**I just wanted to thank those who have reviewed, Fav'd, and are following this story. Here is the next chapter and it's kinda long. I hope you like it and if you don't that's okay too.**

Rachel

The sound of Kurt's voice woke her. He was frantic as he yelled, "Rachel! Wake up!"

She groaned and turned to face her best friend, "What is it Kurt?"

"Finn's gone!"

She bolted upright and nearly head butted Kurt in the process, "What do you mean he's gone!?"

"I just talked to Carole. She said that Finn called her last night because he couldn't get a hold of you. They shipped out early this morning and he wanted to say goodbye."

Rachel rushed to the counter and grabbed her phone. There was one missed call and it was from Finn. She dialed her voicemail to listen to the message and cursed herself for being too lazy to wake up and answer the stupid phone last night. His voice came over the speaker and it made her smile to hear it, "I was hoping I could talk to you and not your machine, but I guess you're asleep…or out. They decided to send us out a couple of days early so I won't be able to talk for a little while. I promise I will write to you as soon as possible. It will be the best way for us to communicate. Anyways, I love you and I will hopefully hear from you soon…Oh and Rachel, I plan on keeping my promise."

Rachel replayed the message several times before finally hanging up the phone. Kurt was standing behind her waiting to comfort her if she needed it. When she turned around she had tears in her eyes, "I heard the phone ring last night and I didn't answer it. I missed his call and it might be the last time I get to talk to him."

Kurt pulled her into a hug, "Don't be so overdramatic Rachel. You'll talk to him again."

"Will I?" she said, not really directing it at anyone.

A few minutes later a sleepy voice called from the couch, "What'd I miss?"

Kurt

He watched Rachel as she packed a small overnight bag. After finding out that Finn was gone, Rachel insisted they go to Lima and talk with their parents. She had wanted to discuss it with Finn first, but since that was impossible at the moment, she insisted that Kurt return to Lima with her because she couldn't tell them on her own.

Kurt sighed. Ever since he informed her of Finn leaving, she has slowly retreated further into herself. She wasn't exactly happy when he first showed up, but she still had that Rachel Berry spark. Now, there was nothing left in her eyes. They were cold and emotionless. Santana joined him by the door. She nudged his arm and indicated Rachel with her head as if to say 'She any better?' He shook his head and continued to watch his friend go through the routine of packing and Santana went to answer her phone.

She returned a minute later to say, "Cab's here. Let's get goin'."

Kurt followed the two women outside and into the cab. His eyes fell on Santana, who was sitting with her arm draped around Rachel's shoulders. It surprised him at first, but then he realized that Santana wasn't being nearly as mean as she usually is. He went over the last two days in his head, looking for any clues as to what had possibly changed the fierce ex-Cheerio. The only conclusion he could come to was Rachel.

Carole Hudson

Several hours after informing Kurt of Finn's leaving and him hanging up on her, she received a call from Rachel saying that they were coming back to Lima tonight and that she wanted to have dinner with Carole, Burt, and her dads. Carole agreed immediately saying that it would be a pleasure. She loved Rachel and still considered her to be a daughter, even though they never went through with getting married.

It was obvious that Rachel was upset about Finn's leaving and Carole couldn't blame her. She was rather upset too. Having Rachel around would be good for both of them. Burt was wonderful and comforted her after she got off the phone with Finn, but as much as he worried about Finn it was nothing compared to the way her and Rachel felt.

The Berry's were picking Kurt and the girls up from the airport. She was a little surprised that Santana was going to join them for dinner because the girl was rather rude, but Rachel and Santana both insisted that she come. She made pasta for dinner with Alfredo sauce and on the side she made a vegan topping with butternut squash, sage, and pine nuts for Rachel. She also prepared a large salad and sliced some fruit.

Dinner was nearly ready when the door opened. In came Kurt followed by Santana, Rachel and her dads. Carole was about to open her mouth to speak, but her eyes stopped on Rachel and her stomach dropped. Rachel's eyes looked almost dead until she locked eyes with Carole.

Rachel

She felt so numb. Finn was gone. She was pregnant. Now she was about to tell her dads, Carole, and Burt that she was pregnant. She felt completely empty and alone. When they finally walked into Kurt's house, Burt seemed a little too cheery to her. Why wasn't he more upset that Finn was gone? It wasn't until she looked into Carole's eyes that she realized she wasn't alone. She saw the same pain and heartache in Carole that she felt herself.

