Part II
Finn called in sick for the first day since he started teaching, Rachel did the same. She drove to the school and picked up all of Xander and Hannah's assignments for the day and claimed that they both had the stomach bug and should be back in school the next day.
Finn decided he needed to spend the day with Hannah and their family before she left. It was hard to stand up straight when he thought of the fact that she wouldn't be in their house, in her bed, tonight.
After he showered and got ready, he ended up falling back onto his disheveled bed and put his head under his pillow.
"Dad…" Hannah called from the door and he turned over and sat up, "Where's Rachel? I'm going to be late for school." She said, walking towards the bed and crawling next to her father.
"Rachel is getting your school work for the day, we're going to play hookey." Finn smiled sadly at his girl, "What do you want to do?"
Hannah thought for a moment, taking in every option she could think of, "You know what would be really fun?"
Finn smiled at her enthusiasm, "What's that?"
"Do you remember before I went to school, like when I was 4 or something and you had Fridays off?" Hannah spoke fast, excited about her idea, "And we'd set up a picnic in the living room and watch Disney movies and play cards and eat ice cream for breakfast?"
Finn laughed and nodded, "I remember it very well." Finn smiled. It was some of his favorite times. They would lay on their stomachs and share a carton of cookie dough ice cream and watch The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast over and over. She would nap on his belly in the afternoon and they would stay in their flannel pajamas all day long.
When she got older they couldn't do it because he started teaching and she went to school, but every once in awhile she would take a Sunday off of church and they would do the same thing. It would never be the same as it was on those Fridays though. Because on Fridays it felt like the whole world stopped for them to have this stolen day.
Hannah wanted another stolen day, and Finn was all for it. "I think it'll be fun to do with Rachel and Xander, don't you?"
"That sounds perfect, baby girl." Finn said opening his arms for her and she crawled into his arms and squeezed him tight, "I love you, Hannah Banana."
Hannah giggled loudly, "You haven't called me that since…"
"You were just little." Finn finished her sentence, "Let's recreate Fridays." Finn suggests, "Watch the old Disney movies and I'll get out my old flannel PJs and maybe I can even convince you to lay your head on my stomach for a nap, huh?"
Hannah separated herself from Finn and jumped off the bed, "Maybe. But naps are for babies." She said with a chuckle before running to her room, "Get your PJs on. I'll tell Xander too."
Xander decided that laying on the floor sounded lame, so he sat on the couch behind the trio. Rachel and Finn laid on either side of Hannah all in white shirts and red flannel pajama pants. Rachel made popcorn and the put in The Lion King. Xander pretended like he didn't like it, but Finn caught him humming along to all of the songs.
"What?" Xander shrugged, "It's got a good tune." He justified.
Rachel pulled Xander to the floor and made him sit on the other side of her, "If you're enjoying it, you get to be on the floor with the participators."
Xander didn't argue, he just smiled at Hannah and they kept watching.
After the movie, Rachel put in Finding Nemo and Finn grabbed a couple pints of ice cream, "Playdough, Xan?"
Xander nodded and grabbed the pint from him, Rachel grabbed a spoon and dug in with him, "Moooom." He cried, "This isn't vegan."
"It's a special occasion." Rachel said simply and looked at Finn and winked at him, he kneeled next to her kissing her head softly.
"Don't eat too much, Rach. You'll make yourself sick."
Rachel nodded and nudged him, "Okay Dad." She teased and he smirked back. Finn gave Hannah the pint of cookie dough and two spoons, "Xander, if you tell your father about skipping school you're going to be in big trouble."
Xander laughed and nodded, "Whatever, Mom. He wouldn't care."
"I don't care if he would care or not. I'm the cool parent now and I don't want him to overthrow me by staging a repeat offense." Rachel said with a curt nod coaxing a laugh from Xander, "What?"
"The cool parent doesn't think they are the cool parent." Xander pointed out.
"Wait. So if I'm not… who is?" Rachel frowned and Finn reached around Hannah to stroke Rachel's back.
"Finn." Xander answered as if it was a given and Hannah started crying, without pause.
The whole room looked at Hannah and she crawled into Finn's arms, bawling into his chest, "I don't want to go, Daddy." She cried.
Finn nodded and whispered into her ear, "I know you don't, baby girl. I know you don't."
She gripped her hands into his shirt and he rolled onto his back and rubbed her back as she cried. She held onto him tightly and mumbled 'I don't want to' over and over again.
Rachel felt tears make their way down her cheek as she pulled Xander into her arms as if he was in danger of being taken away too. "It's going to be okay, baby." Is all Finn could say. So he did.
Finn inadvertently got his wish. Hannah cried herself to sleep on Finn's chest and he closed his eyes as well, not wanting to waste any moments sleeping but too emotionally exhausted to stay awake.
When Hannah woke up, they watched more movies and Rachel made lunch for everyone. They joked and teased each other and just had a good day. They didn't bring up Aria, or leaving or anything. They just enjoyed being together.
It was perfect, and so bittersweet.
They were knocked back to reality when someone knocked on the door around 5:45. Finn felt a lump in his throat and his stomach fall. "What time is Aria supposed to be here?" He asked Hannah, suddenly panicked.
She looked at the clock, "Not until 8 o'clock."
"That's probably Blaine." Rachel whispered, touching Finn lightly as she passed him to get the door. "Maybe we should all put on clothes."
Finn shook his head, "The day isn't over yet." He called to her and smiled at Hannah. She nodded back at him and grabbed Xander's hand.
"Come help me finish packing." She said and they ran up the stairs together.
Hours passed of packing, bickering, stressing out and the family showed up slowly throughout the evening. After three hours passed everyone sat in the living room awkwardly. Rachel sat with three year old Reed Anderson on her lap in the living room with Kurt and Blaine on either side of her. To the right of the couch, Xander sat at the dining room table, looking past the couch at the stairs where Hannah sat with Beth. He had another bowl of play dough ice cream in his lap and tried sharing it with Carole who sat next to him. She politely declined and put her arm around him in a comforting manner. Carole thought of Xander as her own grandchild and Finn was incredibly grateful for how accepting his mother had been of his love and his soon to be bride.
