-Day-25-

-Rachel pov-

I wake up early and rush to Beth's room. I wait till she wakes up some and pick her up. I rush downstairs and she giggles all the way. I sit her down as I hear groans around the house.

"Babe I love you but please never at six again" I smile as Santana sleepily walks over to me "I have to get my hair ready"

"Yeah you look like a Latin lion" Santana glares at Quinn who smirks until Shelby smacks her arm "Ow! Hey that was mean! She would have said the exact same thing to me!"

"I will cause it is all up!" I smack Santanas arm and she pouts "I was just paying her back"

"Like mother, like daughter" Dad walks in with a smile "I am so glad you were who helped bring our Angel to the world"

"I am thankful for all of you" I clap and grab a present "Time for gifts and less sap"

Everyone laughs as we start handing out the gifts. There is laughter as everyone opens and see what they got. We are honestly a small little family. But something feels like it is missing.

-Santana singing-

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young

I look at everyone as they listen. I have enjoyed this time but what does it mean? Another holiday I spend loved? The beginning of a future tradition for us all?

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas (war is over)

For weak and for strong (if you want it)

For rich and the poor ones (war is over)

The road is so long (now)

And so happy Christmas (war is over)

For black and for white (if you want it)

For yellow and red ones (war is over)

Let's stop all the fight (now)

I do not want this to be the tradition. I get up and find my wallet. I still have so much cash left in it. I look at the clock and pull out my bag.

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas (war is over)

And what have we done (if you want it)

Another year over (war is over)

And a new one just begun (now)

And so happy Christmas (war is over)

We hope you have fun (if you want it)

The near and the dear one (war is over)

The old and the young (now)

I find the flyer I was looking for. Blaine and Kurt talked about some soup kitchen. The former club wanted us to come and help. They wanted to make amends and I could see Kurt knew it was true.

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

War is over, if you want it

War is over now

Happy Christmas!

"I guess you figured out what you wanted?" I turn toward my mom who is smiling "Everyone is loading up into the van"

"I love you so much Mami" We share a big hug and I finally feel everything I built up break free "I am so sorry I ever took everything out on you! It was never right and I am sorry! I was scared to be me and I will never be like that again!"

"Goodbye Snixx" We both laugh and she runs a hand through my hair "Merry Christmas Mija"

"Merry Christmas Mami" There is a honk and we both laugh "Let's go to the van!"

-Time skip-

"Uh we hoped for more singers but it is understandable" We walk in as Noah is speaking "We are formed from the former New directions and the trouble tones! We..Hey!"

"Howdy" We walk toward them with the Christmas gifts as my Abuela wheels over "Think we could crash the party with some gifts? This is our soup kitchen"

"Always" Finn walks toward us and I brace for the toxicity "Thank you for coming and I am sorry"

"Sorry?" He nods and I can see he is being honest "Really?"

"I was wrong and I can see you two are happy" He holds out his hand with a genuine smile "I am sorry"

"Oh get over here!" I pull him into a hug as they cheer "Never hurt her again"

"Never" We pull apart and he smiles "She made you soft"

"Yes she did" I watch as Rachel passes out presents "I am glad we could make it"

After some gifts get handed out we make it over to the mics. Everyone smiles and we form the group. This feels familiar and comfortable. It feels like we are all good again.

-New directions and trouble tones singing-

It's Christmas time

There's no need to be afraid

At Christmas time

We let in light and we banish shade

And in our world of plenty

We can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

At Christmas time

But say a prayer

Pray for the other ones

At Christmas time

It's hard, but when you're having fun

There's a world outside your window

And it's a world of dread and fear

Where the only water flowing

Is the bitter sting of tears

And the Christmas bells that ring there

Are the clanging chimes of doom

Well, tonight thank God it's them

Instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life (oh)

Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow

Do they know it's Christmas time at all? (oh)

(Here's to you) Raise a glass for everyone

(Here's to them) Underneath that burning sun

Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

Feed the world

Feed the world

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmas time again

The place fills with cheer and I feel Rachel lean into me. My life has changed for the better. I have never felt so happy and free. I never want to go back to how it was.

I can not wait for what the future holds. I just know it will have my family with me. That includes Rachel with me too. This has showed me that she is who I belong with.

This was the best 25 days of my life.

So ends the 25 days. I enjoyed making this but never again. I need breaks and 25 straight days was hard. I appreciate all of the support through this.

Thank you all and I hope you an amazing Christmas!