A Story of New York

by Razmo

AU After S2 Finale. Rachel rejects Finn's proposal of renewing their relationship; instead heading to New York with Kurt for the summer to improve her chances of getting accepted into NYADA. Follow Rachel through the summer and Season 3 as she makes new friends. But, can she find the man of her dreams along the way? Rachel OC Ship. (Flashes of Finchel mostly friendship)

22. Oregon: I Love You

Chapter 22

The two of them spent around another hour at Heather's house before they headed home. Much to her own delight, Rachel noticed that Heather seemed to be staying away from the two of them. Rachel was glad that she had been able to confront the red headed girl about her feelings for James and warned her about trying to come in between them; instead paying attention to her boyfriend and getting to know some of his friends better while she was there in Oregon with them.

As she stood cuddled into James side, as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder protectively; the two of them spent the remaining time there talking with the rest of the people in the Scale Blazers, but also with his other friends; including many of the ones she was reluctant to meet at first such as the football players. She discovered that James had played football in middle school with them, but had stopped being so involved in sports when he had joined the Scale Blazers early in his freshmen year. Rachel laughed as they said he swapped his football shirts for a leotard and has never taken it off since. She was a little surprised at the fact that they all seemed to be cool with their friend being a performer in the glee club, completely different to how the guys at McKinley were treat for being members of New Directions. It seemed that supporting their childhood friend was more important to them than what hobbies he had, with many of them turning up to watch the Scale Blazers perform at sectionals earlier that night.

As the night went on, she could see that James was becoming a little agitated; and as he kept glancing around the room, Rachel knew it was because Heather seemed to be avoiding them, but when she asked him if he was okay; he nodded and held her closer to him.

But she knew that he was worried, and when they decided to leave, Rachel watched from the hallway after bidding farewell to his friends as James went over to Heather. Smiling slightly, though she hated every moment she had to watch, she saw James hug the red headed girl, pulling back to press a kiss to Heather's cheek before heading back towards the door. The two of them headed back towards his black Mercedes, and as they settled into the car he seemed to be considering something along the way home. A few minutes away from his street, Rachel gripped his hand and he glanced at her raising an eyebrow questioningly at her.

"Whats up baby?" He asked, smiling at her

"You seem quiet since we left Heather's" Rachel replied, smiling back at him as she saw his smile fade.

"It's just, Heather seems quiet, almost like she was ignoring me" James said softly, turning to look out of the window again as he pulled into the driveway of his house.

Rachel bit her lip nervously as she followed him into his house, the car on the driveway letting them know that his family were back at home. They spent a bit of time talking to his mom, sister and her boyfriend before she grasped James hand and nudged him towards the stairs, and as they bid his family goodnight. he led her up the stairs and after fetching her pyjama's from the guestroom, stepped silently into his room; smiling as she saw him led on his bed playing on his phone.

"Hey baby" He smiled looking up from his phone as she was made her way over to him.

"Hi" Rachel replied, pressing a soft kiss against his lips before heading towards the bathroom.

"You can't fall asleep without me huh?" He smirked and Rachel giggled, rolling her eyes at him.

"I can sleep in the guestroom if it'll keep your ego in check" Rachel shot back, grinning at the smirk that sat on his face.

"Don't you even dare" He replied, laughing as she blew him a kiss before disappearing into the en-suite bathroom.

Rachel spent a bit of time going through her nightly routine, a smile sitting on her face as she loved the fact James had a range of skin and hair products in his bathroom; a warm sensation at knowing he appreciated and accepted her need to take proper care of herself before bed. Heading back out of the bathroom; she made her way over to James bed and sat down on top of the covers, smiling as she watched him getting changed. He was stood wearing just a pair of sweatpants as he hung up the shirt he took off the black shirt he had been wearing earlier, placing it on the pile of clothes in a basket in one of the corners of his room for laundry.

As he turned around, Rachel saw a smile cross his face as he saw her sitting on his bed. She couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm at the look he was giving her; feeling appreciated and most of all loved by that man in the moment, glad that they had shared their feelings with one another. Rachel felt completely at ease with James, the man that she was in love with and the knowledge of it made her feeling even more amazing that she already did around him.

"I love you" he murmured after pulling the t-shirt that he slept in over his head and as he climbed into bed alongside her, before pressing a kiss against her lips that Rachel couldn't help but return, pulling him close to her as she felt his hand rest on side of her waist edging her body closer to his.