Burt stood behind Carole with his hands on her shoulders, and Puck stood next to Burt rocking his fussy son, Conner. It was way past his bedtime. Quinn leaned against the wall behind Puck watching Finn pace back and forth behind the couch in between the dining room table and the stairs where Beth and Hannah sat whispering and giggling as if nothing life changing was happening.
Hannah was the most resilient little girl anyone in that room had ever met.
Knock! Knock!
Finn stopped in his tracks and Hannah stood up and ran towards him, her giggling had ceased and she suddenly seemed as if the reality of her situation had hit her once again, not as strongly as it had earlier. But, her face portrayed the pure terror.
The fear that she wouldn't be in her own bed tonight. That she wouldn't be with her Dad and Rachel. That when she woke up, she didn't know what she'd have for breakfast or who would take her to school and she definitely didn't know what she would be doing this weekend. She took a deep breath and grabbed Finn's hand, he kneeled down so he was eye level with her and smiled at her.
Blaine stood and put his jacket on and took a quick scan of the room, nodding at Rachel before exiting the living room, passing the stairs and the entryway and opening the door.
"Blaine's going to talk to Aria for a minute." Finn told Hannah, walking her through it as if she didn't know, mostly to calm his own nerves, "After he gets the paperwork and they discuss the next drop off time he'll come in here, give us both a copy of the signed paperwork and tell us the schedule."
Rachel stood making her way over to them and sat on her knees on the other side of Hannah, "Then we'll load the van up and you and Daddy will say 'see you later' and when you get to their house and they show you your new room you'll take pictures and call us and tell us all about it." Rachel said, smiling through her streaming tears. "And you'll be able to get a really good nights rest because Xander won't be listening to loud music."
Finn nodded, "And Rachel won't keep you up watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S." Finn chuckled and then sniffled, trying so hard to keep the tears in.
"And you'll get to hang out with your little sister." Xander said from across the room.
"It'll be like a two week long sleep over." Kurt mentioned, his voice shaky.
Hannah nodded, the fear from her eyes leaving and she smiled at everyone and nodded, "It'll be fun." She offered and Finn nodded encouraging her, "In two weeks you will all be here, right? When I get back…"
Everyone agreed and Rachel kissed her on the cheek, "You couldn't get rid of us if you tried."
Then, Blaine walked in the room handing the papers to Finn and Hannah like it was scripted. Both folded theirs up and put them in their back pockets simultaneously. Finn and Rachel stood and Hannah grabbed her bag as the rest of the herd grabbed any other items of hers.
Finn grabbed her electric drum set and made his way out the door behind Hannah. Aria was standing outside, her protruding belly looking like it might explode as she leaned on David. Eva sat there, clapping her hands with excitement and saying 'sissy' over and over. Finn attempted not to cringe. Eva was just a child, Hannah's little twin. Finn couldn't dislike her.
David detached from Aria and opened the back of the van and everyone loaded their boxes and bags. Rachel walked to Aria making sure she had a bed, sheets, the works for Hannah. They spoke softly and Rachel explained that Finn packed almost all of Hannah's stuff but whatever they had duplicates of, please just bring them back.
Aria promised she would and Hannah began to give her hugs to the family, starting with Quinn and Puck.
"I don't think her drumset is going to fit." Dave told Finn, his tone dull.
Finn pursed his lips, "It is folded up, it can fit."
"I mean in her room." Dave retorted, "She and Eva are in an adjoining room, it's not a good ide—"
"Fine" Finn cut him off, "I'll give this to her grandparents."
"Or keep it here?" Dave said, as if it were common knowledge as what he should do.
Finn gave Dave a look that was nothing short of condescending, "She already has one here. This one is new. She likes to practice twice a week. She's in band."
Dave's face dropped, "Oh."
"Yeah… Oh!" Finn mocked, "So she'll just have to come over a couple nights after school to practice."
"Isn't that, like, loud?" Dave asked, stupidly.
Finn chewed on the inside of his cheek, trying so hard to bit his tongue. "It's electric so you can plug it into speakers or headphones. We let her play it on the speakers as long as it's after 10 am and before 8 pm." Finn explained, "She can practice better with music if it's not in her ear. Xander plays with her."
Dave nodded, just once and Finn turned from him, catching the tail end of Hannah's hugs.
She was in Kurt's arms exchanging secret inside jokes and laughing through the tears. "I love you, munchkin." He said and patted her head, "You call Blaine and I anytime you want to go to gymnastics, we'll take you."
"You know I will, Uncle Kurt. You and Blaine have been awesome. Take care of Reed. See you soon." She said with a teary eyed grin before moving to Xander.
Xander and Hannah didn't hug, he nodded at her and she raised her eyebrow at him, "I know, Han. I got it." He said and winked at her and she laughed and walked to Rachel as Finn walked up beside her.
"I love you, Rachel." She said softly, almost too soft for Finn to hear.
"I love you too." Rachel sobbed, Finn's nose tingled as he began to tear up once again. "You be good. Call us when you get there."
Finn looked away from a minute, seeing Aria calm down her excited daughter who kept wanting to run over and steal Hannah immediately. Dave took Eva, smiled at Aria and put her in her car seat. Aria looked up at Finn, making eye contact with him.
She nodded, not like Dave had nodded. Like a 'I'm-so-sorry' nod.
Not sorry enough, Finn thought to himself before looking at his daughter in an embrace with his fiancé. Hannah whispered something Finn couldn't quite make out, and Rachel nodded, "You got it, Han." She said and released her grip and Finn kneeled down immediately to be eye level with his girl.
"Okay, Daddy." Hannah whispered only for him.
"Okay, Hannah." He whispered back nervously.
"I'll call you when I get there."
