"Love is the life of our heart. According to it, we desire, rejoice, hope and despair, fear, take heart, hate, avoid things, feel sad, grow angry, and exult." - Unknown

I can remember the sound of Aden's laugh echoing through the park. It was autumn and he was just old enough that he could run around the play area, hands digging into the sand and feet stomping against the wood chips. He had set his mind on looping his way across the monkey bars; his hands grasping at the metal rungs as his body swung. Finn stood at his side, a rare occasion lately, an expression of worry and amusement on his face.

Aden let out this loud squeal as his hands started to slip, his legs flailing as his body rocked back and forth trying to propel him forward. Seconds later, Finn wrapped his arms around him and carefully placed him on the ground. There was something in the way Aden looked up at his father that day that was different. His gaze still held the adoration and love of a child, but there was something more there; something deeper.

The next morning a suitcase had been sitting by the stairs again. There were mumbled words of apology and a promise of returning soon. I understood, or at least tried to understand, since I knew how much Finn loved his job and how important the traveling was to it. But Aden seemed crushed as he hugged his father goodbye; tears dripping from his eyes onto his father's coat. I don't think Finn will ever realize how much that day, that very moment, broke us; all of us.

#

"Baby," I hear a whisper of a sound in my ear. "Rach, you need to wake up."

My eyes squint open, wincing at the brightness that is streaming through the windows. A gentle groan escapes my lips as I look at the phone that is being held in front of my face. I grab the device, rolling over and looking at the clock as I let out a grunt. I hear Noah fall back against the bed and burrow his face in his pillow.

"Do you know what time it is?" I whisper hopping out of bed and yanking the curtain closed. A few seconds later, I'm crawling back into bed. I yank the sheet up over me, to stave off the chill of the room and to cover my body. I wait a second for my eyes to adjust to the darkness before looking at the display on my phone.

"It's seven am," Finn rumbles, "Do you know who answered your phone?" I can hear the distaste in his voice which I'm a bit confused by. You would have thought that he would be happy that Noah and I had worked things out, instead he seems angry.

"Yes, Finn," I mumble as I hear a soft snore escape Noah's lips, "I know who answered my phone." He mutters a curse under his breath and I can hear him whispering to someone in the background. He takes a deep breath and in that moment I can hear the sound of people around him.

"Sorry, spilt some coffee on my hand." He sounds sheepish and a bit tired. "I was calling to see how you were doing," Finn speaks softly, "I was hoping we could get together and talk. There's a mocha in it for you."

I listen to the soft sounds of Noah's snoring. I know, without a doubt, that if he were awake he would be against this. The thing is, and I'm not sure why, but I find that I can't say no. "The park on 5th in like twenty minutes?" I question as I force my aching body out of bed.

"Sounds great," he chirps. I click my phone shut and reach into my bag, putting on the first items I touch. I don't have time to do much in the makeup and hair department, so I throw my hair up into a ponytail and grab one of the complimentary note pads off the desk.

Went for coffee, be back soon.
XOXO
Rach

The park is close enough that I can walk. I stroll down the street, digging my hands into my coat pockets as I look at the changing trees around me.

#

"Mama look," Aden screams as he dives into a freshly raked pile of leaves. Giggles escape his lips as he burrows his body under the pile, a moment later his head pops out and he makes a growling noise. "Grr, I'm monster."

I let lose a fake scream, holding my hand to my chest as his laughter bursts through the air. "You're so scary," I squeal as I back away from the pile teasingly. He looks up at me mischievously, brushing the leaves from his body as he steps forward. With each step that he takes towards me, I move back one. I'm biting my lip trying to stop myself from smiling when I feel the leaves tumble over my head.

I jump in surprise, whipping around to find Finn with his hand on his stomach and laughter escaping his lips. "Daddy got you," Aden teases as he runs towards us and throws himself into my arms. He leans up and places a sloppy kiss on my cheek; I can feel the slobber he has left behind. "You funny."