"I love you James" Rachel replied, after a few minutes of enjoying the sensation of his lips against hers and his hand kneading her side softly. He pressed one more tender kiss against her lips before lying on his side and Rachel curled into body instinctively, enjoying the warmness that their close proximity brought.

They led there in silence for several moments, as he nuzzled her neck affectionately with his nose and Rachel was content to close her eyes and enjoy the affection he was demonstrating to her. When he spoke again, she couldn't but smile; "Thank you for being so amazing"

"What do you mean?" she asked, pulling back slightly to stare into his eyes as she cupped his cheek.

"You" He said, pressing a kiss against her lips. "You've been so great with my friends, I know how you were worried about meeting them in case they were like the idiots at yours"

"They aren't as bad as I feared" She replied softly, and he smiled at her. "I guess I should have realised they'd be better, because you're better than any boy I've known before"

The compliment would inflate his ego, but she didn't care and as he smirked back at her after she spoke; all Rachel could think about was how much she loved this boy, he was so considerate of her and treat her like she was the only girl in the world; the only girl that mattered and when she was with him that's what she believed herself.

"I love you" He said smiling even wider, and leaned down to kiss her.

Rachel kissed him for a few minutes, enjoying the way his lips felt against hers before they separated and settled into each other's arms as they talked about the party at Heather's as James was eager to hear what she thought about his friends. Rachel was happy to tell him she liked all of his friends, and it was true; aside from Heather she had enjoyed spending time with them.

"It means a lot to me that you're trying to get to know Heather as well. I know you weren't that keen on her at first" He spoke quietly a little while later. Rachel smiled at him, thinking about what the red headed girl had said to her. "I think you two could be friends if you spent more time with each other; I'm sorry that she was so quiet, she's normally a lot more social at these things"

"I don't think we will" She muttered softly, thinking about how the red headed girl was interested in ruining Rachel's relationship with James. Heather was the typical popular girl that knew she was attractive and used it to gain more and more reputation around the school, the type of girl that Rachel had always been a little bit jealous of since she started middle and high school. Heather was the type of girl that normally got guys like James as their boyfriend, not her, and Rachel wasn't going to be friendly with the girl that was trying to steal the man she loved.

"What do you mean?" He asked, and she could see the confusion and a little bit of hurt in his eyes.

"I mean, I don't think I'll ever really like Heather" Rachel replied, moving a hand to cup his cheek. Taking a deep breath, Rachel sighed before she spoke again. "You know that Heather is attracted to you?"

"Heather is what?"" He asked, a smirk appearing on his lips; "Don't be silly, Heather isn't interested in me that way; we've been friends for years and she's never shown anything like that towards me"

"She does" Rachel smiled softly,

"How do you-"

"She told me, earlier when we were talking" Rachel replied, her eyes widening to reassure his doubtful face that she was speaking the truth.

"Heather told you that she was into me?"

"Not in so many words, but she says that-"

"Maybe you just misunderstood her; I think I'd know if one of my best friends wanted to be more than that with me" James said dismissing her words, and Rachel couldn't help but feel more than a little bit frustrated at him for not putting more importance on her words.

"James, please listen to me" Rachel said softly, and she saw him nod at her words; causing her to smile as she recognized the same attentiveness in his eyes as he focused his truthful eyes on her.

"Okay"

"Heather doesn't want us to be dating" Rachel said, gulping as she remembered how sad she had felt earlier when the girl had threatened to try and break them up. "She said she was going to try and chip away at our relationship until you would dump me and choose her. Heather doesn't think that I'm good enough for you"

James looked at her, his eyes searching hers for confirmation of what she was telling him. Rachel stared back at him, trying to convey that she was telling truth and hoping that the man she loved would believe what she was telling him. Finally he spoke; "Heather, she said that to you?"

"Yeah" Rachel said as she nodded her head.

James had a frown on his face as he glanced away from her, and Rachel thought that he believed what she had told him. After a few seconds, she moved to touch his face again when he moved away from her and rose from his bed rubbing his neck. Rachel sat up in bed, confusion on her face as she watched him turn around to her.

"I didn't think you could be cruel Rachel" He said, his voice weak and a hurt undertone. His face was furrowed in a frown as he looked at her with sad eyes.

"What do you-" She started to ask, confused by what he was saying

"I know you don't like her, because she's a cheerleader; pretty, one of the people that bullied you at school, but Heather isn't like that" He said, his voice still sounding weak as if it hurt him to speak in a harsh way to her "But I didn't think you would be cruel as to make something like this up about her"

"You think I'm lying?" Rachel asked angrily, though she felt tears in her eyes as the accusation.

