Disclaimer: As always, I only own the plot, original characters and any crazy mistakes/ideas. All Glee characters are the great invention of Ryan Murphy.
Tim closed the trunk of the car. Finn watched him from the window and he knew it was getting closer for him to say goodbye to Rachel. He was honest with himself and to Rachel when he said that he was dreading going back to New York just for the fact that he had to leave Rachel behind. But today, he decided that this was it. The chance to tell her the truth. Except when it came to say their goodbyes, Finn struggled to get his words out.
They kissed, they hugged, they cried. They both walked out, and Rachel walked to the car holding on to Finn's hand so tight. Finn turned to Rachel and kissed her deeply.
"I will let you know when I am back in my apartment Rach. We both know this is hard enough without sending each other streams of text messages as I get to both airports. So, forgive me, but I know it will be hard for us both, but we need to be strong, together." Finn opened the car door and kissed Rachel once more.
"831." Rachel spoke softly. Finn smiled and got in the car and put down the window slightly. "831." Replied Finn.
Rachel stepped back and watched Tim drive Finn away from her. The car stopped briefly, and her gates began to close. She then seen Finn's door open and Finn got out. As the gates were closing, Finn standing there smiling.
"I'm done Rachel. No more 831. No more. We both know that its' eight letters, three words, one meaning, but no more. Rachel Berry, I love you."
But before Rachel could reply the gates were closed and Finn was gone.
It was a long few hours for Rachel. Wandering around her home, expecting Finn to come out of the bathroom, or jump out to scare her but it felt empty without him. Finally, her cell phone chimed with a text from Finn.
"Hey babe, that's me finally back in my apartment. Flight was okay but as always, traffic crazy here. Missing you loads. I love you. F x"
Rachel smiled and tapped her response back to Finn.
"Hey Finn, I thought that was incredibly sweet of you at the gates, but incredibly frustrating that I couldn't respond until now. I love you too. R x"
Finn stood in his empty apartment and looked around, ideas zipping around about how he was going to change it and make it homelier than a bachelor pad. Smiling as he read Rachel's text he replied by saying her good night as it was almost ten pm in NYC and the last few days just him like a tonne of bricks. Crashing on top of his bed, supporting his head with his arms and staring at the ceiling, drifting off thinking happy thoughts.
Being in a long-distance relationship took a lot of work, but they were making it through. Finn had successfully convinced the school to let him set up an after school for music and under privileged kids to attend to and it was a great success. Rachel also had success by starring as a regular in a sitcom loved by many and Finn was so proud of her, as she was for Finn. They squeezed in phone calls and weekend visits as often as they could.
Finn was excited as Rachel was coming to NYC for her birthday as it fell on the weekend. He had done a lot to the apartment since Rachel last visited and he knew it was beyond anything she would remember. Standing in his apartment proud as punch, he heard his door being knocked. Finn grinned and went and answered the door. His grin faded in a look of confusion appeared on his face.
"Well, nice to see you too Finn." Laughed Kurt.
"Hey man, what are you doing here? Come on in!" said a stunned Finn.
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would drop in." Kurt lied. He knew why he was there, but he was sworn to secrecy and wasn't about to divulge any information.
The two guys sat at the table having a drink together and Finn's door was knocked on again. Thinking it was Rachel, he got up and opened the door. Another surprise.
"Mom, hi." Said a confused Finn.
"Hi Finny. Sorry to intrude. But I'm here with Burt and thought we would pop by." Replied Carol as both she and Burt entered Finn's apartment.
As they were walking through to where Kurt was sitting, Finn missed the connection between Carol and Burt towards Kurt. Sitting round the table together, Carol drank her tea whilst the guys chatted with a drink of beer.
"So, Finn, the reason why we are here is to let you know that Burt and I are getting married!" said and excited Carol and showing Finn her engagement ring. "Also, that Burt has a son that you need no introduction to, Kurt." Smiled Carol.
Finn looked confused and stunned for a few moments, but then broke out his legendary grin. "Really, this is crazy! Congratulations!" But before he could say anymore, another knock on the door. He didn't want to get his hopes up that it was Rachel as there had been so many surprises tonight. Opening the door, there stood the woman that makes his heart skip a beat every time he sees her. Rachel.
Scooping her in to his arms and placing a deep kiss on her lips. He quickly whispered in her ear that they had visitors. Rachel smiled and headed in with Finn.
"Carol, Burt, Kurt!" Exclaimed Rachel. Smiling and giving them all a hug each and Finn stood even more perplexed and confused. He hadn't even introduced his mom to Rachel yet, but she appeared to know her as he watched them all chatting.
"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Finn's question stopped them all in their tracks. "I just don't understand what is going on here?" as he sat down, Rachel sat next to him.
"Well, you know I know Kurt and Burt since I went to school with Kurt, so I know Carol through her dating Burt." Rachel responded.
"You do realise that Carol is my mom Rachel?" questioned Finn.
Now it was Rachel's turn to looked stunned. The rest of the group chuckled between themselves and finally all the pieces were put together, and Carol spoke up.
"So, this is your Rachel, Finn? The one you spoke to online all those years ago? My it's a small world. Rachel and I are quite close Finn, so you have nothing to worry about, she's a lovely girl." Smiled Carol.
Next chapter: A dinner date with the new found family and who's that watching?