Chapter 52

Sectionals the previous week had been amazing, the New Directions had won and she doubted she would have been able to survive the pressure that had surrounded them in this school year without the presence of her boyfriend by her side. After the results had been announced and the glee club had celebrated by themselves for a few moments, Rachel had run of stage towards her family and straight into his arms. She had hugged him tightly, pressing soft, tender kisses against the skin at his neck as he murmured how much he loved her in response. Reluctantly, she had pulled herself away from him and leaving him with a single kiss on the lips, had turned to hug her fathers and then in turn, his sister and mother. They had each rained adoration and congratulations on her for the sectionals win and all she could do was stand there and smile widely as she held tightly onto James' hand.

They hadn't celebrated extravagantly, Rachel had been more willing to simply go for dinner with her and James' family after they had spent around a half hour mingling with the rest of the glee club before they made their leave. None of the new directions wanted to throw a party while three of their friends would surely be downtrodden about finishing runners up.

It had been wonderful time to be a part of a larger group of people, her family had always just been the three of them, and she couldn't help but feel a warmness inside her as she ate with the group of seven at a fancy restaurant in Lima.

After they'd arrived back at James' house, she wasted no time in getting James to cuddle in bed with her; content just to lay in his arms and listen to his breathing as she rested her head over his heart while his fingers ran relaxing though her hair.

The next day at school had been strange, random people in the corridor were congratulating her on sectionals; something that had never previously happened before but it felt good nonetheless. At lunch, Quinn had pulled her aside and thanked her for talking her out of doing something stupid to harm Shelby's career. Rachel had shrugged, calling it no big deal before pulling the blonde girl in for a tight hug. They'd separated smiling and Quinn had told her about Yale; of course it would be an amazing opportunity, Quinn always had a side for the dramatic just like she did but it was nice to see Quinn realizing that she was worth more than what she'd been so far this year.

Quinn had asked for a favour, to allow the Trouble tones to perform one song at each competition as a means to try and convince them to re join the New Directions. Shelby had apparently told Quinn of her intention to leave the school considering what had gone on and Rachel was sad about that but recognized getting Brittany, Santana and Mercedes to rejoin them would be a huge statement of intent for their pursuit of a national title. Of course she'd agreed.

After school, after their celebratory performance in the auditorium where the trouble tones had shown their faces and re-joined, she had gone to find Shelby, seeking to find out just where and what her mom was doing if she did intend to leave teaching at the school. Their relationship had improved drastically in the few months that Shelby had been back in Ohio and a part of Rachel really hadn't prepared herself for the fact that her mom was going to leave again.

She doubted that she would ever have a real close relationship with Shelby, not like James did with his own mom or she herself had with her fathers, but at least being able to talk to her about private things would mean the world to her. While her fathers had seemed sceptical and worried about Shelby's presence in Ohio, they had grown use to the fact the surrogate mother who bore them their daughter was around and seemed to be fine with Rachel pursuing a relationship with Shelby.

"Shelby?" Rachel spoke softly, stepping into the classroom that had been Shelby's for the last few months "Mom?"

"Over here" Shelby called and turning to her left, Rachel saw Shelby sat at the piano at the far side of the room. "Congratulations on winning yesterday"

"Thanks" Rachel replied, smiling widely. "You did a really amazing job with the Troubletones"

Shelby smiled, standing up from her stool "Is everything okay sweetie?"

"Quinn told me you're leaving McKinley" She murmured in response "Where are you going?"

"Where am I going?" Shelby asked, frowning slightly "I'm not going anywhere…I'm planning to raise Beth in Ohio"

"You are?" Rachel asked softly.

"Yeah" Shelby smiled "At least until the start of the new school year, I'm thinking of looking for a job in New York but that can wait"

Rachel's smile widened "I'm glad you're staying"

"Me too sweetie" Shelby replied "I wouldn't leave you again, Rachel, not after these last few months; its been special to get to know you better"

"I've liked it too" Rachel said, sniffing back some tears "It felt good to beat you"

Shelby laughed, moving over and brushing Rachel's hair over her shoulder. "I'm glad you did, you all deserve so much happiness and now you're going to get it"

"Thank you" Rachel grinned "You could always help us"

"I'll talk to Will" Shelby said smiling "Maybe I can be a chaperone for nationals and help in the few weeks before, but for now; I just want you to know how proud I am of you"

….

