Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or Maci.

I would like to thank you all for the amazing feedback so far for just one chapter. You all completely blew me away, seriously. This is for all of you!

I would also like to give a HUGE thank you to joyofrediscoveringyou for editing this chapter, you're the best! Thank you!

x.

Knocking on her landlords door, Rachel waited until she heard him unlock his door. Fresh, clean and surprisingly in a good mood, Rachel handed over the envelope full of cash to the older man.

"I apologize for having this so late but I promise that every penny and dime is in there." The man's eyebrows raised in suspicion as he looked up at Rachel.

"Do I even want to know how you got this money?" Almost appalled at such accusations, Rachel covered the front of her body with the cardigan she had over her dress.

"I will see you next month Mr. De Luca and I promise to have payment for you on time." Stepping back as she didn't give him anymore of her time, completely missing his stare fixed on her ass.

Stepping out into the streets of the Lower East Side Rachel felt at least ten pounds of stress relieved from her body, just at the simple thought of staying in her apartment for another month. With a solid, well paying job like hers she would be able to audition on her free time.

Adjusting her shades Rachel was well on her way on meeting her good friend Santana. Having met Santana's friend Britney at an audition for a show, they had gone out a few times, both were great. Britney was usually in rehearsal or doing a show during the days while Santana did as she pleased, today was their lunch date.

Stepping through one of the deli's in the city, she immediately found Santana at one of the tables. Placing her purse on the surface she took off her shades, smiling as she greeted her friend.

"About time you showed up." So Santana wasn't the friendliest person on the planet but that's what Rachel found so intriguing. Santana wasn't a pushover and she sure as hell didn't put up with anything either.

"I had to pay my landlord this morning, plus wait for my new employer to call me."

"Employer, what are you like working at Subway now?" Santana asked pointing to the water she had ordered for Rachel.

"No, I'm not working at Subway." Rolling her eyes, she took a sip from the cold glass. "Kurt actually set me up with his brother who needed a nanny."

"Oh so you're watching a kid." Sarcasm rolling off her tongue. "You know, you actually have to know what to do with a kid to watch one."

"I'll have you know that I did just fine with her." Their regular meals brought to the table, Santana already ordered while waiting. "I am actually going over there today to watch her while Finn goes to practice."

"Finn?" Santana snorted "What kind of dumb name is that?"

"It's an old name, like Huckleberry Finn."

"Stupid."

"Sounds like you and Maci would get along just great." Rachel mumbled digging into her salad.

"So is this fish hot?"

"Excuse me?" Rachel asked, not quite understanding where she was getting fish from.

"This Finn guy, is he hot?" The latino shrugged "You know would you bang him?"

"That's disgusting!" Rachel screeched "He is practically my boss, I am watching his child."

"So he's married?"

"No."

"Then I see no problem here." The glare was evident even as Santana continued about her meal without even a single look. "All I'm saying is that you need to get laid Berry. It's been what, like five hundred years since St. Jackass?"

"Two years." Rachel corrected "But I don't think about him anymore."

"Whatever, so did I tell you about my new job?"

"No you didn't" Rachel was thankful to have that conversation put away for at least a little while.

"Yeah I'm the new babysitter at the daycare down the street." Santana looked up to find that same glare she felt just moments ago. "See, doesn't that sound ridiculous?"

"You're ridiculous, I'll show you that I'm going to be the best damn nanny that kid will ever have."

"Not with that mouth." A wink was thrown Rachel's way as Santana shoved a piece of steak in her mouth.

"Yeah well, at least she'll have better table manners then you."

xx.

"Maci!" Finn yelled looking for his daughter "Come on out, Miss. Rachel is going to be here soon."

"What are we doing today?" The little girl asked jumping on her father's bed. "Something fun?"

"Maybe, I don't know you'll have to ask when she gets here." Gripping his daughter's hips he placed her on the floor. "I will be back hopefully before seven to tuck you in."