"You better." He half-teased, "We'll watch that new Pixar movie when you get home."
"And go bowling?" She offered and Finn nodded.
"And you and Rachel can share the pink ball." He smiled as a tear fell down his face, "We'll see you soon, baby."
Hannah nodded and jumped into his arms, "This is best, Daddy." She whispered, "For now, it is what's best." He tried to hold back his sobs and his shoulders shook as he did.
"I know, baby." He croaked and held her tightly, before reluctantly and slowly pulling back.
He looked to Blaine, "When will she be back?"
"Next Friday." He answered shortly, sadly.
"Only ten days." Finn said with a nod.
"Eleven." Hannah corrected.
"Well, let's not count today." Finn offered and Hannah nodded as he stood and grabbed her hand. They walked to the minivan together and Hannah jumped into the van hugged her sister, telling her not to call her 'sissy' before sitting down and buckling up.
Finn leaned over and kissed her cheek and wiped her new tears with his thumb, "I love you." He whispered.
"I love you, Daddy." She cried back and Finn took every inch of power he had in his body to walk away, backing up first and waving. Dave closed the door and Finn couldn't make her out anymore with the dark tinted windows and he looked at Aria and she tilted her head at him, as if she pitied him.
"We'll see you soon, Finn." She promised, "We'll take care of her." She said and got in the car, rolling the window down and looked over at him and Finn felt his heart dropping.
As if to pour salt in his wound, Dave looked over shaking his head and spoke just loud enough for him to hear the tail end of his words, "…I mean it's just 11 days. Shit."
Aria turned her head to him quickly, smacking his arm and yelling, "Language, David." And then he pulled out of the driveway harshly and Finn lost all control of his body.
As soon as the van was out of sight his knees buckled and he fell onto the grass, coaxing a collective gasp from his family behind him. He caught himself on his hands and moments later he began throwing up. All of the ice cream and junk food they had snacked on all day was now on his front lawn.
Carole and Burt grabbed him, pulling him up and into the house and he tried to feel embarrassed, he really did try. But he felt too broken to feel sad. Hannah hadn't spent more than an evening away from him since she was born so 11 days felts like a fucking nightmare.
Finn woke up early the next morning, in his groggy state he momentarily forgot that Hannah wasn't at his house. Finn stretched and looked over at Rachel who was slowly opening her eyes. Finn smiled at his fiancee and Rachel smiled hesitantly back.
"Morning beautiful." He said softly before noticing the tear tracks that were still on Rachel's face. The realization set in like a hurricane and he frowned immediately. "She's not here..."
"She's at Aria's..." Rachel reminded him and he moved close to her resting his head on her chest. He wanted to cry but he didn't have it in himself anymore. He whimpered and Rachel ran her fingers through his hair. There was nothing she could say to make him feel any better.
After an hour they finally got up and got ready. They showered together, and Rachel washed Finn's back and he tried to forget about everything for a while. He was with his hot naked fiancee. There was no reason he shouldn't be able to... you know.
Finn turned quickly and began kissing her, mumbling how much he loved her into her mouth. The kiss was filled with more passion than he thought imaginable. He pushed her up against the wall and she spread her legs to hoist herself up on him. She moaned as quietly as she could and he growled into her skin as he entered her. He didn't want to think about anything but her. Nothing but Rachel.
As he thrust into her she moaned his name and he grinned, really smiled at hearing his name on her lips. "Say it again." He basically begged and she laughed but moaned his name again and again until he spilled into her.
"Wow... that was..."
Finn smiled and let her down, "Yeah it was..." He agreed and realized that the water had turned cold. "We're going to be so busted. Xander had to have heard us."
Rachel smacked him, "Don't even say that." She frowned, "God I hope not."
He laughed, "Let's hurry and get ready."
Finn let the wedding planning distract him from Hannah being out of the house. He and Rachel spent every evening going over colors and dresses and music. Finn didn't want to be on idle for even a second.
When Rachel got sick of working on the wedding Finn kept her busy in the bedroom. She was exhausted every morning from Finn's ability to distract himself and her from the current frustrating situation. After 5 days of exhaustion Rachel couldn't take it anymore.
"Finn," She said loudly as he peppered her neck with kisses, "I was actually thinking that we could watch TV or something. I'm kind of tired. We've been going non-stop and I have a job ya know? A job that I barely pay any attention to anymore."
Finn frowned and backed away, "I know, I know. I just hate sitting around. And Xander is at his Dads' so I thought we could..." Finn grinned devilishly.
Rachel arched her eyebrow at him, "Okay. Only once though."
Finn pouted a bit, "Seriously?"
Rachel laughed, "I can't fuck you 5 times a day every day."
Finn nodded, "Okay, I settle for 3."
Rachel rolled her eyes and pulled off her shirt, throwing it across the living room, "The perks of a childless house." She noted making Finn's mouth go dry. He went to kiss her neck once again and stopped himself.
"I hate this."
Rachel frowned at her fiance and ran her fingers through his hair, "I know you do, babe."
"It's not fair. She doesn't belong there. She belongs with me. She belongs with us. You're here Mom. You've basically raised her." He told Rachel sweetly.
"And you're her Dad." Rachel told him stroking his face softly, "And suddenly, I feel really dumb being half naked." She laughed and Finn shook his head.
"I prefer you always be half naked." He smiled and began pulling at her pants.
Finn decided to please his fiancee the best way he knew how, he dropped to the ground and began pulling at her underwear. She hustled out of them, kicking them across the floor and spread her legs for her man. Finn grinned up at her and moved closer to her core, his hot breath hitting her like a wave of wanting and pleasure.
Rachel bucked into him on instinct and took her in his mouth, licking and sucking on her tender spot. Rachel moaned and gripped his hair. She thrust into him and felt herself losing control. She liked being this way with him.
Finn moaned into her and she moaned back before wrapping her legs around his chest and pulling him into her. His pace picked up and she began to scream, his name.
