A/N :

Thank you so much for reviewing, I appreciate it.

As for the question about what James looks like; I never really had a specific celebrity or whatever in mind for him, but theres a very specific way he looks set in my mind and I'll try and find a picture of someone who resembles that

Chapter 17

On the drive home, Rachel sung along to the radio; her entire body radiating happiness. As she pulled into her driveway, she skipped up the drive and through the front door of the house. As she walked into the kitchen, her dads were sat at the breakfast counter drinking coffee and talking to one another. She overheard their conversation, something about how busy it was getting at Leroy's workplace, but they stopped when they saw her.

"Hey sweetie" Leroy called, as she placed her bag on the side and poured herself a glass of water. "How was school?"

"It was fine" She smiled, hugging Hiram and leaning into his side. "I'm glad it's over now though"

"Oh and why is that?" Hiram smirked at her, and she rolled her eyes.

"Daddy…you know why" Rachel giggled, nudging his shoulder softly.

"You're excited for your flight to Oregon?" Leroy smiled at her, and she nodded. "You want us to make you some dinner before we leave? We have a couple of hours"

"No Dad, that's sweet" Rachel replied smiling at him, "James' Mom wants to take us out to dinner when they pick me up from the airport"

"That's nice of Andrea" Hiram said, placing his coffee cup down on the surface. Rachel nodded, her Dads had gotten on well with James' mom when they had met the three or four times in New York. While James' Dad, Robert, disliked his choice of pursuing a career in theatre and his dream of performing on Broadway, Andrea was the complete opposite. She was a fan of the arts and was the one who had introduced her son to Broadway musicals when he was younger; she was incredibly supportive of her son and from what Rachel had gathered, Andrea was the reason James' Dad went along with supporting his sons dream.

"Have you got your bag packed sweetheart?" Leroy asked, after a couple of minutes of telling her Dads about the plans James had for the two of them.

"Of course, I started packing Monday I was so excited" Rachel giggled in response at the smirks on her Dads faces as she spoke.

The next couple of hours passed by, with Rachel keeping herself busy; knowing that she wouldn't be able to keep her hands to stay still if she just sat around waiting. Instead she went up to her room and organized her suitcase again, running through the check-list she had made about what things she would need to take with her to Oregon. As she was in the car with her Dads to the airport, she sent Kurt a text telling him she was on the way to the airport. After they arrived, her Dads helped her to check in, hugging and kissing her; asking her make sure she's careful and enjoy her trip before they left her to return back to Lima.

A little while later, Rachel sat in the terminal her legs crossed as she fiddled with her phone in her lap. She bit her lip as she replied back to James. He had just finished school for the day and was sitting in a coffee shop near to his school's campus with a couple of friends taking a break before their glee club rehearsed. Rachel giggled as she read his text saying he can't wait to kiss her later that night when her plane landed. As she thought of a response, the intercom went on announcing that her flight would be boarding shortly, a smile growing across her face as she sent James a text saying her plane was leaving and she would see him before hastily switching her phone off.

After waiting in line to board the plane, Rachel found herself sat in her seat on the plane next to a woman in her thirties who was returning home after a teaching convention in Akron. Rachel nodded, answering questions and making chat with the woman for a little while before putting her headphones in and reading one of Kurt's fashion magazines to pass the time until her plane arrived in Oregon.

…..

Several hours later, all the while her anticipation building at being reunited with James; Rachel's plane touched down in Portland. Ensuring that she had all of her things she had brought with her in her carry-on bag, Rachel stepped off the plane and headed further into the airport to find her luggage. After fifteen minutes of standing around, she fetched her pink suitcase that was covered in gold starts and was pulling it behind her as she headed out of the terminal.

Rachel chewed on her lip as she stretched her neck, rising on the balls of her feet as she strained to look over the heads of the people in the airport searching for James and his mom. When she had turned her phone back on after arriving in Oregon, she saw a message from him informing that they would be waiting for her in the foyer and would pick her up to take her to their home.

After a couple of minutes of looking, she spotted James stood leaning against a rail chewing on his thumb, his hands clasped together as he was evidently scanning the wide open space for her. She grinned as she caught Andrea's eye, raising an arm and waving his mom, who smiled and waved back causing James to look at her with a questioning expression. Rachel saw Andrea chuckled and point in her direction, and James slowly turned to look where his mom was pointing.

