Chapter 11

The next day Rachel spent the day pottering around the house with Hiram. Leroy had to work, but Rachel had dragged her other dad around the house after roping him into preparing the house for James visit. Hiram had laughed it off as he listened to her bark off commands from the list of things she had prepared. Rachel knew that she was going slightly overboard with everything, but this was his first time visiting Lima and as always her need for perfection took over. A need to ensure that he enjoyed his time with her, as well as wanting to make sure everything was perfect for James. After a couple of hours, they were cleaning the kitchen when her Dad stopped and placed the cloth down on the side. Rachel looked up and frowned as she saw Hiram pouring a glass of water; he turned around taking a sip before shrugging at her.

"Dad…what are you doing?" She said

"Having a drink of water?" He replied, smiling at her. She rolled her eyes, walking over to him and took the glass out of his hand.

"Come on, we've got this room to finish then we have-" She started when he placed a hand on her arm squeezing softly

"Sweetie…James really isn't going to bother about what the house looks" He said smiling, taking the cloth out of her hand. "He's just going to be happy that he gets to spend a few days with you"

She smiled softly, nodding as she looked down at her feet. Her dad was telling the truth, she didn't need to go all crazy cleaning the house; James wouldn't care one bit as long as he was able to hold her. She had just been expressing her nervousness in another way, and not sitting by idly as she waited for him to arrive.

"I'm sorry Dad, I'm just nervous" She said biting her lip, "I haven't seen him in a week; and I just want to make a good impression"

"And you will honey, just try to relax" He said and she pulled him into a hug. As she pulled back, he kissed her forehead and whispered. "Now go upstairs, and take a bath to let yourself relax"

Smiling at him, Rachel nodded as she turned around and headed upstairs to her room. Half an hour later and she was led in the bath, head leaning back against a rolled up towel behind her head; eyes closed as she enjoyed the relaxing feeling of the warm water on her skin. Letting out a deep breath, she allowed a smile to cross her lips. It was funny how quickly she had been able to let go once she stopped thinking about the things that had bothered her. She sat in her bathroom relaxing for a time as Broadway music rang out softly from the small pink radio that was on the side by her sink.

She jumped out of her relaxing state, as her phone started to ring; defying gravity ringing loudly on the stool next to her bath. Opening her eyes, blinking a few times to wake herself up properly; Rachel reached her arm out from under the bubbles that had started to fade, wiping her hand on a towel and reaching over to pick her phone up; smiling widely as she saw the picture appearing on the screen.

"Hi baby" She said happily, resting her head back against her headrest.

"Why hello there " He responded and she could hear him laughing. "You sound happy today"

"Why wouldn't I be, " She giggled down the phone, "I'm taking a relaxing bubble bath, and my amazing, handsome boyfriend is coming to visit me tomorrow. I'm so excited"

"Me too, seeing Jake was great, but seeing you is going to be even better" He said, and she bit her lip listening to him. "Just one more thing before I ask you about your day….did you say you were in the bath right now?"

Blushing furiously, relaxing she was talking to him while she was naked; Rachel laughed nervously. "You might say that"

"Wow" He said softly, and she heard him gulp. "That's…wow…ehm, so yeah …."

"This is the first time I've heard you speechless, are you actually lost for words James?" She giggled, loving that he was uncomfortable in her presence for the first time; normally he seemed so confident around her, in fact that extended to every time they talked.

"I'm trying really hard not to think of you na…in that bath" He said slowly and she heard him breathe out.

Giggling again, even though she was blushing furiously, she managed to say "How was your day?"

"It was great, really great. Hung out with the vocal adrenaline guys today; they really are good people, once you get past the whole top two teams in the country rivalry thing" He laughed, and Rachel smirked.

"Top two? I understand the Vocal Adrenaline side, but you don't belong to New Directions…" She said teasingly

"Oh? I'm sorry miss twelve place finish…." He said laughing, and she pouted down the phone. "You're pouting aren't you?"

"Yes as a matter fact I am. Don't let that national title go to your head Mr, you'll be bowing down before me when we beat you this year" She giggled. He laughed down and the phone, and she smiled at the sound of it; he really did have the most beautiful laugh.

"I thought we agreed not to let out rivalry get between our love" He said, and she blushed at the words. Rachel didn't know whether or not he was speaking specifically about his feelings or whether it was just a figurative meaning. "What have you been upto then today?"