I reach my hand up and ruffle Aden's hair, making the ends stick up a bit. His cheeks are flushed from the chill in the air and from the exertion of running through the yard. I'm just contemplating taking him inside when I feel Finn's arms wrap around me. He rests his chin against the top of my head as his fingers tickle Aden's sides. "I got you, Rach." He whispers in my ear. I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as a small gasp escapes my lips.

Aden wiggles down from my arms and he runs around the yard in circles. He stops at the steps leading up to the porch and sits down next to his pumpkin. The thing is almost as big as he is and he leans his head against it sighing.

"Time for a nap," I call out. I pull away from Finn, sending him a small smile over my shoulder. I pick up Aden and carry him inside, ignoring his protests that he isn't tired. I'm laying him in bed when he lets out a loud laugh and reaches his hand up into my hair pulling back a small leaf.

"Night Mama," he whispers as he grabs his stuffed Woody doll and snuggles up with it. "Love you."

#

I can smell the coffee before I even see him. Finn holds the cup in front of me a huge smile on his face as I reach out and pull it to me, taking a huge gulp. "It's freezing out today." I mutter. I hold the paper cup between my two hands letting the heat seep through.

Finn plops down on the bench next to me, his leg brushing against mine as he settles into a comfortable spot. "Sorry about the early call this morning," his voice sounds sincere and when I turn my head to look at him I can see that he is. "If I would have known," his voice stops and he shakes his head. "So you two made up last night?"

He angles his body so that he doesn't have to keep turning to look at me. It's then that I notice the bruises lining his cheek and jaw. My hand reaches up, trembling, to brush against the sensitive skin. "I'm so sorry about this," I whisper. He winces a bit against my touch and I drop my hand down, my fist clenching a bit.

I can see him grit his teeth, the skin of his jaw going taught for a moment. He nods his head and brings his drink up, taking a small sip. "It wasn't your fault."

We sit for a few minutes in silence. I watch a few kids as they mess around on one of the playsets the sounds of their joy reaching our ears. "He's sorry, too, you know?" I tell him. He looks at me for a moment his eyes sad.

"I'm not so sure about that." He replies. I'm not sure that anything I can say or do can repair the damage that has been done to their friendship. So instead of responding, I stay quiet. "I wanted to see how you were doing this morning." Finn mumbles. "I was worried about you last night."

"I had a hard time sleeping," I admit with a shrug of my shoulders. "It's hard to sleep in a bed alone when you are so used to someone lying next to you." He doesn't say anything, just nods his head. I hear his phone buzz in his pocket, but he ignores it.

"How can you forgive him so easily?" the words suddenly burst from his lips. A few parents that are sitting on other benches turn to look at us warily for a moment before their eyes stray back to their children. "I slept with Santana before we got together and that was unforgivable and yet you forgive him for this. I just don't get it."

"I didn't break up with you over Santana," I argue. His brow raises and I can see the disbelief on his face. "There were times when we were together where I felt like you weren't even there with me. I would be sitting and talking to you and I could tell that you weren't listening to me, Finn. You were so insecure, always worried about what other people thought of our relationship. Half the time I thought you were ashamed of me."

"That's bullshit, Rachel." He turns his body so that he is facing me head on. He has a small frown on his face and one of his hands reach up to tug at the ends of his hair. "From the minute you found out about Santana and I you were done with the relationship; it was like I didn't meet up with this perfect fantasy that you had of me in your mind."

"You didn't even tell me about her until after you had slept with me." I find myself shaking my head in incredulity. "Where is this coming from?" I ask confused. "I don't understand why we are arguing about this now."

"Of course you don't," Finn mutters dejectedly. He tilts his coffee cup, draining the contents, before throwing it into the trashcan next to him. His head shakes softly and I'm surprised by the sadness on his face. "You're so blinded by Puck that you can't even see what's right in front of you."

"All I see right now," I reply tightly, "is a friend who isn't acting like a very good friend."

He stands up from his seat, his hands digging into his pockets. "You know what, Rachel," the volume of his voice rises a bit as he continues to talk; "you want to talk about someone not being a good friend, let's talk. Where should we start? How about with all the bruises I have on my face because your boyfriend doesn't trust you."

"That's enough, Finn." I rise from the bench to stand in front of him. "You need to stop before you say something you are going to regret."

