The Man You'll Marry
Ok, so to start I just want to give hugs to the 34 people who have added this to their favorites, the 104 people who have put this piece on alert and an extra big hug to those who have given this fic 52 reviews up until this point…. Now that I got that part out I want to give a bit of insight to this AU head-cannon I've got going on before you read this chapter and roll your eyes…. Rachel still has her two gay dads HOWEVER Shelby was always a part of her life from day 1. When Rachel was in her early teens Shelby got married to Blaine's dad making him Rachel's step-brother….catch all that? Alrighty then, now onto the next chapter of this epic piece of epicness…..enjoy….
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Entering the club Rachel sucked in a deep breath. Tonight she was going to purge her mind of all thoughts of her stupid aunts stupid dress and stupid Sam Evans. Tonight she was going to celebrate her brother's birthday, have a few drinks, and thrill the crowd with her Karaoke performances.
"Wow Rach," a familiar voice rang in a mock condescending tone, "your wearing jeans."
Looking down at the black skinny jeans and teal pheasant top combo she was wearing she rolled her eyes at the young fashionistas remark wondering what his issue was as she'd personally thought she looked cute.
"And what's wrong with jeans Kurt?"
"Nothing, it's just I'm surprised your not wearing a dress, or at least a skirt, I mean it's a party after all."
"Kurt, Kurt," Blaine said approaching the duo and placing his hand on the other mans shoulder, "should I be jealous of your disappointment that my sister isn't showing any leg tonight? By the way Rachel I think you look nice."
Rachel smiled.
"Thank you Blaine, and Happy Birthday."
Blaine flashed Rachel a smile thanking her for her well wishes while Kurt just rolled his eyes as her looked over to his boyfriend with a smile on his face.
"Well at least I've picked the most fashionable sibling," Kurt said with a smirk before leaning over and placing a kiss on Blaine's cheek causing Rachel to roll her eyes.
She had two gay dads and a gay step brother so her eye roll wasn't a homophobic gesture in the slightest, no; it was most definitely in protest to Kurt calling Blaine the more fashionable of the duo. Sure Blaine wore more 'labels' then she did but that so wasn't the point….
"Whatever," she finally said causing Blaine now to engage in the eye rolling.
"Guys, guys, can you two not argue for one night, consider it a Birthday present to me."
Rachel and Kurt looked at one another letting out simultaneous sighs.
It wasn't that the duo didn't like each other quite the opposite in fact as from the moment that Rachel and Quinn were introduced to Kurt by Blaine in college the two of them became great friends, the bantering was just something they did for the fun of it, seeing how far one could go to push the others buttons and stuff like that.
"For you Blaine I'm willing to call a cease fire," Rachel said.
Kurt nodded as he gave Blaine another quick kiss before once again turning his attention to Rachel while the Birthday Boy walked toward the stage most likely putting in for his first song of the evening.
"So, moving on from couture, a little birdie told me you've met someone?"
"Was this birdie's name Quinn by chance?"
"Perhaps, anyway tell me all about this Sam guy."
'So much for not thinking about him,' Rachel thought as she tried not to blush.
"There is nothing to tell," she spoke hoping that Kurt would back off but in true Kurt form he didn't.
"Ah, so it IS love."
Rachel was about to open her mouth in protest when she watched her brother take the stage.
Mentally thanking whatever higher power was listening at the moment she silently grabbed Kurt's arm and moved closer to get a good view of Blaine's performance.
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight…..
Rachel was grateful that the way that her step brother worked the karaoke stage oozing with charisma was the perfect distraction for Kurt whose eyes now hung onto Blaine's every word.
Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
But fancy gloves, though, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red…
The duo continued to watch Blaine in other silence as he sang and wondered if he'd ever consider a career in show business instead of getting a PHD in Historical something or other. She watched as Kurt mouthed the lyrics with his own adorable show face on and in that moment Rachel eyed the DJ booth.
"Kurt, I think I'm going to."
"Pick out a song, go for it Rach, but don't think I'll forget the topic we were talking before Blaine took the stage."
"I'd never dream of it," Rachel said but in actuality she hoped he'd forgotten as she began to thumb through the song list while continuing to listen to Blaine sing.
Let the thing swing
On the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Tell me, could that someone be Mack the Knife?
Rachel pondered what kind of song to sing, if she should go total ballad which would definitely showcase her amazing well honed vocal skills or if she should do something more up beat and fun. A show tune or top 40 classic….
As Blaine finally finished his song met with a round of applause and a promise that he'd be back on stage many more times through the evening Rachel took the stage.
Before the music began she smiled at the crowd, leaning over and speaking into the mic.
"This song would work much better with my brother's guitar accompaniment but I hope you like it anyway," she said with a nod to the DJ to hit play on the audio.
I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned …
Sam Evans entered the crowded club and his ears instantly were met with a beautiful and yet strangely familiar voice singing…..
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words that you can not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions ….
He finally managed to reach a clear view of the stage and instantly caught site of the familiar petite brunette who'd been taking up most of his thoughts as of late especially since they kissed the day before on the beach.
"of coarse Rachel would be here," he mumbled to himself thinking about how the girl seemed to be following him ever since that run in at the mall and yet he just couldn't leave the club instead he kept his eye trained on her from the distance wondering if she saw him.
Obviously she didn't as she kept right on singing.
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
"So, what'll it be?" the bartender asked as by this time Sam was standing by the bar however looking up one more time at Rachel who was giving it her all on stage and sending a spark of inspiration to his brain.
"Nothing right now," Sam said with a smile as he made his way toward the stage however never managing to catch Rachel's looks as he picked out his song.