"Why would she say these things to you? Heather has never been anything but nice to-"

"I love you" Rachel shot back, her eyes pleading with him "I would never lie to you"

"I get that you feel threatened by her; but you think I don't get that same feeling when I listen to you tell me how you and Finn are friends again" James said, raising his arms out to his side. Rachel gulped, looking at him angry; the first time she had seen him like this towards her; the normal soft and loving tone of his voice now betraying his hurt thoughts. "I act like it doesn't bother me, because I understand that you need his friendship; I love you and I accept that there are people in your life other than me who you care about"

"I do too" she tried to speak, to defend herself although she hated that he still felt threatened when it came to Finn, knowing that deep down she realised how amazing he was in that matter; understand she still needed his friendship in her life.

"No you don't" He said shaking his head. "You see Heather, and you try to tell me that the person I've known for a hell of a lot longer than you have is in love with me? That girl that has been nothing but nice and a friend to me has threatened to hurt me and break me up with my girlfriend. I'm sorry but I can't believe that"

"You don't believe me?" Rachel asked, tears in her eyes. "You said you loved me; how can you not believe what I'm telling you"

"I do love you; but I don't understand why you're being like this; why are you lying to me"

Rachel's tears were flowing down her cheek now as she listened to his words, his words accusing her of making this up, that the man she loved was accusing her of making this up. Mixed in with that was the heartache she remembered feeling as Heather said she was going to break the two of them; not wanting to lose him to her. unable to bear being in the room with him, not wanting him to see how much she was hurting, Rachel shook her head as she rose from his bed and started to make her way over to the door; wanting to get out of the room with him so she could cry.

"Where are you going?" He asked as her hand gripped the door handle. Rachel closed her eyes and took a breath to try and compose herself before she turned around to face him, seeing tears in his own eyes and wanting nothing more to go over to him and feel his arms around her and his warm, welcoming scent as he whispered reassurances and loving words into his eyes; wanting nothing more than to feel his love.

"The guest room" She managed out, feeling her tears running down her cheek. "I don't want to be around you; I don't want to be around a man who says he loves me but doesn't act like it"

Before James could reply, she opened the door and strode out of his room ignoring the call of her to wait as she closed it behind her and strode towards the guestroom farther down the corridor.

When she made it into the guestroom, she pulled back the covers and pulled them around her as she snuggled into the quilt; allowing her tears to fall unconstrained now from her eyes. How could things have changed so drastically between them; a few hours ago he was telling her that he loved her, just as she told him and now he had said that he couldn't believe what she was telling him; that she was being cruel and making up the story. That hurt Rachel most of all; knowing that he didn't trust her, that he thought she could be such a horrible person to make such a story up; ignoring that fact that her heart was hurting at thinking anything could come between her and the man she loved.

She loved James with all her heart, just as he had said she had his heart; he had hers, he'd had it since he left Ohio as he took a small part of it with him. To hear the man she loved get mad at her for the first time, was gut wrenching; a million, in fact screw it indescribably worse than when Finn had called her cruel when she had kissed Noah; the heartache she felt at her and James' argument giving her a horrible feeling that something was missing from her life. All she wanted to do was settle in his arms and listen as he told her the three words that had brought her so much happiness earlier in the evening. Instead of hearing that, Rachel led there crying.

A little while later, perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes, Rachel had finally managed to stop her tears from flowing freely and was trying to settle into her pillow to get some sleep. The sadness and emptiness hadn't left her, and she still sniffed ever few seconds as she tried to relax her body. Rachel wondered about going back to his room to sleep with him; even if they had fought, she loved James and still wanted to feel his warm embrace around her as they slept; regardless of how upset she was with him right now, all that mattered was that she was in love with him and wanted to be close to him.

As she considered it, one part of her body telling her to get up and go to him; the other saying she shouldn't, Rachel heard the slight creak of her bedroom door, followed by the soft patter of footsteps making their way towards her bed. Rolling over, she reached across and turned on the lamp that rested on the bedside table; glancing up and seeing James stood there in his blue sweatpants and white t-shirt as he stood with his hands clasped in front of him looking at her with sad eyes.

"What do you want" She asked attempting to sound angry at him, but her voice came out weak and worn out from the crying. His eyes glanced down before meeting hers again, and heart warmed seeing the sorrow but also love in them.

"I'm sorry" He whispered softly, his voice radiating with regret but also she heard the love for her in it. "Can I get in bed with you?"