He shakes his head and turns to start walking away from me. "The only thing I regret is not fighting for you harder when I had a chance." I sit on the bench and watch him walk away, the sound of children around me drowning out my thoughts.

#

Finn sits with a bowl of mashed peas in front of him. He's holding up the spoon to Aden who is refusing to open his mouth. He makes a vroom noise and mutters something about opening up for the plane. Aden whacks the spoon out of his hand, the peas flying everywhere.

I get a washrag and grab a clump out of Finn's hair, holding my tongue between my teeth so that I don't let my laughter escape. He looks up at me and I can tell by the look in his eyes that he knows what I am thinking. He cocks his eyebrow at me in annoyance and I let the giggles escape my lips.

"I'm sorry, hon." I reply as I wipe the rag against his shirt, "You should have seen the look on your face."

He picks up another scoop of the mush, holding it up to his mouth mimicking the act of eating. He holds the spoon up to an open mouthed Aden. Aden lets the goop sit in his mouth for a moment before he spits it out all over Finn's face and my arm. Finn licks his lips, a look of disgust crossing his face.

"This tastes nasty, Rachel. No wonder he won't eat it." He grabs the rag and wipes his face off and I watch him reach across the table and grab a banana, mashing it up as he feeds it to Aden.

"You're spoiling him," I groan as I watch my son inhale each spoonful Finn gives him. "He needs to learn to eat his fruits and his vegetables. Not just one."

"And you wonder why he said Dada first," Finn teases. "I'm the cool parent." He sticks his tongue out at me jokingly and I find myself whacking him on the side of the head with the rag.

"Well since you're the cool parent you can change his diaper because with all the fruit he's eating, he's going to blow-out."

#

I've been gone almost an hour when I finally make it back to the hotel. Noah is sitting up in bed, one arm resting behind his head the other flicking the channels on the remote. I let out a small groan when I see that he hasn't gotten dressed yet and fling myself into the empty spot next to him.

"No coffee for me?" he pouts as he leans over and places a small kiss on my lips. "Mmm you taste like mocha." He deepens the kiss, his tongue snaking against mine for a moment before he pulls back. I lean my head over to rest on his bare chest, sighing in content as I listen to the sound of his heart beating.

"I'm so tired," I groan letting my eyes close.

"Speaking of," Noah questions and I hear the TV click off, "want to explain why Finn was calling at seven am this morning. That's a bit early by anyone's standards, even yours."

"He just wanted to check on me, see how I was doing." I reply defensively. Noah's chest vibrates as I hear him hum softly. "You know you should have apologized to him when you talked to him today. I'm sure that you left quite a few bruises on his face from your outburst yesterday."

My head gets pushed off his chest and I hear the scoff before I feel the bed shift. Noah hops out of bed and pulls his boxers on, his forehead furrowing as he looks at me. "How do you know I didn't apologize to him unless you talked about me? You weren't on the phone for very long for you guys to get that in depth."

"Seriously," I groan, throwing my head back onto my pillow. "You fell asleep while I was on the phone, if you recall. I'm not going to keep doing this, Noah. I'm not going to keep defending my actions to you. I love you, I picked you. This bickering and fighting has to stop."

"It shouldn't have to feel like it's a competition," Noah mutters, "but it does."

I scoot to the edge of the bed, my hands wrapping around his waist as I let my cheek rest against his bare skin. "There is no competition." I promise as I place a small kiss above his belly button. "You need to trust me."

His hands tangle in my hair and he tugs me up as he bends down, his lips brushing against mine. "I'm sorry," he replies instantly, "It was a trigger reaction to get defensive. I don't want us to fight and I do trust you." His lips brush against mine again and I feel my body move backwards, pressing against the mattress. I let out a small groan as he arches against me, ignoring the feeling of guilt that is building up inside of me.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to review the last chapter, whether it was to beg for spoilers, share your thoughts, or send me a prompt... I loved it!

I've picked a few of my favorite prompts from those you guys submitted and have been working away on them. I've posted a small look at a few of the things I am working on over on the LJ (including a few prompts and a new story)... so head over and check 'em out and let me know what you think!

N