I want to thank everyone for bearing with me through this fic! School started up again so the updates are going to be scarce. I want to try and get this done within the next few weeks which may be possible because there are only a few more chapters to go.
I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with this!
Finn felt the warmth from the morning sun on his cheek; a sensation that he had missed in the last three months. When Rachel left, he closed out everything from the outside world, working and sleeping on a constant basis.
He stirred lightly and felt Rachel cuddled next to him. He smiled down at her as he brushed her bangs from her face. He had missed waking up next to her every morning, and if he had it his way, he'd never have to do that again.
He traced his finger lightly over her face, careful not to wake her up. He memorized every freckle, every mole, and every scar; something that would be embedded into his mind for the rest of his life. He'd been with her since he was sixteen, and he thought he'd known every feature of her flawless face. But every time he looked at her, he always found something new to admire.
She shifted slightly in his arms and opened her eyes slowly.
"Hi," he whispered and smiled at her.
"Hi," she said he,r voice thick with sleep, returning the smile.
"I didn't mean to wake you up," he told her softly, smoothing out her hair.
"Mmm. You didn't. My stomach did. I'm starving." She cooed, stretching her arms above her head.
Finn chuckled. "Well, what do you want?"
"Pancakes!" she squealed.
His chuckle turned into a howl. "Okay, I'll get breakfast started while you get ready. Deal?"
She nodded. "Mmmm. But first…" She grabbed the back of his neck and brought him down for a sweet, sensual kiss. His tongue got formally acquainted again with her mouth that had been foreign for so long. He tasted every inch of it. She pulled him down closer as she moaned into his mouth.
He put both his hands on either side of her head so he didn't squish her.
"Baby," he whispered against her lips.
"Hmm?" Her eyes were still closed.
"I have to make breakfast and you have to get ready so we're not late for our appointment." She pouted.
He laughed and nipped at her exposed lip. "There's always time later."
Oh yeah. He was definitely digging this horny pregnant thing.
She sighed. "I guess you're right." He rubbed his nose with hers and kissed it before jumping up from the bed.
Twenty minutes later, Rachel entered the kitchen, clad in her bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
She took a whiff of the delicious air.
She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled his back.
"Mmmmm. Smells good," she murmured
He laughed a little. "It's almost ready. I made a place for you at the island." He pointed over his shoulder with the spatula in his hand.
"Such a good husband-father in training." She kissed his back and jumped up on the stool where her plate sat.
He smirked as he placed the fresh pancakes on her plate. "So, Opening Night on Saturday?"
Her eyes lit up as she popped a fork full of pancake in her mouth. She swallowed. "Yes Finn! I'm so ecstatic! It's everything I've ever dreamed of and more! I can't wait to see everyone and the reviews are coming in saying I'm the best thing since Streisand!" He smiled at her enthusiasm.
"I've had everything I've ever wanted." Her tone turned serious. "And I have you to thank for that."
His face puzzled. "Whaddya mean?" he asked as he crossed his arms and leaned against the refrigerator.
"If it wasn't for everything that happened in the last few months, I would have never realized how amazing my life really is. It was you who made me see that." Her eyes misted slightly as she took a sip of her orange juice.
"I'll be here for you, every step of the way. That's what I promised remember? I always said I'd be in the front row of your big opening night when you finally got your big break." He gave her a lopsided grin.
She grinned back at him. Just then, her face screwed up. "Oh."
His face flushed in panic. "What is it? Are you okay?" He rushed to her side as she placed her hand on her stomach.
She let out a slow breath. "Yes. I think so. I think-I think it might have been a kick."
His face lit up with excitement. "Really?" She nodded, smiling.
He glanced at the clock and noticed the time. "Oh man, I better get dressed. Don't wanna be late for the appointment!"
She giggled at his franticness as he rushed into the bedroom to get changed. He was going to be the best father in the world. She was sure of it.
They arrived once again in Doctor Bob's office, anxiously awaiting their ultrasound.
"Hello there! It's nice to see the two of you again!" Dr. Bob said enthusiastically as he entered the room.
He shook both their hands and sat down on the stool.
"How are things going Rachel?"