She saw a wide smile grow on his face as their eyes met, until he was beaming at her; Rachel grinned back at him, raising a hand to wave at him. She giggled as he waved a hand at her clumsily before ducking under the railing and jogging over to her. As he approached, she removed her hand from the handle of her suitcase and rubbed her fingers against her palms as they itched to touch and hold him again.

As he made his way over to her, Rachel took the time to take in his appearance in for the first time in a month. His hair was shorter than it had been when he had come to visit her in Ohio, long enough so that it still covered the tips of his ears. He was wearing a leather jacket that hugged his body perfectly, with a plain white t-shirt visible underneath. Rachel couldn't help but smile at his trademark black jeans and sneakers, a common thing every time she saw him.

As he got closer to her Rachel let out the breath she had held in subconsciously, smiling as she felt her heart beat faster with every inch closer he came. After a few moments, the anticipation of their reunion had been building with every step he took, Rachel couldn't hold in her excitement any more and jumped into his arms as soon as he was within touching distance of her. His response was just as emphatic, lifting her off her feet the moment they were close.

Rachel giggled pressing her face into his neck as he spun her around several times on the spot, her legs spinning behind her before he finally set her down again; pulling her even closer, his arms clasping her waist securely as if to assure himself that she was there with him. Smiling against the skin of his neck, she squeezed her arms tightly before she pressed a tender kiss in the crook of his neck.

In that moment, in the arms of her boyfriend as she felt his breathe against her skin and his arms around her, Rachel had never felt more happy or more at ease with herself. It was as if everything was perfect in life now that she was reunited with him. For the first time, Rachel realised how much she cared for him. While things in her life had been going just fine, it had felt as though a part of her heart had left with him that day at the airport; and she had ached to be reunited with the man who had stolen it. In that moment, Rachel knew that she loved him; the sensation of being close to him too much to be simple affection. Smiling even wider at her realisation, she nuzzled him with her nose peppering soft kisses against his skin, making her way up his jaw towards his lips.

Pulling back from the close embrace, Rachel kissed him softly once on his lips before pulling back, just an inch, and smiling widely as she gazed into his eyes. At the sight of a tear in them, she felt her lip quiver; her own eyes welling up.

"Hi" She muttered softly, smiling at the sight of a tear running down his cheek as he smiled back at her, James eyes seemingly sparkling with joy at being reunited with her.

"Hey" James replied just as softly, and his voice reverberated through her body, sending a shiver down her back and standing the hairs on her body. Hearing his voice over the phone was nothing compared to it in person, the confident strength of his voice that contained folds of affection every time he spoke to her. "I missed you"

"I missed you too" She replied, her voice cracking. He gazed down at her with adoration in his eyes before he let out a breath.

"I can't believe how beautiful you look" He said softly, his hands moving up and down her sides gently caressing her through the jumper she was wearing.

At his word she blushed, her smile creep back onto her face as Rachel leaned up and pressed her lips against his, his hands squeezing her waist slightly as they shared several tender chaste kisses. As their lips separated after each one, James whispered how beautiful she looked before pressing against her again.

The two of them stood there for several minutes with Rachel drawing him closer, if that was at all possible, running her tongue along his bottom lip asking for him to deepen the kiss. Smirking against her lips, he opened his mouth and she gladly slipped her tongue into it. As she let out a moan at the sensation, a feeling that she didn't realise she had missed as their tongues began to fight for dominance, James pulled back and Rachel frowned before attempting to reconnect their lips.

"Wait" He said breathlessly, and she looked up at him pouting at his refusal to meet her lips which caused him to chuckle softly.

"What's wrong?" She asked, and he smiled at her moving a hand to caress her cheek, to which she instinctively leaned her face into, enjoying the sensation of his soft hands holding her.

"Not here…my mom can see" He said sheepishly and she giggled at him, moving forward so that she could nuzzle his cheek with her nose.

"Are you embarrassed?" She giggled again, tilting her head and glancing up at him; her hands stroking the back of his neck gently. She could tell he was enjoying the sensation as his eyes closed as he stood with her in his arms.

"I'm…I'm not" he muttered half-heartedly, enjoying the feeling of her fingers.

"You totally are! You're such a mummy's boy" She giggled teasing him and she saw a smile grow across his lips.