Charlie and Hugh left to return to college for the final couple of weeks before the Christmas break that weekend. Rachel smiled as she hugged them both before standing next to James as he watched his sister leave; his hand reaching for hers quietly as he waved with his spare hand as Charlie and Hugh disappeared into the terminal. She had kept hold of his hand as they travelled home with Andrea, the silent contact giving him the comfort she know that he needed. They spent the rest of that Saturday together at his house, hanging out and relaxing before eating dinner with his mom and Sam. It was a nice warm dinner before she and James went to his room to lie together on his bed and watch movies.

The following day, Sam and James were going to play football in the park with the rest of the Glee guys, a few of their friends and Lauren. Rachel spent the day with Kurt as they walked around the mall together.

"Have you spoken to Mercedes much?" Rachel asked as they sat at Starbucks drinking coffee.

"A little" Kurt replies, "She's happy to be back in New Directions, a little sad that they lost but she's not going to let it bother her"

"That's good to hear" Rachel agreed. She missed spending time with Mercedes, they had surprisingly a lot in common and the girl had been a good friend.

"She mentioned you actually" Kurt murmured a few minutes later "About whether I thought you'd forgive her for being so cruel to you"

"Really?" Rachel asked, pausing with her cup halfway to her mouth "She wants to be friends again?"

"I think so" Kurt nodded, smiling slightly "She's put it in your court. If you want to talk then I think you could work things out and we can go back to being friends"

Rachel licked her lips, eyes dropping to the table in front of her as she lets the thoughts course through her mind. Mercedes had tried to upset her when they had fallen out, to try and come between Rachel and her dreams of New York. She had tried to embarrass her and not only that but tried to come between James. Despite that, Rachel wanted to forgive her; she wanted to reach out and take Mercedes apology, for the two of them to be friends again. James had been so great with Finn that she wanted to follow his example and try to move on with the petty hatred that had been brewing.

"I'll take to her next week at school" Rachel replied a few minutes later, smiling as she met Kurt's gaze. He nodded at her as he drank a sip of his own coffee, his hand slowly reaching across the table to take hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

…..

"You okay babe" Rachel heard James voice, snapping her out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw James looking at her with concern his eye as they led on his bed. The two of them had been doing homework when they got home from school, choosing to relax while doing it; Rachel was near his pillows as he led at the foot of it with his books spread out around him. "Rach?"

"Mhmm, Yeah I'm fine" She says, giving him a smile. He gazes at her, chewing whats left of the vegtables they cut up for a snack for a few moments.

"Nope, sorry not buying it" He replies shaking his head as he sits up on his knees and crawls towards her. Rachel giggles as he moves her books to the side and then perches himself on top of her, gently resting his weight against her legs as he leans down and kisses her. they share a few tender exchanges before she hears him murmur against her lips. "Tell me"

"It's Mercedes" She replies as he kisses her once more before moving back to gaze at her. He nods his head before moving on the bed so he's sitting next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and nudging her towards his body. Rachel smiles, resting her head against his chest; her hand coming up to grip the material of his t-shirt as he starts running his hand up her back.

"You two fighting again or?"

"No, no" Rachel says shaking her head against his body. "She wants to be friends again"

"Its what you wanted right" James says and she feels his lips press against her forehead, her eyes closing for a moment in reaction "for you two to be friends again?"

"Yeah….I think so" She says softly "It's just, she said some really mean things about me….about you; us everything. Does it make me a bad person that I'm not sure I want to be again?"

"No" He replies instantly "She hurt you and that's not okay"

"You don't want me to be friends with her again?" She askes raising her head to gaze into his brown eyes, swirling with emotion

"No, I just want you to be happy" He replies, kissing her forehead again. "if being friends is going to make you happy then I go for it, alright? But just make sure that you sort things out, don't just jump into forgiving her because you think it's the right thing for anyone else"

Rachel nodded, moving her head to rest against his chest again; closing her eyes as she enjoys the feeling of his arms around her as he holds her closer. "You give the best advice"

She hears him chuckle, bringing a smile to her face as she feels his chest vibrate underneath her. He kisses the top of her head again, murmuring as he moves away "Because I love you and I just want the best for you Rach"

"I love you too" She replies, sighing happily; content just to lie in his arms.