"You're right, let's put it behind us. I spent the day forcing my Dad to help me clean the house before you come tomorrow" She says smiling,

"That's really sweet of you baby, I hope you didn't go to too much effort just on my behalf" He said in that gentle voice that she loved hearing. "I'd be happy sleeping on your bedroom floor if it meant I got to see you for a few days"

"I wouldn't let you sleep on my floor, you could sleep in my bed" She said subconsciously, her still dwelling on what he had said before. She gulped as she realised what she had said, as he didn't respond to her statement.

"Well" He said after a few seconds that made her feel relieved "Luckily your Dad's are so accepting of us so I don't need to intrude on your beauty sleep. And by the way, I can't wait to see what your bedroom looks like; I've got images of pink wallpaper covered in gold stars and soft toys everywhere"

She laughed loudly as he did the same down the phone. embarrassed, she replied biting her lip "You aren't wrong about the Soft toys…but the wallpaper is yellow"

"Awww" He moaned softly, she giggled again. "Spoil all the surprise why don't you Rachel"

"I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you tomorrow" She replied grinning "We're going to have the greatest time"

"Every day I spend with you in the greatest" He said calmly, and she smiled again licking her bottom lip.

"You're too charming" She replied, "And I can't wait until tomorrow, what has Jake got planned for you tonight?"

"Same thing he's had planned every night…a party" He said chuckling as he spoke "He says its going to be going away party for me, because he's never going to see me again once I visit you. Personally, I know it's just an excuse for them to get drunk"

"You're drinking tonight?" She asked curiously, Noah's party this weekend on her mind.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to be hungover when I see you tomorrow. I want to stay on your Dads good side so I can come visit you some more from Oregon" He replied, and she smiled at how amazing he was. "I don't even really drink that much, to be honest. I'll have a couple of them, but I never go crazy"

"Okay, I don't really drink that much…horrible experience from last year" She said, pulling a face as she remember being thrown up on by Brittany.

The two of them spent another quarter of an hour speaking, before she noticed that the water was beginning to cool and she realized she had been sat in well over an hour now. Hearing a soft knock on her bedroom door, followed by her Dad speaking softly.

"Rachel honey, your Dad is home with some dinner"

"I'll be down in a little while" She replied, before returning her attention to her phone call. "I should go, I'm starting to prune in this bath water"

He laughed and she giggled along before he replied; "That would ruin your beautiful skin. I gotta go too, Jake's been sitting across the room looking annoyed for about ten minutes"

"Tell him not to get my boyfriend drunk tonight" She said, giggling as she heard him shout on the other side of the phone. "I'll see you tomorrow"

"You bet it" He replied, "I'll can't wait Rachel"

"Me neither" She said softly, "Bye baby"

….

After getting out of her bath and rubbing moisturiser into her skin; she wrapped herself in her robe and headed downstairs. Her dad had brought them food from a Thai take away that they loved eating from. She spent the next few hours sitting in her lounge with her Dads as they watched TV together as Leroy asked what the two of them had been up to while he had been at work. He laughed as Hiram told him about Rachel's cleaning stress relief.

Rachel sat on the couch, leaning into the corner surrounded by several pillows as she texted with Kurt and Mercedes making sure that they were still on for meeting her and James at the Lima Bean the tomorrow afternoon. While she had missed James, and wanted to spend as much time with him as possible, there was a small part of her; actually it was a large part of her that wanted to show him off this incredibly handsome guy to her friends. Girls like her didn't normally get guys like James, but she was lucky that he cared for her; and it shook away any nerves she had. He made her feel amazing, and special; like she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Her thoughts drifted to her conversation with him when she was in the bath, and she had mentioned she would let him sleep in her bed. Biting her lip, she wondered what it would be like to sleep with someone's arms around you. A guy had never stayed in her house overnight before, never mind every night for several days. Sure she had led on a bed with a guy's arms around her before, in fact when she was dating Jesse, he had spent a large amount of time holding her on her bed while they had one of their frequent make out sessions. Finn had also led on her bed with her as he had come over and watched movies with her, but neither of them had stayed overnight.

Rachel was tracing shapes on her exposed shoulder with her finger tenderly as her Dad's word snapped her out of her daydream.

"Are you going to head up to bed early, sweetie?" Leroy asked,

"Huh?" She murmured, turning her head to look at him confused.

