Chapter 40

May – Age 19 – Freshman/Sophomore Year

"Hey, did our grades come in yet?" Santana asked as she was getting dinner together. They had taken their last final on Monday. Now here they were on Friday.

"I'll check after dinner," Finn said. He was way more relaxed about his grades. Finn was just so grateful that he had a college schedule. He wasn't going to be a dead beat Dad. All of a sudden his cellphone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey Finn, its John."

"What's up John?"

"Didn't you tell me you've worked on cars before?"

"Uh, yeah, my step dad is a mechanic."

"My car is sounding all kinds of angry," John explained. "Could you come look at it?"

"We, it's getting dark, but I could come by your dorm first thing tomorrow."

"Sure, I'd have no ride home otherwise."

"I can't guarantee that I can fix it, but I'll do what I can." Finn replied. "I can do repairs that aren't too intensive. I just don't have the equipment."

"That's fine," John said. "I just don't know any shops around here."

"Alright, I'll come by around 9?"

"Sounds good."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

"John's car still acting up?" Santana asked as she stirred the pasta.

"How do you know about the car?"

"He was complaining in class the other day," she replied.

"Yeah, that won't be bad if I go tomorrow right?" Finn asked. "I know we are headed to Lima tomorrow, but I should be done by lunch time."

"It shouldn't be a problem. Call your mom and let them know we are going to be there for dinner instead."

"Alright," Finn said. He went to go check on Charlotte, who was coloring at her play desk. He took his phone back out and dialed Burt.

"Hey kid, what's up?"

"Hey Burt, I'm calling to change tomorrow's plans a bit slightly. A friend called and needs me to try to fix his car. So we'll be at the house for dinner instead of lunch."

"No worries," Burt assured him. "Do you know what's wrong?"

"Sounds like loose spark plugs or a loose belt."

"Shouldn't be too hard to fix then," Burt reasoned.

"I'm hoping not," Finn agreed. "But definitely count us out for lunch."

"Good luck, just let us know when you're on your way."

"No problem." They said their goodbyes and Finn went out to set the table. "We're all good for tomorrow."

"Good," Santana said as she poured the hot pasta water in the strainer. "Go get Charlotte washed up, I'm gonna mix the sauce."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Finn went to John's dorm early the next morning and was able to fix the car fairly easily. A belt and a few sparkplugs were loose. Finn was done in under an hour. Santana finished packing before they got out after lunch. They were going to Burt and Carol's for a week, but Tuesday and Wednesday they were going to the beach and Charlotte would be staying. It would be Finn's third time away from her. They went to Nationals twice, first in New York, second in Chicago. Charlotte was looking forward to being with her Nana and Poppop. But he hoped it would go better than last year. She cried and clung to him as he left for nationals. Finn got a room for two nights at the beach so they could get away and relax. Burt too off for the three days they would be gone to spend time with his girl.

Finn and Santana were excited to get their few child free days in. They headed to the beach, laid around a while, played some Frisbee, and frolic'd in the water. The trip was about getting some rest and relaxation. They needed a few days away from school and even Charlotte. They had been bickering lately over still things regarding Charlotte. But now they were able to clear their heads a little bit.

Finn practically had to beat some guys off with a stick because Santana was too hot. She still had the Cheerio body, and wanted to torment him by wearing impossibly small bikinis. They were both lying on their beach chairs and Santana rolled over. "Can you put more sunblock on my back?"

"Give me a minute," Finn groaned, stretching.

"If he won't help, then we will," said a young man of indeterminate age, and his friend laughed.

"Me or you?" Finn asked, looking at both boys.

"My turn," she groaned. Santana pushed herself up to look at the two boys. "Really?"

"We'd be better for you that that doofus over there," the boy said.

"You'd be better than my husband" she questioned.

"You're married to that?"

"I have beautiful child with that wonderful man," she piped up. "Do you two best be getting away."

"Damn," They muttered together. They walked away with their tails between their legs.