If the fates allow Chapter 10: Meet & Greet before you say I do, a glee fanfic

Once again, thank you to my regular reviewers who leave words of encouragement, I do appreciate them.

Glee characters are owned by Ryan Murphy, original characters and plot are of my own making.

Rachel smiled. It was 8am the following morning and after a wonderful dinner and spending quality time with Finn, she was lying next to him in his hotel room watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful and she studied his features. Granted he had a rugged look, which was far from the Finn she got to know in their teens, but he looked handsome with his rugged features. In that moment studying Finn, she felt like the luckiest woman alive in this moment.

"You do know it's rude to stare at someone" spoke Finn hoarsely but without opening his eyes.

Rachel giggle softly. "How did you know I was staring at you Finn?" Question Rachel.

"Call it intuition Rach." Laughed Finn. "So, you have dance rehearsal at 10 this morning, I could hit the hotel's gym and have a workout and let you be with your friends and we can always meet up later if you like?"

"No way Finn. I figured it would be best if you come and watch, that's if you don't mind. That way you can get introduced to quite a few people before the wedding so that you know some people and therefore a lot less awkward?" Rachel then gave Finn a pleading look.

Smiling at her. "I don't mind attending the dance rehearsal Rachel, just thought you would like some time with your friends, that is all." Finn responded.

After discussing how the day was going to be planned out, dance rehearsal, some food and some time together before Rachel headed back to her dad's as Friday was the last rehearsal with Quinn and the rest of the wedding party. This would allow to have time alone in the gym at the hotel before spending some time before Rachel had to go back to Quinn's in the evening.

They arrived at the dance studio where Rachel and her friends were going to do the dance rehearsal. Finn let out a small breath to alleviate his nerves. It was a big deal to meet her friends that he heard so much about ten years ago. Hearing voices coming out of the studio, Rachel opened the door and they stepped in.

"Well, well, well, isn't it Berry. About time too! We've all been here for ages!" exclaimed Tina.

"No, we haven't Tina, stop exaggerating" replied Mike.

Rachel laughed. "It's 10am Tina, just like we planned." Rachel was aware that she heard Finn shuffle in the background. "Hey guys, can I introduce you all to my plus one for the wedding, Mr Finn Hudson." Taking him by the hand and bringing him forward to meet her friends. Finn smiled awkwardly and said hello.

Santana scowled. Looking at Finn she couldn't help but speak out. "Now Berry, why does that name sound familiar to me? I sort of recognise you Finn, but I am not one hundred percent sure."

"Well most of you should recognise the name. Finn was my online crush when we were at McKinley together." Responded Rachel. Her answer caused everyone to talk over each other at once and she looked up at Finn and shrugged. Finn smiled down at her and pulled her closer to him. Although she knew her friends wouldn't do anything, it made her feel protected they way Finn responded.

"Well," Artie said moving forward to Finn, "I'm pleased to meet you Finn, I'm Artie." The guys then shook hands firmly. This then proceeded to introductions from everyone that was there. Finn met Artie, Santana, Brittany, Tina, Mike, Sam, Mercedes and Kitty. The final guys to introduce themselves to Finn were Blane and Kurt. As the introductions ended and they all chatted amongst themselves.

"Where's Josh? He's supposed to be your dance partner Rachel." Asked Mike. "We need him here, so we can all take our places and get the rehearsal finalized." Just as Mike finished speaking the door flung open.

"Sorry I'm late guys, Puck had us all out in the small hours and I'm a bit hungover this morning." Said a breathless Josh who had sprinted to the studio. "So, shall we get started? I don't want to hold you up!"

Finn sat down on the chair at the side of the room where the guys had been previously. Rachel stood next to him and leaned down and placed a kiss on top of his head. "I hope you enjoy the dance, it will let you see what Quinn and Puck's first dance is going to be like." Finn smiled back.

"Can't wait to see it, but I think it would look better on the day when you are all scrubbed up well." Laughed Finn.

