Disclaimer: I don't own Glee
Guys this is so sad, this is the last chapter before the epilogue. Ya'll are amazing for all the support and I apologize for taking over a week to get it to you all. I wanted to make sure I had it written out to the best ability that I could! I didn't forget! You all are so awesome, honestly.
But I couldn't do it alone, I would also like to give a HUGE thank you to joyofrediscoveringyou honestly without your help this story would be a mess with so many errors and with your help with the flow it's been an honor working with you!
x.
A months passing seemed to ease Maci into Rachel being there in a different way yet somehow, still the same. On the weekdays Rachel would still be there for her but she noticed that some days her dad and Rachel would go out by themselves and she'd end up with her uncle. Maci didn't mind of course, as long as Rachel was still around Maci was happy. Though Maci also took notice to the amount of places they all went together. Especially when her dad would go on someplace fun with them.
Tonight being her first recital ever performing as a little ballerina, she had her own entourage joining the audience. Sitting at her little vanity as she stared herself in the mirror. Maci was so excited to show off her moves to everyone.
"Let me see my favorite niece!" Kurt barged into Maci's room gasping as he couldn't believe how pretty she looked. "Look at you, you are so darling!"
Giggling Maci jumped up onto her chair and hopping into his arms. "Hi Uncle Kurt, I have missed you very much!"
"Me too you little squirt." Putting her standing up onto the bed Kurt takes in her appearance. She was wearing a beautiful white knee length dress that had a sweetheart top with gold trim. Kurt was so proud as he found her gold sparkles on her eyelids as well as her hair done perfectly. "Look at you, it's like you've grown up to so much over the past few months. You're like the little beauty queen I always wanted you to be!"
Confused by the comment Maci brushed it off before pouncing on him again. "Let's go before we are late!"
"Yes ma'am" Walking her out into the living room where Finn, Rachel, Quinn, Puck, Blaine and the two other kids were all waiting to leave. "Who is ready to go see some Nutcracker?"
"Me!" Beth yelled running over to Maci while Kurt placed her down on the ground, the three girls migrated to the front door ready to leave.
"Camera!" Rachel grabbed it from the charger and then rushed everyone out of the apartment "Come on let's go before Maci's late!"
"I am so excited" Maci squealed as they all gathered into the elevator, leading out to the front the building. Finn tried to hide the growing smile on his face as he brisked his little girl into his arms, covering her eyes from seeing his surprise. "Daddy! What are you doing?"
"I've got something super special for us all tonight." He whispered in her ear as he walked closer to the curb before letting go of her eyes. Gasping when she saw the big stretch limo for them all to go into for the night, Maci jumped while still in his arms. "I take it you like it?"
"So cool daddy!" Hugging his neck tightly she got down climbing in the door of the limo while the other two kids joined in with her, gasping at all the cool things. The little girls taking over the back corner of the limo as Quinn distributes juice boxes to them.
Having gone down the road a million times the three girls gasped and 'oohed' at the lights and buildings passing them by, as if seeing them in a different view. Snapping a quick picture Quinn downloaded onto her profile.
"You nervous squirt?" Puck asked putting his arms around Quinn looking down at the kids.
"No." Maci shook her head quickly "I've been practicing real hard for tonight."
"Dude, she's serious about that. All this week the kid has been non-stop dancing around the house twisting and turning."
"They are called pirouettes daddy" Maci corrected him as Beth held Laci in her arms while she laced up her ballet shoes before they got to the theater.
"Well anyway..." Finn didn't even want to try to pronounce that word "She will out show all those kids."
"No doubt." Rachel nodded, agreeing. Even though she had just recently started to go back to her voice lessons with a vocal coach for the musical, she'd been spending most nights at Finns. Maci insists on showing her all the moves she's been practicing throughout her classes. But with Finn at practice everyday with his team going to the Super Bowl in just short of a week, he's been working non-stop just as much as she's been rehearsing.
With Quinn volunteering to take Maci until arrangements could be made for kindergarten the upcoming year, Rachel was able to to focus on her work. It was nice to know that Finn was considering her future in the musical and finding an alternative. Granted, Rachel was still able to hang out with Maci on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Sundays when she wasn't with her coach.
Pulling up to the theater they all got out, giving their tickets to the woman collecting them before going in. Finn grabbed Maci's hand as he announced he'd meet them at their seats. Wishing Maci good luck the rest of them walked into the theater, taking up about half of the third row.
Maci looked around at her dance company, kids young and old standing around in their costumes stretching, talking, taking pictures, all kinds of things. Gripping her father's hand tighter the amount of people was kind of overwhelming. If all these kids were back here that meant there were even more people in the audience.
"Daddy!" Maci whispered pulling his arm to stop him from walking any farther as he bent down to her level.
"What's up?"
"I don't want to do this anymore." Mumbling she looks around at every single person "I want to go home."
"What are you serious?" Finn questioned "I thought you were super excited about this, this is what you wanted."
"Not anymore, come on let's go." Trying to pull him out of the there but couldn't move him. Crossing her arms uncomfortably Maci held her head low. "Please I really want to go home."
"What's going on with you.?" Finn's voice soft as he drops to his knees placing a hand on her shoulder. "You were so excited to come here and show everyone."
