Hi everyone! Thanks for all the birthday wishes and reviews on the last chapter. I appreciate them! Just a warning, I'll be out of town next week and have VERY limited internet access, so I may not be posting as frequently. The plans for this chapter changed slightly, but I'm happy with how it turned out! Hope you enjoy and review if you want me to keep going!
Chapter 35: Promotions and Reunions
"I can't believe the New Directions gave us that much money," Finn said as he and Blaine began walking home from the diner.
"It's amazing," Blaine agreed. "What do you think you'll do with your share of it?"
"You know, I'm not sure yet," Finn said. "What about you?"
"I'm not sure yet either," Blaine said. "Maybe I'll save it for a security deposit for a new place." He paused and looked at Finn. "Do you think you want to all live together again once things calm down?"
"I do," Finn admitted. "Do you?"
"Yeah," Blaine said. "Don't get me wrong, it is nice of Elliott to let Kurt and me stay with him, but the spare room is pretty small. There's not room for much else besides our bed, we even have to put our clothes under it."
"Wow," Finn said. "Yeah, Shelby's been really accommodating with Rachel and me, but I feel bad. She is sick, you know."
"Yeah, that's true," Blaine agreed. "Maybe we could start looking around for new apartments soon. I don't really want to live in the one that got robbed. Whoever did it once could do it again."
"I think I know who did it," Finn said.
"What do you mean?" Blaine asked.
"I ran into Jesse St. James the other day, and he knew so much about everything that happened... it made me think he had something to do with it," Finn admitted. He was afraid to say anything to Rachel about this. He knew Rachel didn't like it when he talked about her past boyfriends. Plus, Shelby had worked with Jesse for four years, and Finn was pretty sure that they had at least somewhat of a bond. After all, he and Rachel still had a bond with Mr. Schue.
"Well, I never met Jesse St. James, but from what I heard about him, I don't like him," Blaine said. "Kurt said that when he was in New Directions, he basically was degrading everyone all the time."
"That is true," Finn said. "And I don't even think he's that good a singer."
"We just need to find a way to prove who did it," Blaine said.
"Easier said than done," Finn admitted.
"True," Blaine said. "Remember how we were talking about Rachel and Kurt and how we want to marry them?"
"Of course I do," Finn said.
"Well - I still do have the ring I bought for Kurt this spring," Blaine admitted.
"The criminal didn't take it?" Finn asked.
Blaine looked embarrassed. "I carry it around in my pocket. I don't want to risk Kurt finding it."
"I'm going to have to find a new one for Rachel," Finn said. "The one that I gave her before - it might just remind her of what happened last time."
"Well, I'm sure this time, Kurt would be glad to help you out with picking one," Blaine said. "I'd help you, but I had trouble picking out Kurt's. I needed help from Tina and the jeweler."
"What do you think Kurt would think?" Finn asked. He knew that last time their friends had thought getting married so young was a bad idea.
"I'm sure this time he'll be supportive," Blaine said. "You were telling me earlier, now that you and Rachel have lived together and began your adult lives together, you're now more sure than ever that she's the one."
"Just like you and Kurt," Finn said. "When do you think you'll propose to him? You do already have the ring."
"When the time feels right," Blaine said.
x
"Thanks for offering to help me out with this," Kurt said to Rachel. Rachel had off of rehearsal today, so she went to visit Kurt at Vogue. It turned out that he needed her help with stuffing envelopes for people who had attended a Vogue benefit, and she was happy to help.
"It's no problem," Rachel said. "I feel bad that I haven't been able to come over here more."
"I understand," Kurt said. "Between school and the diner and rehearsals, your time is pretty tight."
"Yeah," Rachel said. "They finally announced when the show is opening."
"Oh, tell me!" Kurt said.
"It's going to open in January," Rachel said. "I just hope I get to do one of the shows." She was excited about the show opening, but at the same time, she couldn't help but be disappointed that she wouldn't be on the stage on opening night."
"You'll get to do a show eventually," Kurt said. "She's not always going to be up to doing eight shows a week."
"Yeah, probably not," Rachel admitted. "So, how are things at Elliott's?"
"They're fine, but I miss living with you and Finn and Santana, too," Kurt said. "Since the New Directions had that fundraiser for us and we got some money from our families, I'd really like it if we maybe started looking around for another apartment all together."
