Hello all my lovely readers and reviewers and welcome to chapter 19 of my little story. This chapter is a little shorter than usual & I apologise in advance for leaving you guys with a cliffhanger. But I left it where I did otherwise if I kept going I would've had to reveal secrets I wanted to reveal in the next chapter. So I hope you still enjoy this chapter anyway, despite the shortness & cliffhanger! All the legal stuff belongs to Ryan Murphy & FOX except my characters. So please read, review, rewind, then read and review again…enjoy!
The luxurious apartment was quiet on this particular bright and sunny morning. Except for the orgasmic cries of one Rachel Berry as she and her partner Finn Hudson enjoyed reconnecting with one another. Finn was lying in bed on his back with his prominent erection standing up proudly from his body. While a naked Rachel was on top of Finn before she gently lowered herself down onto Finn's large manhood. Both Finn and Rachel loved this position but for different reasons. Rachel loved it because she was in control, which knowing her personality she loved being in control; but also because she could tease Finn, which was also one of her favourite things to do. While Finn just loved the position because all he had to do was layback and watch Rachel's beautiful naked body, gyrating in tune to her own rhythm on his stiff member.
Rachel started off slow and was grinding her core down slow and deep enjoying the feel of Finn filling her up. They had been going for only a couple of minutes and already Rachel could feel herself well on the way to an incredible orgasm. But that didn't stop her from upping the tempo as she started incorporating figure eight patterns into her movements. Rachel ran a hand through her long luscious brunette locks as she let out a rather loud groan as Finn hit a rather pleasurable spot. Finn was enjoying the view the position offered while he ran his hands up and down Rachel's smooth tanned skin, causing rows of sensitive Goosebumps to appear on her skin.
As Rachel started undulating up and down Finn's swollen member, the bed began to move in time with her movements. Rachel's new movements of slowly lifting off Finn's manhood until only the tip remained before slamming herself all the way down; before doing a slow figure eight with her hips and then starting again. Was quickly driving both herself and Finn to a mutual epic conclusion. Rachel kept constant eye contact with Finn as she supported herself on Finn's lifted up knees. All while Finn was rubbing Rachel's excited clit with one hand facilitating the speed of both of their oncoming orgasms.
Knowing the finishing line was within site Rachel started riding Finn like a woman possessed. The slapping sound of their conjoined bodies was only drowned out by their mutual screams of ecstasy. It was Rachel who found herself reaching completion first, and with a loud "Oh My God, Finn…YES! YES!" she slumped down on top of Finn completely sated. Meanwhile the sound and feeling of Rachel coming quickly sent Finn over the edge as well. After another couple of quick thrusts, Finn spilled his seed into the condom as he pleasurably fell over the edge.
The mutually sated couple lay there tangled together in a sweaty, pleasurable mess trying to regain their breaths. Finn and Rachel just lay there awhile staring at each other marvelling at the profound connection they shared. Until Finn reached over to his nightstand and pulled out a toy replica of his truck and started driving it across Rachel's naked stomach.
"Finn what on earth are you doing?" Rachel asked through some slight giggles as the toy truck was tickling her.
Finn just looked at her as he continued to drive the truck around Rachel's body, "What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm taking our family for a drive!" Finn said as he started making small engine noises as well.
"Our family huh!" smirked Rachel.
"Yep! There's me and you in the front seat…" Finn said pointing to the front of the truck. "And then our five kids in the back" Finn finished off proudly.
"FIVE KIDS!" a shocked Rachel exclaimed.
"At least!" responded Finn, "If we stop there, we can have our own Hudson basketball team! Or if we keep going, because face it we're Finchel so where not going to be able to keep our hands off each other…" to which Rachel just shrugged because she knew Finn spoke the truth. "So if were blessed with more than five Finchel babies we could even start our own TV show like that couple that popped out eight at the one time!" Finn finished excitedly.
Rachel let out an involuntary shiver at having to deliver eight Hudson size babies out of her vagina. She knew she was probably going to need an epidural when she delivers only one Hudson baby. But having to deliver eight…Rachel would be asking to be shot up with any and all drugs on the hospital premises.
"Finn I can tell you right now, I'm not popping out five kids or more just so you can have a basketball team or a reality show!" stated a serious Rachel.