With a knock to the door, Maci raced quickly over to it. Opening it quickly, she squealed in delight when she saw Rachel.

"What are we doing today?"

"Oh... I'm not sure yet." Rachel smiled seeing Finn walking towards them with a duffle bag, his practice gear in it. Politely waving Rachel giggled pointing to his daughter. "I see she's eager to start her day."

"You have no idea, all I've heard all day was how cool Miss. Rachel is." Giving Maci a kiss to the cheek, Finn kept the front door open with his back. 'Thanks again Rachel, you already know when I should be back from our talk this morning."

"Yes, by seven tonight."

"Don't forget, I left my card on the table. Anything Maci may need food wise or a toy, go ahead and use it. I left my pin number on the table, I trust that it will be in good hands?"

"Yes, you won't have to worry about me."

"Awesome, alright see you two later." Closing the door behind him leaving the two ladies by themselves again.

Looking down Rachel began to wonder what in the world they could possibly get into for the day. If she were a kid being raised in the city there were tons of places she could think of, especially one in particular.

"Do you like dolls?"

"Barbies?" Maci asked shaking her head.

"No, American Girl dolls."

"I never heard of that." She confessed but then remembered a commercial for one. "Wait, I saw them on TV before."

"I know exactly what we will be doing today."

"We're going to visit dolls?" Maci asked not truly understanding what they would really be doing.

"Sort of, now go get your shoes on." Collecting her purse off the couch and Finn's credit card in case Maci wanted something to eat as well as Rachel's key to the penthouse, they made their way down. Hailing a taxi, the two got into the back as Rachel told the man just where to go.

"Am I getting a doll?"

"We'll see, your daddy said you could have a toy."

"Daddy has tons of money." Maci smiled clapping her hands. "I never had a doll before!"

"Never?" Maci shook her head. Rachel couldn't believe that a four year old never once had a doll. Rachel had dolls growing up, sure they were ballerina dolls but still nonetheless dolls. Every little girl deserved to have one.

"Is the store big?"

"Enormous!" Rachel enthused with her eyes.

"I'm excited!" Watching out the window as they slowly made their way to fifth avenue at forty-ninth street where they were let out. Paying with some extra cash from her emergency stash, Rachel grabbed Maci's hand as she dragged her towards the entrance.

The store was busy as always as Maci nearly dragged Rachel through the people. Gazing at everything in awe, Maci couldn't believe the amount of dolls in one store. Not just the dolls, but the clothing and everything else that came with them.

Going through history of all the American Girls in their time periods, Rachel couldn't help but to be entertained as well. There were baby dolls called Bitty Babies that Maci picked out, a little blonde boy and girl. But the main thing that sparked Maci's interest was the opportunity to personalize a doll.

"She looks like me!" Maci gasped going over to a doll that had brown almost black hair, with Maci's brown eyes.

"You can even get her an outfit that matches what you wear!" Rachel smiled showing her the racks of doll clothes.

"This is totally awesome!" Maci clapped her hands in excitement as she ran over to Rachel's leg hugging her closely "Thank you."

Two little words such as those had never affected Rachel as much as they did then.

xxx.

Nearly speed-walking as he checked his watch for the tenth time since getting out of the cab, Finn felt horrible. It was almost ten at night meaning he was three hours late getting home to relieve Rachel. He had forgotten his cell phone on his charger earlier which meant that he didn't have Kurt's or Rachel's number to call either.

Sliding his key through the door, Finn dropped his bag to the floor going in. Going quietly down the hall, the penthouse was still as silence filled the rooms.

The tv in the living room was set to low volume as a movie play screen was replaying over and over again. Peaking over to the couch he found Rachel curled up in a ball with a throw blanket covering her. Debating on whether or not to wake her, FInn didn't have to make that choice when she stirred in her sleep waking up.

Blinking a few times she had to think about where she was, until she realized Finn standing in front of her.

