NOTE: I just wanted to write a special chapter in remembering Cory Monteith and Finn Hudson. I wanted to tie it into this story. R.I.P. Cory - We all miss you. We will never forget your portrayal of Finn Hudson. A reluctant leader who pulled everyone together when he needed to the most.
LEST WE FORGET.
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CHAPTER 36 - A TRIBUTE
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Everyone was in the Choir room, including Artie, who was being comforted by Kitty. Michael was also there waiting. Then in came Will, Puck and Mike.
"Listen up everyone," said Will "Before we continue, Puck and Mike have something that they want to share with everyone. Gentlemen."
Mike looked at Puck "I'll go first."
"Okay," replied Puck
Mike looked at everyone in front of him.
"I am sincerely sorry for what happened 10 years ago, with Raven, I am sorry that it affected a lot of you partnership wise, and I hope that one day you can all learn to forgive me."
Mike looked down, Finn got up, and walked over over to him.
"I have Rachel back in my life, now, which I am so grateful for. I forgive you."
Finn held out his hand, and Mike took it, they shook hands.
"That means so much," said Mike with tears rolling down his face
Finn stood beside Mike, as Puck stepped forward.
"I'm sorry that the last few days my anger has caused so much stress and issues. I'm sorry things have been very tense. I know we need to start focusing on the Worlds, and well we don't need my constant anger, interrupting that. I can't forgive Mike yet, but I can accept his apology. I promise also to work very hard on getting counseling. So yeah. That's that."
Finn walked in front of Puck
"With our help you will also be fine."
"Thanks Dude."
Finn and Puck fist pumped. Rachel was the next one up to give Mike and Puck a hug before everyone else gave them a massive group hug.
Michael look on knowing that was indeed Will's work. No wonder Will was revered with the New Directions.
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"Okay," said Will "Now that's over with, how are we on the first group song?"
"We're still trying to come up with something," said Finn
"It's hard at the moment," said Mercedes
"Okay, how about we try something else," suggested Will "Let's warm up to this. How about we get to the Auditorium, and sing any group song from our past. Let's go.
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10 minutes later, Emma, Daniel, Joseph, Isobel who was sitting on Rachel's lap, Michael and Dan, Michael's 2nd in command, were all sitting in the middle of the front row in the Auditorium. Rachel, of course, wasn't ready to sing yet.
Will walked into view from being at the side of the stage. The band had been called, and were now ready to go.
"Okay," started Will "I wanted the New Directions to warm up into their work, to select two group songs for Sectionals, so today they'll be singing four songs from the past to help them out. So without further a due, take it away."
Will jumped down off of the stage and went and sat down next to Emma.
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The music to the first song started. It was to Don't Stop Believing. This immediately made Rachel teary eyed, which Isobel noticed, and started giving Rachel hugs.
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FINN: "Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere."
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QUINN: "Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere."
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PUCK: "A singer in a smokey room."
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SANTANA: "The smell of wine and cheap perfume."
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FINN AND QUINN "For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night.
Streetlight, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night."
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TINA: "Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill."
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SANTANA: "Payin' anythin' to roll the dice
Just one more time."
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SAM AND QUINN: "Some will win, some will lose
Some are born to sing the blues
And now the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlight, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night."
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MERCEDES: "Don't Stop"
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight, people
Don't stop!"
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After the song had finished, Finn saw that Rachel was sobbing, and he jumped off of the stage. Isobel jumped off of Rachel's lap, as Finn got there, Rachel stood up and hugged Finn.
"It's okay, I'm here now," smiled Finn
"Actually Finn," came Santana's voice through her microphone "You can sit this next song out."
Finn looked back to the stage.
"We are going to dedicate this next song to you, Finn," said Sam "And to Rachel, but mostly to you."
"You two have been our leaders since the very beginning," said Mercedes "And through thick and thin, good times and bad times, you two never waivered from your leadership of the group, and along with Mr Schue, kept us strong, and kept us going."
"You two were instrumental in bring Mr Schue back," said Kurt "And no disrespect to Mr Baxter, but Mr Schue is the glue that keeps us together."
"And you two are the Captains who keep us on the right path," said Blaine
"So here have a seat Hudson, this song is dedicated to you," said Quinn
Finn smiled, and sat down, with Rachel putting her head on his chest.
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SAM: "I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you."
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BLAINE: "I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls."
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PUCK: "These city walls
Only to be with you."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
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ARTIE: "I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burnt like fire
This burning desire."