….

The next morning, Rachel wakes up still laying in the same position she remembers being in as she felt asleep; cuddled up against James body, resting her cheek against his chest as she lays as close to him as physically possible. Smiling at the thought of her body seeking his warmth in her sleep, Rachel moves to rest her chin against his chest looking up at him sleeping peacefully, his curls drooping over his forehead. It's been a while since he had a hair cut and as much as she loves his short curls feel under her fingers; there is something absolutely adorably cute about him with longer hair; the tightness unravelled leaving a curly, mop of a mess.

She watches him for a few minutes before the alarm on his phone goes off, blasting out AC DC into the room. Smirking as she watches James groan and bury his head into his pillow, Rachel leans over and hits the button to stop the alarm before resuming her position cuddled next to him.

"Morning handsome" She says softly watching as he wipes the sleep out of his eye.

"No" He replies, "It's much too early for that; I just want to lie in bed with you"

"We've got school" She says, biting her lip to stop herself giggling as he turns on his side and pulls her closer into his body. "James"

"Ssssh, I'm sleeping" He mutters softly. Rachel laughs at him, shifting so that she's leaning on her elbow looking down at him as he lays there, eyes shut; a small smile on his lips however that tells her he's fully awake.

"Baby" She cooes, leaning down so there's a small gap between their lips. "Baby, you need to wake up now"

James shook his head slightly and she rolled her eyes; moving forward and kissing him softly. After a short moment she felt him respond, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. Rachel smirks against his lip, pulling away as she feels his tongue touch her lips. He groans and opens his eyes to gaze at her; "Hey…no fair"

"Going to wake up if I keep kissing you?" She asks teasingly.

"I'll do anything you want as long as you never stop kissing me" He replied seriously, his love for her in his eyes. Rachel feels her heat beat faster as she grins back at him, leaning forward to meet their lips again.

It's a good fifteen minutes before she manages to stop kissing him, pulling away breathless as she sees his swollen lips and his eyes oozing with desire. Gulping, suppressing the feeling she has in her groin, Rachel leans over and kisses him chastely. "Get up now"

"Anything for you" he replies, pushing the covers back and climbs out of bed, stretching before he turns to her again; "You want to shower first?"

"No, you go ahead" She smiles, reaching over to get her hair brush from the bed side cabinet. "I love you"

"Love you too" he replies, giving her a wink before disappearing into the bathroom. Rachel sat there thinking about the fact that Christmas was nearly upon them and this year, for the first time, she would be able to spend it with someone that she cared about. Even though she was Jewish, she still loved the holiday season, how everyone got excited for it and all the town would be covered in decorations. Her Dads had always tried to recreate some of the special feeling for her but it wouldn't be the same as spending it with someone who celebrated it.

Smiling at the thought, she turned and saw James walking out of his bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. She gulped as she watched him walk towards her, a smirk on his face, before he leant down and kissed her.

"Showers all yours" He murmured after giving her several short chaste kisses.

"Thank you" She replied somewhat breathlessly, her eyes trailing down his exposed chest and god he was so sexy.

"You okay Rach?" His voice snapped her out of her thoughts, James smiling at her as he sat on his bed. Nodding her head, Rachel stood up and made her way towards his bathroom; it was becoming harder to ignore her attraction to him and the things that her body wanted to feel. Pushing them out of her head, she stood under the shower and enjoyed the way the water poured over her body.

That day at school only increased her excitement for the holiday, the hallways and classrooms being decorated for the season and Mr Schuster sent them all a message saying that he had acquired a tree and decorations for the choir room that they would be decorating at rehearsal that afternoon. They'd worked so hard to win sectionals and not even she could deny that a welcome break was the perfect thing for them to do to relax after their victory the week before.