Rachel thought about telling him no, and sending him away; part of her still angry and hurt at him for not believing what she told him. Knowing she'd never be able to sleep without his arms around her tonight; she nodded at him, giving him a slight smile as she threw back the covers and shifted over allowing him to get in with her.

As he settled in bed with her, lying on his side; instinctively Rachel turned over and shifted so that he could pull her close to him, not caring about their fight just wanting to feel his arms around her. She smiled happily as his arm wrapped around her waist and he moved that his body was flush up against her back, settling his head into the crook of her neck as he placed a soft kiss there.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you like that, baby" James voice whispered in her ear, his arm pulling her waist closer to him as he kissed her neck again. Rachel sighed, snuggling into his embrace as he spoke softly again; "I love you"

"I love you too" Rachel replied, tilting her head to press a kiss against the corner of his mouth. "I forgive you"

"Just like that?" He murmured their faces only an inch away from each other's.

"Yeah, I love you" She replied, and she saw tears in his eyes.

"I'm never going to doubt anything you tell me, ever again" James replied, looking at her seriously and she could feel the truthfulness and love in his words. "From now on, I'm going to believe you completely and utterly. I love you and you're the only person I trust with my heart"

"Thank you" She said overwhelmed by his words, the only action that felt right being to kiss him once more.

After exchanging kisses for a few minutes, Rachel felt him pull back before he spoke again "I'm not going to let anything break us up; not Heather, not anything"

"Me neither" Rachel replied smiling, as she him bit his lip.

"I'll speak to Heather on Monday and tell her it's not acceptable what she said to you" James said softly after a slightly pause, Rachel looked up with him a sad smile; knowing that he didn't want to lose her as friend despite the fact he believed what Rachel had told him about the red headed girl. "You're the love of my life, and she can't threaten that"

"I know you care about her, and don't want to lose her friendship" Rachel sadly, gripping his arm around her waist tightly. "But it really upset me that you didn't trust me enough to believe what I was telling you"

"I know and I'm so sorry, please believe when I say I will never not trust you again; I won't chose anything over you ever" James replied, his voice reflecting the tears she could see in his eyes; sounding vulnerable and begging her to trust him "I've just always had a weak spot for her, I always try to see the best in her; she's been such a good friend to me"

"It's okay, just know I trust you around her; just like you did with me and Finn" Rachel responded, tilting to kiss him softly.

"I know that, and I'll never chose anyone over you; you're the greatest thing in my life" James replied, connecting their lips again as they shared a few minutes showing each other that they had forgiven the other for their argument.

"I don't ever want to fight with you again" He murmured against her lips, and Rachel couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad we did" She said gently, and he pulled back to look at her; a confused expression on his face.

"What? Why?"

"I'm glad we had it because, I'm here with you instead of being in Ohio" Rachel replied, smiling at him as his eyes glanced away for a split second. "Imagine us arguing down the phone and not being able to kiss and make up"

"You're right" James said, nuzzling her with his nose after pressing a kiss to her lips. Rachel's eyes closed, moving her head to rest her cheek back against the pillow; enjoying the sensation of his breath on her ear as he spoke again; "I would have hated it"

"Do you really think that she's pretty?" Rachel asked vulnerably, her voice betraying the self doubt's that she'd always had about her own attractiveness.

"Yeah" He admitted after a few seconds, and she felt a tear run down her cheek before James hand wiped it away with his thumb as he titled her head to look into his warm loving eyes. "But you; you are so much more beautiful; so much more than any word is capable of describing"

Rachel giggled, nodding as she felt the truth of his words; leaning forward to capture his lips with hers enjoying the feeling of them as well as the soft moan that escaped him as she gently pushed her tongue into his mouth; eager to be intimate with him. For several minutes they stayed like that as she enjoyed the feel of James' arms around her body as they lay in his bed. After a few minutes, they pulled back and she cuddled deeper into his embrace.

"That means a lot to me, baby" She replied, smiling at him. "I love you"

"I love you too" James said softly, snuggling closer to her; "Goodnight baby"

The next morning, Rachel woke up with a smile on her; feeling incredibly happy about the night before were she and James had made up after their fight. She had never wanted to fight with James. Before the one they'd had the night before, she'd hoped that their first fight would never come; knowing that it would feel horrible to be anything but completely happy with him. But, it had happened and rather than feeling horrible about arguing with him; instead she just felt content and happy. In fact, she felt even more in love with him after their argument; as if it had brought them closer together in their relationship.