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TINA: "I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
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SANTANA: "I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one - Bleed into one
Bleed into one."
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KURT: "But yes I'm still running."
TINA: "Yes I'm still running!"
ARTIE: "Yes I'm still running!."
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SAM: "You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame."
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ARTIE: "You know I believe it, I believe it, mm I believe it."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "You know I believe!
But I still haven't found - Still haven't found! what I'm looking for.
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still Still haven't found haven't found what I'm looking for."
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Artie: "What I'm looking for!"
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "But I still But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
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SAM: "What I'm looking for - Looking for!"
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "But I still - But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
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This was one of Finn's favorite songs. All throughout the song, Finn was smiling. When the song finished, both he and Rachel were the first to stand up for a standing ovation.
"Back soon," said Finn to Rachel and gave her a quick kiss.
Finn jumped back on the stage and gave everyone a hug. He then joined in for the next song.
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SANTANA: "Hey hey hey
You and me keep on dancing in the dark
It's been tearing me apart
Never knowing what we are."
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SANTANA: "Hey hey hey
You and me keep on trying to play it cool
Now it's time to make a move
And that's what I'm gonna do."
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ARTIE: "Lay it all down."
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BRITTANY: "Got something to say."
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ARTIE: "Lay it all down."
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BRITTANY: "Throw your doubt away."
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ARTIE: "Do or die now."
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BRITTANY: "Step on to the plate."
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ARTIE: "Blow the door wide open like up up and away."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "Let's light up the world tonigh-igh-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-I-ite
I know that we got the love, alrigh-igh-ight
Come on and ligh-ligh-light it up
Light it up tonight
"Let's light up the world tonigh-igh-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-I-ite
I know that we got the love, alrigh-igh-ight
Come on and ligh-ligh-light it up
Light it up tonight."
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FINN: "Hey hey hey
You and me turn it up 10, 000 watts
Tell me why we gotta stop
I just wanna let it rock."
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TINA AND ARTIE: "Hey hey hey
You and me keep on staring at the road
Like we don't know where to go
Step back, let me take control."
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ARTIE: "Lay it all down."
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BRITTANY: "Got something to say."
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ARTIE: "Lay it all down."
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BRITTANY "Throw your doubt away."
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ARTIE: "Do or die now."
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BRITTANY: "Step on to the plate."
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ARTIE: "Blow the door wide open like."
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QUINN: "Up up and away."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: "Let's light up the world tonigh-igh-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-I-ite
I know that we got the love, alrigh-igh-ight
Come on and ligh-ligh-light it up
Light it up tonight.
"Let's light up the world tonigh-igh-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-I-ite
I know that we got the love, alrigh-igh-ight
Come on and ligh-ligh-light it up
Light it up tonight."
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At the end of the song, Will, Emma, Rachel, Michael and Dan all stood up for a standing ovation.
Finn walked up to the front of the stage and looked down at Rachel
"Rachel Barbara Berry, you know much I love you. Everyone here knows how much I love you, and you love me. I was devastated when I lost you, and overjoyed when you came back into my life.
"These last few days have an absolute pleasure, and I want to spend a lot more days with you. So this song is my dedication for you."
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FINN: "Each time the wind blows
I hear your voice so
I call your name...
Whispers at morning
Our love is dawning
Heaven's glad you came...
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"You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong
I'm so proud to say
I love you
Your love's got me high
I long to get by
This time is forever
Love is the answer."
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NEW DIRECTION FEMALES: "I hear your voice now
You are my choice
Now the love you bring
Heaven's in my heart
At your call
I hear harps and angels sing
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"You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong
I can't live my life without you."
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FINN: "I just can't hold on."
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NEW DIRECTION FEMALES: "I feel we belong."
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FINN: "My life ain't worth living
If I can't be with you."
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTION FEMALES: "I just can't stop loving you
I just can't stop loving you
And if I stop... then tell me just what will I do
'Cause I just can't stop loving you."
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FINN: "At night when the
Stars shine
I pray in you I'll find
A love so true..."
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RACHEL: "When morning awakes me
Will you come and take me
I'll wait for you."
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FINN: "You know how I feel
I won't stop until
I hear your voice saying
"I do"
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "I do"
This thing can't go wrong."
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FINN: "This feeling's so strong."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Well, my life ain't worth living."
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "If I can't be with you
I just can't stop loving you
I just can't stop loving you."