Rachel had a smile on her face throughout the day, especially at lunch as they sat at the glee club table all of them laughing and joking as if the conflicts between them had never happened; one group unified and friends again. She was sat next to Kurt and Artie, talking about their ideas for songs to sing for at the homeless centre they'd agreed to help volunteer at. Across from her, James was laughing and joking with Sam and Noah; her smile widening as she thought how she never would have imagined that she could be this happy with him. He really was perfect and she loved him.

Looking back towards Kurt, her eyes met Mercedes and they shared a small smile; Rachel had agreed to talk to her after glee club that night about them being friends again. She appreciated what James had told her the night before about making sure she's ready to be friends with her again and after some thinking had come to the conclusion that she could forgive Mercedes and try to be friends. Part of her was still angry about the things that were said to her, but Rachel knew that she could listen to Mercedes apology and be able to accept it.

In glee, they spent most of the rehearsal decorating the beautiful tree that Mr Schu had gotten them. It was huge and they all were involved in decorating it with tinsel and baubles while they sung a variety of Christmas songs together. Rachel had giggled when James had lifted her up on his shoulders so that she could put the angel on the top; kissing her when she climbed down and murmuring that she was his beautiful Christmas angel. Feeling the warmness of her love for him, Rachel had kissed him and whispered that she didn't care about anything else than him as her Christmas present. He had replied with a cocky, "So you don't want me to get you anything?" before he'd kissed her back as she said he wasn't going to get off that easy.

"I'll meet you at your car" She murmured against James' lips at the end of rehearsal, kissing him sweetly before pulling back as he winked at her; holding onto her hand for a moment before releasing her and walking towards the door with his bag slung over his shoulder.

"I'll be waiting for you" He replied, blowing her kiss before turning and disappearing into the corridor. Rachel smiled watching him before turning to Mercedes who was still stood in the centre of the choir room.

"So" Rachel said, licking her lips as she walked towards her "We did a great job decorating the tree"

"Yeah" Mercedes smiled, gazing at her "Yeah, we did"

"I think the baubles with our names on was a nice touch" Rachel notes, clasping her hands together.

"I'm glad we're all together again" Mercedes said softly "Rachel, I'll start off…I'm sorry"

"I know that…a lot of what happened was because of me; because I was jealous of the fact that you were going to be Maria, because you're always so amazing. I'm sorry that I tried to intimidate you and threaten you"

"I forgive you" Rachel replied after a few seconds "I understood that you wanted to be Maria because you felt as though you were being forgotten…maybe that's my fault for not wanting to share the spotlight with other people"

"You can really forgive me?" Mercedes said, smiling.

"Yeah" Rachel nods her head. "James helped me realize some of the reasons and I think I forgive you for them a long time ago. I could understand it in some way...but not why you tried to come between me and him; the way you were talking about him…I can take people not liking how ambitious I am, but not being disrespectful to the boy I love"

"I'm sorry about everything" Mercedes replied, stepping closer to her. "You're going to NYADA, you had this perfect boyfriend who transferred for you and you had so many things going for you; I just hated being in the background"

"I know, and I'm trying to work on letting people share it with me" Rachel said "We're a team and if we're going to win nationals then we all need to feel special…not just me. That's why I was okay with sharing the spotlight at sectionals with everyone; we're a team and everyone is contributing"

"So do you think we can be friends again?" Mercedes asked shyly

"Of course; me, you and Kurt are three best friends" Rachel grinned, "Come here and give me a hug"

Rachel giggled as Mercedes stepped forward and the two of them embraced; sighing happily as they got back to where they were supposed to be before their falling out happened.

"So, tell me about how things with you and Sam are going" Rachel said grinning as she saw Mercedes blush.

…

They sat together in the choir room for a further quarter of an hour, catching up and talking about the things that they had happen to them over the past couple of months. It felt good to her to have that quiet time with Mercedes, as short as it was, remembering how much she enjoyed her company and friendship. After promising that they would have to get together with Kurt for one of their movie nights, Rachel walked out to meet James wearing a wide smile on her face.

Heading through the doors, Rachel made her way over to his car; smiling as she saw him sat in the drivers seat playing on his phone as she tapped on the window, giggling when she saw him look up and wave at her before she walked around to the passenger side and climbed in.

"Hi baby" She murmured, leaning over to kiss him before settling in her seat.