As she wiped her eyes, attempting to wake herself up fully; she turned in bed and saw James still sleeping next to her. Rachel smiled as she gazed at the relaxed expression on his face as his eyes remained closed as he slept. He looked so handsome and calm while he was fast asleep, Rachel felt her heart warm and she moved her hand to brush his black curly fringe out from his forehead before settling it on his neck as she led there watching him sleeping.

Rachel led there watching him breath softly in his sleep, realising how honoured she felt to be able to experience this part of their relationship; something incredibly intimate that only she would only be able to get to see. The knowledge that James loved her and trusted her was the greatest feeling in the world; and as she noticed him start to wake up, feeling emboldened by her thoughts, Rachel moved forward and kissed him on the lips; smiling against his lips as she felt him moan softly, pulling back and smiling as she saw his eyes slowly flutter open before he stretched under the covers groaning as his body woke up.

"Good morning" Rachel said giggling as she watched him wake up. When he saw her led there next to him; the widest, most handsome grin that she'd ever seen crossed his face before he lent forwards and pressed his lips against hers. Kissing James in the morning was one of the greatest things in the world, and she loved having the chance to do it while she was in Oregon with him before they'd be separated again.

"That is the best way to wake up" James murmured against her lips before he pulled away, Rachel giggled again as his hand came up to cup her cheek. "I love you"

"And that's the best thing I've ever heard" Rachel smiled, chewing on her bottom lip as James grinned back at her as his fingers still stroked her cheek; the sensation soothing and relaxing her.

"I love waking up next to you" James replied, and Rachel felt herself giggling again; every time she was around him, she felt extraordinarily happy and couldn't contain her giddiness.

"Me too" She replied, moving forward to kiss him again softly.

The two of them stayed in bed with each other, kissing for a large part of that but also talking before they both got up; with James heading back to his room as she got ready in the guest room. He had given her one last kiss, saying he'd make her breakfast downstairs in half an hour or so; Rachel nodding happily, glad that he understood how she wanted to take her time to get ready in the morning.

After dressing herself in a pair of three quarter jeans along with a black blouse, Rachel pulled her hair into a ponytail before heading downstairs and towards the kitchen in James' house. A smile on her face, Rachel walked into the kitchen to find James stood behind the stove as Charlie was on the other side as they were talking about something she couldn't make out, but James was laughing happily until she entered in the room; and as they always did, his eyes met hers across the room and his smile widened as his eyes lit up.

Rachel stood there and waved at him, a blush coming across her face about how he made her feel amazing with how he looked at her; his eyes full of adoration of love every time she gazed into them. He looked particularly handsome today, wearing a chequered shirt and a pair of white shorts.

"Good morning Rachel" Charlie's said, the older girl smiling at her. Rachel smiled back, as she moved forward and embraced James tightly, his arm wrapping around her shoulder as hers hook around his waist. Rachel closed her eyes as she felt him press his lips against her forehead. She smiled again feeling the contact, and when he pulled back she looked up and saw him wink at her, Rachel let out a giggle and moved a couple of feet away to let him finish cooking.

"Hi Charlie, how are you?" Rachel asked politely, smiling as stood there smelling the delicious aroma coming from the pan.

"Good, it's been a while since I've tasted my little brothers cooking" Charlie laughed, as James smirked silently behind the stove. "Don't look too cocky about it Jam Jam"

"I hate you" He muttered, and they all laughed.

The three of them sat down at the glass table in James kitchen, eating the breakfast that James had made for them. The two siblings explained that Andrea normally goes into the restaurant early on Saturday mornings, but would be back later on in the afternoon. After a little while, Hugh came downstairs wearing a smart shirt and pants; pouring himself a bowl of cereal before joining them at the table.

Rachel enjoyed spending time with James sister and her boyfriend; they were both older than her and had a maturity to them that she found easy to talk to. Above all else, Rachel loved watching James interact with his family; the way that him and his sister teased one another while her and Hugh sat there laughing on the side. After a while, James took Hugh upstairs with him; after the older guy has asked James to show him some of his rock album collection leaving Rachel along with Charlie in the kitchen. The two of them sat in silence before, Charlie stared at her with a smile on her face. Rachel returned it, feeling a little bit strange in doing so.

"How are you liking staying here?" Charlie finally said after a few moments.