"Too many people." Her low voice as she looked around "I didn't know so many people would be here."
"You are a little nervous to go up in front of everyone?" Maci nodded at the question "Everyone get's a little nervous before a big show. You know I get nervous before a game, especially during college when I wasn't used to such big crowds."
"Really?" His identical squinty eyes rounding large at the thought her own daddy getting nervous in front of people.
"Of course I understand, a lot of people can make you not want to go out there and do your thing. But let me tell you, once you get out there and do it and you hear the cheers, it's so awesome that you'll want to go out there and do it again."
Still not looking too convinced Finn tried something else. "How about when you're out there you just look at all the people that came for you, just focusing on them. I mean I'm pretty sure Uncle Puck has no clue how much of an awesome dancer you are. He thinks you dance like me, and I dance pretty bad don't I?"
"Uncle Kurt and Miss Rachel say you have two left feet." Maci giggled into her palm lightly as she remembers the other day when her and Rachel had the music on, dancing around the house, and her dad had come in only to not dance very well. "I have to agree."
"Well you have to go out there and show him how much better you are than your old man."
"I don't know..." Her eyes wondering around again until Finn held her chin to look at him.
"Just remember to look at us sweetheart. I promise it won't be as scary once you get out there and get listening to the music and doing your jazz hands or whatever you call them."
"I'm not in jazz daddy!" Maci shook her head "I'm a ballerina."
"Well then, go show me how much of a ballerina you are!"
"I'm going to go show everybody how much a good dancer I am!" Maci nodded more confident as she set her mind into the right path.
"Go get 'em." Finn kissed her cheek before standing up looking down at her.
"I'm a ballerina." Maci repeated to herself as she walked over with her group of kids. Standing in the corner of the busy room he just stood there watching her start practicing with another little girl, giggling when they accidentally mess up.
Five years, for five years Finn has had this little girl. He didn't know how the hell he figured out this parenting thing enough to make her turn into this special little girl, but he had done it. Not only was she surrounded by the best people but she was happy. Something Finn figured she'd never be with his lifestyle, the lifestyle that was never supposed to fit a child especially the way she came into this world.
But there she was giggling all over herself getting ready for the recital that Rachel, his girlfriend, the woman who loved his child just as much as him, had encouraged her to join. With his brother who was there for him since the beginning, helping him with no conditions and his friends who never judged his decisions and stuck with him.
Despite his failures and bad choices in the past, Maci had changed him into this brand new person. She helped make him a better person and he raised her to be (in his eyes) this perfect human being. A sweet child who made him want to be a better person. Without Maci, Finn didn't know where he would even be right now. Probably in worse condition then he was, partying and being this jackass that he hated. But instead he was in a committed relationship with a great daughter with a good head on her shoulders.
"Hey." A soft voice rang through his ear as a hand rested on her arm, peering down he sees Rachel staring up at him with worried eyes. Brushing a few strands out of her eyes she blinks at his misty eyes. "Is everything okay, you've been back here for a while."
"I'm fine." Finn's mouth pulled up on a side, wrapping an arm around Rachel pulling her close. "Just having a moment."
"She growing up too fast for you?" Her voice knowing as he nods watching Maci now sit on the ground playing some hand game with a few girls.
"A little too fast." Squeezing Rachel's side he smiled down at her. "It's just been a journey with her, Maci's my little girl."
"She'll always be your little girl Finn, trust me you're looking at the perfect example of a girl who can't go without her father." Giggling, Rachel leaned her head onto his side. "Come on let's go get our seats, I'm sure it will be starting soon."
Nodding Finn looked once more as Maci happened to look up too. Pleased to still see Finn in the room she blew him a kiss as he did the same back before walking out.
xx.
"Please come here." Kurt called through the hotel room "Maci come out here and get these clothes on."
Finn had been out on interviews for the next day while Rachel was in the shower getting ready for the dinner coming up soon. In the meantime Kurt had been put on Maci duty, to get her ready for the nights events. So far she was still running off the ice cream cone the girls had snuck in.
"Maci get out here and get your clothing on now! I am not playing with you! I still need to get myself ready and do your hair."
"Uncle Kurt." Maci teased from under the bed, giggling as she practically gave her hiding place away.
"No way am I ruining my designer jeans to climb under that bed to get you out, now you come out here and get dressed or I'll make sure you don't get into the pool later. "
A loud gasped followed by the little girl coming out from under the bed made for a happy Kurt. Dressing herself in black leggings, a white tunic with little black polka dots with black boots to go with. Bouncing on the bed as Kurt mumbles to himself about how much he wanted to kill whoever came up with concept of ice cream.
Rached stepped out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair, wearingdark skinny jeans and a teal tee with a crochet back.
"You need to hurry Rachel we need to leave here soon to make it to dinner on time!" Kurt sat at the vanity fixing his hair. Nodding, Rachel hurried grabbing the blow dryer and her makeup bag while running back into the bathroom.
"Get off the bed your father and Rachel don't want to sleep in a bed with your shoe dirt and germs all over it." Kurt grabbed Maci pulling her off the bed as she pouted.
"I'm bored!"