"I'd like that too," Rachel said. "I do like living with Shelby and Beth, but I miss living with you guys."
Isabelle came into Kurt's office. "Oh, hi Rachel!"
"Hi Isabelle!" Rachel said. "It's great to see you."
"Oh, you too," Isabelle said. "Kurt told me that you've been doing some work as an understudy on Broadway."
"I have," Rachel said.
"Well, good for you!" Isabelle said. "Actually, would you mind stepping out for a minute? I just wanted to talk to Kurt."
"Of course," Rachel said. She stepped out of the office, hoping that everything was okay for her best friend. After a few minutes, Kurt ran out of the office and gave Rachel a hug. "Rachel, I got promoted!"
"You did?" Rachel asked, giving Kurt a hug. "That's amazing!"
"Yes!" Kurt cheered. "They've been so impressed by my work as an intern that they're promoting me to an analysist!"
"Wow!" Rachel said. "I'm so proud of you." She looked over at Isabelle. "Thank you so much!"
"Oh, I don't want to get rid of this one," Isabelle said. "He's amazing. One of the other analysists quit, and we all knew we wanted to give her position to Kurt."
"He'll be great at it," Rachel said.
"Oh, we know he will," Isabelle said.
x
"It's great news about Kurt, isn't it?" Rachel asked Finn. The two of them were unloading the dishwasher at Shelby's townhouse after dinner.
"It is," Finn agreed. "I bet Burt's so excited."
Shelby came downstairs. "Thanks for helping out, you two."
"It's no problem," Rachel said. "It's what family's for."
"I'm hopefully going to be your son-in-law one day, so I do count as family," Finn added.
Rachel had to laugh at Finn's comment. She hoped that she and Finn would get married.
"Well, I'd love to have you as my son-in-law," Shelby said. "Speaking of family, have either of you talked to Quinn or Puck lately?"
"We do talk to them," Rachel said.
"I really do want them to get to know Beth," Shelby said. "Getting to know Rachel and Kylie has made me think about them. I could have spent my whole life wondering about you two girls and I don't want them to go through that too."
"If you want, we can give them a call," Finn said. "Maybe this weekend they could come visit."
"I'd like that," Shelby said. "Please tell them that I'll tell Beth about them - when the time is right."
After finishing unloading the dishwasher, Finn and Rachel went to their room. Finn had sent Puck a text saying that they wanted to skype with them, so Finn and Rachel took a seat at Finn's laptop and phoned Puck on skype.
"Hey Frankenteen, hey Berry," Puck said as he picked up the call.
Quinn playfully slapped Puck. "Puck, they have real names."
Finn and Rachel both laughed. "How are you two doing?" Puck asked. "We've been thinking about you."
"We're doing fine," Rachel said. "We're staying with Shelby while we figure things out. Kurt and Blaine are staying with Elliott, and Santana's staying with Dani."
"Yeah, that's what Jake said," Puck said.
"How's Beth?" Quinn asked.
"That's actually why we were calling," Rachel said. "We were hoping you could come spend some time with Beth with us this weekend."
"Is she okay?" Puck asked, looking worried.
"She's fine," Finn said. "Shelby just wants you to get to know her. Rachel and I do, too."
"Plus, it's been too long since we saw you," Rachel added.
"It was pretty hard last time," Quinn admitted.
Rachel gulped. "I know it was." She took a deep breath, saying what she knew she had to say. "But Shelby has a serious form of cancer. If she doesn't make it - Beth won't have very much family." She was afraid to say that. Even though her mother had just come into her life, she didn't want to lose her.
"She'd have you, and Kylie," Quinn said.
"Yeah, but she deserves parents, too," Rachel said. "Kylie and I aren't biologically related to her. Please consider coming."
"We'll do it," Puck said.
"Great," Finn said. "We'll see you this weekend." When he got off skype, he turned to Rachel. "Rachel, you don't have to think..."
"I don't want to think that, Finn," Rachel said. "But ovarian cancer is pretty serious. I did some research online. Only 44 percent are still alive after five years." She regretted looking up that information.
"Rachel, maybe you shouldn't have looked that up," Finn said.
"I know I shouldn't have," Rachel admitted.
Shelby came in. "so, did you guys talk to them?"
"Yeah, they're coming this weekend," Finn said.
"That's great," Shelby said. "I really want her to still have parents if I don't make it."