"Finn. GOD. FIIIIIIINN!" She bellowed so loudly that Finn barely heard the timid knock at the door.
Finn continued to lick Rachel but his paced slowed as he listened harder, "Faster Finn, I'm almost-"
Rachel screamed with the doorbell almost in harmony and Finn eject himself from her legs and wiped his mouth.
Rachel was panting and felt herself losing patience, "Finn!" She cried, "What is wrong?"
"Someone's at the door." He said running to the door leaving Rachel naked on the couch.
Finn opened the door to see Aria and Hannah. He grinned immediately at Hannah, "Hey baby! What are you-"
Aria spoke for her, "Hannah wants to have a sleepover with Xander so I thought we'd stop by and see if he was home."
"Oh he's-" He looked down at Hannah who's eyes were begging to come in, "He's at... soccer practice. He'll be home in a bit." Finn smiled. "She can come on in. Do you have her bags? I'll grab them for her." Finn said eagerly.
Hannah grinned up at her Dad and pushed past him into the house, he went to grab her but Aria's arm grabbed his arm first, "Listen, no funny business, Finn. I want her back by 10 AM tomorrow morning. I still have 5 more days with her."
Finn nodded and smiled, "I read the agreement, Aria."
Finn walked out to the minivan and grabbed Hannah's bags, walking with a smile on his face back into the house.
As he walked in he heard Hannah yelling, "I don't understand why you were doing that."
Finn realized that he had left Rachel completely naked and writhing on the couch. Finn rushed in to Rachel who was frantically putting on her clothes, "Hannah, I'm sorry you had to-"
"NO RACHEL! You can't just be NAKED in MY living room. I'm gone for 4 days and you take the place over?" Hannah screamed, "You guys aren't even MARRIED yet."
Finn fell to his knees and grabbed Hannah, "Honey, honey... stop screaming."
"No DAD! She was defiling our couch."
Finn looked up at Rachel who was bright red with embarrassment, Finn had left her wanting more so... she finished herself off. Which Finn would normally find extremely hot.
"Hannah..." Finn spoke in a calm voice, "Hannah, go up to your room. I'll be there in a minute."
Hannah was so angry her face was purple and her fists were clenched. "Whatever Dad. I should have stayed with Mom."
The words hit Finn and Rachel like a brick wall, not only did she call Aria 'Mom' but she wished she was with her. Finn nodded and tried to seem unphased, "Go upstairs."
Hannah made a frustrated groan/scream and stomped off to her room. Finn looked at Rachel who was crying, falling to the floor and crying, "This isn't going to work," Rachel cried, "I'm not Hannah's Mom, I'm an intruder in a house that she doesn't even live in anymore."
"Not to mention Hannah just walked in on one of the most indecent scenes she could have ever laid eyes on." Rachel whimpered, "If she tells Aria..."
"I know, Rach... I know..." Finn reached out for her hand, "Come on, let's get you really really dressed, like with a fucking turtleneck or something and we'll go talk to Hannah."
By the time they got to Hannah's room she was pretty calm, "I'm sorry I yelled." She said as soon as they entered the room, "I just, I wanted to come home and spend a night with my Dad and it just felt like you guys had moved on without me."
Finn shook his head, "I miss you every day."
Hannah nodded, "Rachel and I were just having a little grown up fun that obviously got out of hand."
Hannah scrunched up her nose at them and Finn kneeled down, "I'm so happy you're here, baby, It's so good to see you."
Hannah nodded, "It's good to be home."
Rachel stood behind Finn and chewed on her lip, "I'm sorry you had to-"
"Can we just like, never ever talk about it again?" Hannah pleaded.
"Deal!" Rachel said relieved and Finn laughed.
"Can you just like, never mention it to your Mom?" Finn offered and Hannah agreed.
"I'll make us some dinner." Finn told Hannah and kissed her forehead softly, "Come down when you're ready."
Blaine sat across from Finn at their small wooden dining room table with a folder, "Okay, Aria's lawyers came to me and decided that the official papers were a little one sided and had too many flaws that default to your side of the bargain. Aria has drafted up some papers for us to look over and has decided that you won't get Hannah back on Friday unless you sign these."
Finn attempted not to cringe and reached out his hand for the paper, Blaine reluctantly gave Finn the sheet.
I, Finn Hudson, agree that upon signing this sheet I give up my ability to fight for sole custody. I will not order a paternity test, nor will I attempt to persuade Hannah to leave the Karofsky residence.
I will only take Hannah during my already scheduled visits unless brought up by Hannah.
If any legally binding changes occur, Aria will take full custody until a new agreement is drawn up. Legally binding changes include, but are not limited to, child birth, marriages, divorces and death in the family.
"Did you not see a major flaw in this?" Finn growled before finishing.
Blaine laughed, "It's supposed to be a trap, and a terrible one." He shook his head, "Seeing as she's a couple weeks away from having a little boy and you are a month away from the wedding."
Finn threw up his hands in frustration, "I can't sign this."
"You're not signing this. But, that might hold up the process of getting her back."
"What are we going to do?" Finn asked with his eyebrow cocked. "Hannah hates it there, Karofsky yells all the time. It's the only emotion he shows around her. She hates it there..."
"Yes." Blaine nodded, "But I drew up some more papers and if Hannah agrees… Aria is going to be so fucked."
Finn smiled, he liked the sound of that.
I, Hannah Hudson, have decided to repeal the agreement between Finn Hudson and Aria Sheppard Karofsky due to lack of authenticity of the original request. The original agreement was made on good faith that has now been jeopardized. I will not live in the same house with David Karofsky or any of his immediate relative unless the following items can be proven.
A) That on the night on October 4th, 2012 David Karofsky was working late.
B) That on the evening on September 2nd, 2013 David Karofsky was not involved in court case number ED27363 involving cocaine and shotguns.
C) That he passes a drug screening test.
If all of these items can be proven, I will continue with the current agreement between Aria Karofsky and Finn Hudson. Until this has been cleared up, I will be staying at the Hudson residence.
Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry
2532 Eastward Way
Lima, Ohio 45801
Finn looked over the document five times. "I feel like I'm missing something."
"I got the idea from Puck." Blaine laughed a bit, "It's ludicrous, but accurate." Blaine stood up and grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and handed one to Finn. "You know how Puck is always going on about how Dave is some closet case." Finn nodded, still confused.
"Well, he's not wrong. On October 3rd and 4th he was not only seen but photographed at a gay club and in the photo from the 4th he was actually kissing one of my colleagues. You know Sebastian, right?"
"That asshole?" Finn scoffed and Blaine smirked.
"That asshole is going to get your daughter back." Blaine patted his shoulder. "Well, he said that Karofsky goes to that club once a month. Two days ago happened to be his monthly going and Sebastian might have offered him some cocaine." Blaine shrugged, "Of course, he didn't have any and he was lucky too. He just wanted to see if he'd take it. You see, Sebastian has kind of been watching the case here and there and wanted to help out." Blaine shook his head, excited as all get out, "Dave said 'no' and went ahead and brought him to the bathroom and showed him that he was into ecstasy these days. He took a pill right in front of Sebastian and then went super crazy for like four hours before coming down and throwing up on the bar."
Finn's lip curled up in absolute horror, "Hannah needs to get OUT of this dudes house."
Blaine nodded, "That is what I'm saying. The great part about this is the middle claim is 100% false but it's a big enough claim that if Aria tried to take it to the courts, they would have cops down their throats. And since the other claims are true, the possibility of the middle could be true as well."
"Wait... so you're saying..." Finn was still confused.
"Tomorrow when she bring Hannah back, you'll give her these papers, along with the pictures we have and tell her that until she's able to disprove all of the claims, Hannah will stay at your house."
Finn hit the paper with a big smile on his face, "This is legally binding? This is... allowed?"
"Not really." Blaine admitted, "It's a loophole. But Dave's behavior is illegal. They won't be able to take us to court." Blaine smiled proudly at his Brother-in-law. "Karofsky is so fucked!"
Finn smiled widely at his brother, "Who knew Puck was such a genius?"
"I wouldn't go that far," Blaine laughed and Finn felt a smile appear on his face for the first time in what seemed like ages.
"Finn," Rachel called to him. He was changing his suit pants from work into his jeans. Hannah would be there any moment and as soon as she was in his arms again they were taking a weekend trip.
"What's up?"
"Hannah is here."
Finn buttoned his jeans and looked at the clock in his room. "She's early," he said to himself and ran down the stairs to see Hannah in the living room.
"Hi baby."
"Hi Daddy."
"What are you-"
"I walked home from school today, and halfway through my walk I realized I was going to your house, instead of Mom's," Hannah explained. Hearing Hannah say 'Mom' about Aria made him sick. It set something off in him that he had to push back.
"Well, good, we can leave on our trip early."
"I know you're plan, Dad," Hannah said and Finn was now standing across from her in the living room. "I don't want you to hurt her."
"I'm not going to hurt anyone," Finn said defensively.
"I don't want her to hurt you either," Hannah told him and sat on the couch. He followed her lead and sat next to him.
"I don't want you living with her, Han,"
"I like living there, Daddy." Hannah said and Finn's face fell.
"Wha-" he felt sick. He thought he might throw up.
"I like Aria, I like having a younger sibling," Hannah stopped and grabbed Finn's hand. "I like living here too, that's the problem. I don't want to be banned from either house."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want to control the terms."
Finn looked at Rachel who was standing across the room, she shrugged sadly. "What are you talking about?"
"Can we stop? Stop fighting with each other. Stop fighting over me."
"If I don't fight, I might lose you." Finn said. His voice cracked and he felt the pit of his stomach sink.
"Daddy, I want you and Mom to sit down with the lawyers and come up with a partial custody plan. 50/50," Hannah demanded. She sounded like Aria when she spoke like that.
"That's not enough, Hannah. She left us. She left you."
Hannah swallowed audibly and looked down. She dropped Finn's hand to wipe a stray tear off her face. "I'm not mad at her, Dad. You shouldn't be either."
"I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't. But if you both try to claim me with ridiculous loop holes than the only person you're going to hurt is me. Don't you get that?" Hannah was shaking her head.
"Collateral damage," Rachel mumbled. "She's becoming collateral damage of you and Aria's fighting. It needs to stop."
"Oh, good. So you're both going to gang up on me? Awesome." Finn barked and stood up. He threw his hands up in the air in an exasperated motion. "You're in on this? You're the one who told her what we were planning. Aren't you?"
Rachel stood stoic, as if moving would set him off further. "Aren't you?"
"This isn't a discussion, Daddy."
Finn turned, "I'm your father."
"But, you aren't," Hannah shot back. Her eyes drilling holes into his. She was breathing heavy and she dropped her eyes to his feet. Finn felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.
"So that's it, huh? You're Aria's kid already? After one week it's Hannah and Aria against Finn?" he turned to his fiance. "Or should I say Hannah, Aria, and Rachel?"
"Finn, you need to calm down."
"Rachel Berry!" Finn yelled back, "You need to not tell me what I need to do."
"Daddy, I didn't mean it. I just meant that-"
Finn rubbed his hands over his eyes swiftly and growled in frustration. "You just meant that what? That I'm not your real father? Even though I raised you for your entire life? Karofsky's your Dad, huh? That's what this has come down to?" Finn felt Rachel's hands on his shoulders and he shrugged her off. "You're really going to just leave me?"
"No, Dad. I don't want to. I just think partial custody is what is best for right now?"
"Hannah, you don't get it. Legally, they can just take you at any time. These loopholes are what is keeping us together. I haven't adopted you. You're not mine in any legal sense of the word. If I don't get sole custody of you, outside of the courts, I'm going to be screwed." Finn was yelling. Rachel had her hand over her mouth to quiet her cries. "I get it. You had fun with your mom. You think she's great and whatever. Maybe you even liked spending time with Dave, but I can't lose you. You're my baby." His voice softened. "You're my kid."
