Disclaimer: Still don't own Glee, but I'm sure enjoying watching happily engaged Finchel!
The day passed swiftly for Riley and Finn, both enjoying their time in the school. He truly loved his job, the looks on the faces of his kids when they finally understood what he was teaching was priceless. Sure, he had his share of troublesome kids but he just viewed them more as a challenge. Today was particularly rewarding because one of those challenging kids had finally went a day without getting his card changed from green to yellow. Riding on the high of the day, he left his room to collect Riley from the preschool teacher.
Brimming with excitement Riley called out, "Daddy! I had so much fun today! And look," she said, holding out a paper with a picture of what Finn could only assume were two people screaming or singing since their mouths were wide open.
"Very pretty baby. Is that supposed to be me and Mommy singing?" He swung her up into her carseat, buckling her as he asked.
"No Daddy! It's Raquel and Flynn!" Riley replied indignantly as she shook her head at her daddy's confusion. "Mommy's hair is shorter than Raquel's in the picture-can't you tell?"
"Sorry baby, it's a perfect drawing of Raquel and Flynn. Mommy will love it."
"Do you think she'll put it on the fridge Daddy?" There was nothing Riley loved more than decorating the refrigerator-and any other surface in the home-with her various pictures. They were on the fridge, on the walls in the hallway and even some collaged in her room, which Uncle Kurt tolerated since she was so cute.
"Of course! I'm sure she'll put it right on the fridge as soon as she sees it. Now, how about we have a little sing along on the way home?" He was set to hit the volume button on the stereo to turn it back on when he heard her cry out from the backseat.
"No Daddy! I want more story please!" Her little voice rose in a plea as she tried desperately to catch his eye in the rearview mirror. Finn knew better than to look back or else he would cave.
"How about we wait for Mommy and we can tell you more together at bedtime? C'mon we didn't get our sing a long in this morning!" He tried to entice the child as he continued, "It's Journey day! We had Mommy's classic sound of music yesterday so today is Daddy's classic. Don't you want to sing?"
Knowing how to choose her battles already, Riley sighed and said, "Don't stop believing Daddy?"
Finn couldn't help the smile from spreading across his face. "You know Mommy and I used to sing this song?"
"Yes Daddy! You sing your part and I'll sing Mommy's." Riley directed from the backseat, singing along to the CD sounding eerily like a young Rachel. They moved from Don't Stop Believing into Any way you want it" on the mix CD, with Riley bouncing along in her carseat as she sang along.
Finn glanced in the rearview mirror, noticing her bop along as she sang. He wouldn't trade these moments with her for anything. Knowing he had some time before Rachel was done coaching her glee club, he pulled into the driveway of their home and parked the car. "Come on baby girl, let's go inside."
"Can I watch a movie until Mommy comes home?" Riley batted her eyes at Finn, knowing it was a sure way to get what she wanted.
He scooped her up and nuzzled her neck with his nose as he pretended to ponder her request. "Hmmm I don't know little girl. I think you fell asleep last time you watched a movie after school." In reality, Finn didn't care if she took a little rest after school, it was a long day for a four year old and it gave him time to grade his papers so they could have family time when Rachel got home.
"I won't fall asleep Daddy I promise!" She placed her forehead on his, "Please Daddy?"
With an exaggerated sigh Finn replied, "I suppose. Let me guess-you want to watch Beauty and The Beast." They were on their third copy of the DVD since it was Riley's favorite and she watched it so often.
"Yes please!" she replied as she bounced in his arms. Kissing his cheek she told him, "Love you Daddy."
Deciding to tease her a bit Finn said, "I think you just love that I know how to work the remote better than Mommy."
Riley leaned back in his arms and said with a smile, "Mommy's getting better at it though."
"She is huh?" Once inside the house, Finn put his bag down and began tickling her as they made their way to the couch.
Full of giggles, Riley pleaded, "Stop Daddy! I have to pee!"
Finn set her down and patted her on the bottom. "Better go then. I'll put the movie in."
"Thanks Daddy," she called as she raced down the hallway.
Finn popped the movie in, pressed play and crossed to the kitchen table to grade some papers. He grinned as he heard Riley's voice singing along to the movie, getting up to check on her when he finally noticed she had been silent for a few minutes. She was lying on the couch, all curled up. He felt his heart constrict looking at her; there were moments he still couldn't get over the fact that she was theirs. He covered her with a blanket and went back to the kitchen to finish grading.