"Go play with Laci." Kurt suggested fixing a few out of place strands sticking out of place.
"No." Stomping her feet she goes to hop on the bed again but Kurt grabs her, keeping her on the ground. "I'm hungry."
"We can leave as soon as that one in there is ready."
"Can we go get a snack from those machines?"
"No." Glaring at the bathroom door Kurt wished she would hurry up to get out of this hotel room. "Hurry up!"
With the blow dryer on, Kurt knew she couldn't hear him yelling at her. Checking his cell phone for the time Kurt told Maci to stay put while he ran to his room to grab different shoes, seeing as though they had to wait anyway.
"... and stay off the bed!" Kurt warned her before closing the door behind him. Maci looked around trying to find something to do and as she heard the blow dryer turn off, she opened the bathroom door.
"Hey cutie, what are you up to?" Rachel smiled opening her make up bag as her hair was straight and down. Peaking around the door Rachel opened her foundation, applying it to her face. "Where is Kurt?"
"His room, something about his leather shoes not matching the material of his shirt." Shrugging Maci bounced herself up on the counter watching Rachel smear the make up across her face.
"When can I start wearing makeup?" Maci asked going through some of the things in Rachels bag.
"I think your daddy would have a heart attack if you started wearing makeup. How about you give it a couple years, at least until you're fifteen."
"Ten years..." Maci nodded "I think I can do that, looks like a lot of work anyway."
"Totally a lot of work but it makes a woman feel good about herself when they go out."
"You are pretty without makeup too." Maci smiled hugging Rachel's side
"So sweet." Rachel rubbed Maci's back as she sat against the mirror watching her again. Another few minutes passed and Rachel put on a pair of black pumps just as Kurt entered their room again. Before Kurt could say one word about the time Rachel collected her purse and grabbed the key to the room as she motioned them out.
The New York Jets had booked three top floors for the big game for the weekend in New Orleans, against the Saints. Press all around the conference rooms in which the players needed to attend before the big day tomorrow. After their conferences the members as well as their friends and family who came to attend the games, were to meet in one of the restaurants for dinner.
Guards were everywhere as they made their way to the lobby, flashes coming in from the doors from press who obviously weren't welcomed into the hotel.
"Over here!" Waving over near the entrance of where they were eating were Carole and Burt. Maci ran over wrapping her arms around the both of their legs hugging them close and Kurt and Rachel soon joined them giving them a hug as well.
"I'm so happy to see you all again." Rachel commented as Kurt gave their names to the host.
"Especially under these circumstances." Burt smiled, excited that he was finally able to go to the Super Bowl for a game his son was playing in. "It's about time Finn led the boys to the Bowl, I've been waiting for this for four years."
"Really he has..." Carole laughed following her other son into where the families were already sitting. "Ever since Finn got drafted to the Jets his loyalty to the Redskins has rolled over to the Jets, so much that every year during the Super Bowl he'd wear his Jets jersey."
"Now I have a reason to wear it proudly, you just wait until tomorrow." The smile didn't leave his face as they were seated at their own table, a bottle of champagne sat in front of them. "My boys are going to do go, I know it."
The chatter in the room got louder as Rachel sat Maci down giving her a glass of water, not to be mistaken for champagne as the waiter pours their adult beverage. Promising their appetisers to be served in just a few minutes they all thanked him before going into the back.
"So how are your vocal lessons going?" Carole asked making conversation over the already loud eatery.
"Good, it was a little rough at first because I had been so out of practice. But I'm hitting higher notes than I was before so the lessons are paying off." Rachel took a slow sip from her glass "I don't start rehearsals for the show for another week and then our set date for opening is April fourth"
"You'll have to remind me of that so I can set a date to come down here to see." Carole smiled
"That would be really amazing, that would mean a lot to me. Plus I think you'll really enjoy the show, anything my old professor wrote in college turned to gold."
"Do you have any clue to what the show is about?" Burt asked
"Well we get the music for the show next week when we go for rehearsals where we will do a run through, then go to the studio to record it. From then on we'll get our script but it's hush-hush until then."
"Who would have ever thought I'd be best friends with a broadway star." Kurt boasted leaving Rachel in a blush.
"I'm not in broadway quite yet." Thankfully before anything else could be said to direct the attention off of her the room suddenly got a lot louder as some of the men on the team started walking in. A few here and there as they entered from interviews until finally Finn came in with Puck who joined the table.
"Finn, my boy!" Burt slapped Finn on the back as he leaned over hugging his step father and kissing his mother's cheek.
"Sorry I'm late, they had me take a million press pictures." Finn apologized sitting between Rachel and Maci, giving Rachel a peck on the cheek who smiled at him. But Maci wasn't too interested as she chatted with Beth and Christine at the table. "How long you guys been here?"
"Not long." Carole answered as Burt gave Finn water, as Finn looked at the man with a confused look.
"I think I'm old enough to drink." Finn chuckled reaching for the champagne off the table but Burt snapped it first.
"You can't be hungover for your first Super Bowl tomorrow, think of it as a favor while the other men on the teams are drinking." Burt announced holding up his own water "Here I'll drink some water with you."
