Chapter 9: Victory Night

The big night has finally arrived. Nationals are here. What the New Directions like to call it is, victory night. They have such confident that they would win this. The guys dressed up in a suit and Lauren wore a white sun-dress. The weather was perfect in New York.

Finn was with his family pacing back and forth. The kids were looking out for Lauren. "Do you think I did the right thing? Inviting Rachel?" Finn asked.

"I don't know, man. Last night was a big step." Sam sighs. "Do you know if she's coming? I actually do miss Rachel."

"She said we couldn't do this. She said she has to go and ran." Finn took a deep breath.

"Who knows? No matter what, you have us for support." Puck says smiling. He hugs Finn. Suddenly his New Directions came in the room with Lauren.

Lauren was feeling much better than last night.. She stopped throwing up but had the cough. She hated being sick. "Daddy! I'm all better for your show!" She says, hopping on Finn's lap to sit.

Finn wrapped his arms around her. "I'm happy you're better, princess." He says giving her a kiss.

"But I have a cough." She says coughing and covering her mouth. The guys and the students smile. "Puck Daddy? Do you have any more candy?" Lauren asked Puck who smiled. The candy did help Lauren to take her medicine. It also got her wanting more as a treat. "Later, munchkin." Lauren pouted.

"Put that lip back." Puck said. Lauren glared at her father and buries her head on Finn's shoulder.

"Tonight is your night guys. Samantha? I know you'll kill that number. I know the group numbers will be fantastic. You're going to take home the victory." Finn says with pride. All twelve students smiled.

Time was passing by fast. All the New Directions wanted to do was perform on St. Charles stage, a stage they've never stepped foot on.

Sam went out to the deli nearby to get some coffee and snacks. He was excited. He's always excited for New Directions competitions. He was hoping they would win since this is a very important event. As he waited in line, he heard a familiar voice ordering her coffee with no sugar or milk. "No milk and no coffee?" She said, making sure.

"That's right." The guy said back. She smiles and thanks him. She turned around and bumped into Sam, without realizing who he was. "I'm sorry." She apologized innocently.

Sam stood there in shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. "Rachel? Rachel Berry?"

Rachel turned her head away. "It is Rachel, isn't it?" He asked, feeling dumb. "I haven't seen you in so long! How are you?" He asked. He isn't sure about reaching for a hug.

Rachel lets out a small smile. "I'm okay..I got to go. I'm in a rush.." She says gently pushing out of Sam's way.

"Wait-Rachel! I'm sorry!" Sam yelled. He then took a deep breath after remembering how worried Finn has been. "Come tonight! It would mean the world to Finn!" He said yelling out the door.

Rachel stood in front of the deli. She began crying, her body full of nothing but emotions.

There were three groups. The Wonders from New York, LaGuardia High School, Star Blinds from Los Angeles, Peter John High School, and New Directions from Lima Ohio, McKinley High. The Wonders were the first to perform. They were good but Finn thought they weren't as good as his favorite twelve kids. Next were the New Directions. They danced to their routines as they opened up with The Way by Ariana Grande. It was like they just practice last night, but Finn found out that they didn't.

Next was Samantha as she sang her solo with a few backup singers. Her solo was Somewhere over the Rainbow by Judy Garland. Right after that was another group number. They sang and dance to Live While We're Young by One Direction. They audience applaud so loud that one of them yelled encore. No one has done that for The Wonders.

Finn looked outside the audience. He was surprised to see Rachel sitting far back, alone by herself. She looked so beautiful, as always. She was perfect. She never changed after all these years.

Star Blinds were next. Finn didn't pay attention to them since his mind was on winning and Rachel. The New Directions ran backstage with Finn who hugged each and every one of them. "That was amazing!" They all kept saying. "Now the waiting begins." Angela smiles.

"Don't worry. I know you'll be first place." Finn said. They did a group hug before all going back on stage.

Before they knew it, it was time to find out who won. The announcer held a microphone. Finn stood on stage with all of the them. Everyone held hands. "Third place, Star blinds from Peter John High school!" Everyone cheered for them, even if they were upset they didn't win. "Second place, The Wonders from New York!" The Wonders all jumped up and down hugging each other. "And last but not, the first place winner are the New Directions from William McKinley High! Congratulations! What a great show!" Finn was so happy he won the victory with his favorite students. They all hugged each other, cried, and held the trophy.

Puck and Sam allowed Lauren to run up stairs to hug her father. Finn carried her. "You did it, daddy! You did it!" Lauren says who is now in the arms of her Finn. "You guys are so good!" She says smiling. Finn continues to smile at everyone until he focused in the audience.

Rachel was still there, clapping, but Finn saw there was something wrong. She felt her heart sinking when she saw the little brunette girl ran on stage. He knew the minute she got up to rush out of the theater. Finn gave Lauren to Samantha so she can be carried. Samantha loved Lauren like a little sister. He ran to the aisle and out the door.

"You came." He said before Rachel could walk any farther.

Rachel turned her head back, wishing she wouldn't have this conversation. "Sam saw me. He reminded me earlier. You were good, Finn. Congratulations." She said with a half smile on her face.

"Thank you, I can't believe it happened. Second Nationals I won with the kids." Finn says with pride.

"You'd make Mr. Schu proud." Rachel said. Awkward silence occurred. Finn didn't want to leave Rachel. He didn't want to leave New York so soon without an explanation or catching up. "I leave New York tomorrow morning. Flight's at eleven. I really wish we could see each other ..." He waited for her to say something, anything.

"That girl who ran on stage to hug you-that's her isn't it?" Rachel asked, getting choked up. Finn felt teary eyed when Rachel changed the subject. A subject he thought she would never talk about. "Lauren Elizabeth Hudson. That's her, alright." Finn responds.

"She's beautiful. You're doing a good job, you know Finn? I mean, you're raising her, you're a teacher, you love what you're doing." Rachel paused but Finn interrupted before she spoke again.

"I don't understand, what are you saying?" Finn asked with all his concern.

"I need you to stop chasing me.."

"Why Rachel?"

"I can't tell." Rachel demands. "You need to go back there and celebrate." Finn thought about them. He thought about Lauren needing a mother. "Don't you want to meet her? She's your daughter!"

Rachel shook her head, slowly walking away. "No! I can't meet her! Not right now!" Finn sighed with frustrating. He saw Rachel twice in New York, he still hasn't found out why she left, and why she refuses to meet his little princess.

AU: I don't own any of the songs that I used for Nationals. It's owned by the Original singers! Rachel and Finn talked more! What do you think will happen next? Will he find out? Will Rachel meet Lauren?
Please more REVIEWS thank you!:)