"Fine no more than a handful!" sulked Finn, "I just want our kids to have brothers and sisters to play with." Added Finn.
"They will Finn, I don't know how many…but they will." Responded Rachel.
"Cool! And then we can all pile into the car on weekends and take trips into the mountains…" Finn said as he drove the toy truck up Rachel's body towards her breasts and then began driving the truck around until it reached Rachel's nipple. "Once we reach the glorious peak we can have a nice picnic lunch as a family. While daddy tells the kids about how these twin Peak Mountains are Daddies absolute favourite location." Finn said smirking while giving Rachel's breast a quick fondle as he drove the truck back down.
Finn then drove the truck around, across Rachel's stomach towards her clean-shaven folds. Until Finn stopped the truck abruptly just before he drove the truck across her centre, and turned and looked up at Rachel with a large smirk. "I think this location may be a Mummy and Daddy only vacation spot!" quipped Finn.
"I think your right about that one daddy!" Rachel quipped back.
"So then on the way back home we can drive across the abs of steel," joked Finn as he drove the truck along Rachel's abs. "Then take a left at the beauty spot aka mole and then turn into the Hudson estate at the lake!" Finn said as he drove the truck past a mole and then circled the truck around Rachel's belly button before parking the truck inside her belly button.
Rachel just gave Finn a look of longing and love before leaning over and kissing him with all the passion she had. "Thank you Finn!"
A confused Finn looked back at Rachel not quite sure what he was being thanked for. "Thank you for what, baby?"
"Just thank you for loving me…even at my worst!" an emotional Rachel answered.
"My pleasure, Hummingbird! Besides loving you is as simply as breathing. Just remember I love you for all that you are, all that you have been and all you're yet to be!" Finn replied with all the honesty and sincerity in the world.
Rachel looked at Finn with a single tear dripping down her perfect cheek before she launched herself onto him. While whispering seductively into Finn's ear, "Fuck me! Fuck me like you mean it!"
"With pleasure!" Finn replied enthusiastically; but before they could get started on another round of passionate love making the sound of Finn's phone ringing broke the mood.
Finn reluctantly pulled away from an equally reluctant Rachel and hopped out of bed to grab his phone of his desk. He smirked at Rachel who was in her own little world unabashedly ogling Finn's still naked body.
"Hello"
"Finn, it's Jamal I've got your boys address, where good to go!" boomed Jamal.
"Great! Give us a few moments to get ready." Replied Finn
"Sure thing! See you in about half an hour." And with that Finn heard the phone go dead, so he placed his phone back on the desk and hopped back into bed with Rachel.
"Now that's over with…where were we?" growled Rachel as she started fondling Finn's quickly growing erection.
Finn reluctantly pulled Rachel's hand off of Finny Jnr, "Sorry baby! As much as I really want to sex you up right now, I can't. Jamal's coming to pick me up soon for an important meeting."
Rachel looked over at the clock on Finn's desk, "I suppose I should be getting ready for my meeting as well." A still reluctant Rachel said as she got out of bed and began gathering her clothes.
"What meeting is this?" asked Finn because he couldn't remember Rachel mentioning a meeting.
"Finn! I told you about this! Shelby knows this couple that send their kid to her day-care class and they're also a writing/producing team on Broadway. They're still pretty green and have had only one play featured off-Broadway but they were interested in meeting with me to talk story ideas. So if I plan to get back on Broadway some time soon I can't be choosy and you know what they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Rachel said as she headed into have a shower.
Now it was Finn's turn to unabashedly stare at Rachel's naked arse as she sashayed into the bathroom. Damn Brody! I haven't seen the tool in forever yet he's still cockblocking me, Finn thought to himself, until Rachel poked her head back around the corner.
"Oh Finny! Can you wash my back for me?" Rachel asked with a seductive glint in her eye. Rachel couldn't help but start laughing as before she had even finished talking Finn had already leapt off the couch and was carrying her into the shower. Needless to say at the end of the shower both Rachel and Finn were extremely clean as well as thoroughly sated from some more amorous activities once again. Ha ha! Fuck you Brody! Nobody cockblocks Finchel! Finn cheered to himself as he ran down the stairs to meet Jamal.
