Chapter 3
Rachel's POV
We walked over to the store Mercedes was talking about. Mercedes took my hand and walked in with me. I froze and nearly fainted. Everything was so preppy and chic. There were plaid skirts, argyle sweaters, knee length socks, adorable cardigans, even cute little ballet flats. "Oh….my….god!" I exclaimed. I thought I was looking at myself when I saw the manikin at the front of the store. Kurt and Mercedes grabbed both of my hands and pulled me to the dress section. All the dresses where frilly with ruffles, bows, polka-dots, and flower prints. "How did I not know about this store before?" I asked myself. Mercedes shrugged and picked up a pretty blue sleeved dress with a confetti print and a tie around belt. "Try it on."
I walked over to the dressing room and tried it on. It was silky and comfortable. I spun around in front of the mirror, admiring myself. I walked out and exclaimed, "Tah Dah!"
"Sooooo cute," Mercedes said
"I think it's the one," Kurt smiled.
"I love it! And I think Finn will too!" I cried.
We walked over to the cash register and bought the dress. "Where to next?" I asked.
"There's a starbucks upstairs in the food court. And right next store is some Chinese food, we can get lunch!" Kurt suggested.
Me and Mercedes nodded and we rode the escalator up to the second floor. We walked to the starbucks and ordered our drinks. Mercedes spoke up, "I'll have one Grande nonfat mocha, one Caffé Latte, aaaannnddd…" she paused to look at the menu, "one Iced Caramel Macchiato."
Me and Kurt both said in unison, "you know our coffee order?"
"Yes, of course!" Mercedes said. "We get coffee almost every time we're together!"
We grabbed our drinks and walked to a table. We all sat down and started talking. "Kurt, how are Blaine and you? I haven't really seen him lately." I said.
"Good, I was disappointed he couldn't come to the Glee party last night, he had a Warblers one to attend!" Kurt replied.
Mercedes joined in, "I plan on having another one soon, maybe late June?"
"Finns birthday is on the 29th! What if we had a surprise birthday party for him!" I smiled.
"Where would it be?" Kurt asked.
"Probably at my house," I assumed. "But my dads…..."
"We need to get them out of the picture. Parties aren't fun if there are parents involved." Mercedes added.
"Hopefully they'll leave town for business. They do often, and besides, we should have it a few days before so it's not obvious we're throwing him a birthday party!" I pointed out.
"Make sure to ask if they have any upcoming business trips, but dont make it obvious you want them out of the house." Kurt said.
I looked at my clock, "6:00?," I got up. "My dads are going to be home in an hour, and I still need to get ready and make dinner for them."
"Are you taking off?" Kurt asked me.
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks so much!" I jumped up and hugged both of them. "I think the surprise party is such a great idea! I'll keep you guys posted, and we'll probably see each other soon anyways."
"Have fun on your date tonight small fry," Mercedes smiled.
I waved goodbye and rode the escalator down and walked out toward the car. I got in, turned the radio on, and sang the whole way home.
I walked in and turned on the Funny girl soundtrack—on full blast. I opened my little cookbook that had all the recipes I love. I turned to the recipe labled 'Barley Risotto with Fava Beans, Corn and Mushrooms.
"Mmm, sounds good," I said to myself as I started boiling a package of beans.
30 minutes later, just as I was setting the table, my Dads walked in the door.
"Daddy!" I directed to both of them, running and hugging my parents like a young child.
"Dinner? Your great, Rachel!" My father smiled ear-to-ear.
"You guys came just in time!" I pulled back, "Come in! Unfortunatelt I wont be eating tonights meal I made, have to save my appetite. Tonight Finn's taking me out to dinner!"
"Where to?" asked my Dad, sitting down and drinking from a glass of wine he poured himself.
"Breadsticks," I said, spinning around in the mirror. "Like my dress I bought?"
"Stunning!" he said. "You have fun tonight."
I smiled and walked out to the front door.
I went to my porch swing to wait for Finn. His familiar jeep drove and parked in my driveway. Instead of me going to him, he came to me. He walked over to me and smiled. "You look gorgeous, babe." He kissed me lightly and took my hand in his. We walked over to his car and got in.
"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" I asked casually.
"Tomorrow's the first day of football camp, and afterwards, I don't think I have any plans."
"How long will it be?"
"From about 2 to 6….a really long time. I'll be dead after practice."
