AU: Sorry for the time jumps of the months I hope it's not annoying everyone! A lot is happening in this chapter, a lot of good things! :)

Chapter 21: Remember December

Summer and Fall came and gone. In August, the family went to Disneyland for Lauren's very first time. They all agreed that it's the happiest place to be. In September, they went apple and pumpkin picking. They did a lot of fun outdoor activities. Winter came along. This time of year has always been Rachel's favorite season. She had her birthday coming up, Christmas, and Hanukkah. Even if she's Jewish, she loves celebrating both. This year she had a special reason too.

There's so much to look forward too but December started out rough for Rachel. She had the worst severe cramps. She felt it wasn't normal and told Finn. They rushed to the hospital on the first week of the month. Rachel told the doctors that she miscarried before. The doctors checked everything. They told them that the baby is perfectly fine, though she would want Rachel to be less stress, and on bed rest.

She was on bed rest for two weeks. She loved the support, especially from her overly-protective supportive Finn. He made sure she didn't get on her feet and that everything was given to her. If Lauren needed her, Finn took care of it.

She couldn't wait for the two weeks to be over. By Friday, she knew she could be on her feet. She slowly came down the stairs holding the railings.

"Hey hon." Finn greets Rachel. "Feels good?"

"You can say that." Rachel responds. She carefully tries to sit down on the kitchen counter. "I'm still fat."

"You're not fat." Finn says. "You're drop dead gorgeous."

"You're just saying that because you're my boyfriend." Rachel rolled her eyes. "I don't know how you still want to be with someone this fat." She says staring at her stomach.

Finn sighs. Mood swings. Hormones. He wanted them to be all over. "You need to stop Rachel. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I'm saying this for the last time that you are not fat." He reminds her. He walks over to her and places his hand on her stomach. "Why are you giving mommy hard time?" He asked in a baby voice which made Rachel laugh.

Lauren made her very long Christmas list, gave each to her dads, and Rachel. Rachel gave a folded list to Finn of what she wanted for her birthday. She once told him that he didn't have to get her anything for Christmas. "You really don't want anything for Christmas?" Finn asked since he was doing some shopping.

"No. All I want for Christmas is you, our daughter, and our new baby." Rachel smiles kissing Finn.

She grabs the list from Finn. "This is all she wants?" Rachel asked.

"Yes." Finn laughs. "She expects all of us to get her one thing from the list."

"Well, the number one on her list is a Build-a-Bear. Maybe we can get her that?" She asked leaning over Finn's shoulder.

"I think the last one is more important." Finn says skimming th rough the list of gifts. "A puppy."

"Why would she put that last?"

"She thinks it's the best way to get what she really wants."

"Oh, she's good." Rachel said. The two of them continue to look.

On the list was a Build-a-Bear, a tree-house, a swimming pool, a new bike with no t raining wheels, more make-up, and a puppy. "I think a puppy would be a really cute one to wrap in a box. Don't you think?" Rachel asked pouting. Finn thought about it. He always thought about how Sam wanted one and how Puck wanted a bull dog.

He was never fond of puppies. He didn't want to take care of them or clean up after them. "I'll think about it." Finn responds sweetly. They're interrupted by Lauren who calls out for Rachel. "Mommy! I need you!" She said shouting from upstairs. Rachel kisses Finn once more and heads up the stairs. Finn puts down Lauren's list and looks at Rachel's.

She had one thing written down.

A promise ring that will let me know I'll spend the rest of my life with my wonderful boyfriend.

And she will. Finn quickly ran out of the house to do his shopping. He too, wanted to spend the rest of his life with his wonderful girlfriend.

Never leaving.

December 18th, 2018 came. Finn and the guys were throwing a twenty-fourth birthday surprise for Rachel at a fancy restaurant nearby their home. Quinn and Mercedes were Rachel's biggest help by keeping her company. Puck paid Lauren ten dollars to keep quiet about the surprise party and never to mention it in front of Rachel. Finn invited everyone from their high school, Kurt, and Blaine, and even Lauren's grandparents.

It was a small place with food, music, and slow dancing. They got Rachel a cake and everyone bought in their presents. Finn texted the girls that it was time for the party. Rachel kept questioning why she had to wear a red dress with make up on. She hated getting dressed up when she's pregnant. Nothing ever looked good. "Why am I wearing this? I'll break the dress." Rachel sighed.

"Oh, stop! You look beautiful! Now let's go." Mercedes said. They drove her to the restaurant. The girls were avoiding Rachel's complains all the way there. She relaxed and finally took a deep breath after seeing the place.