Finn nervously drummed his fingers across the dashboard of the car. He was starting to have second thoughts about this plan. Only a couple of days ago the plan seemed simple and easy. Now though the exact same plan felt like it had to many loose ends. Like he was going to confront a known criminal who had spent time in jail for one. Given, he was sentenced to three months in a minimum-security prison. It was one of those places the media has dubbed the Club Fed of prisons where Brody probably spent more time mingling with fraudulent hedge fund managers' then hardened criminals. But nevertheless prison changes a person…doesn't it? Finn wouldn't have a clue, since all his information about prisons came from binge watching a whole heap of prison shows like OZ and prison break; maybe he was overthinking this entire thing.
Hell, Brody managed to get paroled one month into his three-month sentence so it wasn't going to be like Brody was a violent criminal. Finn almost wished that Brody would get violent during their little discussion because then Finn would have an excuse to punch that smarmy bastard in the face, like he'd been dying to do, ever since he saw Rachel's Facebook relationship status listed as, 'shacked-up'. But had somehow managed to restrain himself because A, Rachel abhorred violence and B, didn't want Finn getting in trouble over something she deemed her problem. Finn understood and also didn't understand that way of thinking because when you're in a couple or a partnership, your partner's problems become your problems. But then Finn remembered something Holly Holiday said once…
So, remember, whenever you have sex with someone, you're having sex with everyone they've ever had sex with…and everybody's got a random.
Finn seriously didn't know if that statement or thought was applicable to this current situation. Now that he thought about it more he seriously hoped not because just the thought of Brody and him…doing it really made him what to punch Brody the arsehat even more. But on the other hand the thought of Rachel with Finn's only other sexual partner Santana, was giving Finn and Finny Jnr completely different thoughts.
The loud sound of police sirens brought Finn's attention to what was happening outside the car window. Now that he was paying attention to his surroundings, Finn noticed the current neighbourhood they were in was located in a rather seedy part of town. Holy Hell! Thought Finn, I think I just saw some guy getting tasered by a couple of cops back there, but he couldn't be sure because they drove by so quickly. Finn didn't have too long to dwell on what he thought he saw as he heard Jamal's booming voice speaking to him.
"Yo, Finn! Were here!" boomed Jamal as he parked the car in a vacant spot on the side of the street.
The moment had come for Finn to put up or shut up. It was now or never as they say. It wasn't that Finn was scared of seeing Brody again; it was just he really wanted this meeting to go well. So he could gain valuable information to help Rachel get back on Broadway.
Jamal noticing Finn's slight hesitance spoke up once again, "You know Finn, you don't have to do this. It's not too late to turn around and go home." Jamal asked more out of concern for his friend then anything else.
At that moment Finn's phone beeped saying he had a new message. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone and swiped it on. Reading the message Finn couldn't help the beaming smile that came across his face. The message was short and sweet and was from Rachel; it simply read…
Hope your having a great day! Miss you already and I love you more then you could possibly know. ~ Rachel *
After reading that sweet message from Rachel, a brand new resolve washed over Finn and he became more determined then ever. Finn looked over at Jamal and said, "No! There's no turning back now. Brody and I are going to have one long overdue chat." Finn said as he started getting out of the car.
"Finn just remember if there's any trouble just press the emergency number I put in under number three on your speed dial on your phone. Press that and your phone will automatically send a message to my phone and I'll be up there quicker then the Gigolo can order himself anymore baby oil!" Jamal reminded Finn.
"Thanks for all your support Jamal! I literally couldn't have done this without you."
"Hey! Don't worry about it! You're like my extremely white or albino adopted brother. Which means I've always got your back, Finn; same goes for that little firecracker of a girlfriend of yours! Oh, and from my family and I tell Rachel thanks for the basket of her awesome baked goods. My kids went nuts over her sugar cookies it was adorable. But they were an absolute pain in the arse as they were coming down from their sugar highs!" stated a smirking Jamal.
Finn gave Jamal a simply nod in gratitude as he turned and entered the rundown apartment building. As soon as he entered the building, Finn walked straight over to the elevator, but before he could push the button he turned at the sound of a voice.