Finding it just a little odd, Finn didn't second guess it though as he held up his own drinking the cool liquid. Who knew maybe it would be for the best. Finn also knew that he had to play one hell of a game dedicated to his step father because if any one of his fans wanted it more than Finn himself, it was Burt.
xxx.
The ground shook with excitement as they stood in their seats, deciding against the press box. Burt as well as everyone had wanted to fully experience this game, as they cheered just as loud as the crowd around them.
The three girls climbed up on their chairs, peering over the adults, clapping and screaming as hard as they could to block out the Saints from hearing their plays. With five minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter with the ball to the Saints, the Jets fans were on their toes.
Finn was sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the ball to be retrieved by the Jets again, the family yelled for his teammates to intercept. Hell the whole left side of the stadium was voicing their opinions. The time clicked down to less than four minutes and the Saints still had the ball in their possession.
Number fifty five on the Saints ran back holding the ball in his grip as he tried to find another player open, until thirty two on green tackled him to the ground knocking the ball straight from his arms. As soon as they ball hit the ground number fifteen dove to the ground catching it and bringing it into his chest as he remained on the ground, whistle blowing meaning they had possession of the ball.
"Yeah!" Burt screamed slapping Puck on the shoulder as Finn jogged into the field over to the boys telling them the play. Pumping his fist in the air, Burt picks up Maci pointing her to her father as the clock starts to tick down. The play in motion set Finn throwing the ball to his left as the man ran enough yards to make first down.
"Come on daddy!" Maci screamed over the crowd clapping her hands watching as the men got in line again, watching her daddy catch the ball looking around for an open team member. "Throw the ball, daddy!"
"Shit!" Puck swore as he gripped Quinn's arm, all of them watching as one of the Saints players knocked Finn on the ground and as if in slow motion, they watch Finn bounce off the ground, the ball now in the arms of another team. The whistle blew and then blew a few more times as Finn rolled on his side holding his shoulder in the air. "What the hell?"
"What's wrong?" Rachel stood on her seat along with Carole holding each other up as they looked at the field while his coach, referee and medic came onto the field all kneeling by his side.
"I'll be back." Puck yelled as Rachel went to follow but he shook his head "They won't let you down without the pass, stay here."
Running down to the bottom Maci tries to run down but Burt kept her in his arms. Her eyes misty as she looks up at Rachel. "What's wrong with daddy?"
"I don't know." Holding out her arms Maci climbs into Rachel's looking onto the field as they try to figure out what was wrong with Finn, Puck joining them on the ground. Taking off his helmet, it meant it wasn't a head or neck injury since they were moving it smoothly. A few short minutes passed as Finn was brought up on his feet as the other one was off the ground, Puck and his coach holding under his arm as they hobbled off the field. Mixed cheers and boos coming from the crowd as he's brought under the pillars and away from the game.
"Come on." Carole instructed Rachel and the rest to follow as they maneuvered away from their seats and where they players went when they were injured. Maci clung around Rachel's neck as they met with Puck letting them through the back.
"His shoulder is popped out, something's wrong with his ankle. They think he's broken it, they're checking it out right now, odds are that it is. His ankle is pretty swollen already, here stay out here for a minute while I go check on what they're doing right now."
About ready to go in without permission Burt takes the initiative to stand in front of the door to block them from going in.
"Give them a few minutes." That they did but as Finn's crying pain rained through the cement walls, Maci let out her own cry.
"Daddy!"
The door opened and Maci ran in to find her father lying up on a chair while he closes opens his eyes nearly crying in pain as she grasps his bad shoulder.
"Honey you've got to be careful." Finn whispered as she apologized and climb up on his lap, laying her head on his other shoulder. His good arm rubbing small circles on her back. "I'm fine, just took a bad hit."
The pain meds starting to kick in quickly making him drowsy as he looks to the rest of them pilling in. Finn tried to make a joke of the situation, "He was a pretty damn hard hitter."
"Are you okay, is your ankle okay?" Rachel ignored his joke as Carole and Quinn came up beside him
"What about your shoulder?" Carole asked but Finn seemed to be going in and out of consciousness as the medicine coursed through his body.
"His shoulder was dislocated on impact, the two players who hit him, hit him hard. As for his ankle we've done the examination and it's broken, we gave him some medicine which will make him drowsy." The doctor explained "He'll be okay with some pain medicine and a little time off."
Carole nodded thanking him as he left giving the family some time alone, Maci snuggled under her father's chin.
Five hours in time passed as they were all now packed tight in the medical room waiting for the medicine to wear away, until finally Finn woke up. Looking around Finn had almost no clue where he was as he started to panic until he realized Maci was fast asleep on his chest.
"What?" Finn asked looking at everyone around him, rubbing his eyes "What's going on, where am I?"
"Two big ass guys tackled you to the ground, that's what's up." Puck stood up standing in front of Finn's bed pointing his ankle and shoulder "You got pretty bruised, you've been out for like hours now."
"Seriously?" Finn looked down his body to find a cast halfway up his calf and stopping right before his toes. "Fuck!"
"Kids in the room." Carole warned walking towards her son "How are the pain meds holding up on you, are you in any pain?"