"I am so sorry." Rachel apologized rubbing the sleep from her eyes, sitting up on the couch. "I didn't mean to fall asleep, I just put Maci down and then fell asleep watching a movie."

"No, don't worry about it. I mean seriously I should be the one apologizing, I was supposed to be home over three hours ago."

"It's no big deal." Rachel waved off standing up to smooth down her dress. "Maci and I had a blast today, as soon as she got ready for bed she was out like a light."

"That's great Rachel, I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am for you doing this."

"You're the one doing me a favor." Rachel snatching her purse off the coffee table.

"Are you going to be okay getting home? I know it's late and you live a little far from here."

"Yeah, I should be fine. Don't worry about me, I'll catch the subway home and be there within a half hour."

"No, you can't take the subway." Finn stated going over to his wallet. "Here take a few bucks and get yourself a cab."

"I have money, I just like to take the subway."

"Nobody likes the subway. Think of it as an advancement." Finn insisted handing her the forty dollars.

"An advancement." Rachel nodded "I will remember to tell you."

"It's the least I can do for not calling to tell you I was going to be late. I forgot my phone here at the house and I'm not very good with numbers."

"Completely understandable, but that's what I'm here for. Maci was darling for me today."

"She really likes you, trust me she didn't shut up about you."

"I hope you don't mind, I took her to American Girl today and got her a doll. It was something she said she didn't have, a doll is sort of a girl's rite of passage."

"Really?" Finn's eyes lit up "She wanted a doll?"

"Let's just say her eyes lit up as bright as yours probably did when you got your first football." Rachel laughed shifting her purse on her shoulder. "She's been playing with it ever since."

"That's awesome Rachel, thanks." Finn was sincere, he didn't even know his kid was interested in playing with dolls. "Maybe having a woman around Maci will help her."

"Maci is an amazing kid Finn, whether or not she plays with dolls has nothing to do with it." Opening the door Rachel waved "I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time."

"Okay." Finn waved back "Careful getting home, sorry again."

Smiling once again, Rachel made her way into the elevator. Locking the door behind her, Finn shut everything off before going into Maci's bedroom. Kissing his daughter's forehead he noticed the doll in her arms as she clutched it close to her body. He would have to get more doll stuff for her.

xxxx.

Sitting down at one of the cafes in town Maci held on to her doll playing with her hair, waiting for her Uncle Kurt to come back with their food.

"Miss. Rachel?" Maci questioned, Rachel looked at her with a raised eyebrow waiting for her to continue. "How come you don't have kids?"

"I'm far too young to start thinking about having children." Rachel smiled

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty three."

"My daddy said he was almost twenty two when he had me." Maci stated "That's younger than you."

"That may be so, but it doesn't mean that I am ready to have a child. I still have Broadway to get through before I even think about those things."

"Broadway?" Maci's nose scrunched in confusion

"Broadway..." Kurt let out a dreamy sigh as he gave Rachel her salad and Maci her chicken tenders. "Broadway is a magical place, Maci."

"No, Candyland is."

"Broadway is much better than any silly game."

"What does Broadway do?"

"It's a place where the best of the best go to sing and dance. Many of the world's best singers are right beneath our noses, here in New York." Rachel smiled, just thinking of all her idols walking these very streets.

"Eh, sounds boring."

"Oh but it's not." Kurt insisted "You would love it."

"Doubt it." Maci dunked one of her chicken tenders into ketchup.

"You know..." Rachel smiled looking at Kurt with bright eyes. "Brittany is in 'The Lion King' as one of the dancers."

"'The Lion King?" Her interest sparked at the mention of a Disney movie.

"Yes, I haven't seen it yet but I've heard it's amazing!" Kurt nodded along "Which is why I'm getting the three of us tickets. I can get Brittany to get us tickets to Saturday's show, you'll be with me anyway."

"I am so excited!" Maci clapped her hands "Wait, can we get Laci a ticket too?"

