As always, I own the plot, original characters. All other Glee characters mentioned are Ryan Murphy's.

With all the excitement and celebrations going on in Finn's apartment, he realised that he hadn't gone food shopping, not enough for extra visitors as he planned to wine and dine Rachel on her birthday. So, the group headed out to one of Finn's favourite restaurants where he managed to get a table for all five of them.

The night was merry, food was good, and everybody was genuinely happy in that moment. All of them conversing about Carol getting married, how she wanted Finn to give her away and various other ideas. They hadn't set a date but as excited as brides get, you know they have planned their wedding before they have been proposed to. So, Carol's ideas were seeing the light of day again and she was genuinely happy, as was Burt.

Finn. Well Finn was excited and happy on so many different levels. Rachel was here in NYC, Kurt is becoming his brother and his mom is truly happy. Looking around the table at all the smiling faces and the happiness radiating from everyone, Finn finally felt that life was truly coming together. Let's face it. He's finally met the woman he has dreamed of so long, yes, it's been hard at times, but they are making it through. Looking at Rachel and smiling, he leaned in and placed a gently kiss on her cheek. This kiss didn't go unnoticed, by another table.

Unbeknown to Finn, Emily his ex-girlfriend was dining with her best friend, Katie. Emily's face was a picture between furious and curiosity. Katie was trying her best to distract Emily, but it wasn't working out too well. Emily had taken her break up with Finn quite badly. Obviously, Finn was completely oblivious how hurt Emily was about it. He knew that they parted on good terms but he genuinely thought they both had fallen out of love and drifted apart, so much so that when they split they were barely talking.

Watching how happy Finn was at the dinner table with a brunette she had never seen before, obviously she recognised Carol sitting next to Finn but wasn't so sure on the other two gentlemen sitting at the table.

"Earth to Emily, quit looking at him. You need to stop focusing on trying to see who he is with and move on with your life." Said a slightly annoyed Katie.

"I know, but after all this time Katie, I still love him, I still want him back and by the looks of things, he is genuinely happy. Why can't it be me?" Emily replied sadly.

"IT will be you one day, just with someone knew." Reassured Katie.

"Well, I don't want it one day if it's not with him." Retorted Emily.

Katie sighed and rolled her eyes. She knew that there was no getting through to her friend, she already knew she was hell bent on trying to get Finn back as they were discussing that before they heard his laughter and distracted them from their conversation and meal.

Emily was having a million thoughts at one time and eventually muttered to Katie.

"If I can't have him, no-one can."

Back at the apartment later that evening, Finn had set up the guest room for his mom and Burt, the bed settee for Kurt and said goodnight to them all. Rachel was already in the bedroom and getting in to bed. Finn smirked to himself as he made his way to his side of the bed.

They both got comfortable and Rachel snuggled in to Finn's chest. Listening to his heartbeat always makes her drift off and feel safe and secure.

The next day, they said goodbye to their guests and sat in the living room. It was quiet but blissfully quiet. They chatted about what Finn had planned for today since it was Rachel's birthday. He had planned a spa/massage for later that afternoon followed by a meal for two in a lovely quiet restaurant. He wanted to spend every waking moment making sure that the birthday girl was happy, and content and she really was.

Sadly, the day after Rachel's birthday she had to fly back to LA to finish up some filming for the sitcom she was on. It wasn't a hard goodbye this time as Finn had headed out to work in the morning and she locked up his apartment and made her own way to the airport.

Returning home that evening, as Finn opened the door, he half expected Rachel still to be there but knew she was back in LA. Just as he was about to sit down, Rachel face timed Finn to let him know that she was back home safely and that she really enjoyed her birthday weekend in NYC with him and his family. They chatted for a while and Finn told Rachel about Chelsea, a young girl that was learning music and how brilliant she was at the drums. Rachel smiled at Finn's enthusiasm. Of course, she flirted with Finn by saying that he could teach her any day. Finn laughed and tutted at the same time.

"I swear, I will not let anyone else have you Finn Hudson, not even that thing you were with at the restaurant the other night. You're mine, always have been, always will be." Thought a deluded Emily as she stared up to Finn's apartment in the pouring rain.

Finn approached his window and looked out to the bright lights of NYC, unaware of Emily who was standing below watching him. Getting lost in his own thoughts of how happy he is, how very much in love with Rachel he is, how his life has a better meaning now that everything seems to be in line.

But the fates had another challenge coming his way. Something that Finn has never experienced and it was going to push everybody to the point of worry, anxiety and sadness.

Next Chapter: A Twist in fate