Hannah looked up at him slowly, tears were falling down her face and she shook her head. "Please."
"Please what?" Finn spit.
"Please, sit down with Mom and the lawyers. Work it out," Hannah begged.
"Why can't you leave this to the grown ups?"
"Because while you are ripping each other apart, I am the one who gets hurt the most," Hannah yelled. Finn dropped to his knees in front of her and put his hands on either side of her arms.
She pushed out of his hold and wiped her eyes. "Until you do, I'm staying with Mom."
Finn's mouth dropped as he watched Hannah walk out of the house in a huff.
The door slammed and after there was just silence. It was deafening. Not even Rachel's whimpers filled the house. He looked behind him and noticed Rachel was gone. He stood up slowly and walked outside.
Rachel had left with Hannah, they were walking towards the car.
"Rachel," his voice sounded so sterned it scared him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Hannah jumped in the passenger seat and Rachel walked back towards the house to meet Finn halfway. "I'm giving your daughter a ride home."
"She is home."
Rachel motioned to Finn's body. "This guy, this guy isn't you."
Finn saw Xander walking down the street with earbuds in his ears. "This guy is a shell of a man who doesn't care who he hurts. You're so focused on one thing that you've gotten tunnel vision."
Finn was still staring at Xander. He looked back at Rachel, "how would you like it if I took Xander over to Sam's?"
"You know it's not the same thing."
"How? How would I know? How would I know anything about something I wasn't ever involved in, Rachel?" Finn was yelling and Rachel let out a shaky breath. "If you take her now, don't bother coming back."
"You're kidding, right Finn?"
"No. That is my daughter and you've decided that what an 8 year old wants is more important than me." Finn said. "Let me tell you something, Rachel. She is my daughter. I know what is best for her."
"You used to. But now you're treating her like a sofa."
"What?"
"No, I want the sofa. I know you bought it, Aria. But I've had it for 8 years so I want it." Rachel was mocking him. "You're treating her like an item instead of a person."
"She's my daughter, Rachel. It's my choice. I don't get involved with you and Sam!" Finn yelled.
Xander took off his earbuds. "Mom? What's going on?"
"Go in the house, Xander." Finn yelled.
"Get in the car, Xander." Rachel yelled at the same time.
"Whoa. I'm getting all sorts of weird vibes."
"House, Xander. Now." Finn shouted.
"No, sweetheart. Get in the car." Rachel countered.
"Are you, like, breaking up?" Xander asked with wide eyes.
Finn turned to him. "How'd you like to go see your dad?"
"Finn!" Rachel yelled. "Xander, get in the car. I'll talk to you about it later."
Finn wiped his nose and looked Rachel in the eye. "Let Hannah out of the car."
"Finn," Rachel spoke softly now. "If I were acting the way you are acting, I would understand if you did the same thing. In a month or so, when you get your head on straight, you'll understand why I'm doing this."
"You're supposed to be marrying me, not helping take my daughter away."
"You're not listening, Finn. I'm not taking her away. I'm helping you both so everyone is happy," Rachel cried. "Hannah is miserable being in the middle. She needs a solution. A permanent solution. She had this same talk with Aria last night."
Finn looked at his feet and back away from Rachel. She walked towards him and put her hands on his face. "Baby-"
"Just go." Finn said and walked out of her grip. "Just get out of here."
"That's not fair."
"It's clear what side you're on."
"There aren't any sides, Finn," Rachel mumbled and Finn walked into the house and slammed the door behind him. He went up to his room and kicked over the rocking chair that sat by the bed. The chair that he used to rock Hannah in every night.
His teeth ground together and his felt an anger inside him that he didn't recognize.
Was he being irrational? Was he acting out of fear? Were his feelings uncalled for? He couldn't tell.
"I need a fucking drink."
Ring! Ring!
"What's up?" Puck answered.
"Meet me at the Brewry on main in 10?"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
"Dude, you're an asshole," Puck said and handed Finn another shot of whiskey. "Your wife was just trying to-"
"She's not my wife."
"Whatever. Rachel was just trying to help. I mean, come on man. You hurt Karofsky and what's going to happen? Aria is going to go broke and homeless because she has no one to take care of her. Who gives a fuck if he's a closet case? What does it have to do with you?"
Finn swallowed down the whiskey and his ringer went off. He silenced his phone and ordered another shot. "You don't get it, Puck. They were both, like, coming at me. Rachel is supposed to be the one who is on my side no matter what. You know?"
Puck let out a quick and loud laugh. "No, dude. I don't know. I've been married to Quinn for like 9 years and can I just say? That's not at all what marriage is about."
"What's it about then?"
"Listen, man." Puck put another twenty on the bar and grabbed the four shots and took two before speaking. "Marriage is about supporting your spouse and shit. Yeah, but if your spouse is in the wrong, it your job to tell them 'hey, you're wrong, stop it.' It's like, the rules." Puck went to grab another shot and Finn took it from him.
"These are mine."
Puck rolled his eyes and motioned to the bartender for four more. "When Quinn is acting all scary and crazy, I have to tell her she is. Normally, she fights me on it. I have to sleep on the couch for a week and then she thanks me. Same with me, when I'm being a dense asshole, she tells me. I normally wise up after a day or so. Thank her for telling me and -" Puck put another twenty on the bar and grabbed the shots the bartender put down. "then we have epic make-up sex."
"It's more than all that, man. She went behind my back."
"First of all, you don't know that. All you know for sure is that she drove her to Aria's. And that's what Hannah wanted," Puck shrugged and poured the liquor down his throat. "I'm throwing up tonight."
Finn poured two shots down his throat and two into his coke that he was sipping from. "Fuck, this is so messed up."
"Why don't you just do what Hannah asks?"