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FINN: "And if I stop...
Then tell me, just what will I do."
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "I just can't stop loving you."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "We can change all the world tomorrow."
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FINN: "We can sing songs of yesterday."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "I can say, Hey... Farewell
To sorrow."
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FINN: "This is my life and I,"
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Want to see you for always
I just can't stop loving you (Rachel: Oh, baby no)
I just can't stop loving you."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "If I can't stop!"
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FINN: "And if I stop..."
Tell me just what will I do?"
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "What will I do?
I just can't stop loving you."
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FINN: "Hee! Hee! Hee!
I Do Girl!."
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "I just can't stop loving you."
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FINN: "You know I do."
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FINN AND NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "And if I stop...
Then tell me,
Just what will I do
I just can't stop loving you."
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When the song had finished, Finn jumped off of the stage, and walked over to Rachel.
"Follow me please Rach,"
Finn held out his hand, Rachel took it, and Finn led her to the stage steps. They walked up onto the stage, and walked to the center. They were surrounded by their friends, which then included Will, Emma, Daniel, Joseph, and Isobel. Michael and Dan stayed seated.
"What's going on Finn?" asked Rachel
"Like I said before," started Finn "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I know you do too. Don't you?"
"Yes," said Rachel "You know I do."
"Well we lost the last ten years, but we now have the future together.
Finn knelt down on one knee.
"Rachel Barbara Berry, will you marry me right here, right now. I missed out on the last ten years. I don't want to miss any more time. I want to be married to you now. Will you marry me now?"
"How?" asked Rachel
Finn looked up, and looked at Kurt. He ran to the back of the stage, and came back with Burt, Carol, Hiriam, Le-Roy, and Shelby.
"I spoke to Mr Baxter last night," said Finn "He brought your Dad's and Shelby here."
Rachel ran to her fathers, and birth mother, and they hugged. She then hugged Burt and Carole. Burt brought Rachel back to the middle of the stage.
"Do you want to marry me right here right now?" asked Finn
"I do, I do," smiled Rachel
"Take it away, Burt." smiled Finn
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys, and girls," started Burt "We are all gathered here at this extraordinary time where we see these two love birds Finn Hudson, and Rachel Berry finally join together in marriage. It's been a long time coming. Finn would you like to say anything?"
"No. I've said it all in the last few minutes," said Finn "I love you Rachel, I always have, and I always will. I love you Rachel from the bottom of my heart."
"Rachel would you like to say anything?"
"This is crazy," laughed Rachel "I understand you Finn, I love you too. I know waiting would be too crazy for you considering how the last 10 years have panned out for the both of us. I love this crazy. You make me smile, you are my world."
"Rings please," said Burt
Kurt gave Finn a ring, and Santana gave Rachel a ring.
"Finn repeat after me. I Finn Hudson, take thee Rachel Barbary Berry, to be wife."
"I, Finn Hudson, take thee Rachel Barbara Berry to be my wife."
"I promise to love you, Cherish you, and adore you!"
"I promise to love you, Cherish you, and adore you!"
"To take care of you, be strong for you and support you."
"To take care of you, be strong for you and support you."
"With this ring I thee wed."
Finn placed the ring on Rachel's finger.
"With this ring I thee wed."
"Rachel repeat after me. I, Rachel Barbara Berry take thee Finn Hudson to be my husband."
"I, Rachel Barbara Berry take thee Finn Hudson to be my husband."
"I promise to love you, Cherish you, and adore you!"
"I promise to love you, Cherish you, and adore you!"
"To take care of you, be strong for you, and support you."
"To take care of you, be strong for you and support you."
"With this ring I thee wed."
Rachel placed the ring on Finn's finger.
"With this ring I thee wed."
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Finn you may now kiss your bride.
Finn and Rachel kissed, and everyone applauded. Rachel pulled back.
"Thank you for this kind surprise."
"I love you Rachel," said Finn "I have wanted to be your husband in like forever. Now I am."
"We've got papers to sign," said Burt "And then we can celebrate."
Will looked down at Michael. "We can have the rest of the morning off, but normal services resume at 12 p.m. guys."
Michael nodded in agreement.
So for the rest of the morning there was a small celebration to celebrate Finn and Rachel finally getting married.
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NOTE: I do not own the rights or songs to: Don't Stop Believing, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, Light up the world, and I just can't stop loving you.
I also hope you all enjoyed this tribute chapter.
In memory of Cory Monteith.