"I mean my shoulder is throbbing but I don't think it's too bad. I need more medicine." Finn mumbled "But do you think you could move Maci, I'm like cramped right now."
Rachel volunteered to take her walking up to Finn placing a long kiss on his cheek before taking a tired Maci into her arms, as she laid her head on Rachel's shoulder.
"The game!" Wide eyed, Finn just remembered the reason how he ended up the way he was. "How did the guys do?"
"Saints by three points." Burt announced as Finn was crushed, closing his eyes. "It was a close game son, honestly it was a freak accident."
"They are going to hate me." Finn groaned so disappointed on how the day ended out "We were supposed to have it in the bag!"
"You'll get it next year." Carole placed a hand on Finn's arm but he just shook his head.
"Can I just have a few minutes alone?" Finn whispered as he brought his good arm across his face, hiding it. "I just want to be alone right now."
"We'll be right outside." Carole reminded him as they all slowly made their way out of the room leaving him behind still ignoring them as he kept his arm over his head.
A day passed as Finn kept to himself in the hotel room not wanting to join in any meals or the towns trip into town to venture around. As Rachel is trying to pack all three of their things she looks over to see Finn laying on the bed with his arm behind his head and the other on his was getting together all her American Girl doll belongings, making sure she doesn't forget anything anywhere claiming Laci would not be happy.
Zipping the last bag, Rachel sits on the edge of the bed patting Finns knee. Peaking out from under his arm, he still doesn't say anything.
"It's been a long weekend." Rachel stated trying to get some kind of conversation out of him but when he nods instead Rachel squeezes his knee again before getting up. "Well we must get going if we're going to make it the airport in time to make our flight. Plus your parents are departing later than us so you should probably go say bye to them."
Sitting up without a word Finn reaches for his crutches, standing up and going out the door with much of a mumble.
"Daddy is upset." Maci commented from behind Rachel as she held all her things
"Come on, you ready to go?" The petite woman smiled ruffling Maci's hair as she looked in the hallway seeing Finn waiting for the elevator. Kurt had already sent up a luggage cart as Rachel placed all their bags on top, double checking everything. "Got everything right?"
"Yep Laci and I have everything." Maci walked out into the hallway with Rachel who shut the door. Maci skipped to the elevator begging if she could click the button, clicking it anyway.
Rachel just wanted this weekend from hell to be over. New Orleans was gorgeous with so much history, without all the events from the previous days they would have been celebrating and then going to Disney, everyone would have truly enjoyed themselves. But instead they were walking around enjoying the French Quarter or listening to the men chow down on some of New Orleans best po-boys, and most of all discussing how in the world Finn was going to forgive himself for letting his team down.
"He takes things very personally, he won't forgive himself for letting this happen." Carole dipped her beignet into the little bit of raspberry sauce left over " Finn's always been like that though. In high school when his team had finally gone to states and Finn had left his shirt on the floor making one of the players sprain his knee when he tripped. They ended up losing and Finn didn't let it go for the longest time."
Which would explain the sour attitude but Rachel understands how he would feel. If she were on a broadway show, lost her voice and let down all her fans who'd came to see her then she'd be in the same funk.
The elevator dinged as the two made their way out into the lobby where there seemed to be a little commotion. Security was all over the place as flashes were going off like strobe lights as Quinn literally came out of nowhere pointing to a guard at their luggage carrier.
"Come, follow me." She instructed without much word and as their luggage was being taken by the man she was talking to, Rachel assumed it was being taken care of. Leading the two out the front door Rachel was shocked to feel so much hatred in one place.
"You asshole, you ruined our chance!" One man yelled to the black van, Rachel figured it was for them. Quinn tugged on Rachel's hand to get her to go a little quicker. But with all the people throwing their drinks at the van and yelling, Rachel's main concern wasn't for herself. Stopping and turning around she picked up Maci who ducked her head into the woman's shoulder as she was carried to the car.
"This is all your fucking fault, we would have won!"
"You need to back these people up so we can leave!" Rachel saw Puck instructing the security guards as Quinn led us around to the other side of the car, doors opening for them to step in. Flashes going off in every direction as Finn nearly pulled Maci out of Rachel's grip bringing her into the car before grasping Rachel's arm making her move faster.
"Oh, my god" Rachel gasped watching drinks being thrown on the car and not two seconds later, they were slowly taking off down the road.
"I'm going to kill you." Another man threatened but Finn was still as a stone in his face showing no sign of emotion as he ran his fingers through Maci's hair. When on the road the only thing heard was the quiet cries of the five year old.
Peaking out from below her lashes at Finn, he showed as much emotion as a rock. Things had gotten personal.
The goodbyes were short and quick as they were forced to board the plane before many could spot them. The name calling didn't seem to stop the entire way back to New York until they got inside. Many recognized him, funny how they didn't seem to care about his injury just on the sole focus on losing the Super Bowl.
During the first week home when Finn wouldn't say as much as a few words that were typically just one or two word responses, Rachel decided that taking a week off of vocal lessons would be for the best. Carole had volunteered to travel to New York to help out but when Finn had his moment of sudden ability to talk he was quick to tell her no. That she didn't need to baby him.