"Because, do you do what Beth tells you to do?" Finn pointed out. "She's my kid, not my parent."
Puck nodded and pursed his lips. "I guess it's time you act like one, huh?"
"Oh great. It's everyone against Finn day. Awesome." Finn shook his head and turned to the bartender. "Close my tab."
"You're just going to leave?"
"Yep," Finn nodded. "I'm sick of everyone getting down on me."
"Listen, Finn. You're my boy." Puck said and Finn turned from him. Puck grabbed his arm to pull him back. Finn spun around and was looking at Puck again. "You're my boy." Puck said it slowly and looked down at Finn, showing him he was serious. "But, Hannah is obviously uncomfortable with the way everything is being handled."
"Okay?"
"So, if I asked you three years ago 'what is the number one quality you're looking for in a woman?' what would you say?" Puck lifted his eyebrow at his best friend. "I know you know the answer to this one."
Finn's mouth went dry and he looked down at the ground. "Someone who-" he spoke slowly, softly, "will love Hannah as much as me."
"Ding. Ding. Ding." Puck grinned proudly. "Looks like you found her."
Finn looked up at Puck with tears in his eyes and Puck pulled Finn in for a hug. Finn pulled apart from him. "I've got to get home."
"I'll call Quinn. She'll drive us."
"There's no time. I got to get there now."
"Finn, you can't-"
With that, Finn was running out of the bar. Puck ran after him. Finn made it to his car and jumped in. He started it and Puck slammed his arms against Finn's windshield. "You're too drunk!"
Puck's words were muffled through the glass and Finn back up quickly and sped out of the desolate parking lot.
Puck dialed Rachel's number and prayed he'd pick up as Finn sped across town.
"Hello?"
"Finn is on his way home."
"I'm not there, I'm at my Dads."
"He's really drunk Rachel. You might want to get home."
Three Weeks Later
Finn opened his tired eyes to a white ceiling. His head ached and his lids felt droopy. He looked to his side to see flowers and cards. To his other side he saw an empty hospital bed. Finn slowly sat up. He was in a hospital. What had happened? He tried to remember.
When he had gotten home, he was shocked that he made it alive. He knew he shouldn't have driven home alone and drunk but he needed to see Rachel. Apologize. He walked in the house.
"Rachel? Rach..." He ran up to his bedroom, up the stairs. He looked in Xander's room. He looked in Hannah's. Nothing. He ran down to the basement. Nothing. He heard the front door open.
"Rachel?"
"Guess again."
Finn made it to the foyer and saw David. "David?"
"I need you to back the hell off of our family now. You hear me?"
"Dave, I don't really want to talk to you right now, I need to find my fiancee."
Dave walked towards him with a straight face, "What I do in my free time is none of your concern. You understand?"
Finn shook his head. "Not now, David. I can't talk to you right now. We can discuss this later."
"We can discuss it now."
Finn felt Dave's fist hit his jaw. He tasted blood. He stood up and stumbled forward. "I talked to your brothers butt buddy and I'm done being nice. You either rip up that document or I'll rip open your face."
Finn spit up blood and looked at his daughters biological father with disgust. "We can figure this all out later."
Dave shook his head. "Not a good enough answer."
Finn was drowsy from the liquor and stumbling from the previous punch. Karofsky went after him again and Finn tried to duck. He wasn't fast enough. Finn laid flat on his back.
"Finn!" He heard Rachel's voice and was both grateful and terrified that she had made it home.
"Dad?" Hannah's voice filled the room and he felt his gut get punched again.
"Ooooo!" he yelled out. "Stop. My kid is here." Finn begged.
"That's my kid, you douchebag." Karofsky yelled and punched his face again. Finn tried to pull himself up and he heard Rachel yelling.
"Call 911, Hannah. Now!"
Finn tried to pull himself up and as soon as he got to his knees, Dave barralled into him again.
The next thing he saw was darkness.
Finn looked around the room, he saw flowers and cards. But, no people. He felt his face, swollen and scabbed. He moaned a little and looked for some sort of call button for the nurse.
As he looked for it, a familiar face walked through the door.
"Aria?" he mumbled and her eyes lit up like she was seeing him for the first time.
"Rachel? Hannah? Nurse? He's awake!"
Finn groaned from the pain in his abdominal area and looked up at his ex girlfriend who was also in a hospital robe.
"Finn!" She cried and put her hands on either side of his face, "I thought I'd be raising Hannah all alone."
Finn furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion. She leaned down to kiss his forehead and he tried to sit up, but couldn't. He looked down. one of his arms was in a cast. He had IV's coming out of his other arm.
He saw Rachel come in from behind Aria, "Rachel..."
Rachel smiled her 100 watt grin at Finn and rushed to his other side. Her lips found his and she kissed him harder than she should have. "Ow," Finn moaned into her mouth.
"Sorry! I'm just so happy you're awake."
"What- happened?"
Rachel looked down at her fiance and rubbed his face lightly. "Let's talk later. First, your daughter wants to see you."
Aria moved back to let Hannah come up to his side. Finn noticed Aria sit in a wheel chair and lean back.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just a little uneasy on my feet. I had the baby." Aria grinned and looked at Rachel. "Can you wheel me out?"
Rachel nodded and squeezed Finn's hand. "I'll be right back."
Finn focused on his daughter who was looking back at his with a wide grin. "Hi Daddy."
"So, I'm still your Daddy?"
Hannah's eye filled up with tears, "I'm sorry, Daddy. You were right."
"No, I wasn't. I was putting everyone around me through hell because I was selfish." Finn shook his head. "I'm sorry."
His voice was scratchy and Hannah handed him some water. He smiled thankfully. "How long have I been out?" he asked after taking three massive gulps of water and handing her the empty cup back.
A nurse walked in and began checking his vitals. "Three weeks."
Finn's eyes widened. "What?"
"After you passed out, the man who was beating you up continued until the cops got there. You had to have multiple surgeries to get the internal bleeding under control. You've been in a medically induced coma. Your body couldn't handle the stress. It was touch and go for a while."