A few seconds later and he opened them again before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "I'll give you a proper welcome kiss when we get home after dinner"

"Okay" She smiled at him, biting her bottom lip as he took her suitcase and pulled it behind them as they walked; Rachel pressed closely into the side of his body with her arm around his waist as his rested on her shoulder. "Are we heading to your house first?"

"Yeah" He responded, nodding at her. "I thought you might like to freshen up before we go"

"Are you saying I smell?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as a small smirk crossed his lips.

"You smell amazing" He replied tenderly, smiling she kissed his cheek before they set off walking.

"How was the flight?" He asked, concerned as he led her towards where he had left his mom standing.

"Good, no bumps or emergencies" She replied, resting her head on his shoulder comfortingly. She remembered how he told her he didn't like flying, and could tell he was glad her journey had been safe when he sighed relieved.

"I'm glad" He smiled, looking down at her. "I was worried"

Rachel smiled up at him and nodded, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek before turning to greet Andrea. The woman was wearing jeans and a long black cotton jacket over a beautiful maroon blouse, her hair pulled up into a bun on the top of her head. Rachel waved softly again at her, noting the smile that was on his moms face; she had liked Andrea from the moment James had introduced them, the woman a warm person with nothing but love for her son. The fact she give the biggest and warmest hugs Rachel had ever experienced was another reason to like her.

"Rachel, Sweetheart!" Andrea exclaimed and Rachel separated herself from James to meet his mom, giggling softly as the older woman pulled her into a tender hug. After a few seconds, Rachel felt the woman pull back and move her hands to her shoulders as his mom inspected her. "You look radiant, Rachel, have you been trying those recipes I sent you?"

"I have, they're delicious; and my Dads love them" Rachel replied, smiling widely.

"I'm glad, did your flight run smoothly?" She asked, in a motherly affectionate tone as his mom gazed at her.

"It was perfect, I'm so glad to be here at last" Rachel replied, turning her head to gaze at James who was smiling at them.

"I'm glad you're here" He muttered softly, and Rachel felt her skin tingle at the warm look he was giving her.

"He's been a wreck the last couple of days" Andrea commented, and Rachel turned back to look at the older woman. "Don't even mention while we've been stood waiting for your plane to get in, I lost track of the amount of times he asked me "Mom, do you think Rachel is okay?"

"Mom…" he whined as Rachel giggled at his mom. "Can we not…we've got dinner plans"

Rachel watched as his mom nodded a playful smile on her face as she released Rachel and gestured for them to follow her. "Come on you two, let's go"

Smiling as James pulled her into his side again as they headed out of the airport, the sound of her suitcase wheels rolling over the floor. They walked in silence, a happy content smile on her face as they passed through the doors and out into the part of the car park towards where his mom had parked. As they approached, Rachel eyes widened at the expensive black Mercedes, the lights blinking as Andrea pressed a button on the key chain she was holding. She knew that his Mom and Dad were well off, just like her own family, but her dads didn't like to show off the wealth they had; instead driving a simple looking Volvo. Rachel smiled slightly that James' family obviously didn't have the same worry.

As James opened the boot of the car, he glanced at her and quirking an eyebrow at her slightly stunned expression.

"You okay?" He asked, closing it and coming to stand in front of her.

"Your mom's car is very nice" She replied, taking one of his hands and threading her fingers in his.

"My mom's car is much more modest than that" He said smirking. Rachel titled her head gazing at him queerly before he spoke again "No that's mine"

"Yours?" Rachel exclaimed, her surprise rising. "How can you afford that?"

"I didn't…my dad did" He replied, smiling.

"Your dad bought you that? Why?" She asked, rubbing the hand she was clasping softly.

"Neglectful absentee rich father remember?" He said, and his smile faded softly. "It's an early 18th birthday present since he'll be in California at the time. This is supposed to make me feel better"

"I'm sorry" She muttered and he leaned down and kissed her.

"Don't worry, I've got you here now and I don't care about anything else" He replied, and she kissed him again before he opened the door for her to get into the back, a giggle escaping her lips at him acting like a gentleman. She settled into the back, shifting in the leather seat admiring how comfortable it was. When the other side door opened and James got in with her, she couldn't help but grin as he sat next to her; pulling the seatbelt across before she leaned closer to him. "Can't wait to start cuddling with me?"

"Duh" He said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Why do you think I brought my mom?"

She giggled at him, as he raised an eyebrow playfully at her. From the driver's seat, his mom laughed. "I'm glad you value your mother so highly, James"

"You know I love you mom" He responded, laughing as Rachel rested her head on his shoulder. His mom sent a "you better" retort back at him before starting the engine of the car and pulling out of the car park.

