Chapter 4: Reunion

Rachel had tried to go to bed early that night, but it just wasn't happening. Brody hadn't come home yet. He usually would text or call if he wasn't coming, but he hadn't even done that yet. She tossed and turned worrying about him. Was he hurt? How could she know he was safe? What if Santana was right?

After a rough night of hardly any sleep, Rachel woke earlier than usual and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. She stopped short when she saw who was standing in the kitchen. No, it wasn't Brody. Or Santana or even Kurt. It was the last person she expected to see today. It was Finn.

She wasn't sure what to say to him. Should she tell him? He would try to talk her out of it, like Santana had. It was probably because of Santana that he was even here.

After a few moments she found her voice. "What are you doing here?" She asked her tone a bit hard. She didn't mean to sound angry; she was actually really glad he had come. Try as she might to not admit it, she missed him.

He frowned, "I was hoping you could tell me. Santana asked me to do her a favor then insisted I come talk to you before I head back to Ohio. Since you were asleep when I got here, I figured I'd just crash on the floor in Kurt's room til you woke up. But then I couldn't sleep so I came to get some water. And it looks like I'm not the only one." He finished, gesturing to her. "What's going on, Rach?"

Rachel was speechless and slightly curious, what would Santana need Finn to do for her? She was hoping to get away with this without telling him. How could she tell him? It would just crush him. She was sure of her decision. No one could change her mind. Not even Finn.

Thanks to the pregnancy hormones, Rachel felt herself tearing up. She hoped Finn wouldn't notice, but he did. "What's wrong, are you ok? Did Brody do something?" He said, coming over to where Rachel was standing.

Tired of fighting them like she had been for weeks –she didn't want Kurt or Brody to get curious so she'd often fought back the tears – she let the tears come, put her arms around his waist, and hugged herself to him. In that moment, it didn't matter that she was living with someone else or that that someone could come in at any time. It didn't matter that he wanted to change her mind. It didn't matter that it was all wrong. All that mattered was that he was here.

Finn put an arm around Rachel, rubbing her back. With his other hand he stroked her hair. Rachel then felt his arms wrap around her and pull her close. He didn't know what she was crying about, but she knew he would hold her until she was ready to talk about it. Finn leaned down and kissed her on the head.

She could have stood there all day, but fear of Brody coming home and seeing her wrapped in the arms of her ex-fiancé made her move. He let her go, but did so reluctantly.

"Why don't you sit down?" She suggested. She should probably have sat down herself, but she felt more comfortable standing up.

Oh no, he thought, this can't be good. Sitting down is never good. Maybe she's going to tell me Brody proposed. Too bad she doesn't know what Brody really was. Do I tell her? She does have a right to know.

"How are you?" She asked, interrupting his thoughts.

He was surprised; that wasn't what he had expected her to say. "You know, I'm actually doing alright all things considering." He didn't want to talk too much about himself. He wasn't here for him, he was here for her.

"What sort of things?" She inquired, curious.

"I'm not at McKinley anymore; Mr. Schue basically kicked me out."

"Why?"

"I told him about the kiss."

"How'd he take it?"

"Not well. He refused to talk to me for a while. We even tried to duke it out glee style but nothing worked. He said he wanted to forgive me, he just couldn't. So I left. And here I am."

"I'm sorry," She said sincerely.

"It's ok really; I know the next step in my life now. I know what direction I'm headed in."

"Oh? And what's that?" Rachel was glad he finally found something to work towards.

"Become a teacher." He did seem excited about it.

"I can see that." She told him.

"Yeah, Marley kinda suggested it and it made sense. Cuz I've always been a good leader and I really liked teaching the glee kids."

"I'm really glad you found something you love." She told him smilingly.

"Thanks." He smiled back, and then his face grew serious. "Now, enough about me, that's not why I came here. What's going on Rachel?"

Rachel felt herself tearing up again. She couldn't tell him. She couldn't. It would crush him. And if he did succeed in convincing her to not follow through with her decision, he would give up his dreams to support her. She knew it. For a second she could see it though. Them having a baby, being a family.

"Ok please start talking; I'm not used to you being so quiet. I don't know what to do here." Finn pleaded.

"Umm… I guess for once I'm lost for words."

"The Rachel Berry is speechless? I don't suppose singing would help?"

"You know, for once I don't think I know of a song for this particular situation."

"Man this is serious then isn't it."

She nodded.

"Want to go for a walk?" She suggested.

"Sure."

They ended up taking a train to the city then walking to central park. When they were far away from everyone else - it was shockingly busy for how early it was - he grabbed her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. She looked down at their hands and smiled. She should resist it, but it felt really nice. He led her to a bench and sat down. She sat close to him; they're hands resting on his left knee. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Mm this is nice." She said. "I could get used to this."

"Why don't you?"

"Finn…" She started turning away from him.

He grabbed her other hand, turning her back towards him. When she still wouldn't look at him, he grabbed her face and said, "I'm serious," without breaking eye contact.

"I can't, Finn."

He dropped his hand and nodded. She didn't understand everything quite yet. But she would.

Just then Rachel's phone buzzed.

Had to help my buddy out in Manhattan. Won't make it home tonight. sorry babe - Brody

That's right, she reminded herself. He had told her he was helping a friend move to Maine today. She was disappointed though. As much as she tried to defend him, she knew Santana wasn't crazy. Brody had been acting suspicious lately. It seemed he was trying to avoid her now altogether. The text did give Rachel an idea though.

"Are you in a hurry to get back to Ohio?"

"Not particularly."

"Stay. At least for one more night. Please?"

"What about Brody?"

"He's helping his friend move to Maine. He won't be home."

She could see Finn thinking about it. She threw out her lower lip and looked up at him with puppy-dog eyes. "Please, Finn?"

He smiled. How could he resist such an adorable face? "Okay." He let in. "Just tonight though."

She smiled back. She wasn't ready for him to leave yet.