"Please don't talk that way!" Rachel said. She knew she'd just talked that way on skype to Puck and Quinn (and Finn) but she didn't want Shelby to be thinking that way.
"Rachel, we can't pretend this isn't serious," Shelby said. "This isn't like having a flu or even mono. Thousands of people die of ovarian cancer a year..."
"You're not going to be one of them," Rachel said firmly.
"I'm just glad that you and Kylie have come back into my life..." Shelby began.
Before anyone had a chance to say anything, Beth came in. "Hi Mommy. Hi Rachel. Hi Finn."
"Shouldn't you be in bed, little missy?" Shelby asked, picking up Beth.
"I wanted to be with you," Beth said.
"Well, it's late," Shelby said.
"Beth, you remember my friends Quinn and Noah, right?" Rachel asked.
"Uh... no," Beth admitted.
"That's okay," Rachel said. "They're coming over this weekend."
"To play with me?" Beth asked.
"Yeah, to play with you," Finn said.
"Yay!" Beth said. Finn and Rachel exchanged looks, hoping things would go okay.
x
"Thanks for coming," Rachel said as she opened the door, letting Puck and Quinn into Shelby's house. Shelby had already left for the hospital for a round of chemo, so it was just Finn, Rachel and Beth at the house now.
"Where's Beth?" Quinn asked.
"She's in the living room with Finn," Rachel said.
When they walked in, Beth looked up at Puck and Quinn. "You Finn and Rachel's friends?"
"Yeah," Puck said. "We've met before, actually."
Beth went up to Puck and gave him a hug. "Hi again!"
Rachel couldn't help but smile at the little girl. "Can I have a hug too?" Quinn asked.
"Yeah!" Beth said, giving Quinn a hug.
"We told Beth you were going to play with us today," Finn told Puck and Quinn.
"Well, we can do that," Quinn said. She leaned over to Rachel. "I'm sorry I haven't come to see you guys after what happened. When I found out where you were, I thought it would be too hard."
"Don't worry," Rachel whispered back. "You're here now."
"Yeah," Quinn said back.
The four young adults played with some of Beth's stuffed animals for a little while before they had a snack. After the snack, it was the time Shelby wanted Beth to take her nap. As they led Beth to her bedroom, the little girl turned to her birth parents. "Can you guys sing too? Sometimes Finn and Rachel sing to me."
"You want us to sing to you?" Puck asked.
"Can you?" Beth asked.
"They were in the singing group with us," Finn said.
"Then sing something for me!" Beth said.
"Well, I think we can figure something out," Puck said. He began a song, with Quinn, Rachel and Finn eventually joining in.
Puck: Come stop your crying, it will be alright
Just take my hand and hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here, don't you cry
Quinn: For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry
Puck, Quinn, Finn and Rachel: 'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
Finn: Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain
Rachel: I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
Puck, Quinn, Finn and Rachel: And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Puck and Quinn: Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know (Finn and Rachel: what do they know)?
Puck and Finn: We need each other to have, to hold.
Quinn and Rachel: They'll see in time, I know
Puck and Quinn: When destiny calls you
You must be strong (Finn and Rachel: you gotta be strong)
Puck, Quinn, Finn and Rachel: I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time, I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on,
Now and forever more
Puck and Quinn: Oh, you'll be in my heart (Finn and Rachel: you'll be here in my heart)
No matter what they say (Finn and Rachel: I'll be with you)
You'll be here in my heart (Finn and Rachel: I'll be there), always
Puck, Quinn, Finn and Rachel: I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always.
"You guys are really good singers!" Beth said.
"You thought so?" Quinn asked.
"Yeah," Beth said.
"Well you have a good nap," Rachel said as the four of them went downstairs.
"Thank you for letting us come," Puck said to Finn and Rachel as they sat down in the living room.
"We really do want you to get to know her," Finn said. "And it's been four years and the four of us hadn't done a song together."
"I'm glad we did," Rachel said.
"Again, I'm sorry we didn't come visit sooner after everything happened," Puck said. "We were worried it would be too hard to see Beth."
"Well, are you glad you saw her today?" Finn asked.
"Yeah, I am," Quinn said. "And it's like you guys said, in time, she'll know who we are."
Chapter 36 preview: The New Directions alumni travel back to Lima for Sectionals and things heat up for several past and present couples. New Directions will face an old rival at Sectionals. Will something else happen in New York while they're gone?
SONG: You'll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins
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