They sat in silence for several long minutes, as Rachel sat resting against his body as the fingers of the hand on the arm that was draped around her shoulder massaged her arm softly through the jumper. Smiling at the sensation she looked up at him, and saw that he was gazing at her lovingly.

"You're quiet" She murmured after another few minutes.

His lips curved into a smile, before he leaned down and pressed a kiss against hers. When he pulled away he nuzzled her hair before speaking softly; "I can't believe you're actually here"

"You better start" She replied playfully, moving one of her hands to gently lay against his cheek. "I'm only here for a few days and we've been separated for a month. We've got a lot of catching up to do Mister."

He smirked back at her, and nodded before pressing a kiss against her forehead. "How's school?"

Rachel smiled at him, before launching into an overview of the last few weeks at McKinley. As always when they spoke, he gazed at her with his full attention; a look of utter adoration in his eyes. She told him about her classes and studies; as well as the numbers they had worked on in Glee club. Twenty or so minutes later as she was done talking, she shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him; "On the whole, it's going really well"

"Are they still slushing you?" He asked after a few moments of silent observation of her face, his eyes flashing with concern and she tried to smile to reassure him.

"Yeah" She replied, and he frowned softly at her. Raising her hand to his cheek, she ran her thumb in circles just under his right eye. "It's okay, I'm used to it…it doesn't get to me any more"

James pressed a kiss to her lips, before pulling back and resting his forehead against hers. "Doesn't make it any better, I hate thinking of your beautiful face covered in that stuff"

Rachel smiled at him, clutching his hand tighter at the sign of his obvious discomfort with her being subjected to the abuse she was used to. Raising their joined hands to her lips she kissed his knuckles softly before adding. "Please don't let it get you down. There's nothing you can do about it"

"That's what I hate" He replied gently, trying to smile reassuringly at her. "I hate that you're so far away and I can't protect you. I'd beat the crap out of anyone who dared lay a finger on you or say something mean to you"

Rachel couldn't help but giggle softly, and kissed his forehead attempting to kiss away the frown on his forehead. She hated being away from him as well, and the memories of his arms around her as well as his lips on hers kept her from feeling downbeat about the mindless attempts of bullying.

"I hope you wouldn't young man, there's never any need for violence" Andrea's voice called from the driver's seat, and Rachel couldn't help but smile at her stern tone. "I thought I'd raised you better than that"

"Mom…you don't know how badly they treat her" He protested and Rachel giggled again at him, loving how protective he was being. Pressing a kiss against his lips she snuggled closer to his warm body, glad at how his arms tightened around her pulling her into him.

"I wouldn't let him beat anybody up, Andrea" Rachel replied smiling, amusement in her voice as she heard James snort at her assertion.

"You're tiny, Munchkin, I could pick you up and carry you over my shoulder" He chuckled, nuzzling the tip of her head and she giggled as she felt him smile against her.

"Please, you're powerless when it comes to me" She responded, tilting her head as he pulled back and gazed at her smirking. "You know it's true"

"I know I am, and I don't mind one bit" He said laughing, and she leaned up to kiss him again.

They spent the final part of the journey to James' house talking about college applications. Andrea was interested in how Rachel's one to NYADA was coming along, and she was more than happy to explain to his mom about the credits she had. James was quiet as he listened to her talk, only interjecting his own little bits of insight from time to time; spending the rest of the time gazing at her intently as she spoke, something that caused a smile to be constantly fixed on her lips.

As they turned into a street that was rimmed by a stone wall with a fancy looking sign that read "Glenclose Estates", Rachel's attention was diverted out the window at the sight of large detached houses that graced the street. From the looks of them, they seemed to be large, five bedroom houses if she had to have guessed judging by the size. She turned her gaze to James who was smiling at the look of surprise on her face.

"You live here?" She asked, as James smirked at her.

"Yeah" James replied, before pressing his head close to hers and pointing out the window. "That one"

Rachel followed his gaze, ignoring the urge to kiss him senseless, and saw a beautiful house with several small decorative trees in the front garden next to a wide driveway where a couple of cars were parked. As his mom parked the car, James kissed her cheek before hoping out the door as she looked at his house. A couple of seconds passed before he opened the door on her side, and offered her his hand which she gladly took climbing out of the backseat.

