My eternal thanks and gratitude to all who read and review. We've still got a Christmas in the summer vibe going on - everyone stay safe!
The Hudson-Hummels were hosting a Christmas Eve get together for all of the New Directions past and present. It was Mr. Schue's idea for the kids to have a Secret Santa gift exchange, which everyone was readily onboard with.
"Rachel get the door!" Kurt hollered from the den. He was putting the final touches on one of the food trays.
Rachel walked to the door, trying to hide disappointment. It was Christmas Eve, only a few hours before midnight, and there was no sign of Finn coming in tomorrow or the day after. He'll be here for New Years, but would it be so much to have him for two holidays? She had a special Christmas gift packed for him just in case he came. Rachel eyed Carole in the kitchen, knowing they were both missing the same person. Plastering on a smile, Rachel opened the door to reveal Artie and Tina. "Hey you two, come on in."
Artie and Tina dropped their Secret Santa gifts in the foyer and joined Kurt in the den.
"I brought the karaoke machine and some new playlists," Artie offered, digging equipment out of his backpack.
"Just about everyone's coming tonight, right?" Tina asked. "We've been saying this a lot, but this may be the last time the old and new members get together before graduation."
"And even then, we may not all be able to attend," Kurt reminded. "Rachel and I have our own projects, and if we're coming home for part of summer then we may not make it back by May." Kurt turned his attention to Artie. "Do you have any big plans after graduation?"
"I got early acceptance to the Brooklyn Film Academy in New York, and the Los Angeles Film Academy out in California."
"So you could join me and Rachel in Bushwick or Mercedes out in LA," Kurt offered.
"As excited as I am about film school, that isn't half as interesting as Tina going across the world to China."
Tina shrugged her shoulders. "You've always been interested in filmography, and Kurt's always had an eye for fashion. Me, I don't have a passion yet," she admitted. "So until I find one, I am going to focus on helping other people find theirs."
"Noble work," chimed in Ms. Pillsbury. "The mission is lucky to have you."
"Part of me is still hoping you'll change your mind and revisit those college applications though," Will echoed, giving Tina a quick side hug. "It's hard enough to think about you guys moving across the county, but on the other end of the world…"
"It means that you did a good job educating them," Ms. Pillsbury reminded.
Kurt turned on some of the opening music tracks as Rachel eyed the door.
"You think he'll maybe come tonight?" Carole asked hopefully, placing an arm on Rachel's shoulder.
"Part of me does," Rachel confessed. "You said he could come home any time between now and New Years?"
"That's what his latest call said, but that was four days ago. I'm trying to distract myself with various projects while I wait for news. I've been helping Burt with his reelection campaign, and working on filing office work at Hummel Tire & Lube."
Rachel hid a laugh as she quickly opened the door to let the Unholy Trinity of Quinn, Santana, and Brittany, with Sugar right behind him. "I never pictured Mr. Hummel as a politician."
"That's what makes him so great at his job," Carole whispered. "He's not like the typical Washington elite – he cares about the people, and the arts. As long as Burt has his say, arts aren't going anywhere."
"That sounds nice."
"You've been staying busy in New York?"
Rachel nodded her head. "I've been tutoring local students during my off hours from school."
"You enjoying all of your classes?"
"I am. I'll be taking Dance and Movement for the Actor with one of my least favorite professors – Cassandra July. The upside is that the teaching assistant is really nice, so that makes it more bearable."
"That's Brody Weston, isn't it? Finn mentioned him in passing."
Rachel found herself saved by the shouting of Puck, Sam, and the new crop of the New Directions practicing their caroling outside. Nudging her foot on the carpet, she recited off the rest of her classes. "I'll also be taking Musical Theatre II: Styles; Voice Production and Speech I: Foundations; Acting Techniques; Ballet; Musicianship II; and Voice: Technique."
"That's a full course load," Carole acknowledged.
"Well we're both trying to stay busy," Rachel admitted. "I'm on a four year track to graduate."
"And just think, by the time you're done in New York, you and Finn can have your future together."
"Part of me thought we'd be in New York together, making our future."
Carole shrugged her shoulders slightly. "You two are both so young, there's no telling where you're going to be."
Seizing an opportunity, Rachel asked a question that she had been afraid of knowing the answer to. "Is Finn happy in the Army?"
"I think it's too soon to tell if he's happy or not. But he does enjoy being part of a team, he always has – school sports, Glee Club. And it lets him fell closer to his father – Christopher. Whether or not he clears his name or not, he gets to go on the same path as his father – at least for a little while."
"I just worry about him so much…"
"He's safe where he is for now. He's still learning, he's not in combat, and there's very little chance that he'll end up being deployed."
"Promise?" Rachel asked.
"I can't promise much of anything, no one knows how life works – but I believe in my son…and I believe in you too." Carole pulled Rachel into her arms. Whether they were related or not, Carole's affection for Rachel had grown over the years.
"Rachel – Secret Santa Time!" Mercedes called out.
"There's still time," Rachel reminded herself, joining everyone in the living room. Mr. Schuester had his always-available hat in the middle of the room, ready to decide who was going first.
Sugar's name was drawn, and she presented her giftee Marley with a gift certificate to Banana Republic. "Something to update your wardrobe with," she grinned. Marley readily accepted the gift card, already thinking about what she could get.
Puck's name was next, and the name that was assigned to him was his half-brother Jake. Jake couldn't help but laugh when he told everyone that he had drawn Puck's name as well. The brothers swapped gifts, Puck receiving a new ball cap, and Jake a new pair of shoes.
Kitty was the next person to go up, and she proudly handed Unique a new camera holder, bedazzled from scratch.
Rachel watched absentmindedly as the gifts were distributed. She would be willing to trade everything under her Menorah for just one night with Finn.
"Rachel – it's your, you're the last one," Kurt nudged.
"Which means it's my gift," Santana laughed.
Rachel offered Santana a grin, presenting her former enemy with a silver necklace. There was a red megaphone dangling from the very bottom. "When I saw it, I knew it had to be yours," she said, hugging her friend.
Mercedes and Kurt started everyone off in a round of karaoke, but for once Rachel's heart wasn't quite in it. It was getting closer and closer to midnight, making a Christmas without Finn even more of a possibility. Thumbing her star necklace, Rachel wished to travel back to last Christmas, when Rory brought everyone to a soup kitchen, and Finn had gotten her a pet pig for the holidays. So many moments that I took for granted, never thought they might be our last.
The holiday revelry blocked out the sound of knocking outside the house. "I'll get it," Rachel offered, not wanting to take Burt and Carole away from the party. Her hand on the knob, she made one more Christmas wish.
"It's you…." Rachel said opening the door. "My Christmas wish came true."
Dropping his luggage, Finn scooped Rachel into his arms. "I was your Christmas wish?"
"First and always," she promised, closing her eyes, creating another memory to keep her warm during their time apart.
Carole looked on from the hallway, wanting to run out and greet her son, but knowing that at the moment, Rachel needed him just a little bit more than she did.
"I guess the gang is all back together after all," Burt laughed, placing his arm around Carole.
"Christmas is always the time for miracles and impossible wishes," Carole reminded him, kissing his cheek.