"They're progressing quite nicely. The morning sickness has subsided and I'm hungry all the time. No odd cravings as of yet though."The two men laughed lightly.
"Well, some women get them, some don't. I once had a woman that wanted pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches. Her husband got so sick of having to go out every night that he finally bought a good supply of them and kept them in the pantry." They all laughed in unison.
"Alright Rachel, can you lean back for me please?" She did as she was instructed and let out a shallow breath.
Finn began to panic. "Doc, are you gonna stick that thing in her again?" Rachel's eyes grew wide.
Dr. Bob chuckled at Finn's statement. "No, no son. That's just early on. Usually past the first month we use the rolling camera." Finn and Rachel both blew out a sigh of relief.
"Alright you two, are you ready to meet your children?" They both nodded.
"Alright then." He squirted out the gel and rubbed it out evenly over her belly. She gasped at the cool sensation, but relaxed as it got warmer. He placed the camera on her stomach and rolled it around to get a clear picture in front of him. He adjusted his glasses and scooted closer to the screen.
"Hello there." He spoke to the camera.
Finn leaned over Rachel slightly to get a better look at the screen. His mouth opened in awe as his eyes pooled with happy tears. There they were. Soon to be the two little joys in his life.
He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "How—how do things look?" Rachel shifted so she could look at his face and smiled at him. She too began to tear up.
"Things look great. Looks like…" Dr. Bob trailed off as he traced the screen with his finger, deciphering the babies' sexes.
"This one is a boy. See?" He pointed to the obvious parts.
"And this one looks like…" He moved the camera around her belly a little to get a better angle. "A girl."
Rachel and Finn both gasped in unison. One of each.
A sweet little boy with cinnamon brown hair like his father and a gorgeous little girl with a voice of an angel and her mother's drive. Tears dripped down Rachel's cheeks as Finn fought his back.
They were going to be the best family ever.
"We're having twins Rachel. Twins!" he said with enthusiasm as he drove.
"Not just twins Finn. One of each." She smiled at him warmly.
"This is so awesome Rach. I can't believe it." He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed.
"Now we need to think of names. Oh Finn! There are so many great couples in the history of Broadway! The possibilities are endless!" She squealed in delight.
"Rachel. We are not naming our kids Fanny and Nicky. Just, no," he told her seriously.
She pouted. "But Finn—"
"No, Rachel. I don't want my daughter teased because her name is another word for butt and my son to get his lunch money stolen. Well Nicky is pretty normal, but still, no," he said sternly.
She pouted as they pulled into the shopping center. He turned off the car and turned towards her.
"We have plenty of time to think of names Rachel, but I think we both need a say in this. I mean, I don't mind having unique names, but something practical. Okay?" he asked her softly.
"Fine," she grumbled. She yanked open the passenger door and slammed it behind her.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Man, this pregnant thing is going to kill me."
She was already halfway to the front of the store when he caught up with her.
"Babe. Come on."
"It's fine Finn. Really," she told him, failing at hiding the annoyance in her tone.
He sighed. "Let's just shelf this for now and talk about it later. I don't want to fight." He hugged her close to his side as they walked into the store.
"Okay. We'll talk about it later."He silently thanked whoever was up there.
"So, what do we need?" He asked her as she pulled out her list.
"Well, seeing as how I haven't been around in a while. Basically everything." He winced a little at her statement. While she was gone, all he lived on were cereal and Ramen Noodles. Not exactly the healthiest of diets.
They made their way through each aisle and grabbing necessities here and there.
"Excuse me I didn't mean—" Rachel said as she nudged the person in front of her with her cart.
"It's okay." The woman turned around and her eyes locked with Rachel. Shelby. Rachel's eyes grew wide.
"Oh. Hi Rachel," Shelby said, giving the younger woman a nervous smile.
"Hello Shelby," Rachel replied flatly.
Finn's eyes flitted between the two women and decided to break the awkward silence.
"Did you hear that Rachel is going to be in the revival of Funny Girl?" he asked as the two women startled out of their locked gaze and Rachel narrowed her eyes at him.
"That's—that's wonderful Rachel. I always knew you'd make it." Shelby smiled at her.
"Thanks, Shelby. That really means a lot," she lied.