About an hour later, the door to the house opened again. Before Rachel could say a word of greeting, her legs were glued to the floor as Riley wrapped her arms around them in a hug.
"Hi there munchkin." Rachel rubbed Riley's hair and back as she spoke, "Did you have a good day?"
"Yes Mommy! I even made a new picture." She ran off to get it as Finn stepped out from the kitchen to place a lingering kiss on her lips.
"Mmmm hi MYmunchkin." He said as he pulled back. "How was practice?"
Still feeling the effects of his kiss, she replied in a slight daze,"It was fine. I think we've got a good shot at Regionals this year." Just as she pulled his face back down to hers, Riley came running back in, tugging on the bottom of her dress.
"Look mommy! Look what I drew in school today!" She held up the picture she had shown Finn.
"Oh! It's beautiful! Is that me and Daddy singing?" Her amused eyes met Finn's over the paper.
"No! I was telling Emma about Raquel and Flynn so it's them Mommy!"
"You told Emma huh?" She glanced at Finn and mumbled, "Wonder if we'll get a call from Quinn later." He just grinned and shrugged his shoulders as he imagined Quinn's reaction to the story.
"Daddy said you would tell me more later Mommy. He told me some in the car this morning."
"Hmm he did, did he? You'll have to tell Mommy so I don't repeat it."
"Well he said…"
"After dinner baby. I promise we'll tell you more then ok?" She watched her little girl's face fall with the knowledge that she wasn't getting her way right then. Rachel picked up Riley's chin, "I promise baby girl. Let's get dinner done and we can play then I'll tell you more."
Seeing her pout wasn't going to work on Rachel, Riley acquiesced. "Ok, but can we play karaoke?
"Absolutely!" Rachel replied brightly. Hearing the familiar strains of Beauty and the Beast from the living room she said, "Do you want to watch your movie or help make dinner? We're having pasta. "
"With the red sauce Mommy?" Riley asked, hoping Rachel said yes. She loved her pasta with just a little tomato sauce.
"Of course. Now what would you like hmm? Movie or helping?"
Having inherited her Daddy's appetite Riley bolted to the kitchen and took her flowered apron off its peg. "Come on Mommy! Dinner, singing and bedtime story." Riley chanted from the kitchen as she boogied across the floor.
"Did you hear that? She is voluntarily talking about bedtime!" Rachel exclaimed in a whisper as she and Finn entered the kitchen.
"She just likes our story baby." Smacking her behind lightly he said, "Now let's get this show moving!"
Dinner was an easy affair, with the three of them talking and joking. They moved like a well oiled machine: as Rachel finished making the pasta, Finn had the table set and Riley had set out the silverware. They all sat together, Finn and Rachel both grinning at the sight of Riley trying to twirl her pasta on her fork. As Finn cleared the plates, Riley looked at Rachel and said, "Karaoke now Mommy?"
"Yes sweet baby girl. Do you know what you want to sing?" She watched as Riley slid out of her chair and ran to the karaoke machine.
"Beauty and the Beast, Tomorrowfrom Annie," she began.
"Do you want Mommy and Daddy to sing?" Rachel asked as the pair joined Riley in the living room.
"Uh huh! I want you to sing Don't Rain On My Parade, Faithfully together, and daddy to sing The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Riley replied matter of factly.
"Well that's a lot of singing! We should get started so we don't rush our story tonight, yes?" Rachel and Finn sat together on the couch and she snuggled into his side as she spoke. "Hit it baby girl.."
And so Riley began. The two couldn't help but smile at her and they applauded when she took a bow after finishing Beauty and the Beast. Rachel sang next, while Riley perched in Finn's lap, watching Rachel 's every move. She wanted to be just like Mommy when she grew up. There was just something magical about Rachel singing that even Riley recognized at her young age. She clapped her hands like crazy when Rachel took her bow. Finn placed her in the couch and she watched as he joined Rachel for Faithfully. She didn't understand it, but there was something special about the way they sang it together. As the song finished, Finn leaned in and kissed Rachel, murmuring, "I'm forever yours."
Smiling, Rachel replied, "Faithfully."
From her spot on the couch, Riley announced it was her turn. Trying to mimic Rachel's facial expressions and arm movements from Don't Rain On My Parade she went through Tomorrow. "You need to do the lion one Daddy!"
"How about you join me?" He asked, picking her up and spinning her around.