La Bells' an Italian family restaurant. "What? Why are we here?"

"Why do you always ask so many questions, Rachel?" Quinn asked annoyed.

"Get out of the car, hold our hands, and close your eyes." Mercedes told her. Rachel shook it off and did what she was told. When they finally got to inside, everyone screamed "Surprise!" Rachel placed her hand on her heart. "Oh my gosh! No you didn't!' She said playfully hitting Finn. Lauren came running to her. "Happy Birthday, mommy! I love you!" She said hugging her.

"Happy Birthday, my beautiful Rachel." Finn said kissing her in front of many people. Rachel looked around to see familiar faces from Artie to Sugar. She caught up with them, took pictures, and sort of danced her night away. "I still get to keep my ten dollars right?" Lauren asked Puck.

"Yes, Munchkin!" Puck responds carrying her.

"Did you really pay her?" Rachel asked.

"You bet I did."

"And you bet I will buy Ice cream with it!" Lauren giggles.

"And I bet you'll treat us." Puck tickles her little stomach which made Lauren laugh even more. Finn smiles at his family enjoying themselves.

He wanted everyone's attention. He talked to everyone from his parents to Rachel's dads, to Kurt, and to his close friends. He has all their support. "I've always loved Rachel. I've never stopped loving her. She's my pride and my joy. She means the world to me. I know we had our ups and downs but everything changes for the better. I love her, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Rachel watches Finn grab a black shiny box from his pocket. "Today's a special day. It's your birthday and I want to give you what you want." He says bending down on his knees. "Rachel Berry? A very happy birthday to you..And I wish you many more years to come. There's also one more thing. "He clears his throat and tries to hold back his tears. "Will you marry me?" The room was filled with tears. She looks at her fathers who cried along with everyone. This was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to make sure that she'll spend all her life with Finn and Lauren. That she was happy and in love. "Yes. I will marry you!" He placed a beautiful silver huge diamond ring on her finger. They kissed each other long and passionate, not caring that the whole world was seeing. Their family and friends clap and stood up for their new beginning of life.

Not only is December 18th, Rachel's birthday but it's also her and Finn's anniversary.

December 25th, 2018. Christmas morning. Finn and Rachel have been engaged for over a week. They were already talking about their wedding but decided to put that aside now that it's Christmas morning. This was the first Christmas that Lauren wouldn't be spending with all her three fathers. At first, she felt sad but her dads told her Santa wouldn't want her to be sad.

Sam and Mercedes wanted to spend the holiday in Florida where Mercedes's parents are. Quinn and Puck wanted to spend Christmas in Arizona with Puck's family. It was the grandparents, Kurt, and Blaine who would be in the household celebrating. Lauren came running into their room screaming that Santa came! There were presents on top of presents.

"Hi Uncle Kurt! Hi Uncle Blaine!" Lauren greets them. "Hi Grandma! H Grandpa! Hi grandpas!" She greets her grandparents. They all greet her with love. They gathered around the fireplace, roasting marshmallows, and singing Christmas carols. Since Lauren was impatient, Finn announced to open presents. Everyone opened their gifts. Rachel opened her's from Finn. He got her a perfume set of her favorite scent. Inside the other bag, was her favorite wine. She hugs Finn and wraps her arms around him. Rachel gave Finn the bag for her gift. He slowly opened it and a t-shirt that said World's Number 1 Greatest Dad and a new coffee maker. He smiled at how cute it was. It's the little things that matter. "Thank you so much." They said, kissing each other.

Lauren jumped up and down knowing it was her turn to open gifts from her parents. Finn excused himself to go upstairs to get her gift. SHE kept staring at the box wrapped with gold glitter and some poked holes on it.

"Go ahead, sweetie-pie. Open your gift." Rachel tells her, waiting for the moment to see the huge beautiful smile on her face. Lauren opens it quick and fast. It's something she always wanted. "A puppy! A puppy! A puppy!" She screamed hugging the puppy. "Thank you, mommy and daddy! I love you so much!" Finn and Rachel hug their daughter while petting the pet.

"You know it's a boy." Finn tells Lauren. "You want to name him?"

"Yes, yes I do!" She squeals.

"Give it a name, sweetie." She looks at Rachel and nods. "Luke! Luke the puppy!'

"It's a golden retriever, silly goose." Kurt says smiling. Lauren smiles. "Come here, Luke! Merry Christmas. I love you." She said giving her a kiss on the nose. "My nose is wet!" She says wiping her nose. All the adults laugh. Carole suggested a family photo with big Christmas smiles.

For them, they'd call it a very Merry Christmas indeed.

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