After waiting for a moment as James took her suitcase from the boot for her, Rachel stood holding his hand tightly as her thumb rubbed circled on the back of his hand before he led her up the short gravelled path to the front door where his mom had left the door open.

Stepping into the hallway, Rachel smiled as she saw the wide open hallway, with a staircase set in the dead middle. The walls were decorated in beautiful maroon coloured wallpaper with a several chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the hallway or rather foyer considering how large it was. James stood in front of her, his free hand held out to his side. He smiled as he spoke to her; "Welcome home"

"It's huge" Rachel giggled stepping closer to him and kissing him softly. "It's beautiful"

"James, remember sweetie that we have dinner reservations at 7" His moms voice called from the kitchen as James led her in, causing her to smile at the open plan nature of this part of the house. Much like her own, the kitchen and dining area were joined without an intercepting wall, but in James' house there was also what looked like a family room joined with a large couch and several chairs placed around a fireplace and large TV.

"Yeah I know mom" He replied, rolling his eyes at her, causing Rachel to giggle at him. Stepping closer to her, he placed his arms around her shoulders as she stood square in front of him, her arms wrapping around his waist as she pulled him close. "You're going to love it here, so much you'll never want to leave"

Rachel laughed at him, her tilting upwards to ask for a kiss; something she knew he would never refuse. She smiled as he leaned and pressed his lips against hers as the two of them shared a tender connection for several moments before James reluctantly separated from her at the sound of his mom again walking back into the room.

"James, show Rachel where she can put her bag in the guest room" She said smiling, before widening her eyes at him. "Now"

James whined quietly, about how annoying his mom was, as Rachel giggled at him as he pulled her with him back into the hallway, stopping to pick up her suitcase before he led her up the stairs. As they made their way up the stairs, and down the corridor; Rachel admired the beautiful wallpaper as well as the family pictures that were hanging on the walls. There were several wedding photos as they passed a door, which James pointed out was his parents room, and Rachel smiled at the happy couple recognizing Andrea twenty or so years ago looking beautiful in a white dress. As they walked further down the corridor and around a corner, Rachel spotted pictures of James when he was growing up as well as his sister Charlie. As they passed a door, Rachel laughed at the sight of a sign hanging on the door warning people against stepping into James' room if they weren't invited.

"That's your room?" She asked, smiling.

"Yeah" He said and gestured for her to follow him.

"You don't want to show me?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I do, but not yet otherwise we'll be late for dinner" He smirked, moving his eyebrows up and down suggestively which caused her to blush. Nodding her agreement, Rachel smiled as she followed him further down the corridor until they came to a door facing them. Opening it slightly, he gestured for her to enter as he spoke; "This is your room while you're here"

Smiling at him, Rachel walked in first and gasped slightly at the room. Stepping further inside, she noted the beautiful gold and crimson wallpaper that decorated the walls. It was the size of her room back home, and was made up as if it was an expensive hotel room. In the middle of the room against the back wall was a large king-sized bed that was covered with a lilac coloured quilt. There was a wardrobe against the wall where the door was, as well as a dressing table a mirror next to another door on the wall to her right.

"That's the bathroom you can use" James remarked, leaning against the doorway smirking at her reaction. Rachel walked over to the bed and ran her fingers over the quilt, nothing the candles that were on a bedside table similar to how her own room was set up. "I got that for you the other day, the quilt as well as the candles. I know how much you love that colour; it's pretty much the same as your one at home"

"You did this for me?" She remarked, smiling as her eyes welled up slightly from the act.

"Yeah" He nodded stepping forward and extending his hands towards her, to which she was more than happy to take. "I want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible"

"You're amazing" Rachel commented before leaning up and kissing him softly on the lips. She felt him grin against her lips, and she moved her arms around his neck to pull him closer as she opened her mouth willingly to deepen their connection. Her earlier feelings of affection and love came flowing back as she felt his tongue connect with hers as he explored her mouth. They stayed in the moment for a few more minutes before Rachel pulled back, and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Go get changed, and I'll see you downstairs in a little bit" James said, as she licked her lips enjoying tasting him on her slightly swollen lips from their kissing. Rachel nodded before he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and turned around heading out the door, waving as he closed it. Rachel giggled, before falling back on the bed and staring up at the ceiling as she bit her lip thinking about how amazing it was to be reunited with him, and to think the next few days had only just begun.

...