"That darn thing hasn't worked since the first Bush was president. I tell ya kid those things are about as useless as tits on a bull! Your only option is to take the stairs, what floor are you headed too?" an old man with an a dog that looked about the same age as he's master explained as the sat on the steps leading up to the apartments.
"Um! I'm going to the fifth floor." Finn told the old man.
"Today just isn't your day is it kid!" the old man said as he got up from the stairs and grabbed the leash attached to his dog and flipped out a blind man's cane. "Just like the elevators, the air conditioning is also on the fritz! So by the time you make it to the fifth floor, you're going to be sweating more than a whore in church!" added the blind man. "Like I said today isn't your day…especially now that your inside this piece of shit building." The man added as he gave Finn a sympathetic pat on the back as he walked out the door.
A dumbstruck Finn just stood there for a couple of minutes trying to comprehend what the hell just happened. After deciding to chalk it up as just one of those things, Finn began the walk up to the fifth floor. As Finn ascended the stairs up to the fifth floor and noticed the level to which the building was neglected and rundown he began to understand why the old man labelled the building as a piece of shit.
Finally reaching the fifth floor Finn quickly located the right apartment and knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal a very different Brody Weston than what Finn was used to seeing. Gone was the impeccably dressed and well-groomed man that had a brief fling with Rachel. Instead there stood a man that looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, dressed in sweatpants and an old wifebeater.
"What the hell are you doing here?" snarled Brody.
"I just want to have a chat, that's all!" Finn held his hands up in surrender trying to show Brody that he wasn't here for anything other than to talk.
"Yeah! Well I don't have anything to say to you!" snarled Brody again, "Now fuck off!" Brody yelled as he tried to slam the door in Finn's face.
But Finn managed to get a foot in the door and stopped it from closing, "Please! It's about Rachel."
Brody just looked at Finn for a few moments before grunting and reluctantly opening the door and allowing Finn to enter. Finn entered the tiny one bedroom apartment as Brody closed the door behind him. The only remotely nice thing Finn could say about the apartment was that it definitely wasn't the four seasons. Brody slumped down into one of the old couches and looked at Finn as he finished off the rest of an old beer that by the looks of it, had been sitting there awhile.
"So you wanted to talk…so talk! I've got to be at a meeting with my parole officer in an hour." Grumbled Brody.
"Fine! I'm assuming you've heard about what happened to Rachel?" Finn quizzed.
"Yeah, little miss perfect got kicked off the great white way and landed on her arse!" mocked Brody. "But what the hell does that have to do with me?" asked Brody, "She's your problem now!"
"The only reason she got sacked from Broadway, her lifelong dream mind you, is because you couldn't keep your fucking dick in your pants!" Finn yelled back starting to angry.
"What the fuck was I suppose to do huh? She wasn't giving it up regularly! I mean for fucks sake I had to literally beg before be she would give it up one goddam time! But then Mr Small town hero from middle of bum-fuck nowhere comes back from your walkabout and she turns into a freaking nymphomaniac!" Brody yelled back.
"I'll tell you what you were supposed to do!" yelled Finn as he got right into Brody's face before continuing, "You were suppose to love her…cherish her! Not…whatever the hell this was!" Finn continued as he waved his hands around the apartment. "You were supposed to do what I couldn't!"
Now it was Brody's turn to stand up and get in Finn's face as he yelled back, "How dare you! I loved Rachel!"
Finn let out a humourless chuckle as he just looked at Brody, like can you hear the crap coming out of your mouth. Finn pulled a hankie out of his pocket and handed it to Brody.
"What's this for?" a confused Brody asked.
"Since I don't have any toilet paper it's to help clean up all the shit you've been talking! But seriously you don't know the meaning of the word love! I'm surprised you even remembered her name with all the different women you cheated on Rachel with!" snipped and angry Finn.
"Aw, bullshit! We were happy until you realised what you threw away and decided to come back and steal her from me!" Brody snipped back.
This time Finn let out a booming laugh at what Brody just said, "If you seriously think that, then you've been wearing your thongs too tight and the loss of blood and oxygen to the brain has given you brain damage!" mocked Finn.
"HA! The jokes on you! I don't wear thongs, I go commando!" retorted Brody.