"We agreed to raise your curfew while James was staying over…remember?" Hiram smiled. "We figured you two would want to spend some time together doing things like going to the movies or whatever kids do these days"

"Yeah I remember" She said smiling back at her Dads. They were really supportive of her relationship of James; the young guy had convinced her dads that he was trust worthy and the fact they liked him was a huge plus for her. "I'm really thankful for that Daddy"

"So, you should probably get some sleep; no doubt you'd want to spend tomorrow night out a bit later…" Leroy said, smiling loosely at her. Rachel blushed softly nodding at him.

"I will Dad, thanks I love you" She said getting up and kissing him on the cheek, before turning and doing the same to Hiram" You too Daddy"

"We love you two sweetheart" They said in harmony and she headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

…..

Rachel's alarm went off at eight am. Yawning and stretching in her bed, Rachel rolled over in bed and turned it off as it blurred Kelly Clarkson out into her room. Not only had she headed to sleep early, but she had decided on skipping her morning routine. She turned back over and led on her bed looking up at the canopy of her bed smiling widely. Despite having only just woken up, she was wide awake with excitement. Today was the day where she would be completely happy and satisfied for the first time she had been in New York a few weeks earlier. Today would be the day, where she would be reunited with James for the first time since they had departed from one another in New York nearly two weeks previous.

Having lay there for twenty minutes more, simply running over her plan for the day in her mind; she pushed back the covers and jumped out of bed, heading into the bathroom to take her morning shower and to make herself look presentable. A half hour later, and Rachel found herself skipping down the stairs after popping her head into Leroy's office room to say good morning. Today, he had the day off while Hiram had to head into work, and he followed her down the stairs laughing at how excited she was before they both headed into the kitchen.

After he made the both of them breakfast, he sat down opposite her as they ate Rachel sat with the largest smile that she'd ever worn on her face. She couldn't wait for James to arrive, and it would be so amazing. They were going to go for walks hand in hand, sit and cuddle while they watched TV or sit sharing tender touches across the table as they drunk coffee. Her dad must have been able to sense what she was thinking about, or guessed purely based on the smile on her face why she was happy.

"I'm eager to see James later" He remarked, and she glanced at him to see his smirk. "It's been strange not having that young man around"

"I know, I'm so happy" She grinned back, before taking a sip of her milk.

"When does he get here?" He asked, chewing his cereal

"He sent me a text saying they were leaving in an hour or so" She said, swallowing. "Akron is a couple of hours drive away so he should be here for around twelve"

"What have you got planed?" he replied, and she ran him through what she hoped to do that day with James, as long as he was happy with her plan; which she knew he would be. Afterwards he smiled nodding. "That sounds perfect. I spoke to your Dad after you went to bed and we were thinking we could go out for dinner, the four of us; our treat"

"That sounds great, we could do it before we go to the movies" She smiled widely.

Cleaning up, she spent the next couple of hours dotting around her room keeping herself busy; knowing that she had to do something to keep herself busy and control her excitement. If she down she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep herself still and tried to keep her hands occupied. After chatting to Kurt on the phone for about an hour, she headed over to spare room and peaked inside. They had bought some new bed sheets in James' favourite colour, blue. Knowing that he might be using that room various times over the next year her dads had tried to make it feel as homely as possible for him. The previous day, as she recalled telling him flustered she had spent the day cleaning it up and organizing it for him. she took a pride out of knowing he would appreciate the gesture; and she sat on the bed hugging a pillow close to her body.

…

As the time of James' arrival neared, Rachel headed downstairs and paced around the living room biting her bottom lip and rubbing her neck nervously. Leroy who had relocated himself downstairs was watching her, thankful for the open plan nature of the downstairs of their house, with an amused expression on his face from the breakfast counter in the kitchen. As she circled around the room for what must have been the 50th time in the space of ten minutes, he laughed aloud causing her to stop and glare at him.

"What's so funny?" She moaned at him, frowning slightly.

