DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE OR ITS CHARACTERS! THAT'S ALL FOR RYAN MURPHY!
A/N: And here is the epilogue I've enjoyed writing this story so much though that I created it into a three part epilogue so I could give you some more chapters. This one, however, is my most favorite out of all, so please enjoy. Oh, and I would really appreciate reviews!
18. The Engagement (Part 1 of 3)
His fingers trace her baby soft face gently, trying to arouse her from her sleep. She couldn't possibly be that out of it considering she'd only been sleeping for a good hour. He should just wait and have them do their celebration in the morning, but… he can't wait. He seriously cannot wait because this is probably going to be the most important moment of his life. Well, at least until the actual event or when they have kids. But it is for his twenty six years alive.
He can't believe that he'd been living with Rachel since they were twenty four years old. After that whole wedding disaster with Adam and going back to Lima to celebrate their reconnection, things went by very slowly. In a good way though. He loved spending almost all his time with Rachel.
He had moved out to New York merely three months after she got Adam to get the hell out of the apartment, only after Finn had called and threated the douche bag. It was a painful three months, but he had to finish working so he could get on his feet easily before he would figure out the results of the NFL draft.
He got three offers, which is really amazing. He had to work very hard for it though. So he and Rachel moved into their own apartment since they wanted the past behind them and wanted to start with a positive environment (Rachel's words). He had to walk on a tight rope to finally get the coaches to believe that he had star quarterback potential, and six months later of iffy-job security, he was finally signed on a twelve year contract for the New York Giants.
He made good money, so they were able to enjoy themselves as a couple. And, by Rachel's promise, they flew out to Ohio at least once a month. The trips were very short and left them completely worn out, but they couldn't stay away from their old home.
Just a year ago, Rachel was cast as Elphaba in the revival of Wicked. The reviews were so great on opening night that other producers were already hounding her for future shows; shows that she'd be originating. It was all too exciting.
Their lives were progressing and he didn't want to wait anymore.
Glancing at the alarm clock on her nightstand, he drops his face down to hers, pressing his lips against hers. It had been about an hour and a half since he did that, so he felt like it was necessary.
She slowly felt herself coming out her sleep, grinning when she realized that her lovely boyfriend's lips were pressed against her own. She reciprocates the action, her hand going up to his hair and intertwining her fingers into the thick and messiness.
He pulls away so they can breathe, but not so far away. She can feel his warm breathing on her face. Her eyelashes flutter and soon her wide eyes are looking up at him. Before she can process anything, Finn makes his move.
"What are you doing?" She squeals with laughter as he picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder. She wears nothing but her champagne colored slip and he wears nothing but his boxers. He walks out to the living room and sets her down with a wide grin on his face. This is it. This is the moment.
Their apartment is littered with Christmas gifts and other festive ornaments. They stand right in front of the Christmas tree, its soft white lights shining down on them. Below the tree are two gifts. The one that she got him and the one that he got her.
"It's only midnight, Finn," She points out.
"So, that means that it's officially Christmas morning, so we can open our gifts."
"Are you really that anxious to see what I got you?" She giggles, sitting down on the couch and crossing her legs.
"Yeah," He says in an odd voice. More excited to see what I'm giving you, he thinks, but still. She's so totally oblivious.
"Alright, then you can open yours first. Go ahead," She grins.
He smiles and sits down next to her, opening up the box to see that she got him a pair of fan boxers. Printed on the butt is 'I'm Devoted to Hudson #5'. The color is blue and white, showing that they are a supporter of the New York Giants. She giggles excitedly when he lets out his own throaty laugh.
He pulls out the next thing, and it's the same format but instead of a pair of boxers, it's a thong and the words are printed on the front.
"Thank you, so much, Rachel," He says honestly, leaning in to kiss her. "And I can't wait until I get to see you wear this."
She grins and presses another kiss on his lips, "You're welcome."
"Now it's my turn to give you something," He says, reaching down to under the tree and grabbing the box. He hands it to her and she smiles brightly as she opens it up. Inside is a beautiful dress. She gasps audibly when she takes in the white material with icy grey beading on it in swirls. The dress is strapless. It has an icy grey, thick ribbon wrapped right under the bust that matches all the detailing. After that it skirts out subtly and would end just below her knees.
"Finn, it's so beautiful," She breathes out. "T-Thank you."
"That's not it, Rachel," He shakes his head. "There's something still in the box."
She looks confused and sets the dress gently to the side, pulling out a bag of rice. She wrinkles her nose in confusion.
"Um… thanks," She forces a smile.
He lets out a light laugh and motions for her to keep going in the box.
Going through a series of odd things, like a bag of fresh rose petals, bubbles, and Hershey kisses, she gets confused even more. But Finn sometimes does weird, things so…
She pulls out a little white envelope, the last thing that was in the box, looking at Finn hesitantly before opening it up and reading the fancy scrawl.
"You're invited to the engagement of Finnegan Christopher Hudson and…" She gasps before continuing. "Rachel Barbra Berry."
Her hands shake and she looks up at her handsome boyfriend of three years (excluding the high school years). He's kneeling down on one knee and he has a ring box that he had pulled from under the couch, where he had planted it to hide it from her. The light blue velvet box feels super heavy in his hand and made him nervous.
"Rachel," He breathes out. "I love you so, so much, and we knew that this was going to happen one day. I just need you to know that when we were apart, I never stopped loving you. I'm so lucky that I got the chance to get you back again and I've never wanted anything more in my life. These past three years have been absolutely amazing and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I don't want it any other way. We're tethered and you're it for me. So I'm asking you. Will you marry me?"
Her heart beats rapidly and she squeals out merrily, "Yes, yes, yes!"
He chuckles and slides the princess, small cut diamond ring onto her left ring finger before standing up and pulling her into a celebratory hug. He drops his head down so he can share an intimate kiss with her.
"I love you, Finn," She smiles. "I love you so, so much. This was perfect. Thank you."
"Thank you."
-glee-
After the engagement, they celebrated by making love a good three times. Then they slept for a few hours before waking up in the morning at eight because Finn made breakfast reservations at some fancy restaurant in the city. They got in the shower and ended up having another round of 'Just Engaged' sex.
Rachel had gotten dressed in her new dress from Finn, putting on a pair of black high heels and a black clutch purse. Her hair that was in its natural loose curl state was set with a black headband. After putting on mascara and lip gloss, she was ready. Finn had sat on their bed, waiting for her to be done for it took him a max of ten minutes to get his dress pants on and a nice light blue button down with a skinny black.
She comes out of the bathroom and spins around for him.
"You look beautiful, as always," He compliments with nothing but honestly, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning down to kiss her lips again.
"You look handsome, as usual," She reciprocates.
"Alright, let's go!"
They get to the restaurant which is quite hidden and private. This is probable the most intimate moment of her life. Finn had proposed to her just like she wanted him to. Well, of course he totally made it way more awesome, but he still made it so that it was shared between the two of them and the two of them only.
Adam turned it into something for him; Finn made it for her.
He holds her hands on top of the table, their forearms resting on the crisp white table cloth comfortably. His thumb gently sweeps the back of her hand occasionally to show his affection. The beautiful engagement ring sits proudly on her left hand. This is just so… right.
"So did you enjoy your Christmas so far?" He asks her hopefully.
When she beams at him he can't help but get this giddy feeling inside of him. He's a twenty eight year old man who is squealing on the inside like a little girl. Nice.
"Yes, I've enjoyed it very much," She smiles.
"I love you," He pours out with so much passion she blushes.
"I love you too. Forever."
"Forever, Faithfully."