Finn shuddered at the thought of Brody and no underwear, "Eww! That is something I seriously never needed to know and now that I do I'm probably going to need a full lobotomy!" Finn replied while holding his head in his hands and rubbing the small piece of skin at the top of his nose, in-between his eyebrows, backwards and forwards between his fingers. "This goddam dick measuring contest is getting us nowhere…"
"That's because mine's bigger and why your little Rachel was always begging for my cock!" Brody said once again getting into Finn's face. "Believe me Finn! It wasn't your name Rachel was screaming to fuck her harder every night, like the good little slut she was. I bet you right now she's daydreaming about coming over here and sucking my…"
Before Brody could finish Finn had picked him up off the ground and slammed him into the lounge room wall. Finn slammed Brody so hard into the wall that there was a Brody sized hole in the wall. It almost would've been comical if Finn weren't ready to rip Brody's head off.
"You listen to me you hairless, STD, disease carrying, dumbass, dickhead, son of a bitch! You can hate me all you want…I don't give a fuck! Because frankly I hate you more than anything in this whole damn world! But you say one more derogatory thing about my Rachel; the sweetest most kind-hearted person in the world, than you and me are going to have a problem! Do you understand? Nod if you understand!" Brody managed to slightly nod his head as Finn still had him pinned up against the wall.
"Because if we have a problem then I get angry and if you hate me now, you're definitely not going to like me when I'm angry. As for your so-called colossal dick and prowess in the sack, don't make me laugh. From what I've heard from Rachel you seem to have a little performance issue. Not enough lead in your pencil so to speak and from all accounts Rachel said she's seen bread harder than your dick! As for your size, please! You got less meat in your pants than there is in a vegetarian restaurant!
But since my mother raised me to give everyone a fair go. I'm going to allow you to show me, there still is an ounce of the man that Rachel saw when she first came to New York. Now if you truly did love Rachel than you should want what's best for her even if it isn't you. You think I put her on that train because I wanted to? I put her on that train because I knew what she was destined to be, she just needed a little push. But just like the star I knew my Hummingbird was, as soon as she felt that gush of wind running through her from the ecstatic applause of a Broadway crowd. She soared majestically above everyone, including me to her rightful place as a true star.
So Brody if Rachel did truly capture remotely any part of your heart, then your going to be civil and were going to sit down and have an adult conversation and see if we can get our girl back on Broadway. Or I can show you just how we settle disputes where I'm from in bum-fuck nowhere. It's up to you, and if you ask me I'm on the fence, because I'm seriously on the verge of snapping. I'm just looking for an excuse. Well are we going to be gentleman or are you going to give me that excuse?" Finn explained to Brody with the utmost venom in his eyes and voice as he held Brody pinned against the wall.
Brody who had never been so scared in his entire life just simply and silently nodded. Finn seeing Brody's acknowledgement of the terms of surrender, let him go from against the wall. While Brody was trying to regain his breath Finn walked into the small kitchenette of the apartment and grabbed two glasses and filled them with water. He walked back over to the lounge and placed one of the glasses of water at one end of the coffee table before sitting down in one of the couches at the opposite end.
Finn motioned with his hand towards the glass of water sitting on the table. Before taking a sip of his own and leaning back in the chair and crossing his legs, "So! Where were we?" stated Finn as Brody reluctantly sat down and with a shaky hand picked up the glass of water and taking a drink. "That's right, you were going to help me get our diva back where she belongs…on Broadway. So Brody what do you know about Funny Girl, Rachel's understudy and this Marigold Financial Group?"
Brody took another tentative sip of his water and looked across at a calm and collected Finn before setting his glass down and saying. "I know everything!"
Rachel was completely nervous as she sat in the small waiting room beside Shelby as she waited to be called into the meeting. This could possibly be her first step back to performing on Broadway, and she didn't want to take that experience for granted this time. It was hard to admit but maybe getting Funny Girl so quickly and soon after coming to New York as well as not really having to struggle like most other up and coming actors; she didn't really appreciate fully what she had, until she lost it. But if she was lucky enough to one-day step foot once again on the hallowed boards of Broadway; then the only way someone was going to take it away from her was from her cold, dead hands.