Rachel giggled nodding, thinking how cute it was that Maci thought of her doll. "Of course we can get Laci in, I think she will love it too."

xxxxx.

"This Saturday night?" Finn asked walking with Maci down the streets on just about his only day off this week. "I thought you were going to watch my game?"

"But daddy, you always have games. Uncle Kurt and Miss Rachel got tickets for only this Saturday. Laci and I are super excited to go" Clutching her father's hand as if her whole life depended on it. "I want to go."

"I guess that's okay, since you really want to go." Finn sighed, kind of bummed that his kid didn't want to watch him. But he knew she would probably enjoy the show a lot more than a football game. "Plus I mean there will be other games."

"Maybe Miss Rachel and I could go to a game here in New York?"

"Maybe." In just the week that Rachel had been around he has seen a major change in Maci, definitely in the best direction. She seemed to be having a little more fun, which kids should be doing.

"I'll bring something home for you daddy, that way you know I was thinking about you."

Picking her up Finn kissed her forehead as he continued to walk. "That would be awesome baby."

xxxxxx.

"I love this dress!" Maci exclaimed, twirling around as they waited in the lobby for Kurt to show up.

"Thank you, it was mine from when I was a child." Rachel beamed, ecstatic that Maci liked the dress as much as she did. "I didn't see anything Broadway appropriate in your closet, with all your shorts and pants."

"I don't have any dresses or skirts!" Twirling around again, Maci giggled as she collapsed in a chair. "Do you have anymore?"

"Maybe we can go shopping next week."

"Yay! you are the best Miss Rachel." Maci lit up even more when she saw her uncle coming towards them. Standing up she ran up to him twirling for him. "Look Uncle Kurt, Rachel brought me one of her dresses. I look pretty don't I?"

"You look beautiful." Kurt smiled resting a hand on her shoulder. "Just like a little lady."

"I want to look just like Miss Rachel."

"Just without the knee highs." Kurt teased as he remembered some of the old pictures from her teenage days. Choosing to ignore him, Rachel gave them both their tickets and told them that they should be heading in to get to their seats.

Rachel proceeded to take out the candies she brought for them all to share during the show. When the lights dimmed, Maci could hardly contain her excitement as she gripped Laci closer to her body.

Watching the show with such wonder and happiness, Rachel was amazed at how enthused Maci was with the show. The entire time she stared in awe at the performers, humming along with the familiar tunes from the movie.

When the curtains closed and the show was over, Maci stood up between Kurt and Rachel. "I loved it!"

"She loved it." Kurt placed a hand over his heart looking over to Rachel.

"I knew she'd love it." Rachel smiled

"Broadway is so cool! Much cooler than football." Maci exclaimed following the two adults out of the building.

"How about we don't tell your daddy that." Kurt laughed

"We should take her to go see 'Mary Poppins' next."

"That's a show?" Maci's mouth dropped in shock

"Yep, in fact I know someone who is in the show who could get us tickets for that too."

"You are super cool Miss Rachel." Maci hugged her leg

"You hear that? I'm super cool." Smirking at how well Maci seemed to be taking to her, Rachel couldn't help but be a little smug about it. "How about I take all of us super cool kids out to ice cream, how does that sound?"

"What are we waiting for?" Kurt asked weaving around the crowd to get some ice cream.

xxxxxxx.

"You know, I really am glad that you've enjoyed yourself this week with me. I can see that we're going to have so much fun with each other." Rachel smiled as she brushed through Maci's hair while they sit on her bed.

"I'm excited to go dress shopping this week!"Maci looked up smiling "Maybe we can get something for Laci."

"I bet we can find something special for the both of you." Brushing out the last knot, Rachel patted the little girl's shoulders. "Okay, you're all finished."

"Oh, man." She whined standing up on her bed. "I'm not ready to go to bed."

"It's just about nine o'clock and you know that means it's your bedtime." Rachel smiled giving credit to the little girl for her effort. "Now come on down from there and let's get your little butt in bed."

