It was Thanksgiving and the only reason Rachel and Finn were allowed to spend it together was because the Hummel-Hudson household had invited the Berrys' three over for Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel and Finn hadn't spent any time alone together since the disastrously ending Rachel Berry House Party Train Wreck Extravaganza Part Deux.
Even though it killed Rachel not to be able to spend any time with Finn outside of school and glee for almost an entire month, she understood her parents' anger. If she ever came home early from what had been a horrendous mini-vacation to discover her daughter naked in bed with her boyfriend, she probably would not be too happy either. It did not help both that her basement was full of passed out teenagers and her fathers' bed had an equally naked and passed out Puck and Lauren in it. Rachel could have strangled Puck for disobeying her direct order not to have sex anywhere in her house. It was especially awful that it had been in her dads' room.
She was also completely mortified when her dad ripped Finn out of bed while he was still asleep and began tearing him a new one as he stood there in her room buck naked. Covering herself with her blanket as best she could, Rachel tried to pry her dad off Finn and tried to explain it was not what it looked like. Her attempt did not work and she and Finn were separated. As punishment, Rachel was to go straight home after school and no one was allowed over until further notice. After the incident, Rachel's dads paid much closer attention to her.
Rachel was so grateful that her fathers were allowing her to spend the day with Finn. True they wouldn't be alone, but at least it was time together. She missed him more than she ever thought possible. Phone calls and texts were just not cutting it anymore.
They stood outside the Hummel-Hudson house waiting patiently for someone to answer the door. Rachel was nervous. This was the first time her dads would really be spending quality time with Burt and Carole. They had met previously and seemed friendly enough with each other, but they had never really conversed before. She was also worried that her dad might comment on what happened at Halloween. Burt and Carole knew about it because her dad had made a point of telling them and promising them that if it ever happened again Finn would be coming home missing a certain body part, but she didn't exactly want to relive that horror.
Finally the door opened. "Rachel! Leroy, Hiram, welcome! Come on in," Carole greeted cheerily as she waved them into the house.
"Hello Mrs. Hummel. Happy Thanksgiving!" Rachel replied.
"Don't Mrs. Hummel me. How many times have I told you to call me Carole? What do you have there?" Carole said as she took what Rachel had been carrying.
"I made pumpkin and apple pie. I asked Finn if there was anything I could bring and he suggested dessert. He loves my baked goods." Rachel smiled as she unbuttoned her coat and hung it on the rack. Leroy and Hiram followed suit.
Carole laughed. "Yes, I've heard. He's been raving about your banana bread for over a year. I'm glad to finally get to try some of your baking for myself. The kid never leaves me any to try!"
The four of them walked into the living room. Burt and Finn were watching a football game and yelling at the television.
"This can't be happening! How the hell is Detroit killing Green Bay right now? Did the team sell their souls or something?" Burt said exasperatedly. He finally noticed the newcomers. "Oh, hello," he said as he stood up to greet Leroy and Hiram with a handshake. "It's nice to see you again."
For some reason the room was filled with a very awkward tension. "Please, sit," Finn said as he stood up from the couch and motioned for Leroy and Hiram to sit. He walked over to Rachel and gave her a quick peck as a greeting. It felt really awkward to kiss her in front of their parents after what happened.
"Well, I'm going to go put these in the kitchen," Carole said as she made to exit the living room. "Finn, you wanna tell Kurt to come downstairs?"
"Yeah, I'll get him." Finn grabbed Rachel's hand and pulled her along with him. As he did so he couldn't help notice Leroy glaring at him. Ever since Leroy found Rachel and him naked in her bed, Finn felt like he had been placed on a hit list. Finn feared the day that he and Leroy ended up in a room alone together. He only hoped there would be a body left for his parents to bury.
As Rachel and Finn made it to the second floor, Rachel spoke. "Is it just me or was that the most awkward moment ever?"
"So it's not just me. Rach, I think your dad wants to kill me."