Trying to calm herself, Rachel's thoughts drifted to the one person who could always her…Finn. She sat there awhile distracting herself trying to figure out what Finn was doing right now. He told her as he was leaving the apartment this morning that Jamal was picking him up for a meeting. But none of the other guys in the band seemed to be attending this meeting, just Finn and apparently Jamal. Maybe it was a record label meeting and that's why only Finn was going; maybe I'll just send him a quick text message to see how he's days going. Just as soon as Rachel sent Finn a text saying I love and miss you, Shelby and her were finally called into meet with the up and coming Broadway director and producer.
Rachel and Shelby were shown through a door into a small looking theatre that would have been about the size of the theatre at McKinley. The secretary that showed them in told them to wait there as she left the theatre to go back to her work. They hadn't been waiting long when a tall, impeccably dressed, bespectacled man came out from back stage and greeted Rachel and Shelby.
"Hi! I'm James Granville, the writer and director of the show, sorry for the wait but my wife and I have been in meetings all day."
"Not a problem Mr Granville. Frankly it's an honour you and your wife are meeting with us today." Responded Shelby.
"Please, call me James. Mr Granville makes me sound really old." James said as he chuckled at his own joke.
Just then an extremely pretty auburn haired woman marched out across stage and hugged James before turning her attention towards Rachel and Shelby. "Are these our guests?" the woman asked James.
"Yes! I'll introduce you. Claudia this is Shelby Corcoran…Shelby, my wife Claudia." Shelby reached over and shook Claudia's hand before James turned towards Rachel. "Now Claudia this lovely lady is…"
"Rachel Berry!" Claudia enthusiastically cut her husband off at the pass.
"You know who I am?" asked a slightly shocked Rachel.
"Of course I know who you are! It's my job as a producer to keep an eye on all the new up and comers and you were the brightest star of the bunch. It's not everyday a young national show choir winner from Lima, Ohio gets a second chance to audition for NYADA let alone Carmen Tibideaux…and absolute NAIL it might I add." Exclaimed an excited Claudia.
"Well I had a lot of help from my friends and boyfriend." A slightly unnerved Rachel replied, as she was shocked to see someone with maybe even more pep and energy than herself.
"Look at that Jimmy! Our little diva is humble as well!" exclaimed Claudia turning towards her husband with a hand over her heart. "But not only do you get into NYADA you become the first freshman in like decades to perform at the annual winter showcase. Then at your like first ever go at auditioning for a Broadway show you get the lead role in Funny Girl. If that's not the CV of a future Broadway superstar I don't know what is!"
"Until I was fired," Rachel sullenly muttered in reply.
"That was bullshit! If you'll excuse my French, but seriously if every person who had a scandal hanging over their head got fired, there wouldn't be enough people to keep Broadway running." James replied to Rachel.
"James is right, there had to be some other reason for Funny Girl letting you go. Because nowadays scandal is just another word for publicity!" added Claudia.
"That's exactly what Rachel's boyfriend keeps saying." Said Shelby.
"Ah, yes! The wonderfully talented Finn Hudson!" answered Claudia.
"Wow! You guys sure have done your research on me." An uneasy Rachel said as she still wasn't quite sure what these people wanted and why they knew so much about her life.
"Oh dear! You probably think my husband and I are a couple of psychopaths. We've been talking all this time and we haven't even told you why we asked you both here. Jimmy, be a dear and explain our proposal to these fine ladies!" Claudia spoke to her husband who readily agreed.
"Yes, yes, very well! As I'm sure you ladies are quite aware my beautiful wife and I have forged a partnership of sorts. Where we have decided to open our own production company so we can make the stories that we want to make without any politics getting in the way. Now Rachel we met your mother through the day-care she runs for Broadway performers. While the two of us work we've been leaving our little Adelaide in the wonderful care of your mother. Over the years I believe we have become friends, so often we would stay behind after picking up our daughter and converse with Shelby.
It was during one of these friendly conversations that we disclosed that the next story we attempted, we wanted it to be about a mother and daughter. For this next part I must admit that it took more than a little prying and bribing for Shelby to disclose details about her story with you. So please don't blame her, but rather blame my wife and I as it was us who overstepped any boundaries for the sake of a story.