So instead Rachel found herself helping around the house as Finn sat on the couch watching ESPN for the next week feeling sorry for himself. All while watching replays of his failed attempt of winning a Super Bowl.
When the second week of self loathing came to a close as Rachel was folding laundry done, after coming home from lessons that day and bringing Maci to and from ballet before dropping her off at Puck and Quinn's for a sleepover. Rachel wanted to try and talk to Finn, to get some sense of what he might be feeling. Or better yet trying to make him feel better. But every time she tried to bring up the subject he'd roll his eyes or make some unintelligible mumble that made it hard for her to understand. Slamming the basket on the ground she went over to Finn snatching the remote out of his hands before turning the TV off and throwing it across the room.
"What the fuck?" Finn yelled glaring up the petite yet extremely intimidating woman standing in front of him.
"I could ask you the same thing!" She stomped on her foot giving him a hard glare. "I don't know who you think I am to use me like this but I am not going to take it much longer."
"Excuse me for healing my broken ankle. Remember my broken ankle Rachel? You know, the one that cost us the Super Bowl?" Finn nearly spat out crossing his arms across his chest "You just don't understand you know, I mean I'm dealing with a lot of shit right now."
"Well when you decide you want to be a little nicer and come to terms of what's happened here then you let me know. Until then I will carry on with my life, goodbye Finn." Rachel stumbled over her shoes as she placed them on her feet. Looking back as she got to the door Finn's hard jaw was still clenched tight as she slams the door shut behind her leaving them both pissed.
xxxxx.
Neither heard from one another for a straight week. Kurt going around his own schedule to accommodate Maci's because Finn wouldn't get off his sorry ass to do anything. At least that's what Kurt's been going around saying.
"I'm going to kick his knee, or ankle, whatever it is wrong with him until he gets off the sofa and gets over himself." Kurt hisses going around the store picking out this and that for some clients as Rachel visits him.
"I'm so sorry to have gotten you into this position Kurt. I thought for sure when I left him to fend for himself that night he would have came to his senses." Rachel apologized for what seemed like the millionth time as she soon became restless and wanted nothing more then to go over and apologize to Finn for her own behavior. But with a stern no coming from Kurt, Quinn and Puck it seemed that Finn needed to be taught a lesson.
"Oh." Kurt scoffed resting against the side of a rack "I told him today that if wanted his daughter he was going to have to get her after ballet class, that I am no longer doing so."
"Kurt!" Rachel gasped "He'll get her right?"
"Of course, he's not stupid." Kurt waved off her dramatics "He's just hot headed. Give him a couple more days and he'll apologize."
"What if he just decides I'm not worth it and doesn't want to apologize?" Rachel follows Kurt around the racks. "Kurt what if he just decides to ditch me because he's so angry. I have to go talk to him."
"No way, he'll come find you. Finn will call you or come to your apartment, I promise." Holding out a dress for Rachel, holding it up to her. "No that dress wouldn't look good on her."
Dramatically sighing Rachel grabbed her purse. "I'm going to vocal lessons, you better be right about this Kurt ."
"Always am." Kurt yelled back as she waved going out the double doors.
xxxxxx.
Maci looked up from the floor that she was playing on to see her daddy watching a recording of the football game. She knew it was pretty bad since her daddy didn't really talk much more these days and her Uncle Kurt (with the exception of that day) had been taking her to everything.
"Where is Miss Rachel, daddy?" She decides to ask when the TV goes blank, assuming that it was a good time to talk to him. He looks down at her with what she recognizes as sad eyes. Eyes that Miss Rachel gets when she makes her watch that really old movie that was black and white. Something about a war, Maci didn't know much but she knew what sad eyes looked like.
He didn't say anything at first and Maci didn't want to make him mad at her so she was just going to go back to redoing Laci's hair.
"I messed up so bad Maci." Peaking up she's never seen her daddy cry until this day as she watches him hide behind his hands. "I suck so bad, you have no idea."
Not knowing what to say Maci puts down her doll, climbing onto her daddy's lap. His arms circle around her middle holding her tightly.
"Is this because you broke your ankle?" She puts together in her mind "That you lost that game?"
Finn gave his little girl credit, she really did have a large brain for such a small girl. "You're really smart, you know that?"
Maci just shrugs. "Daddy you shouldn't let the game get you down. Miss Rachel always tells me before I go to ballet that if I mess up and make the other girls mad at me, that I just need to pick my head up and keep going. That if I listen to them all the time, they'll get inside my head every time. Also that I have flat feet so it's acceptable that I mess up every once in awhile."
"And you remember that?" He's amazed by her memory and wise words as she nods.
"Miss Rachel tells me this every time and she is right. I do mess up sometimes like when I'm trying to leap my feet hit the ground really hard and the girls laugh but I know I can't help it." Maci looks at her daddy with a sad smile. "It was bad when you lost the game wasn't it?"
Finn nodded running a hand through her soft hair. "Really bad, a lot of people were upset with me."
"It's not your fault you broke your ankle." His eyes filled with anger at the people mad at her father.
"Yes that's true but this was an important game and I should have been more careful. If I would have just thrown the ball one second before then Tanker would have made that touchdown, winning us the game." Finn replayed the scene in his head
"You think too much." Maci huffed wiping a tear away from his eye. "There will be tons more games for you to play. Just like when Miss Rachel couldn't get into a musical, she kept trying until she got one."
