Disclaimer: see chapter 1.
A/N: This chapter is for TommyH who was the only person who reviewed how the date with Finn should go. Last Chapter! OMG!
His lips were warm and soft. Rachel could feel him vibrating. She merely gave him a peck, but after stepping back, she could see his eyes had closed and he was making an almost rumbling purring sound. She smiled at him.
When his eyes opened, they were midnight skies behind a forest's canopy. Twinkling and dark.
Rachel could feel her breath hitch at the intensity there.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed and blinked. Rachel took a deep breath. "Thank you for a lovely night, Noah." She glanced at the pavement. "It was very romantic." Out of the corner of her eye she could see his head nod.
"Goodnight, Rach," he murmured as he headed back to his side of the car.
She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't stop herself. "What will you be doing tomorrow night?"
The look of ecstatic joy on his face made her heart plummet. "Well, what do ya want me to be doin, babe?" He said smoothly.
"I want you to be at an appropriate place to be kept safe. And not be jealous, since tomorrow night is my date with Finn." She spoke quietly, but he obviously heard her.
Puck's body felt like it was going to explode. FINN. That's what he could not stop screaming in his head. His best friend turned traitor.
He could feel his face turning into a snarl. "Oh." He responded tightly.
He did not want to be angry at Rachel for exploring her options, but just once, it seemed as if Puck might actually have a chance. Puck slammed open his truck door, got in, and slammed it closed. He rolled his eyes, knowing the door was now dented because of his tantrum. He waited until Rachel morosely entered her house to leave the driveway.
He punched his steering wheel in an attempt to relieve more of his sudden fury. It didn't help. Growling, he pulled into his ma's house.
"Noah, bubula, what happened on your date?! You're back so early!" He heard his mom call from the living room.
"Gotta punch somethin, Ma. But it went well, I think," was all he could get out before high-tailing it to the basement gym.
The next night, Rachel worried her bottom lip. The thought of Noah being tortured by her date with Finn was a new kind of mental anxiety for her.
She straightened her pleated skirt and rich maroon top. Sighing, she looked at the clock. One minute until the meeting time.
The doorbell rang; "Right on time," Rachel mumbled to herself.
She steeled herself mentally against Finn's dopey smile and lovable big lug attitude. "Finn," she greeted with a slight smile.
"Hey Rachel. You look nice." His smiling face made Rachel happy. "Ready for Breadstix?"
Rachel nodded affirmatively. No surprises with Finn. The thought made her feel heavy. Scrutinizing her date once more, she appreciated his casual style of jeans and a stripped button-up. She liked that he was so optimistic and understanding. He knew she hated surprises. She liked Finn. Her breath caught as she stood on the doorstep, purse in hand, staring at her ex-boyfriend. She liked Finn. She wasn't in love with Finn.
She was in love with the boy who made her heart beat wildly. The one who made her smile and laugh, and made no excuses for himself or her. The one who always cared about others, even if he didn't say so. She was turned on by the rebel and the romantic in one. She was in love with the one who excited her and freed her in a way no one else ever has. She was in love with Noah.
"Finn. I'm sorry, but I can't do this."
The words stopped Finn's steps toward his car. "What?" he said half distraught, half in disbelief.
"I'm... Well, Noah.." She attempted to explain as he walked towards her.
"That freak?!" Finn exclaimed, viciously. "You are seriously choosing him over me! He's part bird, and he's not normal! I'm normal. I'm in love with you!" He argued, grabbing onto her upper arms.
"And I'm in love with Noah!" She replied, realizing she was screaming. Lowering her voice, she continued, "I'm in love with, him, so please. Don't make this hard on him. Please leave, so I can talk to him." She moved her arms up to push him back when she heard his shocked gasp.
"Did he do this to you?" Finn tugged the hem of her shirt up, revealing two hand-shaped bruises on her hips.
Taking a calming breath, Rachel responded, "Yes, but it was an accident. I made his veela angry, and he is still getting accustomed to his new strength." She pulled back, struggling to get her shirt to cover the evidence. "It's fine."
"No, it's not! You can't let that freak hurt you like this Rachel!" Finn began pacing while speaking.
Rachel shook her head negatively. "He didn't mean to hurt me. In fact, Noah has very rarely hurt me. I can only think of one time, and he later regretted it. You, however, have hurt me more times than I can count, emotionally. You have pushed and pulled me, and I've given you your last chance, Finn. Noah is not a freak. He is my mate."
At her pronouncement of the final word of her speech, Finn stopped to glare at her. In the distance, a loud victorious roar could be heard.
Six weeks later, Ma Puckerman found her son and Rachel Berry arms around each other at the Puckerman's annual Hannakah celebration. People were laughing, drinking, and exchanging gifts. The Berry men were curled next to each other on her couch. Gentle holiday music was playing in the background. Glancing once more at her son and the gleeful smile on his face, she sighed in relief. The sound of Rachel's hearty laugh caused a tinkling chuckle from the older woman. She smirked at the large pearl antique ring on Rachel's ring finger.
Grandbabies, Mrs. Puckerman thought to herself, smirk widening. Lots of grandbabies.
A/N: Let me know how you liked the ending! Sorry if it wasn't so anti-climatic. I'm not very good at writing smut. If someone would like to offer a one shot, that would be wonderful as well.
I also have a subsequent treat for Raven-fan14 in the next chapter.