She rushed to the woman who was going to be her mother-in-law and wrapped her arms around Carole's waist. They held each other and they both began to cry. There were no words that needed to be spoken because they both knew what the other was feeling. It wasn't the first time Carole had to go through this. She had been in Rachel's shoes when Finn was born. She had to watch as his dad went off to war without knowing if he would come home and now she had to go through it again with Finn.

Rachel knew that her friends and her dads loved and supported her, but Carole was the only one that truly understood how she felt. They remained in each other's arms until their tears subsided. Rachel smiled up at the woman and they proceeded into the kitchen.

Carole

She was about to clear the plate from dinner when Rachel stopped her, "Can you wait a few minutes to do that. I have something very important to tell you all." She nodded and sat back down.

When she didn't continue, Hiram smiled encouragingly at his daughter, "What did you need to tell us baby girl?"

She watched as Rachel's eyes closed and she took a deep breath. Whatever she had to say must have been important. Rachel stood up and Carole noticed that she was holding hands with Santana and Kurt. "I'm pregnant."

There were several gasps heard from around the table from the men, but all she could think was déjà vu. She had been pregnant with Finn when his father joined the army. She had given birth to her son while his father was away. Finn had only been around his father when he was a few months old, before the drugs took hold and killed him. She heard as the men started lashing out about NYADA and her being too young and Rachel seemed to fall apart under their screams. She couldn't let that happen.

"Everyone be QUIET!" They all looked at her in shock and sat down. She turned to Rachel and calmly asked, "Does Finn know?"

She shook her head sadly and her voice came out as a whisper, "I was going to talk to him when he called me, but I was asleep and didn't get up to answer the phone. I didn't think he would be gone right now."

She contemplated that for a moment, "Finn told me that we wouldn't be able to reach him by phone and that he would write us as soon as he could with an address that we can reach him at. I want you to write a letter and have it ready that way we can send it off as soon as we have an address. Have you thought about what you are going to do about school?"

Rachel's voice came out a little stronger than before, "Yes, Kurt suggested that I defer my acceptance for a year."

"Do you understand what that will mean for you Rachel? It will be that much harder for you…"

"She is a very talented young woman, and if she got in the first time then she can get in again so enough of your interruptions Mr. Berry or I will ask that you leave." Carole turned her attention back to Rachel, "Please continue."

She glanced at her dads before continuing, "Kurt offered to move to New York and help me with everything. He is going to stay in my room since it's bigger and we can fit another bed in there without too much trouble."

"Finn is my brother and Rachel is my best friend. Since Finn can't be here right now, I'm going to help her through this." Kurt added.

"I am too. Berry's my girl and I'm not gonna let her go at this alone." Santana put her arm around Rachel's shoulders and Carole saw her give Santana a thankful smile.

Carole smiled, glad that Rachel had such good friends and that Kurt was willing to step up and help Rachel since Finn was away, "I think that is a good plan."

Hiram shook his head, "I don't know how you could let this happen, Rachel. You had big dreams and I can't believe that you would give that up."

Rachel seemed to have gained strength from her friends support and Carole's words, "I'm not giving anything up. I am simply adding to my dreams. If you don't like that then," she took another deep breath, "you don't have to be a part of it. I love Finn and I will love this baby. I love you and I hope you can learn to support me and my growing family."

"What will you do if Finn doesn't want this child?" her father asked her.

Carole was about to explode, but Rachel beat her to it, "Finn would never abandon his child willingly! He loves me and he will love our child! And if by some miniscule chance he doesn't want this baby then I will do it on my own, but that will never happen."

Leroy stood up and walked to his daughter, "I do not agree with the situation, but I will respect your choice. You are a grown woman and have always made your own path. I love you honey."

"I love you too."

Burt sighed, "I'm with Leroy. I don't like this very much, but I can't change it. You need us and I'm not going to turn my back on you, Finn, or my grandchild."

Carole looked to Hiram who was staring at Burt in shock. She wasn't sure what it was that Burt said but Hiram stood up and embraced Rachel, "I'm sorry sweetie! I wasn't thinking of anything other than the dreams you have worked so hard for. I love you so much and I only want the best for you. I didn't realize until now that I'm going to be a grandfather. I promise I will love this baby as much as I love you."

Rachel was crying again. It was just beginning to hit Carole that she would be a grandmother. She was a little too young to be a grandmother, but she didn't care. She was going to spoil this child rotten. A wide smile spread across her face as she looked around at her family. Kurt, Santana, and Burt were talking about moving Kurt's things to New York and Hiram, Leroy, and Rachel were huddled together crying. Burt turned his head toward her and gave her a beaming smile. They finished their evening with laughter and all the drama from their dinner was forgotten.