I smiled. Enough time for me to plan the perfect surprise birthday party for him.
We walked in. "Table for two please." I said to the hostess.
We followed her to the back, where she gave us a little table to sit at.
"Someone will be here for drinks in a minute." She said.
I turned my head and noticed Jessie, standing with a notepad in his hand, a few tables in front of us.
"Hey look! Jessie! Finn I'll be right back…" I said standing up and catching him before he left.
"Jessie!" I said hugging him. "Havent seen you in a long time!"
"Rachel! You look great!" he looked over my shoulder and saw finn sitting alone at our table. I noticed his smile faded a little.
"I didn't know you worked here!" I said, changing the subject fast.
"Its just a summer job." He said.
"I need one of those," I laughed.
"Hey I need to hit table 12 and then I'll get yours," he said nicely.
"Alright," I said turning around and walking back to Finn.
"Hey! Sorry about that. I had to say hi." I leaned over to him and kissed him and sat down.
"It's cool!" he said. "Where were we?"
Just then Jessie interrupted us, "What would you like to drink?"
"I'll have a water." Finn said. "How about you, babe?
"I'll have a sweet tea," I said, setting the menu down.
"Okay I'll be back in a minute with your drinks." Jessie said and left.
"He hates me." Finn said, when Jessie wasn't in hearing distance.
"That's not true!" I said, reaching across the table and taking his hand.
"I feel like he's trying to win you back. Even though were dating." Finn said squeezing my hand.
"I wont let him. Never in my life." I said, giving Finn a warm smile.
"Here are your drinks," Jessie said. Setting our drinks on the table.
Finn took a big gulp of his water and then nearly spit it all over me. "What the hell?" he said, gagging.
"What's wrong?" I said, taking the glass and drinking from it.
I blinked and swallowed it down, wincing. "Eww….why'd he give you carbonated water?"
"He thinks he's funny." Finn said standing up. I got up and quickly sat him down.
"Finn, don't. It was probably a mistake!" I said. "We'll get you normal glass of water next time he comes."
"I don't really want to eat here anymore…" Finn said.
"That's fine. We'll get some fast food or something." I said getting up. I was kinda mad that Jessie did that too…and I didn't want him ruining our night.
We walked out to his car and got in. "Where to?" I asked him.
"where do you want to eat?" he asked me.
"I have an idea!" I said, smiling. "How about we make a picnic dinner and eat at the park near my house?"
"Sounds great!" He said, starting the car and driving away.
I pulled the car keys out of my purse and warned Finn once again.
"Remember," I whispered. No talking. My dads are upstairs and they think were still out.
"Okay." Finn said under his breath.
I quietly opened to door and tip-toed in. Phoebe ran to greet me and I scooped her up to hush her. We walked into my kitchen and got out a picnic basket and started filling it with food.
I made two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and put fruits and veggies in the basket. We left out the front door and left for the park up the street.
We got to the park and set up a little area in the grass. The moon was shining bright and there was a warm breeze. I took out the blanket and laid it out in front of us. We ate our dinner and lay under the stars.
"look, over there!" I pointed to a constellation over the lake. "It looks just like a music note."
"Look at that one, to the right." He pointed to constellation to the side of a house.
I giggled. "It kinda looks like a slushie!"
"That's what I was thinking…" he searched the sky for more. "See that?" He pointed to a huge, bright star right above us.
"The really bright one?" I asked.
"Its…..you." he said, his gaze fixed on it.
I paused, "It….doesn't look anything like me."
"It's the biggest and brightest star in the sky..." He turned to look at me. "It's a metaphor, for you." He leaned in and kissed me. My heart stopped.
I pulled back and got close to him. our body's were close and I could feel his heart beating.
I sat up and took his hands in mine and started singing:
I must be crazy now
Maybe I dream too much
But when I think of you,
I long to feel your touch
To whisper in your ear
Words that are old as time
Words only you would hear
If only you were mine!
Wish I could go back to the very first day I saw you
Should've made my move
When you looked in my eyes
'Cause by now I know that you'd feel the way that I do
And I'd whisper these words as you'd lie down by my side
I love you
Please say you love me to!
Finn leaned in close, his hands in my hair. He sang:
These three words
They could change our lives forever
And I promise you, that we will always be together.
Till the end of time…
We finished singing and looked at each other for a moment longer than usual. I wrapped my arms around him and whispered, "I love you," in his ear.