But nevertheless she filled us in on your emotional story and we would be honoured if you both would allow us to use your story as inspiration for our next musical. Your story has it all, hope, love, rejection, drama, reconciliation, babies, fortunes won and lost and most importantly it has great music. So do we have your blessing to use your story? We also want you both to be including in every step of the production to make sure your story is being told with honesty and respect. We may even be able to work out a co-producer or something like that credit." Explained James as he laid out the details of his wife and his plan for their next musical.
Shelby turned to Rachel and grabbed both of her hands, wrapping them in her own. "Rachel, I think this could be good for us. We're in a good spot at the moment and maybe getting our story out there might help other mother's and daughters in similar situations."
"I don't know if I want one of the worst periods in my life portrayed for the entire world to see on stage." A confused Rachel answered back.
"Rachel dear, I'm not going to pretend I know or understand what you've been through. My relationship with my mother is excellent; heck we still have tea and crumpets together every Saturday morning. But sometimes you have to forget what's gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what's coming next. Funny Girl may be gone, but this opportunity maybe the next best thing and also a way to get your name back into the forefronts of people's minds." Claudia tried to convince Rachel this musical based on her relationship with her mother was a good idea.
"When do you need an answer?" asked Rachel.
"Umm! We could give you a week or two if you need time to think." Answered James.
"That would be great thanks. I really think I need to think this over by myself and also discuss it with Finn as well." Rachel answered back feeling better now that she could take her time and think things over.
"Certainly dear, you're a very responsible young woman and I wouldn't expect any less. But before the both of you leave, James and I have one finally request. You see in conjunction with being interested in your story, we also have to admit to being a little addicted to listening to you both sing together." Claudia noticed the puzzled expression on Rachel's face and the guilty one on Shelby's. "Shelby showed us a recording of a duet you did together while you were still in high school Rachel. I believe the duet was Poker Face by Lady GaGa. Anyway listening to you two sing has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure for James and myself. So our final request is if you and your mother might be able to perform a song for us?" requested Claudia.
Shelby and Rachel just looked at each other before giving simultaneous nods of agreement. They may have their problems that still needed to be sorted out but no one could deny the magic they produce when they sing together. Claudia and James went over to sit in the audience seating as Rachel and Shelby made their way towards the stage.
They found the song they wanted amongst the music and pressed play and allowed the opening notes of the music float throughout the theatre…
SHELBY:
I'm scared
So afraid to show I care
Will he think me weak
If I tremble when I speak
Oooh
What if
There's another one he's thinking of
Maybe he's in love
I'd feel like a fool
Life can be so cruel
I don't know what to do
RACHEL:
I've been there
With my heart out in my hand
But what you must understand
You can't let the chance
To love him pass you by
RACHEL/SHELBY:
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Tender words so soft and sweet
SHELBY:
I'll hold him close to feel his heart beat
RACHEL:
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Touch him
SHELBY:
Oooh
RACHEL:
With the gentleness you feel inside
SHELBY:
I feel it
RACHEL/SHELBY:
Your love can't be denied
The truth will set you free
You'll have what's meant to be
RACHEL/SHELBY:
All in time you'll see
Oooh
SHELBY:
I love him
RACHEL:
Then show him
SHELBY:
Of that much I can be sure
RACHEL:
Hold him close to you
SHELBY:
I don't think I could endure
If I let him walk away
When I have so much to say
RACHEL/SHELBY:
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Tender words so soft and sweet
RACHEL:
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
SHELBY:
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Love is light that surely glows
In the hearts of those who know
It's a steady flame that grows
RACHEL:
Feed the fire with all the passion you can show
SHELBY:
Tonight love will assume its place
RACHEL:
This memory time cannot erase
RACHEL/SHELBY:
Your faith will lead love where it has to go
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Whisper words so soft and sweet
RACHEL:
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
SHELBY:
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Oooh
RACHEL/SHELBY:
Never let him go.
The song finished and the music founded out as their audience of two rose to to their feet and cheered. Rachel and Shelby gave each other a hug before turning back towards the two people in attendance and bowed before making their way off the stage towards the exit.