"You are, baby girl" He said shaking his head. "Come sit with me for a little while, you're going to wear a hole in my carpet"

"It's not your carpet" She huffed, striding over as quickly as her little legs would allow and sitting herself down next to him. "Daddy wanted this carpet, and you wanted laminate flooring"

Chuckling again, he reached over and placed an arm around her shoulder pulling her into his side as she rested her head on his shoulder. "You still would have worn a hole in it the pace you are walking around at. Relax, he'll be here soon"

Pressing her lips together, she nodded at him; breathing out slowly as she lent off his shoulder and watched what he was working on his laptop. They sat like that for a further half an hour before she heard a car pull up outside her house, causing her to jump up and run to the front window. Peering out she saw a black Volvo, outside, she was aware of her dad walking behind her but she ignored him as she saw Jake climb out of the car, his short blonde hair visible over the top of the sunglasses and bandana he was wearing as a headband. She rolled her eyes as she observed him, he was wearing Jean shorts and a yellow t-shirt where the sleeves were rolled up over his shoulders.

"That boy is worse than Noah Puckerman for dressing like a punk" Her dad chimed, as she looked at his amused expression and giggled at him.

Her attention quickly returned to gazing out the house, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw who who was climbing out of the car. Jake made a comment that made the other guy on the other side laugh and Rachel felt herself smiling instinctively. Taking in his appearance for the first time in two weeks, Rachel saw that his hair was as long as it had been when she last saw him, in fact it seemed to have been trimmed by an inch or so around the sides of his head creating a fluffier mess on the top of his head. His fringe dangled loosely over his forehead; his eyes covered by black aviator sunglasses that she couldn't help but giggle at. As he stepped around to the boot of the car, Rachel saw that he was wearing a white t-shirt that hugged his body perfectly, showing of his toned body alone with some blue shorts that ended just below his knees. As he and Jake started walking to the back of the car, and as they reached into the boot of Jake's car and pulling out his luggage, as she decided it was to time to see him; running to the door and pulling it open.

As she headed out the door, she paused on the doorstep watching as he took his sunglasses off and placed them in the backpack of his shorts before offering her a gigantic smile. Returning it as happiness spread across her entire body, she started running towards him. As she approached him, he stepped forwards to meet her and when they reached one another, Rachel ran into him and pressed herself tightly against him, wrapping her arms around his waist, as she felt his arms engulf her. Rachel sighed happily in his arms, a smile gracing her lips as she breathed in his scent, a warm safe feeling spread over her body at being held by him. She felt him shift to place his head in the crook of her neck, and she rested hers against his shoulder. They stood like that for a few moments, that felt like the best hours of her life being held by James, before she felt his head shift as he nuzzled her neck and her eyes closed instinctively as she felt him press his warm lips against the skin on her neck as he peppered soft kisses moving his way up to her ear.

"I missed you" He whispered into her ear, his deep voice that radiated calmness and tenderness, his warm breath against her ear causing her to shiver at the sensation before he placed another kiss gently below her ear that sent shock waves through her body. Moving her head from its position on his shoulder, Rachel nuzzled his neck with her nose affectionately, getting a soft moan from him before she moved to kiss him tenderly on the same spot then feeling comfortable and confident around him deciding to suck on the skin softly. and she grinned as she felt his arms pull her closer to him grinding her body flush up against him, closing her eyes as she settled into his arms. They stood holding onto each other for well over a minute, exchanging soft kisses pressed against one another's necks as neither seemed to want to let go of the other, both simply happy just to settle close to the person they had missed over the past couple of weeks.

A cough from the side shook her out of her quiet contentment, and she opened her eyes to gaze past James at Jake who winked at her; a smirk on his lips. She moaned softly as James pulled back from holding her, her hands remaining linked behind his back trying to keep him in close proximity. After two weeks of not being close to him, she was in no hurry to be anywhere but right next to him, and Rachel smiled as he didn't move to step away from her; instead he simply moved his arms up and placed his hands gently on her neck his thumbs stroking her jaw tenderly. Staring up at him, there was a heat in her body as she looked at him gazing at her lovingly, his eyes reflecting the pure happiness and joy at seeing her. There was a tear in his eye, and she tilted her head up to kiss him and she moaned at the touch of his lips on hers. She smiled against his lips, rubbing her hands soothingly up and down his back, and after a few short chaste kisses she ran her tongue across his bottom lip then taking it between her teeth nipping it softly as he opened his mouth as their lips met again and she slipped her tongue in to meet his as he pulled her head closer to him deepening the kiss. They shared passionate kisses for a couple more minutes, before she pulled back, breathing deeply, placing a single chaste kiss on his lips before resting her forehead against hers. She bit her lip as she saw him looking at her, his eyelids still half closed from the kiss they had just shared. He kissed her once more before removing his forehead from hers, and smiled at her widely making him look even more handsome than she had ever known possible.

