Chapter 65: Epilogue

10 years later – August – Age 31

Finn Hudson had an awesome life. It didn't' start out ideally, but he wouldn't change a thing. He had a loving wife – with whom he had just celebrated a ten year anniversary with last month. He now had three wonderful children: Charlotte was nor nearly 15 ½, Ethan turned 9 two days ago, and Suzanna was going to be 3 next month.

The Ohio Department for Social Services had been his home for the past ten years as well. He well and truly loved his career. Santana worked at Lima General Hospital – and more recently working in the surgical wing. They lived just outside of Lima proper bit still within the sending district to McKinnley, in a four bedroom house. Their life was going great.

It was a gorgeous summer day when their lives would be turned upside down. They were having boys vs. girls' football game on their front lawn as an old beat up car came and parked out front. Finn immediately went into protective mode. He nodded for Santana to take the kids in the house for a half tine snack. Raggedly blonde woman came out of the car and got a small little girl out of the back seat, with no car seat – he noticed.

"Can I help you Miss?" Finn asked.

"Finn?" the blonde questioned. It took him a minute, but it finally dawned on him. She looked really rough.

"Quinn?" she nodded. "And who is this?"

"This is Harlan," Quinn introduced. "She's nearly three."

"Cutie," he commented. "So what are you doing here?"

"I didn't know what else to do," she admitted. "I can't take care of her any more. I can barely take care of myself."

"And her father?"

"I don't actually know who her daddy is," she replied, embarrassment spreading pink across her face.

"So you came here?" Finn lead.

"I can't keep her anymore," Quinn pleaded. "I know you could give her what I can't. I saw Charlotte. She looks beautiful."

"You're serious?"

"It would be Charlotte's sister," she reasoned. "I'm begging you."

"Stay here, I need to talk to Santana," Finn said. She nodded. Finn walked into the house to break the news.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

With Charlotte enlisted to babysit, once they gave her a brief summary of what was going on. Finn and Santana took the minivan down to Finn's work, and buckling Harlan into Suzanna's car seat. Finn had already called Wende to tell her to meet them and call Sam; emergency. When they pulled up, Wende was outside to greet them. Sam was pulling in right behind them.

Wende's office was their base of operation as the story unfolded. "Ladies, this is Quinn." Wende and Sam didn't need any more explanation. "And this is Harlan."

"Hi Harlan!" Wende greeted. "So what are we doing today?"

"I can't take care of Harlan like she needs to be," Quinn confessed. "I know Finn would be able to take care of her."

"Well, San and I talked it over and even Char gave her input. We are willing," Finn agreed, lacing his fingers with Santana's.

"But Quinn," Santana spoke up. "You need to get some help for yourself."

"I will, I'm not cut out to be a mother," Quinn replied. "I really need to turn my life around."

"That is where I can come in,"Wende interjected.

Now just for clarification, are you asking Finn to foster Harlan until you get your life together? Or do you want a full adoption?"

"I think a full adoption is best," Quinn said quietly. "I can't give her what she needs."

"Alright, I need to draw up a form real quick, giving Finn and Santana guardianship until we can make the adoption papers," Sam said.

"We can take her home tonight," Finn said. "But can you bring her stuff over tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Quinn said. "But it's not much."

"That doesn't matter," Santana said softly. "She is going to want something familiar." Quinn nodded. "We need a way to keep in touch with you. Not only us, but this was we can give you updates."

"I have an e-mail," she replied. "I go to the library every couple of days to check it."

'That will work for now."

0o0o0o0o0o

So when September rolled around, the Hudson's had 4 children officially. Charlotte was starting her Sophomore year at WMHS. Ethan was in fourth grade. Suzanne and Harlan were both starting pre-school. Quinn went into an intensive 120 day program and was scheduled to move into a half way house an hour away just after she was finished. Finn's not-so-little family was not exactly how he planned on having one, but nonetheless, he was ecstatic about the way his life turned out.