Sidney Greene sat in his office going over all the mounting expenditure that Funny Girl had been piling up recently. He was seriously worried if it kept going the way it was going he would have a decision to make. Either keep the show going until it's forced to close due to no one showing up. Which was a real possibility as the other night's performance only managed to attract enough people to fill barely half the theatre. Or his other option and the option that would most likely win out was the one where he pulls the plug on the struggling musical sooner rather than later so he doesn't go bankrupt.
As he was weighing up the pros and cons of each option, Sidney really wished that Rachel were still the leading lady in Funny Girl. When she was there she was always on time, courteous to all the staff, always knew her lines and man could she sing. Now with Tamara taking over, everything's changed. Tamara's always forgetting her lines during rehearsals and on performance nights, she never shows up on time. Not to mention she treats everyone like absolute dirt, yelling and swearing at the personal assistants, throwing hissy fits and blaming the orchestra every time she get's one of the songs wrong. It's not only her diva attitude it's also ever since she took over from Rachel, Funny Girl went from a thriving successful sold-out musical to a musical that's barely able to fill half the theatre and is now so close to being financially bankrupt it's more viable to shut it down.
Just as Sidney was getting back to work his receptionist Helen buzzed through that there was someone here to see him. Needing a break from the depressing nature of what he was doing, Sidney welcomed the distraction of this uninvited guest. So he buzzed back to Helen that the person waiting for him could be allowed through.
There was a brief knock on the door as Sidney called out, "enter!" and the door opened revealing one of the last people Sidney expected to see at his door. Standing on the other side of his office door was Rachel Berry's boyfriend, Finn Hudson. A surprised Sidney led Finn into his office and motioned for him to sit in one of the plush chairs.
"Mr Hudson would you care for something to drink? Tea, Coffee, water?" Sidney asked but sat down as he saw Finn replying, "No."
"So then what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected meeting?" asked Sidney as he leaned back in his leather office chair.
"I'm here to save Funny Girl and Rachel Berry's career." Finn said dramatically.
"What makes you think, Funny Girl needs saving?" said Sidney who was trying to play his cards close to his chest.
"Well I'm pretty sure Funny Girl needs saving, considering it's harder to get into a playground at the local park than it is to get tickets to see Funny Girl." Finn said leaning forward in his chair. "To be quite frank, Mr Greene at the moment Funny Girl tickets are not even worth the paper their printed on." Added Finn.
"I see! I'm assuming you have some wonderful plan to save our sinking ship then, Mr Hudson?" Sidney sarcastically asked.
"Of course I do! I'm an ideas man and as such I have a plan that is assured to take you from being in the red all the way back to black!" a resolved Finn replied.
"Well, let's hear it son!" Sidney exclaimed even though he was still extremely sceptical he was also smart enough not to turn away a helping hand without hearing someone out first.
"It's a rather simple plan, there's really only three steps for you to do. First thing you do is immediately sack Tamara Clayton as Fanny Brice; second you cut all ties with the Marigold Financial Group. Then thirdly you immediately reinstate Rachel Berry into the lead role." Finn simply explained.
"Boy you must be one hell of stupid, if you think I'm going to drop the number one sponsor of this show!" Laughed Sidney.
"I don't think you'll be laughing after you watch this tape!" declared Finn as he held up a thumb drive.
"What the hell is this tape going to show me that I don't already know!" an unbelieving Sidney Greene boomed.
Finn leaned slightly more forward in his chair and as he looked at Sidney's face a giant smirk spread across Finn's face. After a few moments Finn leaned back into his chair and simple said, "Everything…it's going to show you everything you don't know!"
Finn reached across and plugged the thumb drive into Sidney's computer and started the video. The two men watched the entire video from beginning to end, multiple times.
"What's on this video is the truth?" asked a completely stunned Sidney as he fell back into his office chair.
"100%" replied Finn in all honesty.
Sidney still shaking his head leaned across his desk and shook Finn's hand, "You have yourself a deal, Mr Hudson."
Hope everyone enjoyed this current chapter. Finn (the idea's man) Hudson has a plan in motion to reinstate Rachel on Broadway. He seems pretty confident …but how did he do it? All questions will be answered in the next chapter so stay tuned. The song used in this chapter is 'Tell Him' by Celine Dion & Barbra Streisand. Like always see you next time. Have a good one and don't do anything I wouldn't do.