"Hey" She said softly, smiling back at him

"Hi" He said, his voice soft. "I missed kissing you"

"I missed you" She murmered, leaning up to capture his lips again.

As they separated, Rachel became all too aware of the fact that her dad had been watching them the entire time, along with Jake who had a smirk on his face. Walking over to him, she hugged him tentatively before pulling back as he spoke.

"That all I get Berry? I haven't seen you in two weeks either" He said and she couldn't but giggle at his crudeness.

"You suck" She replied, hitting his chest playfully to which he simply winked at her and turned to James.

"Alright Dude, I'm going to head off. You sure you don't wanna come with?" He spoke and James smirked at him

"Thanks for putting me up man" He said as the two guys embraced for a few short seconds. After they separated Rachel walked over and put her arm around his waist, his arm finding her shoulder.

"I think he's good" She giggled, kissing his cheek. They stood there and waved Jake off who had climbed into his car and honked the horn a couple of times before he disappeared off.

Turning around, James released his hold on her and picked up his bag slinging it over his shoulder, as well as pulling his small suitcase up the Berry driveway towards the door where her Dad was stood with an amused look on his face. Rachel felt an intense heat radiate across her face, biting her lip to try and hide the embarrassed giggle she had been about to let out. Thankfully, when they reached the door, James placed suitcase down and stepped forward hand outstretched to greet her father.

"Nice to see you, Son" Leroy said, amusement in his voice at what he had just witnessed. Rachel watched as James chuckled softly, smiling at the pink blush that was on his cheeks, as they shook each others hand.

"Been too long, Sir" James replied confidently, despite the fact that he was clearly as embarrassed as she was.

Her Dad, smiled looking between the two teens and stepped forward to pat James on the shoulder, before pulling him into a tender embrace. As they stepped away, James smiled nervously as Leroy spoke.

"I've told you before, call me Leroy" He said, and James nodded. Reaching out, she found his hand, and he glanced at her winking. "Why don't you two come in and we'll have a drink"

Sheepishly following her dad into the house, she glanced behind her and saw that James was stood taking in the hallway of her house. He moved his gaze from the pictures on the wall of Rachel and her dads, smiling as his eyes met hers. Instantly, Rachel felt a smile cross hers.

"Your house is beautiful" He said softly, and Rachel blushed stepping forward towards him and held her hand out. She felt a jolt shoot up her arm as he took hers in his and intertwined his fingers in hers.

"Thank you" She replied, and pulled him along with her. Looking over her shoulder, Rachel smiled at him again, motioning towards the kitchen with her head. nodding he put his bag down on the floor and followed her.

As they entered, the kitchen her dad was pouring water out of the kettle into three cups. Smilinga, she steered James over to the breakfast counter where he lent against it casually arms folded, before going over to her dad and collecting two of the cups. Handing him one, she turned around and leant her back against him smiling as she felt his arm go around her waist pulling her flush against him. biting her lip, Rachel lent her head back and felt him rest his head on her. Taking a sip of her tea, she blushed as her dad watched them.

"So James" He said smirking, "How have you been? Enjoying the rest of your summer?"

"It's been fun" She heard his voice, his breath blowing across the top of her hair sending a tingle down her spine. For around fifteen minutes, he talked to her Dad about what he'd been doing since Leroy had seen him in New York. Rachel shifted as she listened, knowing a lot of it, from leaning against him to at his side; her arm draped around his waist as her body arched into his as he stood with an arm around her shoulder gently stroking her shoulder.

"The last couple of days have been amazing though" James laughed, "I don't think I've ever spent so much time just singing and dancing when it hasn't been for glee club or something like. Vocal Adrenaline get access to the auditorium at Carmel during summer and they've been determined to get me to perform witht hem"

"Did you have fun?" She asked, and he looked at her nodding.

"Yeah, I'm happier here now with you than I have been in Akron" He said, leaning over and kissing her forehead.

"Well, we are glad to have you here. I've got some work to finish, but im sure Rachel will be glad to show you around the place." Leroy said smiling, placing his cup in the sink and stroked Rachel's cheek affectionately, before nodding firmly at James.

Moving in front of James, she shifted close to him and their bodies touched. His arms wrapped around her waist, and she linked her hands around his neck leaning up to kiss him. She smiled against his lips as they shared chaste kisses for several minutes before she pulled back and rested her forehead against his.