Damn his daughter was too smart for her own good.
"I miss, Miss Rachel." Her voice sad as she picked at a blanket resting behind them. "Why hasn't she been around?"
"I'm a jerk" Finn admitted as she gasped
"Were you mean to Miss Rachel?" Her voice accusing
"Kind of." He's ashamed but you know he had a good reason to be, just not at her especially when Rachel was so good to them.
"You have to fix it." Maci demanded and Finn couldn't agree more.
"You know you can help, me if you're up to it." Finn slowly smiled as her face slowly turned into an evil little grin. He knew she was hooked.
xxxxxxx.
Maci was all giggles as she held her Aunt Quinn's hand as they got out of the taxi. Maci had only been to Rachel's apartment a handful amount of times, only because Rachel may have forgotten something and needed to go grab it.
But the reason why she was so giddy wasn't because she was going to go see her apartment but for the first time in almost a week and a half, Maci was finally going to see Rachel.
Letting go of her hand Quinn paged apartment number 311 and Maci patiently waited until they were buzzed in.
"Does Miss Rachel know I'm coming with you?" Maci questioned as they started up the flights of stairs, Quinn looked down with a sly grin. She took that as a no, which made this even more exciting. Climbing what seemed like millions of stairs they reached the top, Quinn leading them in the right direction.
"Do you want to knock?" Quinn whispered pointing to a steel door with 311 written across. Nodding Maci went up to it as Quinn stayed the distance, knocking a few times as she as patient as she could possibly be, waited. There were clicks coming from behind the door until it finally opened to Miss Rachel in sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt, standing there in awe.
"Maci!" Rachel gasped not believing that she was actually standing in front of her, bending down Rachel collected the small girl into her arms. "Oh, my gosh how have you been? How did you get here?"
Looking around the hallway Quinn waves at her as she walks closer to them. A little disappointed that Finn wasn't with Maci, Rachel didn't show it as she carried Maci in her apartment with Quinn following behind. Setting Maci on the counter to sit Rachel leaned against it towards both of them.
"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Her second question mainly to Maci, and why she was here. Not that she wasn't pleased to see her, in fact Rachel was missing not only Maci to death but Finn.
"Yeah everything's fine." Quinn reassured Rachel trying to ease her into one of the reasons why she was here. But Maci just went for it.
"Daddy sent us here."
"Oh..." Rachel mumbled not much surprised but not yet happy. Playing with the end of her Pink sweatshirt Rachel shook her head. "Well if was so worried about me he would have come down here himself instead of sending the both of you. So excuse me if I don't find that charming on his part."
"He sent me because he said I have a very charming way about me." Her eyelashes batting as she gives Rachel the Hudson smirk.
"She's good." Rachel laughs walking away from Maci "But not that good, there is no way he is going to get off that easy. He was a real jerk, I don't mind being there for him but I did a lot from him and for him to treat me like that was rude. He didn't even stop me or say thank you, nothing. Plus I walked away a week ago, where has he been since then? Nowhere, in fact he sent you and Maci to come do the groveling."
"Not exactly." Quinn bit her lip to catch her from smiling too much, looking to Maci who hands out a note. "It's from Finn, he figured it would have been safer if he'd sent Maci since you weren't upset at her."
"Plus my charm." Maci reminds her still supporting that smirk. As charming as that was Rachel couldn't fall for it.
"Why don't you play with Sheila for a few minutes." Rachel suggested, wanting to talk to Quinn alone. Maci looked between the two adults before agreeing. Hopping down Maci raced into the next room looking for the cat. Rachel sighed looking to Quinn.
"How is he? Is he feeling any better?"
"Yeah...Maci knocked some sense into him, well I think you softened him a little when you left. But Maci just told him like it was."
Rachel nodded, not really surprised. The letter laid hot in her hands as Rachel knew she had the decision in her hands on whether or not to go see him.
"How about today we forget all about this..." Quinn took the envelope out of her hands on onto the table " And we go shopping, like a little retail therapy."
"I could go for a little girl's day." Rachel bit her lip out of excitement "Let me just go change and we'll go, I've been so invested in learning these songs since the other day. It's been like my distraction, but a girls day would be so much better!"
xxxxxxxx.
Finn knew things should be fixed but also knew that in able to fix things with Rachel he needed to fix everything else.
Apologizing to Kurt and the rest of his family for his shitty behavior in not only New Orleans but throughout the weeks was the easy part. Well once Finn gave Kurt this jacket he'd been eyeing at one of the designer shops, then he was a little more willing to forgive.
Spending some time with Maci, Finn tried to make up for lost time while he was in his funk. Because if it wasn't for Maci this whole time, Finn would be nothing. Maci was his little life saver when he ran out of lifelines, so many years back. She never disappointed.
But Finn knew that he had a lot of groveling to do when it came to a certain petite brunette who also took his world by storm.
As the minutes started passing by, Finn started doubting himself. She may have had messaged him saying she'd meet him at his penthouse tonight but she could have changed her mind. He was sort of a coward when he used his own daughter as a median between the both of them, sending her the letter. Finn just didn't know if Rachel wanted to see him and when he got the message, he was sort of relieved.
