked.
"I'm in!" Kurt said with a smile. "I'm officially going to NYADA!"
"No way that's amazing! Congratulations." Rachel said with a big smile. "Let's tell the others."
Rachel grabbed Kurt's hand and walked into the hotel lobby with him. They saw everyone else sitting together while Mr Schue checked them in.
"Guys, guess what!" Rachel said, getting the groups attention.
"I got into NYADA!" Kurt shouted.
The group of students screamed and ran over to congratulate him. Rachel smiled and hoped she would have her chance to get into NYADA next year.
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"This is it guys." Rachel said. "Our last time doing this together."
They group were backstage at Nationals. They had never been so nervous for a competition before.
"Guys, I know this is emotional. Our last competition together." Mr Schue said to the group, who were dressed in their black and gold costumes. "Just remember, it doesn't matter if we win or lose. The important thing is that we did this together, this is our moment. So go out there and enjoy every second of it."
"I'd like to say something." Puck said as he stepped forward. "Rachel, please don't go into labor."
"Oh shut up!" Rachel said.
Quinn laughed and playfully hit Pucks arm. The week before Nationals they told the group they were officially dating.
They heard their names being announced and it was time to go on.
Rachel sighed as she looked at her teammates. "This is it."
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Rachel and Finn were the first to sing. They stepped on stage together and sang 'Dare You To Move.' Rachel knew there will most likely be times in the future where herself and Finn will sing to their daughter together. She kept trying to forget the fact this was their last ever competition.
When they were finished the song, the group sang 'Paradise' together. The audience seemed to enjoy the performance.
When they walked off stage and most of the students got very emotional.
"That was amazing." Tina said through her tears.
"I can't believe it's over." Rachel said as Finn handed her a tissue.
"We still have the results." Mr Schue said. "You guys were amazing. No matter what the result is, your doing it together. Enjoy the moment."
"Mr Schue is right." Rachel said. "We have waited for this moment for so long. In about two hours we're going to find out if we won Nationals. Let's just enjoy every second of it."
The group nodded in agreement and pulled each other in for a group hug.
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The moment the group found out they were in the top three they couldn't believe it. Now here they were, standing on that huge stage together waiting to find out where they placed is the competition. There was a full audience watching them. Even though the room was filled with hundreds of people, there was complete silence.
The announcer stepped on stage with an envelope in his hand. "Your 2012 National Show-Choir Champions are.."
Those few seconds of silence were torture. Rachel could feel her heart pounding. She was feeling kicks and movements in her stomach all day, now there was nothing. Almost like her unborn baby knew how important this moment was.
Everything appeared to be in slow motion. They watched as the announcer held up the microphone. "..New Directions!"
The group started screaming and hugged each other. Rachel started crying so much that she nearly fell to the ground. Finn held her up and allowed her to cry into his chest.
It was a very proud moment when Mr Schue was handed the first place trophy. He turned to the group and held up the trophy. He said as he shouted "We did it!"