"Hey" He replied, "How'd it go; are you okay?"

"I'm fine" She says, smiling wider. "We talked through everything and we're going to be friends again"

"I'm glad" He said, reaching his hand across to hold hers "I'm happy that you got your friend back, I know how much you missed her"

"Thank you" She says, leaning forward to kiss him again, murmuring against his lips "I love you"

He grinned at her, winking as he settled in his seat and started the engine. "You want to tell me what you talked about with her?

Rachel nodded her head as he pulled the car out of the parking space; She had been planning on telling him about her conversation but she thought it was sweet how he asked her if she wanted to. There wasn't anything she'd keep from him, she loved him and wanted to share everything that happened with him.

As he drove them to his house, he listened intently as she recalled her conversation with Mercedes; only interrupting to tell her he loved her and to squeeze her hand. Rachel could understand the want to be in the spotlight that had motivated Mercedes to try and intimidate her into losing the Maria audition, but it had been the things that Mercedes said about James that made her doubt whether she wanted to be friends with her. Her boyfriend was too important to her and she wanted to protect him from those horrible words. Thankfully Mercedes realises how important James was to her and was ready to apologize for them.

"Well, I think you're amazing" James said, giving her a smile as they turned into his street. "You're the most kind hearted person in the world and I'm proud of you"

"I love you" She says smiling widely. James grins at her as he pulls the car into his driveway, the two of them climbing out once he stops the engine, meeting at the foot of the gravel path up to his front door as she clasps his hand tightly; smiling happily as they walk towards his house.

Making their way inside, Rachel smiles as she sees Andrea sat at the kitchen table on a laptop. Dropping her bag on an empty chair, she greets his mom as she sees them enter.

"Hi sweetie" Andrea says with a smile "Rachel, how was school?"

"it was great" Rachel relies back "I can't wait till Christmas, all the decorations and everything is getting put up; I just feel all gleeful and merry"

Andrea laughed "It's my favourite time of year as well"

"What are you doing mom?" James asks, as he comes back over to them with a glass of range juice for himself and her. Rachel mouths a thank you as he winks at her, turning to face his mom.

"Just organizing some final builders details for the restaurant" She replies, sighing "I'll be glad when we can get it open, it's been a long couple of months getting everything ready"

"When are you opening it?" Rachel asked, sitting down next to James.

"Hopefully by the 25th of January" Andrea said with a smile "At our one in Oregon, we always do this beautiful menu for Valentines week and I'd like to have it open for a few weeks beforehand"

"That's my favourite time of year" James said to her, smirking at her "Or at least it will be this year with you beautiful"

"Charmer" She giggled, leaning over and kissing him softly.

"Any homework?" Andrea asked causing James to let out a sigh while Rachel smiled against his lips.

"Yeah" James replied, glancing at his mom

"Well, why don't you go do it" Andrea said amusedly.

"Come on Munchkin" James said softly, standing from his seat and offering her his hand. Rachel giggled, taking his hand as she rose from her seat. "Let's go to my room"

"Keep the door open" Andrea said raising her voice as they walked out of the kitchen towards the stairs.

"Like that matters" James muttered quietly "I'm still going to kiss you even if the doors open"

Rachel giggled, squeezing his hand as they walked towards his bedroom.

They did end up laying on his bed together kissing and their home did end up getting completed despite his attempt to distract her, she made him until they'd finished their work. Rachel was proud of herself for the level of self-control she showed, knowing his mom was in the house and not wanting to push the trust and good will that their parents showed in the two of them. That said, it was very hard with the way he was kissing her neck and rubbing her bum through her skirt but she managed to keep it strictly over the clothes touching before Andrea shouted them for dinner.

Sam had come home from Mike's and joined them for dinner, a beautiful vegetarian casserole that Andrea had made for them as they sat together at the table. Rachel was listening to Sam and James talk from her seat across from them, next to Andrea.

"Are you looking forward to seeing your family at Christmas, Sam?" Andrea asked, a warm smile on her face. Rachel loved how James' mom was around her and James' friends; she was so welcoming and it was easy to like the woman.

"I am" Sam nodded his head "It's been so long since I saw my mom and dad. Stacey and Steve as well"

"When you heading home" James asked as he slouched in his seat.

