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Chapter 2

Rachel was uncharacteristically nervous. She tried to remind herself that she has faced bigger hurdles than this. She has performed in front of thousands of people without breaking a sweat. She survived high school and its daily tortures with an actor's ease. She even managed to maintain a relationship with Finn all throughout college and now they were getting married. (There were times she doubted that they would make it).

She had grown from that insecure, demanding girl that she was in high school into a confident, understanding woman. She no longer hid behind her talent or forced it on others. Instead she worked with other aspiring Broadway actors and actresses in developing their talents. She even directed several workshops all over New York and started a program at NYU to bring Broadway more to the forefront. She was secure in her talent and herself. Where once before she use to fret about small things, she now had nerves of steel.

So why was she staring at the document with his number and address on it as if it was a death notice? She put the paper down on the nightstand and went to stand by the window. Her breath caught at the scenery before her. Los Angeles was truly beautiful in the evening time. She observed the people below her. They looked so happy and carefree. She observed a couple in their late twenties. The man grabbed the woman's hand and brought to his lips, kissing it gently.

The woman smiled and brought her hand to the side of his face. They stopped and kissed in the middle of the sidewalk, oblivious to the people around them. They reminded her of Finn and herself. She smiled gently and lifted her left hand, gazing at the 6 carat diamond engagement ring. Finn had surprised her with it a couple of years ago. He had flown out to New York to spend a week with her. He had taken her out to her favorite vegan restaurant and a matinee. Afterwards they had gone back to her apartment and lounged around drinking red wine and talking about various things. She had gotten up to go into the kitchen to get another bottle of wine. She was trying to unscrew the bottle of wine with the corkscrew when she felt his presence behind her. "Hey baby could you help me open this?" she asked as she turned around.

Her mouth dropped open in shock and she nearly dropped the bottle of wine at the sight before her. He was standing there smiling, holding the jewelry box open in his right hand. For the first time in her life she was struck speechless. When she finally found her voice, she sounded breathless. "Finn what is this?" she asked. "This is the ring that I should've given you a long time ago Rachel", he said softly. He grabbed her left hand and looked at the small star shaped diamond that he had given her in high school. "You deserve better", he continued.

"But Finn I love the ring you have given me" she protested. "No, he said firmly. He took the ring off of her finger and gently replaced it with the bigger one. "This represents our future" he continued his voice still firm. "This represents how much we have grown. I am no longer that immature little boy that I was in high school. Instead I am a better man and it is all because of you. You made me grow up and realize what I was blind to before. You are an amazing woman and I am so blessed to have you in my life." Tears had come to her eyes as listened to him. He gently wiped a stray tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"I love you Rachel Berry. I know I have messed up in the past, taking you for granted and breaking your heart more times than I care to remember. But through it all you stood by me. Your love and faithfulness has kept me grounded all of these years. I want to give you the best because you are the best. I will spend the rest of my life loving you and treating you like the star that you are" he said his voice and eyes alight with passion. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, freely sobbing now. He held her, breathing in the scent of her hair and kissing around her hairline lightly. He gently picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. That night they slowly and gently made love to one another. A car horn blasting startled her out of her memories.

She looked around the beautiful hotel room and her gaze landed on the paper again. Doubts began to plague her mind. Was she doing the right thing? Should she leave and forget all about this dangerous plan? She shook her head to dispel the negative thoughts. No she would see this through. She wanted to put this all behind her. A new resolve rose up in her. She walked across the plush carpet and picked up the paper from the nightstand, a determined look in her eyes. She didn't come all this way to chicken out. She has never been a coward and she wasn't going to start being one now. She fingered the paper, running a finger lightly over the information.

The service that she used to find him only gave her limited information about him. Apparently he was a producer of some kind. The news kind of shocked her when she first heard it. She knew that he craved the stage just like she did. For him to be behind the scenes was surprising. The Jesse she remembered loved being the center of attention. He was more of a stage hog then she was back then, she remembered ruefully. Against her better judgment she found herself thinking about the sing-offs they use to have. How their voices melded so perfectly together when they would sing. How he would complete her sentences.

It was scary and exhilarating how much they would think alike. She remembered when he would write her little love notes and leave them in her locker. How when she was upset he would just hold her and sing her favorite songs to her. How he would tuck a piece of her hair behind one ear. She had felt so special when she was with him. It had been like a dream come true for her. But everything changed when he betrayed her with his team and a carton of eggs in a parking lot. I loved you. Those words had secretly haunted her for years afterwards. A part of her heart was broken for a long time. But as she grew older she had learned the gift of forgiveness. She just hoped that he learned the same. She sighed and put the paper down. She turned off the bedside lamp and pulled the comforter back. She lay down and pulled the comforter over her body. She silently prayed for strength and courage for tomorrow before drifting off into a restless sleep.