Finn's mouth dropped. "I was too drunk to fight back." Finn admitted.
"I know sir. Your blood alcohol level was off the charts." The nurse patted his arm. "You should be out of here in a couple days if your vitals stay up."
"Three weeks?" Finn realized. "Our wedding?"
Hannah scrunched up her nose. "Yeah, that's going to have to be rescheduled." She looked at her watch. "Seeing as it was supposed to be happening like two minutes ago."
Rachel walked back in the room. "Having you back in the best wedding present I could ask for," she smiled widely.
Finn reached his arm towards her and dropped it. He was so tired.
"Sleep, sweetheart," Rachel whispered.
"We'll be here when you wake up," Hannah promised.
Finn had so many questions, but his exhaustion took over. He was in and out of sleep for two days. When he finally started to feel better, like he could sit up on his own, he wanted to praise the lord.
The amount of visitors was amazing and overwhelming all at the same time. Kurt and Blaine were there multiple times a day. His mom came and checked on him at least twice a day and Puck and Quinn couldn't help but poke their heads in once or twice.
Finally, once night when it was just him and Rachel he asked the question that was weighing heavily on his mind.
"What did Aria mean? When she said she thought she'd have to raise Hannah alone?"
Rachel gulped and walked to his bed side. He scooched over and patted the bed. She carefully crawled in and looked up at her fiance. "David is being tried for attempted murder."
"What?"
"They have two witnesses and he's probably going to take a plea bargin. But, he's probably going to jail for at least 10 years."
"I don't even know what to say," Finn mumbled. "Was it really that bad?"
"It was horrifying. Hannah didn't stop crying all week long."
"She was still with you? When I called?"
Rachel nodded, "She wasn't lying when she said she wanted to be with Aria, but she didn't really want to punish you by staying with her while everything got worked out. She was just so mad. So we went to my dad's house to talk it over."
"I was awful."
"You were emotional, Finn. That's it."
"I was being unreasonable."
"Yes," Rachel nodded. "But, you wised up, didn't you?"
Finn smirked. "I guess I did."
"And you didn't let the anger get the best of you. Like David did. Hannah got a glimpse of what her life could have been like, and I think she's very grateful for you now. Now more than ever."
Finn leaned down against his muscle's wishes to kiss Rachel's forehead. "I love you."
"I love you..."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the rabbi said to Finn and Rachel.
"You may kiss your bride."
"Finally," Finn said and tipped Rachel backward. His lips met hers harshly and she giggled into his mouth. She tasted like strawberries and champagne. She looked more beautiful than ever in her off-white short sleeveless dress. Her red heels made her a lot taller, but still shorter than him.
Rachel and Finn broke apart and turned to the crowd who applauded and cheered. Rachel held up her and Finn's hands and laughed loudly.
"I love you," Finn whispered in her ear.
It had been a year to the day since they were supposed to get married. After everything happened, they needed time to heal and Finn really needed time to heal.
Hannah smiled at her Dad from her spot in front of the groomsmen. She was the "Best Woman" and was wearing a red bow tie to off set her black dress. As they walked down the isle, flower petals and bubbles were throw at them and it seemed like they were finally getting their happily ever after.
Aria stood in the back of the church, rocking her baby who had just turned a year old. Aria and Finn had become friends over the year. Aria and Finn moved to a neighborhood together so they could both be next to Hannah at all times. Rachel waves at Aria who smiled widely back.
When they got in the limo to go to the reception Hannah jumped in with them.
"Daddy,"
"What?"
"Xander and I are totally going to decorate your car, is it cool if we're a little late to the reception."
Finn laughed. "I don't think you're supposed to tell us that."
Rachel kissed Finn's cheek. "It's fine, baby."
Hannah smiled widely. "So, it's cool?"
"Yeah. Totally cool." Finn said back. "But don't forget about your best man speech."
Hannah groaned. "Best WOMAN, Dad. Geez."
Rachel's head fell back in laughter. "Your daughter is a piece of work."
Finn put him hand to Rachel's stomach and smiled, "I hope our next one is just like her."
Rachel bit her lip nervously. "Have you told anyone, yet?"
"No, I thought tonight would be a great place to announce it."
Rachel dropped her jaw theatrically. "And prove to everyone I'm a harlot?"
"You're my harlot!" Finn got closer and kissed her lips. "What's a harlot?" he teased and Rachel erupted in laughter.
"You're the worst."
Finn walked down to the kitchen with a beer in his hand and saw Puck grabbing out one for himself. "What time are the guests getting here?"
"A couple hours."
Puck smirked. "Your little girl. All grown up."
"She's 10, Puckerman. Not 21."
"It's still a big deal. Leaving the single digits behind." Puck smiled and Finn turned to see his very pregnant wife hanging a Happy Birthday banner.
"Hannah grew up really fast, a lot faster then any of us thought."
"Yeah, she's way too mature for her age."
"Daaaaaaaaaaaad! Xander won't get out of my ROOOOOOOM!" Finn heard Hannah whine and it was music to his ears.
Finn looked at Puck and laughed. "Maybe she's not all the way grown up."
Finn looked over at Rachel and she grinned back. "You want to handle that, or should I?" Finn asked.
"I'm 8 months pregnant. You can go ahead and take this one." Rachel smiled and winked. "Your son has decided to wedge his knee into my ribcage, so until that goes away, you get all the dirty work."
Finn walked over to his wife and kissed her cheek. "You can only hold this over my head for so long."
Rachel feigned intense thought and looked at Finn softly. "You're right. Only, like, 18 years."
"You're evil."
"You love it."
"That I do." Finn leaned to kiss her only to be interrupted by Hannah's screeching voice.
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!"
Finn groaned and turned, "Chill, Han. I'm coming."
"Good luuuuuck!" Rachel sang and Finn smiled as he made his way up the stairs. He loved his life. Exactly how it was.