A/N: A big thanks to Kerry (bottomblainers) for being my beta, the idea for this story and the outlines for each chapter.
Another note, someone asked where Rachel's Dads are. Was she not talking to them? She WAS talking to them, however she wasn't telling them her situation, probably pushing off visiting and things. They know now, of course and plan to visit at a later date. Probably after the surgery.
Reviews (like Finchel) are love.
Chapter Ten
Kurt was bouncing a sleeping William as Rachel and Finn signed their marriage certificate. Rachel grinned over at Finn and he kissed her cheek before signing his name as well.
"And are these your witnesses?" The judge pointed to Blaine and Kurt who both nodded. Rachel took William from Kurt so he could sign and they both did so.
Rachel was beaming at Finn the entire time, "Welp, that's it I believe. By the power vested in me by the state of New York I may now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The judge said off handly and Finn grabbed Rachel's face and kissed her softly. She giggled against his lips and he presses his forehead to hers.
"I love you."
"I love you."
Finn looks over at William who is sleeping in Rachel's arms and he leans down to kiss him, "and we both love you."
William stirs a little but stays asleep and Rachel is happy. Ridiculously happy.
The next week Rachel finds herself singing to William while Burt and Carole talk to Finn over coffee. She tries not to eavesdrop, but she can't really help it.
"Finn, I think you're doing the right thing sweetheart." Carole assures him softly. "I mean, yes, I'm still a little angry with you that you hid this all from us and Rachel, but I think the surgery is your best bet."
"I know it is, Mom."
"I'm just sorry you didn't feel comfortable talking with us about this before, son." Burt says in a husky tone and Rachel's heart aches.
"I know, I just, I didn't want everyone getting all weepy on me. You know?" Finn frowns and Carole sniffles.
"I'm sorry, you're just my baby." Carole admits, "I'll try to tone down the tears."
"Between you and Rach I should be swimming in them by now." Finn teases and Rachel decides to reenter the kitchen.
"Mrs. Hudson." Finn says as she walks in. He says it every time he sees her.
"Mr. Hudson." Rachel grins back. "Pour me some coffee?" She requests and Finn does so before making his way back to the table. She sits on his lap. She can't stand not being as close to him as possible all the time.
"Is our baby boy sleeping?" Finn asks sweetly.
"Like a baby." Rachel teases back and Carole sniffles again.
"God Carole." Burt groans.
She sniffles, "I'm just so happy you guys are back together, and married to boot." She says through her sobs.
"Aw, Carole." Rachel pats her shoulder, "Well we're a family."
"Yes we are." Finn tells her, "But we always were."
"And you don't leave your family." Burt scolds.
Finn gulps and aches inside at his words, "I'll try my best."
The mood becomes almost sullen and Rachel attempts to change the subject but Carole and Burt decide to make their way to the hotel.
After Rachel and Finn say their goodbyes, Finn lets out a sigh of what seems like relief and they make their way to bed. Finn looks exhausted and Rachel doesn't know how to fix it.
The surgery will fix it, or at least that is what she is telling herself.
The next morning, Rachel woke up to William crying and Finn missing. She tended to William first and decided to worry about Finn later.
She heard wretching from the bathroom. "Finn?" Rachel knocked on the door as she bounced William, "Are you sick."
"I'll be right out." Finn groaned and Rachel walked into William's room with William and changed him, fed him and changed him out of his PJs. When she was done, she put him in his bouncer and started on breakfast.
Finn finally stumbled out of the bathroom and made his way to the couch, face pale and bags under his eyes. "Baby?" Rachel whispered, concern filling her tone.
"I'm fine." Finn growled and flopped onto the couch. "Didn't get a lot of sleep is all." He reasons.
"Do you want breakfast?"
"That's honestly the last thing I want. I just need a minute." Finn tells her and she nods. She eats a bowl of cereal and tells Burt and Carole to hold off on coming for a while.
After noon Finn's color returns, but the bags stay intact and Rachel sits next to him stroking his back. He lays his head in her lap and whimpers and groans. Nothing will sit with him.
"Do you think it's nerves? About tomorrow?" Rachel whispers as she caresses his skin.
"No. I think it's the chemo." Finn tells her and yawns.
Rachel hears William muttering on the baby monitor and gets up to get him.
When she brings him back in, Finn lights up at seeing his face. "There's my boy." He whispers and reaches out for him.
Rachel loves when her man smiles like that. She hands William over and he rocks him and sings to him. Rachel grins at her boys. She wants more moments like this. She needs more moments like this.
Kurt, Blaine, Burt and Carole come over for dinner but Finn can't get off the couch. He's still not feeling good. They all eat quietly around the TV, watching CNN and Rachel hates it. But, it makes their problems seem smaller. So they keep watching it.
"Okay, baby. We're going to head out." Carole stands, tears glistening in her eyes.
Finn nods and Carole leans down to hug him, "I love you, Finny." She cries, "We'll see you tomorrow before the surgery."
Finn grins a weak grin, "See you. Love you, Mom."
"Bye son." Burt gives him a quick hug.
Kurt and Blaine sigh and decide to make their way out too. Blaine says goodbye to William while Kurt cries into Finn's shirt and Finn seems like he's comforting Kurt. "It's okay, bro. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you guys."
"We love you too." Kurt sniffles and waves to William, "Love you buddy." He whimpers before running off. Blaine hands William back to Rachel before chasing after him.
"Sorry for the theatrics." He grumbles as he rushes out.
Rachel giggles a sad, hollow laugh and looks at her sad weak husband, "I'm going to put William to bed."
"No." Finn gets up slowly, "Let me, Rach." Finn pleads and she nods. She passes their son to his father and kisses his cheek and then his lips softly. "I love you. I'll be in soon."
Rachel nods and makes her way into the bedroom.
Finn sits in the rocking chair by William's crib, he hums to him and William grabs at Finn's nose. Finn laughs, a real hearty laugh.
"I love you, buddy. You're my boy. My favorite little man." Finn whispers. "I'm not giving you my last words here, son. Because, I plan to have many more talks with you. But-" Finn lets out a shaky breath, "In case I can't, do me a favor. Take care of your Mama. She's my world, you know? I need you to take care of her. Because with me not around, she's not going to have someone protecting her. Not like I do, anyway. You've gotta do that for me. Okay, little man?" Finn whimpers the last part out before breaking into sobs, "Okay?" He whimpers more and William coos. "Okay. You got it. I love you." Finn cries.
Finn wipes his tears as he walks into the bedroom, pulling off his shirt as he sits on the bed. "You alright, Finn?" Rachel whispers.
Finn turns to her and gives her his half smile and nods, "I'm good." He reaches in his drawer and hands her something, "Got something for you."
"What's that?" Rachel sat up grabbing the envelope from him.
"It's my will. Everything goes to you, of course." Finn lays down, "I've got a pretty okay life insurance policy from my old employer, so I think you two will be okay for a year or two."
Rachel stifles and whimper and sets the paper down, "Thank you, for taking the measure." Rachel says as her lip quivers ever so gently, "I love you so much." She cries.
"I know, baby doll." Finn whispers back, running his hands through her hair. "I love you too. So much. So much. I don't want to be away from you, Rach. But if I have to be, I want to make sure you're as protected as you can be, you know?"
Rachel nods, unable to speak.
"I'm going to fight like hell, Rach. Like hell."
Rachel laughs through her tears, "You better, Finn Hudson."
"I love you, Rachel Hudson." Finn says and Rachel crashes her lips onto his. If this was his last night alive, he wouldn't want to spend it any other way. Then with her. Kissing her. Caressing her. Loving her.