"It's been great" Rachel sighed happily, leaning forward to rest her elbow on the table to prop her head up as she got comfortable. "I missed him so much; your mom and James have been so great letting me stay"

"I'm glad you've been having a good time, Rachel" Charlie replied, and she watched as the older girl bit her lip as a slight smirk covered her face. "Has the guest room been okay for you? James went overboard trying to make sure everything would be ready for you"

"Oh…it's cosy and really easy to sleep in there" Rachel said, gulping slightly. Technically it was true, she had slept in there last night…but that had been along with James holding her tightly in his arms as they slept together; well not slept with him, but sleeping along with him in the same bed. Truth be told, Rachel knew she could sleep anywhere as long as it was with him holding her. "James did a really amazing job at getting it ready for me"

"Mhmmm" Charlie said smiling at her, and Rachel frowned slightly; wondering what the older girl found so interesting. Rachel stroked her neck nervously. "You know, I was heading to bed last night and I saw James sneaking down the hall to the guest room"

"Oh" Rachel said softly, her nervousness increasing. James was worried about his mom finding out about them sharing a bed, and now that his sister had seen him going into the room to sleep with her the night before. "It's not what you think-"

"You mean you didn't sleep with my brother?" Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"We didn't do anything like that, we just shared a bed" Rachel replied, her heart beating faster. While she had told James that she loved him, and sure they had already gone as far as she had done with her previous boyfriends in terms of making out and perhaps even further as well when you considered the fact that they had shared a bed together three times already. "Please don't tell Andrea, she'll be so disappointed and won't let me come here anymore"

"Rachel, relax" Charlie giggled, and Rachel smiled slightly after she took a deep breath; trying to calm her worries. The older girl moved her hand forward and grasped it gently. "I'm not going to tell my mom; you don't think I did things with boys that I didn't want my mom to find out about when I was your age"

Rachel giggled at the implied message and nodded at James' sister. "We just enjoy sleeping in the same bed"

"What you two talking about?" James voice came from behind her, and Rachel blushed furiously as she felt his hands rest gently on her shoulders before he leaned down and pressed a kiss against her neck causing her to close her eyes for a moment.

"How you two are sharing a bed without telling mother" Charlie said teasingly, and as James sat next to her; she turned and saw his face drop. She smiled, his reaction had been hers a few minutes ago.

"Charls, you can't tell her, she'll stop Rachel from staying" James pleaded with her, and Rachel giggled causing him to look at her. "Why are you laughing, this isn't funny. This is serious, if-"

"Baby, she's joking with you; Charlie isn't going to tell your mom" Rachel replied, moving her hand to cup his cheek; gently stroking it with her thumb.

"You aren't?" He asked sceptically, his eyes gazing at his sister who was laughing at him.

"No I'm not" Charlie replied, wiping her eyes. "Just be a little more careful next time you sneak down the hallway"

After a little bit of teasing from Charlie before his mom came home, James and Rachel headed to the mall in his car; with him eager to show her around his home town. As always when they were in the car together, they sung along to a Broadway playlist from her iPod; Rachel was happy just to hear his voice, having missed hearing him sing during the last month. Over the summer in New York, she was used to hearing him sing every day during their workshops together. While they had been separated, he had sung down the phone to her a couple of times when she had been missing him particularly badly.

James drove them around the town for a good hour as he showed her the places he hung around; Rachel was happy to see all of the places that had shaped him into the man she had come to love. They pulled up in a park where he told them he spent a lot of time with his friends playing football on the weekends, and they walked around hand in hand, Rachel enjoying taking in the beauty of the gardens as she spent the time with her boyfriend. Eventually, they made their way to the mall he had described when they were in Ohio; and after parking his black Mercedes; Rachel and James walked with her curled into his side as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Here it is" James said smiling as they walked through the mall. "Like I said, it's not as big as the one you had in Ohio"

"It's great" Rachel beamed up at him, before she spotted one of her favourite shops out of the corner of her eye; pulling him over as he laughed at her. "Oh look! Let's go look in there"

A couple of hours passed, as the two of them enjoyed spending the time together looking around the mall; Rachel enjoying the fact that James seemed more than happy to let her lead him around to wherever she wanted to go. She smiled thinking about the way he looked at her while she led him through a book store, pointing out her favourite books and biographies about her idols; all the while staring at her giving his full attention, a look in his eyes that told her he thought she was the greatest thing in the world; and her words were more important than anything else.