"Mommy too!" Riley demanded. The three of them sang along, dancing silly. Rachel and Riley were providing backup with their "whem a way's" while Finn took lead. Riley loved how her Daddy sounded when they sang. As they finished, Rachel glanced at the clock.
"Whoa it's almost bedtime. I think someone needs to brush her teeth and get in her jammies." Rachel said with a smile.
"More story then right?" Riley asked with a small smile.
"Absolutely, so hop to it." Rachel said laughing as Riley took off for the bathroom. "Where did you leave off on the story Finny?"
"Let's ask Riley if she remembers." He placed an absent minded kiss on the top of her head.
"Ok...we'll see." Taking his hand, Rachel began walking towards the little girl's room, pausing at the bathroom to supervise the teeth brushing. "Good job baby," she told her. "Now let's get those jammies on."
Riley ran to her room, pulling out a princess nightgown before starting to remove her clothes. Her parents watched, biting their tongue to stop offering to help. Riley was VERY independent and hated them helping her dress, even if it meant it took longer. She finally finished putting on her princess nightgown and jumped into the bed and slid under the covers.
Rachel tucked her in, repeating "snug as a bug in a rug." before asking, "Now, where did Daddy leave off baby?"
"Raquel was dating Justin," she said with a wrinkle if her nose.
Rachel looked at Finn mouthing 'Justin?' with an eye roll to which he just shrugged. "Well," Rachel said with a smile "That didn't last long. You see, Justin was from another choir and was using Raquel to spy."
"But that's not nice!" Riley exclaimed in horror.
"No, it wasn't. Before he broke up with her, the whole other choir came and threw eggs at her. Raquel cried; she just wanted someone to like her."
Finn jumped in, "But see Flynn did like her. So much that he and Nick went and did something mean to the other team so they would leave Raquel alone."
Rachel cut him off, "Flynn and Nick were wrong to do that, but Raquel appreciated the gesture." She said as she smiled at Finn and squeezed his hand. "The choir had a big competition coming up and if they didn't win, they had to stop being a group."
"Oh no!" Riley said, "But they win right?"
Rachel ran her hand over Riley's hair. "Actually they didn't. But something good did come of that day. You see, Flynn and Raquel had a duet together. Before it was time to perform, Raquel went to Flynn and said, 'break a leg' "
"To which Flynn replied, 'I love you' " Finn interjected, smiling at his wife.
"So they lived happily ever after now?" Riley said as her voice got sleepy.
"They were happy for awhile, but their story wasn't finished yet. See, Raquel found out that Flynn lied to her about," she broke off and looked at Finn for help.
"Flynn lied about who he first ever sang with," Finn blurted out. He just wanted to get this stupid part over with." so, Raquel got mad at Flynn and kissed Nick."
Riley's face was starting to show confusion. "But Raquel should only kiss Flynn, right Mommy? Like you only kiss Daddy?"
"Yes baby, but she felt bad about what she did and she told Flynn who broke up with her. Raquel tried to win him back by singing, but he wouldn't listen. Instead, Flynn went back to Lucy." Rachel finished as a flicker of sadness crossed her face. She hated this part.
"But Flynn never stopped loving Raquel," Finn interjected, rubbing his thumb over Rachel's fingers. "Even when they were apart they were still connected." He noticed Riley dozing off.
"We'll finish later." The pair again sang You Are My Sunshine, kissing her head before leaving the room.
"You shouldn't be sad at that part of the story baby" Finn told her as they left the room. "Look at us now."
"I know, I just hate the thought if it. What was I thinking kissing Noah?"
"Water under the bridge honey." He placed a lingering kiss on her mouth as he thought of that part of the story. Sure, he didn't like it either, but it only made them stronger. "Wanna pretend to watch a movie before bed?" He nuzzled her neck as he asked.
"Pretend? I don't get distracted easily you know, " she said teasingly.
"C'mon, pop in the movie of your choice. I bet 10 minutes in you're not even paying attention."
"You're on," she replied crossing to the living room. "Funny Girl it is." She smiled as she placed it in the DVD player.
"Again?" He groaned.
"Mmhmmm. Just try and distract me," she stated as they snuggled on the couch.
Five minutes in, Rachel completely forgot about the movie. Pressing her back against the couch, Finn murmured, "I won" before smiling and capturing her mouth in a kiss.
This was one time Rachel didn't mind losing.
A/N: Just how will Quinn react to finding out about this bedtime story? Stay tuned! Thanks for the read and feel free to review :)