As always, I do not own any characters from Glee, I only own original characters and the plot. Thank you to those who sent words of encouragement and reviews.
Finn woke early the next day. He had butterflies in his stomach. He hadn't felt this way in a long time. Thinking back, the last time he had butterflies in his stomach was every time he logged on to his laptop to talk to Rachel.
He had a million things to do this morning before he had to meet Rachel. He headed through to the kitchen and went to the fridge and got out his smoothie. He checked what food he had left in the fridge and pulled out the fresh vegetables.
As Finn started preparing his food for his dinner later that day his cell phone rang. Looking at the caller display he smiled and noticed it was Rachel.
'Hey you, how come your calling this early?' enquired Finn.
'Good morning Finn, I just wanted to make sure that everything was still on for today, I will understand if it's not.' Rachel said softly.
'Hey, you know I don't break promises and I want to take you out today. So I'm preparing my dinner for later tonight, as I know me, once I get home from our date, I will be too lazy to prepare anything.' Chuckled Finn.
Rachel returned a hearty laugh back. 'Okay Finn, I shall let you return to your food preparation and I will see you around noon outside the hotel.' Stated Rachel.
'You certainly shall Rachel, I'm certainly looking forward to seeing you.'
They both said their goodbye's and then Finn let out a huge sigh. Muttering away to himself as he finished preparing his food for later.
Looking through his wardrobe, Finn was undecided for a long time on what he should wear on his date with Rachel. Date. Finn smiled to himself and selected a nice pair of dark jeans and a light grey t-shirt to go with it. It was going to be a warm afternoon when he was taking Rachel out on a date, which he has planned down to the very last detail.
Meanwhile over at the Hudson hotel, Rachel was having a pamper session and getting herself organised for spending time with Finn. To say that she was excited was a slight understatement.
'So, Rachel, have you decided what you are wearing today?' Quinn asked.
'Well Quinn, I was advised to dress for whatever the weather may be outside and it's to be warm today so I was thinking my summer dress that I brought with my flat shoes as I don't know where we are going, or what we are doing, but don't want my feet to be sore.' Rachel replied.
'Sounds wise. I must say I haven't seen that I haven't seen you this excited in a long time. Don't get me wrong, you've been excited over many things, but this is different.' Quinn said with a smile gently forming over her face. 'But I am going to let you get organised, but make sure you have fun and Rachel please, don't go in to fast, I don't want to see you get your heart broken again.' Quinn said defensively.
Rachel smiled. 'Quinn, it's one date. Albeit it's with the boy I had a huge crush and potentially in love with when I was a teenager. We are 27 now, almost 28. We are grown adults and I'm sure we won't act like teenagers. We both have grown up in those ten years and it's ten years we need to catch up on.'
Quinn smiled. 'Just be careful Rachel' she said as she slipped out of Rachel's room.
Rachel sat on the edge of her bed. Gently biting her bottom lip thinking of Quinn's advice and then looked over at the clock. Her eyes widened then jumped up. Running late for Finn for their first date won't be a good look.
Finn checked his watch. It was coming up for noon and he was standing outside the Hudson hotel waiting for Rachel to appear. Listening to his music whilst slowly starting to stare in to space. Eventually Rachel stepped out of the hotel and headed towards Finn. Finn slowly removed his head phones and put them away in his pocket. Leaning down to Rachel once she was in front of him and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek, 'Glad you could make it!' Finn said a little too enthusiastically.
Rachel let out a small laugh. 'Glad I could too Finn, so what are we doing today?' Rachel enquired.
'Well, firstly let me say, you look beautiful, secondly, I hope you don't mind, but we have a twenty minute or so walk from here to our destination.' Replied Finn whilst putting out his hand to Rachel.
Rachel smiled and placed her hand in his. It just all felt so natural. 'I don't mind a walk Finn, it gives me a chance to see a little more of this beautiful city.'
On their walk to their date destination they chatted amongst themselves and before they realised it, they had reached where Finn had planned their date. Standing in front of the Central Park Zoo, Finn turned to Rachel. 'I hope you don't mind, but I thought we could have a wander round the zoo for a bit and then once we have done that, I've organised a picnic for us.'
Rachel's facial expression changed from surprised to a smile. 'Sounds lovely Finn.'
Finn and Rachel held hands as they wandered around the zoo, watching the penguins being fed and being entertained by small children who were over excited about their visit to the zoo. Finn checked his watch and led Rachel away from the zoo and back out in to Central Park. Near the hot dog stand where Jimmy worked, a close friend of Finn's, lay a blanket with the picnic basket on it. Finn led Rachel over to the picnic.
Enjoying their time together, catching up what has happened in their lives for the past decade and getting to know each other again was refreshing for them both. Time running away from them as Rachel had to head back to the hotel to continue with the bachelorette party, clearing the picnic away and handing the items back to Jimmy, Finn reached in to his wallet and paid Jimmy for setting it all up and for the delicious food that he had prepared. Heading back towards where Rachel was standing on the pathway, as if on cue, the heavens opened and started raining. Finn sprinted towards Rachel and took her to the nearest big tree he could find.
Both laughing, as they reached the tree. 'Well, just as well we managed to finish our food before this rain came on, huh Rachel?' chuckled Finn.
'I know, we were certainly not expecting that to happen.' Laughed Rachel. Rachel then reached up and wiped away some rain drops from Finn's face. As their mood slightly changed and Rachel's finger tips softly touched Finn's face, Finn leaned down and kissed Rachel on her lips. As their kiss deepened, Finn pulled Rachel close against his body. Finally coming up for air, both smiled at each other. Looking out on to Central Park as Finn cuddled Rachel, the rain had stopped almost as quickly as it had come on.
Leading Rachel by the hand again, they walked through Central Park chatting away heading back towards Rachel's hotel.
Standing in front of the Hudson hotel, as they did almost five hours ago, Finn let out a small contented sigh and looked at Rachel. 'I just wish we had more time, but you have a bachelorette party to get organised for again tonight.' Rachel looked up at Finn and pulled him down for another deep kiss before letting him go.
'I know Finn, but needs must and I'm sure we will spend some time together before I have to leave New York' replied Rachel softly.
'Well, I certainly hope so Rachel, I've enjoyed spending time with you, reconnecting and finally getting to kiss you, to date you and to hold your hand. All those things I dreamt of years ago, have come true and I for one, can't wait to see what happens.' Finn looked up and seen Quinn at the hotels doorway. 'So, Quinn is waiting on you, but Rachel, if you need me anytime, please don't hesitate to text or call when you're here in New York.' Finn said.
Rachel looked at Finn inquisitively before smiling. 'I shall keep that in mind Finn, I guess I will see you soon?'
'I hope so Rachel' Finn replied sounding a little disheartened as their date comes to an end and watches Rachel walking over to Quinn before turning around and waving to Finn. Finn raises his hand and gently waves back.