Finishing her own number now it was Rachel to walk toward the bar where Blaine and Kurt were sitting with a drink in hand for her.
"So," she said with a smile, "which one of you boys will sing a duet with me?"
Kurt and Blaine looked toward one another while the DJ announced the next 'victim' of the evening one Sam Evans.
Rachel spit the drink that was in her mouth back in her glass at the sound of the name.
"I take it that's him?" Kurt asked as he began to size up the blonde with his judgmental eyes.
Rachel nodded.
"Cute, obviously not a natural blonde though, and that mouth….definitely not my type and definitely not the look I pictured for your man candy."
"Man candy," Rachel spoke rolling her eyes just as music began to play and a voice started to sing.
I knew you before the west was won
And I heard you say the past Was much more fun
You go your way, I'll go mine
But I'll see you next time
It's all been done It's all been done
It's all been done before
"I don't know Kurt, his voice is kind of amazing and I doubt my sister would settle for anything less."
Rachel blushed as she halfway listened to Kurt comment about judging books by their bleached blonde covers and half listening to Sam continue his song on stage.
And if I put my fingers here,
and if I say "I love you dear,"
And if I play the same three chords,
will you just yawn and say
It's all been done before?
The song ended and Sam headed off the stage while Rachel headed toward it and soon the duo was standing in the club face to face.
"NOW are you stalking me?" Rachel asked.
"I should be asking you the same thing, you were amazing by the way…I mean I know you're an actor but a singer as well."
"I'm a bonified triple threat, I act, sing, and have taken some form of dance since grade school."
Sam flashed a smile while Rachel playfully poked him.
"And what about you, for a graphic designer you have an amazing range."
"My shower head thanks you, also I was in a band back in college."
Rachel just nodded trying to visualize the blonde in a band however instead of further inquiring as to what kind of band he was in thoughts of the obvious filled her head.
"So, does your fiancée like your voice, which by the way is she here because I'm sure she'd be pissed with you talking to another woman."
"I've never sung to her before, also I'm alone her tonight so there is no need to worry about Santana which by the way still isn't officially my fiancé."
"The way your putting it off I'd think you'd having second thoughts?"
"Yea….right….anyway are you flying solo tonight because if you are how about dinner?"
"Dinner?"
"Well yea, I had fun on our lunch date yesterday and I thought we could do it again."
As Sam flashed a smile Rachel's mind was going all over the place as she listened to him refer to the previous day as a 'date' a DATE! She wanted to scream at the top of her lounges like a giddy school girl however she sucked in a deep breath catching a listen to her own inner monologue.
'No, resist his charms, he's got a girlfriend, no a practical FIANCÉ, and besides there is no such thing as magic….'
Letting her thoughts cut off she let her eyes wander to Blaine. Blaine, her brother, Blaine an instant out."
"I can't, it's my brother's birthday," Rachel began and like clockwork Blaine and Kurt chose that moment to appear causing a smile to cross her lips.
Sam looked over to the two young men who were now approaching before looking at Rachel then back to the duo.
"I take it one of these guys are your brother?"
Blain flashed a grin and held out his hand.
"That'd be me, I'm Blaine and you must be Sam."
Sam shook Blaine's hand as he raised an eyebrow and flashed a smirk toward Rachel.
"So, you've talked about me huh?"
She simply nodded as her eyes fell upon Kurt who she simply knew was going to begin a full blown interrogation session in a matter of moments and so she said the first thing to come to her mind.
"Sam, since I can't go to dinner right now why don't we sing a duet?"
Looking from the two boys back to Rachel he could instantly tell that she didn't want him to talk to her brother and his friend. A part of him wanted to shake his head, tell her no thanks and chat up the two guys however the girl did have a killer voice and a duet would be rather fun.
Simply nodding his yes Sam and Rachel made their way over to the now empty stage.
"So, what'll it be?" the person working the booth asked.
"Surprise us," Rachel said to the DJ before looking at a panicked Sam, "that's the beauty of having the words on the screen."
Sam just smiled as the beginning of a song that was thankfully somewhat familiar to him began to play and Rachel began to sing.
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down….
Rachel paused her singing as she looked over to Sam as to silently tell him to go for it.
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try….
Sam smiled as the duo continued to sing this duet with amazing chemistry earning a round of applause from the crowd.
Basking in the spot light for a moment Rachel soon realized that she could hold off the inquisition of Klaine for just so long however she was shocked to see only Blaine coming their way.
"Kurt's looking for a song that can top your performance," Blaine spoke with a smile, "anyway Sam, I heard you inviting my sister to dinner."
Sam nodded.
"I did, but she declined seeing as it's your birthday."
"Go," Blaine said.
Rachel flashed him a shocked look.
"Did you just say…."
Blaine nodded.
"It's my party so I can kick you out if I want to."
"Well thank you and Happy Birthday."
Tossing her arms around Blaine Rachel embraced him in a long hug.
"Call me tomorrow," Blaine whispered in her ears.
Rachel nodded as she pulled back from her brother and made her way back toward Sam.
"So," she spoke, "I hope that dinner offer still stands."
Sam nodded.
"Oh it definitely stands."
TBC
Don't kill me for the cliffhanger, I figured since this chapter was going to drag a bit cause of the songs that this night will continue with dinner in the following chapter….and speaking of songs what did you think? I just decided to choose songs randomly based on what I could see Darren, Lea, and Chord singing possibly even on cannon as opposed to songs that move the plotline (well with the exception of Samchel's duet) anyway the songs used in this chapter are: Mack The Knife by Bobby Darrin (Blaine), Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield (Rachel), It's All Been Done by the Barenaked Ladies (Sam), and Take a Chance on Me by ABBA (Samchel)