"I feel home" He murmered and she looked up at him through her eyelashes. She smiled, feeling her eyes well up as she inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"I'm glad you're here" She replied, and pulled away from him. taking his hand, she pulled him away from the kitchen and towards the hallway. "Come on, let me show you around"

After he had grabbed his luggage, she showed James to his room; closing the door as he placed his bags down on his bed. Leaning against the door, she watched as he looked around the room with a smile on his face. He finished turning on the spot and faced her, and Rachel felt herself smile back at him.

"Everything okay?" She asked nervously, desperate for him to be okay with the room. She wanted him to feel at home and comfortable in the house so that he would want to come back again and visit.

"It's perfect" He grinned at her, and she felt herself relax against the door. He titled his head and gazed at her curiously, before stepping forward and closing the distance between them. James raised his hand and placed it tenderly against her cheek. Closing her eyes she leaned into his touch.

"You okay?" he asked softly, and she opened her eyes to gaze at him and sighed.

"I just want you to like it here, so that you'll want to come back and visit again" She admitted honestly, and she saw his lips upturn into a smile.

"Babe…" He replied tenderly. "I told you the other day, I would want to come visit you even if it meant I had to sleep on the floor"

Biting her lip, she nodded. She had missed him, being close to him and seeing the truthfulness in his eyes as he spoke to her. Gulping, Rachel felt confidence flowing through her. "I also remember saying you could sleep in my bed rather than the floor"

He grinned at her, and as she looked up at him; Rachel saw something hazy in his eyes before he leaned down and captured her lips. She moaned at the forcefulness of it, he pressed his lips against hers more roughly than he had in the past, except for the last kiss they shared in New York, and rather than pullback Rachel felt herself lean closer into him as she wrapped her arms around him, landing on his bum playfully. She didn't hesitate in opening her mouth and accepting his tongue; meeting it with hers as she deepened the kiss moving her arms to encase his neck. Rachel felt her mind go blank as they kissed, completely overwhelmed by the sheer affection and pleasure she felt as her tongue battled with his for dominance. After a few minutes, she felt him run a hand down her thigh, pulling her leg up against him as she wrapped it around him and Rachel gasped against his lisps at the sensation of James' erection pressed against her. Instinctively, Rachel fingers curled into the hair at the base of his neck and pulled him closer, nimbling on his bottom lip tenderly as his hand gripped her neck. When he moved his lips to her neck, he bit her softly and her hips bucked into him uncontrollably and she heard him moan.

Slowing the intensity of the kiss, James kissed her once more before he let her leg fall from his body and it fell to the floor as he leaned his forehead against hers. Smirking, he nuzzled her with his nose gently.

"That was…" She moan softly, still feeling flustered after their intense kissing.

"Amazing" He finished, leaning down and kissing her gently; "Want to show me around?"

She nodded, biting her lip as she tried to control her breathing. "Yeah, come on"

He stepped away from her, taking her hand as she opened the door and led him into the hallway. For the next half an hour, Rachel showed him around her house. He had been eager to see her room, and she had blushed when he had walked around it, gently touching her bed before complimenting her saying it was beautiful. He was impressed by the Oscar's room downstairs, and laughed as she told him about the party she had thrown the year before. The tour came to a halt as they entered the family room. He had a look of pure excitement as he saw the grand piano that was situated in the corner of the room near the large bay windows. He had walked over and sat down on the steel in front of it, running his fingers over the keys.

Walking over, Rachel placed her hands on his shoulders and pressed her fingers into them, gently massaging them. He looked up at her and smiled. "This is awesome"

"You seem more happy about this than actually seeing me" She teased, placing a kiss on his forehead. When she pulled away, he rolled his eyes at her.

"Of course not" James replied, and she kissed him again.

"Come on, we've got to meet my friends"

…..

Now, the two of them were walking towards the Lima Bean hand in hand. Rachel had driven them, after texting Blaine, Kurt and Mercedes that they would be along soon, taking the long route to point out a number of important sights. James had sat there gazing at her affectionately while she talked, giving her his full attention as she always had when she talked to him; a feeling of complete adoration that she had never felt from anyone else in her life.