Later in the afternoon, after helping James buy a couple of new t-shirts for himself as well as presents to give her dads when she got back home to Ohio, the two of them were led cuddling on top of James' bed in his room after they got back from their shopping trip. They'd come home and Andrea had told them that they'd be having a family dinner later that night, and Rachel had convinced James to watch some musicals; employing his tactic of kissing his neck in order to get him to agree to it; and after spending a little while making out, and things had started to heat up as he kissed his way down her neck; exploring the skin at the collar of her blouse she had let out a moan at the sensation of his wet kisses that drove her body crazy. Being the amazing guy who she knew respected her and almost subconsciously knew when they had gone too further than she was comfortable with; James had slowed down their making out and they had moved to cuddling. As always when she watched her favourite musicals, Rachel sung quietly along with the actors as she led her head against his chest, his arms holding her tightly as their legs were crossed over one another's; one of his hands rubbing soothing shapes on her thigh.

"Have I ever told you; you smell absolutely incredible" James murmured against her hair, and she smiled as she felt him kiss the top of her head. Tilting her head, she gazed up at him; seeing the loving look in his eyes as he continued to stroke her thigh softly.

"No, but I think I could get used to hearing it" Rachel grinned, and saw him smile back at her before she lent up and pressed a kiss against his lips. After sharing a few chaste kisses, she pulled back and cuddled closer to him; sighing as she felt his arms tighten around her, embracing her in his love. Rachel closed her eyes, enjoying just lying there with him; and how amazing he made her feel. Every time he talked about her, except for their argument the night before, it was never anything but a compliment of how amazing she was, or how beautiful she looked and it made her feel completely and utterly loved. For someone like her, who had doubted her own looks and had always had doubts about whether someone would find her beautiful; it was hard to believe that he loved everything about her, and thoughts wondering when he would find something he didn't love about her crossed her mind.

"Rachel?" She heard him ask, and she realised that she'd subconsciously gripped him tighter as she'd thought about him not loving something about her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking" She replied, her voice sounding a little vulnerable and she smiled as he pulled her closer.

"What about?" James whispered as he pressed a kiss against her forehead.

"Just…" She said gulping to reassure herself that he cared about what was bothering her. She loved him, and knew he felt the same way about her; Rachel knew she could trust him and he would want to know what was bothering her. "One day, you're going to find something you don't like about me"

"Impossible" He said, tilting her head with one of his hands so that she was staring into his eyes, which were full of love for her. "You're perfect"

"Other people don't think so" Rachel said sadly, and she saw him shake his head at her.

"I don't care about what other people" James replied, touching their noses. "You're perfect to me, and that's all I care about"

"I love you for saying that but –" Rachel began to argue, a smile on her face at how completely charming he was when their lips met. She let out a soft moan at the contact as she felt him run his tongue across her bottom lip; to which she gladly opened her mouth to allow him access. Kissing James was the benefit of their relationship that she loved the most, with complete bliss flowing across her as their lips met. He had a way of making her feel incredibly loved with his touch. When they eventually separated, she giggled before wiping her thumb across his lip to take away her lipstick.

"You look adorable in my lipstick" She giggled out as he gripped her hand and kissed her fingers. "Adorably ridiculous"

"A small price to pay for getting to show you how perfect I think you are" He replied, smirking at her as he cupped her face again. "Listen to me Rachel, I love you; and that's not going to change because of other peoples opinions"

"I love you too" She said, with tears welling in her eyes; moving to rest her forehead against his as the two of them returned to cuddling and watching the remainder of the film. God, she thought to herself; how do I deserve such an amazing guy.

Later that night, the two of them would return to that same position; snuggling together under the covers in his bed, this time after making sure that no one was in the corridor before she snuck into his room after getting changed into her pyjama tank top and shorts. When he had come to visit her in Ohio, James had talked to her Dad Leroy about how amazing the lord of the rings movies were while she and Hiram had sat there looking at each other with sceptical frowns on their faces. James had picked up when she had called him a dork, spinning her around over his shoulder as her Dads looked on laughing; and when he had finally set her down again, complimenting her saying that she looked beautiful even with tussled hair, and promised that he would make her sit through them when she came to Oregon.

The two of them were watching the second film, after she had agreed to watch them with him; without the need for his usual kiss-her-neck-until-she-gives-in technique (not that he didn't do it anyway). Cuddling into James body was one of her favourite things to do when she was with him, his body's shape seemingly built for that exact reason so she could be comfortable resting her head in the crook of his neck. Rachel felt completely comfortable in the intimate position; before she wouldn't have been so comfortable doing it in a boys room, but it was just how her relationship with James was that nothing about what they were doing was awkward for her.