"He doesn't want to kill you. He just wants to castrate you if you ever touch me again," Rachel said simply. Her words did nothing to comfort Finn.
"Oh, that's all?" he said sarcastically. "I'd really like to keep my…business. We'll need it when we're ready to have kids." Finn turned away from Rachel but still held her hand as they made their way toward Kurt's room. Rachel smiled at his words. It never failed to make her a little warm under the collar when Finn mentioned children. There was something innately hot about him talking about being the father of her children.
They reached Kurt's door and Finn knocked loudly. "Come in!" they heard from inside the room. Finn opened the door and walked in, Rachel following.
"Dinner's almost ready. Mom wants you to come downstairs," Finn said simply.
Kurt looked up from his Vogue and noticed Rachel standing next to his brother. "Oh, hello Rachel. I didn't realize you were here. Has your dad tried to chop Finn's balls off yet?"
"Not yet, but it's still early." Rachel and Kurt laughed. Finn didn't find any humor in it at all.
The trio made their way back downstairs and upon entering the living room, they felt that the awkward tension had melted away. Rachel's dads seemed to be getting along with Burt quite well. Rachel even noticed her daddy yelling at the TV as Detroit scored another touchdown. He didn't even like football.
Finn moved to join them but before he could Rachel tugged his arm to gain his attention. "I'm going to see if your mom needs any help in the kitchen. Enjoy your game! Go Tampa Bay!" Rachel exclaimed, pumping her fist a little.
"Um, Rach, it's Green Bay," Finn said, chuckling slightly at Rachel's mistake.
"Whatever, just go enjoy your game," she said as she gently shoved Finn in the direction of the couch. She found her way into the kitchen and immediately asked Carole what she could do to help.
"Honestly sweetie, there's not much else to be done. Maybe you could just help me carry the dishes out to the table?" she suggested. Rachel shook her head and grabbed the mashed potatoes.
"You have enough food here for an army!" Rachel said as she followed Carole into the dining room. The table was set with the nicest china Carole owned and her grandmother's finest silverware.
"Well, there are seven of us, but we have to add at least two to that because of Finn. I swear he had to have been born with two stomachs or something," Carole joked as she placed the sweet potatoes on the table. She did have a point though. Finn had a very healthy appetite. "Oh and sweetie, I made sure everything was vegan, well, Kurt made sure. Except the turkey of course. I did get a small tofurkey for you. I asked your father if you'd eat that and he said yes."
"Oh Carole, that was so thoughtful of you. You really didn't have to. I could have just had the sides," Rachel said, her heart warming at Carole's kindness.
"Nonsense! It's not Thanksgiving without turkey…or tofurkey." Carole smiled at Rachel. They heard all the men cheer loudly in the living room. "I'm guessing the Packers scored."
Just then Kurt entered the kitchen. "There is way too much testosterone in that room to handle right now. Rachel, I had no idea your dads were into football."
"They aren't really. I'm very surprised that they're as invested in the game as they are," Rachel explained as she grabbed the carrots and headed back into the dining room.
"So, do you know when your grounding will finally be over? I've been itching to have another diva sleepover," Kurt asked following Rachel back into the kitchen.
She gave him a warning expression. Rachel didn't want to discuss her grounding in front of Carole. It just brought up thoughts about why she was grounded. Kurt stared at her waiting for an answer. "I don't know, Kurt. You'll be second to know when it's over, after Finn of course."
"Do you plan on jumping Finn once it's over? You have been apart for almost a month."
"Kurt!" Rachel practically screamed. She glanced at Carole to gauge her reaction. She had definitely heard him. Then Carole surprised her.
"Rachel, it's okay. I know how serious you and Finn are. I'm not dumb and I was a teenager once. I know you two will want to…explore each other," Carole said to Rachel and Kurt's horror. Rachel couldn't believe this was happening; Kurt and his big mouth. Carole walked over to Rachel and placed her hand on her arm comfortingly. "I'm just begging you, please use protection. I've already thought Finn was going to be a teenage father once. We dodged a bullet with that one fortunately. I really do not want to go through it again."