"One more time." Maci giggled into her hands.

"No, I can't."

"Please!" She begged "One more time, then I will go to bed."

"Promise?" Rachel asked making sure that she would stick to her word.

"Swear on Mr. Sillypants stuffing."

"That's a very serious swear." Rachel giggled going over to the little CD player in the corner of Maci's room. Pressing play, Rachel held up a finger. "One time and then you are to go to bed."

"Yay!"

Pressing the right arrow until track eleven came on. Rachel stepped away and looked directly at Maci as she sat crisscross watching her from the bed.

I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware!

I've never seen a king or beast

With quite so little hair

Going over to Maci who jumped down off the bed to join her, singing along with her.

I'm gonna be the main event

Like no king was before

I'm brushing up on looking down

I'm working on my ROAR

Maci giggled when Rachel tickled her stomach.

Thus far a rather uninspiring thing

Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

No one saying do this now when I said that

No one saying be there! What I meant was

No one saying stop that what you don't realize

No one saying see here Now see here

Free to run around all day ,

We'll to do it all my way.

I think it's time that you and i arranged a heart to heart .

Kings don't need advice from little Hornbills for a start .

If this is were the monarchy is headed count me out!

Out of service out of Africa i wouldn't hang about

This child is getting wildly out of wing

Oh i just can't wait to be king

Everybody look left

Both Rachel and Maci's head bobbed left

Everybody look right

Bobbin right, Maci giggled again as Rachel brought her into her arms, both of them dancing around.

Everywhere you look I-

Stand in spotlight

Not yet!

Let every creature go for broke and sing

Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing

It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Falling back on the bed, Rachel and Maci were in full giggles while catching their breaths. A slow clap could be heard from the doorway making them both sit up in a panic.

"Daddy!" Maci yelled in excitement jumping into his arms.

"Hey baby!" Finn held onto his little girl tight "That was some awesome singing you two were just doing."

Looking past Maci's head he smiled at a now blushing Rachel who was up turning the radio off.

"'The Lion King' was so cool daddy. I love it!"

"Sorry, I know she should be in bed by now. She just asked for one last song before bed, sweet eyes included." Rachel chuckled, ringing her hand in front of her body.

"Uh oh, you've been using those eyes on Miss Rachel?" Finn asked "You've really got her in your spell don't you?"

"Oh, daddy you are so silly." Maci kissed his cheek quickly before kicking her legs around to let him know she wanted to get down. Running over to her bed, Maci snuggled underneath the covers. "Now tuck me in."

Slipping out of the room for Finn to tuck Maci in, Rachel cleaned up the little mess she made in the kitchen and collected her overnight bag. It was only a few minutes afterwards the Finn came out laughing.

"She's a mess." Finn pointed with his thumb to his daughter's bedroom.

"Tell me about it." Rachel agreed

"She told me all about the weekend, she said that she can't wait until the next show you take her to."

"Oh yes, 'Mary Poppins'" Rachel nodded as Finn went over to the kitchen and brought back a check. Taking it from him, Rachel smiled. "Thank you."

"So I have off tomorrow but Tuesday, at the same time?"

"Same time Tuesday." Rachel nodded "I will see you than."

Opening the door, Finn followed behind to make sure she got to the elevator safely. Watching as she clicked the button Finn called out her name making her turn to him.

"You have an amazing voice." He complimented

Moving a piece of hair out of her face, embarrassed by his compliment Rachel smiled shyly. "Thank you."

"I'll see you Tuesday." Finn smiled as the elevator dinged open. Waving good bye Rachel stepped in, leaving his view.

The penthouse was quiet as he walked to his bedroom, throwing his away bag on the floor. Still trying to get her voice out of his head, he'd never once in his life heard someone sing the way she could. It was almost unreal and honestly he wanted to hear it again, soon.

Authors note is at the top.