Hello all! So this chapter is called "Dinner Disaster" which is honestly self-explanatory. By the way, my partner in crime (the other half of this collab account, Lillian) gave me the idea for the bridesmaids dresses to be dark green and Rachel's wedding dress was inspired by the Vera Wang dress worn by Kate Hudson's character in "Bride Wars." So enjoy! REVIEW!

August 22nd.

A few hours left… a few hours until Rachel would be Mrs. Finn Hudson.

The rehearsal in itself had run great…

It was the dinner that was all wrong.

"I'd like to make a toast!" Finn said, tapping his spoon against his champagne glass awkwardly.

He stood up, grabbing Rachel's hand and holding his champagne glass in the air.

"There are some people we can address that… couldn't be here this evening that would've wished they had been. My father, Christopher Hudson, died in battle when I was an infant. Rachel, my mom tells me constantly that he would've loved you."

Rachel smiled, wiping a tear from her eyes.

"Rachel, we definitely got off on the wrong foot on my very awkward first day of glee club back at McKinley in sophomore year."

This got a laugh out of everyone, but only the few people that had actually witnessed what had gone done really understood the reference.

"But, we fell in love against all odds, and maybe the first few times it didn't exactly work out. But, that never seemed to faze us. Junior year… it was interesting to say the least." More laughter.

"Our first trip to Nationals, God, it was awesome! I mean, I get that I'm the reason we lost and everything… but when we kissed, I mean that one moment in time… the world just stopped. That was the Superman of Kisses; I mean it came with its own cape! And you told me you were going to New York and never coming back… I knew that if you weren't staying, then I was going. And here we are… years later, and I get so lucky as to spend the rest of my life with the woman I love. I love you so much, and Rach, this is only the beginning."

Rachel stood up and kissed him full on the mouth. Their guests burst out into applause.

Then, they danced to "With or Without You" by U2… they gazed into each other's eyes and found themselves completely lost.

Then, Rachel felt a tap on her shoulder and opened her eyes. She turned to see a face she hadn't seen in a long time… and wished that it had stayed that way.

"Jesse…"

"May I have this dance?"

The music stopped.

Everyone stopped talking.

Everyone stopped dancing.

Everything just stopped.

"What do you want?" Finn sneered. He hated Jesse. He'd hurt Rachel too much for him to not despise the guy!

"Rachel." Jesse snapped. He turned back to Rachel, who was holding onto Finn's arm for dear life. She looked deathly afraid.

"Hey, Rachel." He said, trying to grab her free hand. She pulled it away, but he caught her wrist and held tightly. Rachel winced in pain, her innocent wide eyes shining with tears.

"Let go." She said, her voice breaking, as she tried to pull her arm away.

"No, I don't think I will, sweetheart. Because, listen, you don't want this dumb lump of a guy who follows you around like a puppy. You want a real man, you want me." He held her wrist even tighter.

"Jesse, get the hell off." Rachel said, louder this time, pulling harder.

He wasn't letting go.

"Rachel, you're coming with me." Jesse tried to pull her away from Finn.

"NO!" Rachel screamed. "Please, not again!"

Finn, who was already pissed, got a little more pissed. "Again?"

"W-when we were dating, Jesse used to hit me…"

(A/N DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNN! You didn't see that one coming did you? Well, you probably did… but screw it, there's more!)

Jesse looked angry. "You stupid little b*tch."

He slapped her clean across the right side of her face. Rachel screamed bloody murder.

Puckerman, Blaine, Mike, and Finn had seen enough.

Rachel was curled up on the floor, next to Finn.

"You son of a bi-!" Finn was done. He was charging at Jesse, and so were the other guys, as Finn was beating the living crap out of Jesse's face, someone stood up.

Mr. Will Schuester.

His wife looked a little worried, but her glanced back reassuringly.

He pulled Finn off of Jesse and had the other guys hold him back.

As he was pulling Jesse off of the ground, Jesse started to thank him. "Than-?"

Before he could finish, Will grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him up to eye level.

"Listen to me, punk. You lay a hand on Rachel or Finn ever again, you're going to be going through a hell of a lot more people than just us, alright? Now, get the hell out before I make you."

When he released him, and Jesse started to run out, two police officers walked in and grabbed him. Turns out, Kurt had dialed the police during the confrontation.

"Jesse St. James, you're under arrest for domestic violence, breaking and entering, and simple assault. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you."

"I'll get you!" he screamed. "I'll be back."

With that, they took him out.

Rachel sat on the floor, the side of her face slightly but clearly bruised. Finn sat on the floor and held her. Everyone stared… but when Finn noticed them, he said:

"You, um, you can go back to having a good time now."

Everyone turned back around and continued their conversations.

Finn and Rachel stood up and went into the bathroom of the restaurant.

They locked the door and Finn wrapped his arms around his waist and she cried into his chest.

After a minute or two, Finn spoke up.

"Rach," he started. "You probably don't want to talk about this, but you said Jesse used to hit you?"

Rachel sniffed and pulled her head off of Finn's chest. She smoothed out her black cocktail dress and sat down on the floor.

"Back in high school, when we were sophomores, and I was going out with Jesse, he'd pressure me or make me do something I didn't want to do. When I refused, he'd slap me or punch me or beat me… remember those days when I'd come in to glee club and you'd see a bruise on my arm or my face? I'd always say I fell…"

"And I never believed you… Why did you not ever tell me?"

Rachel sighed. "I was ashamed… ashamed that I couldn't fight him off… ashamed that I was like that… especially ashamed that I'd let it get that far…"

"Oh, Rach…" He pulled her closer. "You know you can tell me anything… and listen to me… we can postpone the wedding if you're not up to it, baby."

Rachel looked up. She cupped his face in her hands. "Listen to me, Finn. I love you more than life itself. And, I am marrying you tomorrow."

Finn grinned and kissed Rachel. Not an "I have to have you now" kiss. It was a soft, sweet, little kiss.

9:45 PM

14 hours and counting.

14 hours until two people who loved each other more than life itself would be spending the rest of their lives together.

14 hours until they would be one.

Alright, ladies and gents. Thank you for reading! Please please pretty pretty please with rainbow gummy bears on top review! It took me a little while to write this chapter so please tell me what you think…

Almost at 2,000 visitors! SOOOOO EXCITED to get this done because for anyone that reads All My Children fanfics too, I have a really cool idea! Thanks again!

-Emma :)