Rachel tried speaking but found no words coming to her. Her throat was too dry to get them out anyway. She tried clearing her throat. "I…I, uh, trust me Carole, I want to be a teenage mother just about as much as Kurt wants to date a woman. I am by no means ready for that responsibility. I promise that when the time comes Finn and I will take every precaution possible, but we won't be engaging in intercourse anytime soon." This was the most awkward conversation Rachel had ever had.
Carole smiled and hugged Rachel tightly. "I like you, Rachel. I know you and Finn have had your problems in the past but I'm so glad you worked through them. You're good for him and I know you treat him right." Carole pulled away from Rachel and grabbed the final dish that needed to be placed on the table.
Rachel beamed. Carole said she liked her and that she was good for Finn. She didn't think there was a greater compliment a mother could give her son's girlfriend. Rachel walked out into the dining room and watched Carole place the turkey on the table. The table looked amazing. The colors were so festive and all the food looked absolutely delicious.
Carole walked into the living room and announced that dinner was ready. They left the TV on to be able to hear if anything interesting happened. The game was nearly over and the Packers were still down by two touchdowns. Burt seriously hoped that they could turn it around and take the lead.
Everyone took their seats and before allowing anyone to grab food, Kurt made an announcement. He stood up. "Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'd like to thank Rachel and Mr. and Mr. Berry for agreeing to join us despite the Halloween incident." Rachel glanced at her fathers quickly and bit her lip.
Why does Kurt keep bringing that up? Rachel thought, annoyed.
"Anyway, I thought before we eat we could go around the table and say something we're thankful for. I'll start. I'm thankful that I was able to find some amazing deals on designer labels online this season and for my boyfriend Blaine, who sadly could not join us this evening and, of course, for my family and friends." Kurt finished, raised his glass to everyone then sat back down.
Burt was next. He stood up. "Like my son, I'm thankful for my family and for not having a heart attack this year." Everyone at the table clapped as Burt bowed a little before sitting down.
"I'm thankful for having a wonderful husband and two wonderful sons. I'm also thankful that both my sons have wonderful significant others in their lives," Carole said smiling at Burt, Kurt, Finn and Rachel. Finn looked at Rachel and smiled. He grabbed her hand and squeezed.
It was Leroy's turn. "I'm so thankful for Hiram and Rachel. You two mean the world to me." Hiram looked at his daughter and partner and expressed a similar thankfulness.
The table looked at Rachel. She had so much to be thankful for this year. Glee club had made it to Nationals, she had written an original song that helped them get there, she met Patti freaking LuPone, she had true friends now, she had a loving family, and she had Finn. Rachel decided to keep it simple though. "I'm thankful for everyone at this table. You all mean so much to me." She looked at Finn and he gave her his lopsided grin.
Finn surprisingly was the one to make the long speech. "When this year started out, I didn't think it was going to be all that special. I wasn't exactly in a good place then." He looked at Rachel and she couldn't help but feel guilty. "I didn't exactly make the best choices either, but somehow through all the drama and bad decisions, everything got better than it had been before. The football team won the conference championship, glee made it to Nationals, I got to go to New York City, I took part in the Kiss of the Century and I got the girl." Finn looked at Rachel happily. "So I'm thankful for all that and for all of you." Finn glanced around the table and smiled at everyone.
"Okay, so that's everyone. Let's eat!" Burt said quickly. He pulled the turkey towards him and began carving it. Everyone else dug into the side dishes and the conversation turned to the game.
As they all chewed their food and held various conversations, Rachel just looked around at everyone at the table. This was her family now. She couldn't imagine her life without a single one of them in it and she knew that every Thanksgiving after this one would be just the same. Just her family, all thankful for each other.