Watching everyone take their places, Finn noticed that Rachel and Josh had been fitted with hands free microphones, so they could sing the first dance as well as participate in it. Hearing the music start, Finn smiled to himself. It was the song Rachel had made him dance to in his apartment back in NYC. Watching them waltz about the dance floor and zoning in Rachel and Josh's movements. Finn was proud watching Rachel and the others do the dance so well. They rehearsed it a couple of times before calling it a day.

"I wish I could dance with you instead."

Finn turned his head quickly to Rachel. "No, you don't Rachel, you would have no feet left, honestly babe."

"But Finn, I am going to the wedding with you as my plus one and it would have been nice you know?" Said Rachel with a little sadness in her voice.

"Think about it. Your Quinn's maid of honour, Josh is Puck's best man. You guys are supposed to dance together. It just makes perfect sense." Finn reacted quickly but with a soothing and convincing tone. "So, let's just order some lunch and have a nice afternoon together, yeah? Plus, I am looking forward to seeing some more of your home town."

"Okay Finn."

They had a lovely meal together and then Rachel took Finn round some more places she used to hangout ten years ago and explaining the history behind it. Last on the list was McKinley High. The place where Rachel and her friends came together. A group of friends united by one thing, Glee club.

Rachel explained a bit about each person to Finn, so he had a better insight to her friends. They walked up to McKinley's football field. "Here is where Puck spent most of his time. He was a good football player, I honestly thought he would be professional, but he was set out for a different path."

Moving on, they walked the halls of a quiet McKinley High school. Rachel pointed out her locker to Finn, talked about the times she used to get slushied for being different. Looking in to the old Glee room, Rachel felt nostalgic. Opening the door, she and Finn stepped inside. "Here" Rachel smiled, "Here is where I felt most at home, here at the Glee club." Finn smiled and looked around the classroom. He tried to picture where they all sat and chatted to one another. "So, Finn, finally, I will show you the auditorium."

As the stepped in to the auditorium, Finn looked out from the stage and to the empty seats. Rachel smiled watching Finn step out on to the stage. She remembered the euphoria she felt every time she stepped on this stage. "I haven't sung here since our last reunion. It was a fun night." Rachel spoke as she approached Finn. They both sat down on the edge of the stage looking out. "Finn, you can sing anytime, just don't let what happened ten years ago stop you, you have an amazing voice."

"I don't know about amazing Rachel, but I'm okay. I know I can sing anytime, I've just not had the need to, well until now. This stage makes you want to perform, so I can see why you are happy here." Finn then sighed. Rachel looked up at him wondering what was going on in his mind. Suddenly, Finn cleared his throat and started to sing a few lines.

"It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing…"

Rachel smiled softly at Finn. This encouraged Finn to continue to sing.

The smile on your face let's me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if wherever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all…"

(Rachel)

"All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Try as they may they can never define
What's being said between your heart and mine.

(Both)

"Come on Finn, lets go." Rachel said quickly. What Finn didn't know that she had seen Jessie at the corner of her eye at the top of the auditorium. He belonged in her past, not in her present.

Finally, Saturday arrived. Friday was manic for Rachel whereas Finn had an enjoyable day between going to the gym, wandering around the mall, which he thought he would never seem himself do and generally relaxing.

Watching the guests arrive, Finn finally entered and took a seat. He was looking forward to seeing Rachel today, as yesterday turned out stressful and full on for Rachel. Standing when asked to by the registrar, all eyes were on the entrance. Walking down the aisle first, Rachel seemed flawless. Finn felt his heart soar and when Rachel looked his way, she smiled softly at him and Finn couldn't help resisting but he gave Rachel his crooked half smile, knowing fine well that made her weak at the knees. Quinn then entered with her dad and approached the alter.

The ceremony was completed without a hitch and the happy couple were declared officially married. Smiling at each other, their first kiss to seal their marriage and the guests standing up and watching them leave the room as man and wife.

Sneak peak next chapter: First dance chaos