Which is why Maci is at Kurt's on a voluntary sleepover as Finn waits in the living room. The food had arrived almost fifteen minutes ago and Rachel was supposed to have showed. He didn't blame Rachel, he was an ass in making her feel so used. Finn just thought that she'd at least hear him through.
As his hope seemed to disintegrate, it appeared again when the door jiggled and Rachel opened it slowly. Giving him a slight wave, she shut the door behind her while the air became awkward. Finn leaned against a crutch as she placed her purse on the table pointing to his ankle.
"So how are you feeling?" Her voice was quiet and sweet, too sweet towards someone who was pretty much a big jackass.
"Fine." He doesn't want to talk about the condition of his ankle. Instead he nods in the direction of the kitchen where he has dinner set up. "I bought us dinner from that place down the street you like. I figured we could have the chance to talk about things."
Rachel nodded following behind him as her heels echoed behind him.
"I apologize for me being late. I had a meeting with the director of the musical this evening and I wasn't planning on it running as long as it did." Rachel explained thanking him as he directs her in a chair on the other side of the table as he takes the one directly in front of her.
"I'm just really glad you came." Finn admitted, because honestly he was starting to lose hope there in the end.
"Well you and Maci have this Hudson charm that sort of attacks your heart." Rachel smiled slightly as Finn offered her favorite sandwich to her. Her eyebrows raising as she took the plate from him. "Oh I see you've pulled out all the cards tonight."
"I just remembered you told me this was your favorite." He nearly stuttered over his words, she had this effect on him. Especially now that he owed her so many apologies.
"It is, great memory." Her smiled didn't quite reach her eyes as she digs into her meal, feeling hungry after such a long day. Knowing that they had to talk Finn also knew that food was part of the plan, not something to hide behind.
She was quiet as she nibbled on the edges of her sandwich and Finn felt horrible.
"I'm an asshole." His voice startled her as she glanced up from mid bite, his eyes directly on hers as he couldn't eat without getting this out. Rachel knew this as she placed her sandwich onto the plate, wiping her mouth of.
"Please continue." Rachel sought, wanting to hear more.
"I have this thing where I tend to blame myself for ninety-nine percent of everything that goes wrong around me." Finn starts to explain. "It's kind of been a problem of mine since I can remember."
Rachel didn't say a word and if she was thinking anything negative, her face showed no emotion.
"Since high school I've had a lot of pressure on me to be the best I can. I don't handle pressure very well, in fact I suck at it. In high school I was junior varsity quarterback and then from sophomore until senior year I was first string quarterback. Pressure should have been my middle name. I was never taught how to handle my emotions when it came to things like that. I had a town riding on my ass for a win every week, teammates who expected me to go to parties and do all the shit that was expected of me as the quarterback. College was no different, if anything it was worse." Finn sighed taking a deep breath as he leaned back in his chair
"Frat parties were the worse, there would be tons of woman there who would jump at the chance of getting with the football players. It only took one night to get hooked and I was a goner up until just before I got drafted."
"Maci..." Rachel whispered, Finn nodded
"Maci changed my life, as cliche as that sounds. I change because of her and I didn't have to feel like I did before she came around. Those pressures dropped and all I had to do was impress her and make her my number one priority..."
"Which you did." Rachel complimented him.
"But Rachel when I let my team down by one stupid... one really stupid mistake, I felt all that pressure again. The boo's, the looks from my team was so hard. I really let them down, I let myself down." Finn felt Rachel's stare holding on him as he plucked up the nerve to look up. Her smile quite evident on her face as she reached for his hand.
"You wear your heart on your sleeve Finn." She mused "Sometimes I wish you would just realize that the world is not on your shoulders though."
"It just feels like it. All those people were counting on me for that last play." Dropping his head he tries not to see the looks or hear the voices of the fans when the video of him being carried off the field go to his mind.
"Things happen Finn, your life is not planned out. Maci was your blessing for all that shit that came at you in college. Now you've got so many people rooting for you, who love you and care for you that it shouldn't even matter what a few psycho fans say about you." He notices her kneel in front of him catching his gaze, she's quiet as her stare intensifies. "You are a great father and a great man Finn, they know nothing about you. So what if you mess up every once in awhile. Without any faults, life would be pointless. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself."
"I guess watching reruns of the game and recaps is a little depressing." Finn jokes making Rachel laugh, he catches her chin between his fingers. "I am really sorry for hurting you Rachel."
She nods moving her head into his hand, kissing his palm.
"I'm just really happy you came back for me."
"Of course I would." Finn pulls her head up looking at her. "You're an amazing woman Rachel who has really been there for us when we've needed you. It means the world to me to know you love Maci just as much as I do. Maci needs you just as much as I do."
Her eyes shining as she wraps her arms around Finn's neck pulling him in closer, feeling her lips against his earlobe. He nearly shivers when he comprehends the next words coming from her mouth.
"Let me show you, how much I need you." Her eyes full of lust as she stands, curving her finger as she walked towards the bedroom.
As a man who listens to what's he told, he was not needed to be told twice.
Authors note at top!