"Mommy! Mommy! I want the animal crackers!" the little girl said, yanking her coat.
Rachel and Finn's eyes turned to look at the little girl beside her. Beth.
She had a pink hair band through her soft blonde hair, wearing a light pink dress to match. She looked exactly like Quinn and had Puck's skin tone.
"Remember what I said, Beth," Shelby scolded.
Beth frowned and put the box back on the shelf.
"Beth? Can you say hi to mommy's friends?" Shelby asked sweetly.
"Hi," the little girl said shyly.
"Hello Beth," Rachel said softly.
"Hi Beth." Finn met her at eye level.
Beth scooted closer to her mother with a blush creeping up on her face. "H—hi."
"Aww. What's a matter? I don't bite I promise." Beth laughed a little and Finn joined her.
"My name is Beth Elizabeth Corchran." She said as she stuck out her hand. He took it and shook it lightly.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Finn Hudson and this is my girlfriend Rachel Barbra Berry." Beth's eyes wandered to Rachel and gasped slightly.
"You look just like my mommy." Everyone winced in unison.
"Alright Beth. I think it's time to go. We have to meet your dad for dinner." Rachel's eyes closed slightly at Shelby's statement.
"It was good to see you Rachel. Finn." She nodded her head as she took her daughter by the hand and walked back down the aisle.
Finn's eyes found Rachel's face as silent tears ran down her cheeks.
"Are you okay?" he asked her, dipping down to her level, trying to meet her eyes.
She sniffed and furiously wiped at her cheeks. "Yes. Yes I'm fine. Let's get out of here. I'm hungry." She moved around him with the cart as he watched her walk down the aisle.
He stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed as he followed behind her.
"Babe? Are you sure you're okay? You've been quite since we ran into her." He emphasized the end of his sentence.
"I'm fine Finn. Really." She looked at him and attempted to give him her best smile, failing miserably.
His hand found her thigh and rubbed it gently. "You know I can see right through you, right? I know you're not okay."
She sighed and turned her head towards the window. "I guess that's what happens when you can read each other like a book, huh?" She laughed humorlessly.
He gave her a knowing smile. "It just…it still hurts. And I don't know why. It's been years since I've thought about her or Beth and I don't know. Seeing her? It just really got to me." He squeezed her thigh.
"I guess it's because I always wanted her to go through this with me you know? Your mom is supposed to be the one who's supposed to know what to do. What happens when I'm feeling this certain way or when the baby is supposed to do this?" She held the hand that was on her thigh and linked their fingers together.
"I know, baby. But you know what? I think that everything happens for a reason and that people are in your life for a certain reason at certain times and when their time is up and they've served their purpose, that's it." He shrugged his shoulder.
She grinned at him. "You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better. You know that?"
He grinned back at her. "That's my job."
She kissed their intertwined hands and they sat in comfortable silence the rest of the way home, her right hand absentmindedly rubbing her swollen belly.
Finn stumbled into the apartment, arms full of groceries as Rachel wandered in behind him and closed the door.
She set her bag on the island and walked to the fridge to get out a bottle of water. She lifted it to her lips and took a long, satisfying swig.
"Thirsty?" he asked as he placed the cereal in the pantry.
"Mmm. Very." She licked her lips as she walked over to her bag and took out her sonogram.
He moved in behind her and wrapped his arms around her linking them around her belly. They both stared at it and smiled lovingly.
"Our first picture," he whispered in her ear and kissed her head.
"Yeah. I think I'll put it on the refrigerator for now, and then I can scrapbook it with Tina." He chuckled lightly and squeezed her. She kissed him on the cheek and walked toward the refrigerator to hang their soon-to-be additions for all to see.
He got back to putting away the dried goods while she put away the perishables.
"So, who all is coming on Saturday?" he asked while her head was in the refrigerator.
"I've invited everyone! Artie and Brittany are flying in from Montana, Puck and Tina are staying with Tina's cousins in Queens, Mercedes is taking vacation that weekend, and of course Kurt..." She froze as she dropped a head of lettuce on the floor.
He ran to her side and rubbed her stomach. "Baby? Are you okay? What's the matter?"
"Finn, I haven't told my parents."
This was so not good.