"Well, Rory is coming to visit" Sam replied "But I think the day before you go back to Oregon"

Rachel smile faltered slightly at that, her eyes switching from Sam to gaze at James who just nodded his head. He was going back to Oregon? She hadn't realised that he wasn't staying in Ohio for the Christmas period.

"Make sure you bring those DVDs back with you, dude" James said with a smirk

"Of course man" Sam replied, grinning "We gotta have a movie night with Puck and the guys"

"You okay Rach?" James said and Rachel looked up to see him gazing at her with a concerned look in his eye.

"Yeah, I'm fine; just thinking" She said giving him a smile. He observed her for a few more seconds before nodding his head.

The four of them stayed sitting together for a short while longer before Andrea took herself off upstairs to call James' dad and to finish some proposals for advertisements for their restaurant, leaving the three of them to watch TV together. Rachel couldn't get the fact that James was going home for Christmas off her mind as she sat cuddled with him on the couch as they watched sports central; the two boys having out voted her.

Later that night, Rachel was led in James' bed; the cushions propped up behind her as she watched James crouched down in front of his TV, finding his copy of Love actually, a film she'd been delighted to discover he loved as well and had convinced him to watch a few days earlier.

She was absent-mindedly stroking Fluffy's ears with her hands as she sat there, thinking about the fact that she was going to miss James horribly when he went home and that she should have realised he'd want to see his family again.

"Rach" His voice broke through her thoughts and she looked up to see him gazing at her with a frown "You okay babe?"

"Yea" She nods, giving him a smile "Did you ask me something?"

"I asked if you want me to go and find some popcorn or something from downstairs" He says, his brow smooting "I think my mom bought some when she went grocery shopping yesterday"

"Sounds good" She replies.

"I'll be right back" He says, giving her a small smile

Rachel nods her head and just before he leaves she calls out; "I'll miss you"

"Miss you already" He replies, giving her a wink before disappearing into the corridor.

It's a few minutes before he returns, carrying a cereal bowl full of popcorn, a smile on his face. "Hey, it was plain; but I melted some butter; I know how much you love that"

"Thanks baby" She says, taking the bowl from him as he moves the covers and climbs into his bed next to her; leaning over and pressing a soft kiss against her lips.

"Love you" He murmurs, pulling back and picking the remote up to start the film before putting an arm around her should and shifting closer in bed to her. Rachel smiles, cuddling into his side as she rests her head on his shoulder; the bowl of popcorn in between them.

This is probably her favourite part of her relationship with James; the two of them just sat cuddling together, feeling the warmth of his body and knowing how much she loves him. They sit there together watching the film, silence aside from laughter and few comments exchanged. As she watches two of the characters express their feelings, she can't help but bring the subject up;

"I'm going to miss you when you go home"

James turns to look at her, his eyes gazing at her warmly before they shift at seeing her sad ones; as if he realised why she just said that after a few seconds.

"Crap, I didn't tell you did I" He replies softly, his voice strained as he opens his mouth a few times, "That's why you were quiet…I'm so sorry Rach, I'm sorry I didn't tell you"

"It's okay" She says, giving him a smile. "I should have realised that you would be going to Oregon"

"It's not that I want to leave you" He replies quickly "But my grandparents have a family party every year and it's the only time we're all in the same place-"

"I understand" She says, squeezing his hand tightly "I was just sad because I realised you were going; I had this idea we would be together"

James eyes shimmer as they fill up and he just leans over and pulls her into a hug. Rachel sighs, resting her head in the crook of his neck, enjoying the fact that she can hold him and feel his warmth. "I love you James"

"love you too" He replies, pulling away; his hand coming up to wipe her cheek. "I'm only gone for about ten days; We've still got plenty of time to do stuff before we go back to school"

"I know" She says, giving him a warm smile "We can have our own little Christmas when you get back"

James grins at her, leaning down to kiss her several slow, affection times; showing her how much he feels about. "I'm going to make this the best Christmas for you, even if we are apart for a little bit"

"I know you will" Rachel says, smiling at him as she kisses him once more "It's going to be the best Christmas ever"

…