As they walked into the Lima Bean, thanking James as he held the door for her, she pulled him in after her. As they stepped forwards, she saw her three friends sat at a corner booth. Turning to James, she opened her mouth to tell him who they were but he simply nodded at her that he understand, as she released his hand and she walked over ahead to hug her friends; with James hanging slightly back.

"Hey guys" She said, as she released Blaine, turning to introduce them to James. "This is my boyfriend, James"

"Hey Kurt" He said softly, as he stepped forward and pulled Kurt into a hug. When they stepped away from one another, he turned and offered his hand to Blaine.

"You must be Blaine?" James asked, smiling.

"I am, it's good to meet you" Blaine said shaking his hand, returning the smile before he turned to Rachel and winked at her. James then turned to Mercedes, who pulled him into an embrace. Rachel laughed as she pulled back and saw the look of surprise on his face.

"Nice to meet you too…" He said, a smirk on his face.

"I'm Mercedes" She replied. The five of them went to sit down at the booth, and Rachel raised an eyebrow as James hesistated. Reaching out to touch his arm, he looked at her smiling.

"You okay babe?" She asked softly, seeing Mercedes whisper into Blaine's ear with a smile on her face.

"We haven't got coffee yet…unless you weren't planning on staying long" He said with an amused expression on his face. Giggling, she moved to stand and follow him when he pressed a hand gently on her shoulder. "It's alright, I remember what you drink"

"You remember my coffee order?" She asked, biting her lip; touched at the fact he remembered that about her.

"I remember everything about you" He said, winking leaning over and kissing her cheek. When he pulled away to head over to the till, Rachel blushed as she moved her gaze to her friends. The three of them were smiling at her.

"Babe?" Kurt teased, Rachel giggled.

"It's something that's just become comfortable while we chat on the phone" She smiled and the four of them laughed.

"So…what do you guys think?" She asked shyly.

"He's even cuter in person" Blaine remarked, placing his hand on Kurt's as he rolled his eyes.

"Does he play football?" Mercedes asked,biting her lip. "He's very….fit"

Rachel looked at her, before breaking out into a fit of giggles as the others laughed along with her. Pressing a hand to her cheek, she leaned forward. "He doesn't, but he's just very careful about his health"

"I'll say" Kurt remarked. The three of them, sat talking for a few minutes before James came back over carrying two coffee's. James handed her one of them, sliding into the booth alongside her. Instinctively, as if it was the most natural thing in the world Rachel leaned against him as his arm went around her shoulder, his hand dangling over her chest.

"So you all go to McKinley together right?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee; blissfully ignorant to the smiles on their faces at how comfortable James and Rachel seemed to be at sharing their personal space.

"Me and Mercedes do" Kurt remarked

"I go to Dalton" Blaine said, softly and Rachel looked up at James as he nodded taking a sip of coffee as he listened to him talk. She smiled at how attentative he was being to her friend; "It's an expensive private school, but its worth it to not have to deal with bullying"

"I can imagine" James said, smiling slightly. "Yeah, we have a no tolerance policy at Stanley as well, that's where I go to school back home in Oregon"

"Why don't you tell us a little about yourself" Mercedes replied, and Rachel smiled as she listened to James tell the three of them about himself. Rachel loved how expressive he was, confident and laid back as he talked; he was sure of who he was and wasn't afraid of it. As he talked about his love of music, she watched as the other three met her eyes and they gave her a knowing look; as if it made sense how the two of them had bonded. It was clear that James and Rachel shared that passion for performing, and it was true; James spoke about how he loved Broadway musicals and of his dream to perform as an actor one day – the determination that showed through as he spoke reminded her so much of herself. She leaned her head against his shoulder as he talked, staring at their intertwined fingers in her lap.

"So yeah, that's pretty much everything about me…apart from this summer and meeting this beautiful girl here" He said, and she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head.

"You two are so cute together" Blaine said, and Rachel looked up at James affectionately; tilting her head kiss the underside of his jaw. "Kurt said that you're in the glee club at your school?"

"Yeah" James replied nodding. "I'm the Male lead, well lead overall I guess. My friends put a lot of trust in me to perform a large amount of our songs"

"We do something similar at Dalton" Blaine agreed nodding.

"We fight for leads at McKinley" Rachel laughed, and Mercedes and Kurt joined in.

The five of them sat around in the coffee shop for around another hour, chatting about music tastes as well as questioning James some more about his background. Rachel smiled and listened as he held conversations with her friends; happy that he had fit right in with the three she was closest to.