The only downside to what they were doing was the terrible film James had forced her into watching. She loved him and was more than willing to sit through his super-hero films, because she had actually enjoyed them but she absolutely hated this one. Back home, she and Hiram would always disappear after a while when her dad put these type of films on.

"Dinner with your family was nice" She said softly, chewing her lip as she attempted to distract him from the film so she wouldn't be so bored out of her mind.

"Mhmmm" James murmured, his eyes still watching the TV on top of his cabinet across the room.

"Your sister really is great, I was worried she wouldn't like me" Rachel admitted, and smiled when his eyes moved from the screen to meet hers.

"I told you Charlie was going to love you" He smiled, and Rachel nodded before moving and connecting their lips, smiling against his as she successfully distracted him from the film.

The dinner with his family had been great; Andrea had cooked a delicious vegan meal for the two of them and Charlie. Rachel knew that James would eat the same as his mom when it was just the two of them, but Hugh was definitely a meat eater and so the two boys had both had a steak that even she had to admit the smell of the sauce and garnish smelled delicious. The four of them had talked and included her in their conversations as if they had known her for years as opposed to only a few hours, and even only a couple of months in the case of James and his mom. It didn't feel forced, or as though they were trying to include her in the conversation; as had been the case with Finn's family. Instead, it was comfortable as a feeling of belonging emanated inside her as she joined in with the teasing of James by his mom and sister while Hugh sat laughing off the side.

Andrea had asked them about their day, listening with that same attentive look and smile that James possessed as Rachel told them about how she and James had visited the mall and gone shopping. The woman really was just a lovely person, who treat her as a member of the family; to which Rachel with her lack of a real motherly role model found incredibly touching and she felt thankful she had met James and he had introduced her to his incredible mom.

The sensation of James sucking on her neck, brought her sense back to her and she vaguely realised that she had moved to straddling him as her hands were entangled in his hair as his rested on her waist. As he pulled their crotches together, leaving very little space between them; he continued to suck on her neck as a groan from her throat as she felt heat in her groin. Using the leverage she had on his head, Rachel pulled his head up from her neck and reconnected their lips before forcing her tongue into his mouth, hearing him moan as their tongues met.

He groaned out, her want for him increasing as she heard the huskiness of it as he spoke in between kisses. "I love you"

"I love you" She replied, moving to kiss at his pulse point; and at the groan that she felt leave his throat, Rachel couldn't help but smile against his smile before she nipped on the skin gently as his hands moved to rubbing her bottom gently. Most of the time when they made out, he would be the one to pay the attention to her neck, and she was happy(more than happy, god it felt so good) to let him; knowing he loved to make her feel incredibly, but when she did it to him his reaction made her want to do more with him, loving the sense of empowerment she got from this.

"God" He managed to say throatily "you're good at that"

"Mmmm baby" she cooed as she felt his hand moved slightly under her shorts as he caressed her thigh. His hand started to move up her thigh and she gasped slightly, pulling her lips from his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. After a few seconds he moved his hand away and stroked her hair gently.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I've just never been touched there" she replied, admiring the hickey she had left on his neck as. He nodded at her.

"I got a bit carried away"

"It's okay, that was hot" she giggled

"What you were doing to my neck was hot" he smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear "You are so beautiful"

"I love you" she replied, pressing a soft kiss against his lips "I'm going to miss you "

"Me too" James muttered softly , and she smiled at him as she saw the tears in his eyes, wiping them with her thumbs. "This is going to hurt so badly to say goodbye to you tomorrow"

"Last time was bad enough" she said sadly and saw that he nodded at her.

"Yeah, but now we've said "I love you" I don't want to let you go home" he said, chuckling lightly as he spoke which caused her to giggle.

"It's my birthday in only a couple of weeks" She reassured him, not wanting to see him get upset as she knew once the years started to flow they'd both be goners. "It won't be as long before we see each other again"

"Yeah you're right" he smiled at her, but the way his arms tightened around her told her that he was just trying to be strong for her. She loved him for it. "I wish we didn't have to keep saying goodbye like this"

"Maybe you should just move to Ohio" she giggled, trying to lighten the mood. "That way we wouldn't have to"

"Or you could move in with us" he suggested and she could see his eyes brighten in humour

"Maybe" she teased and he pressed a kiss against her lips.

A little while later, Rachel pressed a kiss against his cheek as his arm around her waist pulled him into his body as they led on their sides ready to drift off to sleep.

"I love you" was the last thing she remembered hearing before she drifted off to sleep.