Thank you guys for reading this. Here's another chapter. Hope you guys like it. Again, reviews are always great.
The next morning, Artie woke with a smile. He was finally back in his own bed and not sleeping on some cot inside a small tent for a change. However, Artie woke with a powerful hangover that drove him to sprinting into the bathroom.
"Totally worth it." Artie said as he sat on the ground with a smile.
After collecting himself, Artie stumbled out of his bathroom and got dressed. He wanted to walk through Lima again and see what changes have been made since he was home last. Artie went to a local diner for breakfast where he found Mr. Shuester sitting across from Emma Pillsbury. Mr. Shuester didn't recognize him at first, but after periodically looking over at Artie, he approached him.
"Artie? Is that you?" Mr. Shuester asked cheerfully as he put his hand on Artie's shoulder.
"Mr. Shue! It's great seeing you again." Artie said with a smile as he stood up to give his former Glee teacher a hug.
"It's great seeing you too! I've heard about your trip to Cairo, how was that?" Mr. Shuester said with a smile.
"Oh it was amazing. I found a trident and going back to Ohio State to show it to my old professor. How have you been?" Artie said as he offered him a seat.
"I'm great. You remember Miss Holliday, my substitute, right? Well, recently we became engaged. She wanted all of the Glee members to sing at our wedding like you all did for The Hummel's wedding." Mr. Shuester said. "But I have to go. Emma's our wedding planner and we have a lot to talk about. It's been great seeing you and I hope to see you at our wedding." He said as he hugged Artie and followed her out of the restaurant.
"Man, he wasn't changed a bit." Artie said with a laugh as he ate his breakfast.
After paying his check, he walked down the streets of downtown Lima. The warm summer morning felt great to Artie. He could hear kids yelling and playing on a playground near by and the sound of birds flying over head. Artie was finally home and he was hoping he'd stay at home. He stopped outside a few of the stores and reminisced about the times he'd spend inside, browsing their options with Brittany back when they were dating.
He walked around for several hours until he had to get home and get ready for dinner at Finn and Quinn's. Artie took a quick shower and got dressed. He was torn between wearing a shirt and tie or one of his famous sweaters. Finally picking his sweater, he haled a taxi and went to Finn's.
Artie pulled up to Finn's house around 6:30. He paid the cab driver and walked up their driveway to their front door. Barely pushing the doorbell, Artie was greeted by a big hug from Quinn. After hugging for a good few minutes, she released him and studied him.
"You haven't changed a bit." She said with a smile as tears rolled down her face.
"Aw Quinn. You're still as beautiful as I remember." Artie said with a smile as he followed her inside.
Quinn led Artie into the kitchen where Finn was finishing making dinner.
"Hey Quinny, can you finish up here? I want to show Artie around." Finn said with a smile as he finished stirring something in a pot.
Quinn agreed as she took over. Artie followed Finn down to their basement where Finn kept all of his trophies and prizes from his high school and college days. He had a picture of all the Glee kids hanging on a wall with a spot light pointing at it.
"Man, where did the time go? I remember when I first met you. It was after football practice when I found you being bullied by Karofsky and the other meat heads. We've been friends since then." Finn said with a smile. Artie continued to look at the picture, more importantly, at Brittany in her Cheerios uniform.
"She loved you, you know that, right?" Finn said realizing Artie was looking at Brittany.
"Yeah, I just wish we didn't have to separate once we went to college." Artie said as he looked away from the picture and at the many trophies Finn had. Finn started telling him about some of his awards when Quinn called them up for dinner.
Artie followed Finn up the stairs to find Quinn seating their two children down at the table. Artie sat by himself on one side of the table, while the two children sat on the other side, with Finn and Quinn at the ends of the table.
"Artie, I'd like you to meet our two little misfits, Jessica and Hayden." Quinn said as he introduced her kids.
"It's a pleasure meeting you two." Artie said with a smile.
The two kids sat there and giggled a little bit. Quinn started asking Artie question after question as they continued to eat dinner. Finn talked about their moments in Glee, leaving out all of his Rachel moments for Quinn. After dinner was over, the kids went outside to play, leaving the three to talk some more.
"So Artie, how does it feel to be back in Lima?" Quinn said with a laugh as she made some coffee.
"Well, I don't want to leave, that's for sure." Artie said with a laugh. "We always said that we wanted to get out of Lima, but honestly, I just don't think that's the case. I've been all over the world, but there's nothing like Lima and old friends to make someone feel at home." He said with a smile as he sat down on the couch.
"Have you seen anyone else since you've been home?" Finn asked as he sat next to him.
"Well actually I ran into Mr. Shue today. Did you guys know he's marrying Miss Holliday? Miss Pillsbury is their wedding planner." Artie said with a grin.
"Yeah, Mr. Shue emailed me the other day. He wants all of us to sing in his wedding. So it's even greater that you're home because it's not Glee without you." Finn said with a laugh.
:"You know what that means, right? Glee reunion!" Artie said with a smile.
"Oh yeah! The problem is getting everyone here. Brittany and Mike are somewhere in California, Santana is in New Orleans. She's dating Reggie Bush right now. Puck is now a cop in Columbus. Tina, I think she's in Florida for some Asian event, and Rachel, hmmm I think she and Jesse patched things up and on a honeymoon. Mercedes is singing with Beyonce too." Quinn said rolling her eyes at the thought of everyone being so far away, while Artie and they were still in Lima.
"Well, I still have everyone's email. I'll send one out and see if I can get them to come back." Artie said with a smile.
"Really? That'd be perfect! Oh thank you Artie!" Quinn said with a hug.
After another hour, Artie had to leave. Thanking Finn and Quinn for a great evening, he left with a smile and a full stomach. Artie has been that happy in what seems like forever. He rushed home to send out the email for Mr. Shuester's wedding. Adding everyone to the list, including Finn and Quinn, he started writing his message.
"Hey everyone. Long time no see. So Mr. Shuester is remarrying and asked us to sing at his wedding. We need to do this. Mr. Shuester has done so much for us, we owe him. Plus, it'll be great seeing all of you again. I miss you all.
Artie"
After periodically checking, his former Glee members responded.
"Sounds great. I'll catch the first flight in. Missed you Artie- Tina"
"Artie! Great hearing from you. Yeah, I have vacation time coming up. Count me in. - Puck"
"Oh a chance for me to sing a solo? Kidding, yeah sounds great. I'll be there- Rachel"
"I think Beyonce will let me come back. She's talented enough. Count me in too. –Mercedes."
"Yeah, I'll be there. Reggie is in training and I'll be on my own for awhile. –Santana."
"I broke my leg so dancing's over for me for awhile. I'll be there too. –Mike."
"Artie! Aw I miss you! Can't wait to see you…all. Be home soon! –Brittany."
"Finn and I will gladly be there. Miss you all, see you soon! –Finn and Quinn."
Artie went to bed after reading everyone's message. The Glee club is reuniting again and going to sing. However, tomorrow, he had to go to Ohio State and meet with his professor about his artifact.
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