CHAP 8 - EPILOGUE
Home Again…
"You ready for this?" he asks his new wife with a beaming dimpled grin.
She smiles her megawatt smile at her new husband. "Absolutely… you?"
"Yeah. I missed them so much. And I'm so excited to share our news."
"Me too."
They pull their rental car up to the house Finn had come to know as his home before the end of his junior year in high school. Everything looks exactly as he remembers the last time he was here more than six years ago.
"Mom? Burt? Anyone home?" Finn calls out as he enters through the front door with Rachel in tow.
Carole runs out of the kitchen to greet her son with arms wide open. Finn sweeps her into a huge bear hug and actually lifts her off the ground and spins her around once "OOOH Finny! Put me down!" She laughs through tears. "Let me look at you.. Oh I missed you so much!" And then she realizes they're not alone.
"Rachel?! Oh sweetheart get over here give me a hug! It's so good to see you!" Rachel embraces her new mother-in-law, even if Carole doesn't yet know.
"It's so good to see you too Carole, I've missed being here." Rachel sniffs back her tears but it's not working.
Finn's heart is bursting watching the two most important women in his life reunited. "Where's Burt?" he asks.
"Oh honey he had to be at the shop, some emergency that the new guy needed help 'll be back soon. Rachel, are you staying for dinner? I wish my son had mentioned you were coming I would have–"
"Mom. You don't have to worry about dinner, Rach is fine with whatever you made… and yes she's staying. I wanted to tell you and Burt together, but…"
"I KNEW IT! You're back together? Oh Finny, I'm so happy for you both!"
Rachel's grin grows as Finn snakes an arm around her waist and pulls her close to him.
"Mom," he lifts Rachel's left hand with his left hand, showing off their matching wedding bands. "Meet your daughter in law, Mrs Rachel Hudson."
Caroles eyes grew to saucers and the tears couldn't be contained. "You're married?"
"Yeah… Please don't be upset mom, we just wanted a private thing for us, we needed it after everything–"
"Mad? I'm ECSTATIC! I'm so overjoyed I don't know how to contain myself! I mean yes I would have loved to be there for my only son's wedding, but… I have a daughter! The one I always knew I'd have too… I love you both so much!" She gathers both of them in her arms for a big hug and hisses Rachel's cheek. "Welcome to the family dear, OFFICIALLY. Of course, you've always been part of the family, but.. Oh I'm just so happy for you both!"
"Me too Carole, thank you for being so understanding, I'm so happy to be a part of your loving family…"
"Carole – nonsense. You call me mom sweetheart. You've been in our hearts from the day Finny first brought you home. We always knew you two would end up together, even if my son had some BONEHEAD ideas about sending you off alone to New York.. he just needed to grow up a little. I'm so glad you realized it too… Good thing I already threw out that silly notice we got in the mail a couple months ago.." she winks at Rachel, who winces a little feeling embarrassed about the Brody topic being broached so soon.
"Ok mom, we're really anxious to chat and catch up but it was a long train ride. If it's ok with you we'd just like to get unpacked and maybe rest for a bit. What time's dinner?"
"Dinner's at 6pm. You two go ahead and get settled, we'll see you down for dinner in a few hours. It's just so good to have you back home… my son." She squeezes him in another tight embrace.
"Oh one more thing mom.. You're the first person we wanted to tell about Rach & me and being married.. It was meant to be a surprise. Do you mind not saying anything to anyone else yet? We're planning to go see Rach's dads tomorrow to tell them."
Carole agrees to keep the secret and winks at them as they head toward Finn's room to settle in.
. . . . .
"Well that went pretty well, I'm so relieved," Rachel says with a sigh.
"Why? You thought she wouldn't be happy for us?"
"Well, it's been a long time and you JUST came back to her - to everyone. And I mean, it was kind of fast even just sharing news of our reunion, let alone the elopement thing… I'm wondering how my dads will react. I hope they'll take it as well as your mom."
"Fast? Babe, it's been ten years in the making. I know we had some breaks in there, this last one being… well, a big mistake. Whatever. But you and I knew it was right. It was time. I don't really care what anyone else thinks… unless, I mean, you're not having doubts or regrets are you? You can tell me if–"
"NO absolutely not! I've wanted this since.. forever. Not just being married but being married to YOU. I love you so much Finn.. and I'm just so sorry about getting engaged to anyone else, especially him…"
"Rach. I love you too. But baby don't apologize please, you did what I told you to do. You went to have your own experiences and moved on… Now we both know we couldn't be without each other.. Or well, we could but we didn't want to be. And we're both going to be stronger as a couple now because of it. Right? So.. no regrets?"
"No you're right. No regrets. Thank you. You always know what to say." She pulls him down for a kiss, which he immediately deepens. His hands are running up under the back of her shirt and her hands are tugging on the hem of his shirt. Unpacking can wait.
. . . . .
By 6pm the newlyweds have had homecoming sex, a nap, hot shower sex and now are freshened up and ready for dinner. As they enter the living room they are shocked to see this isn't just an intimate family meal with Burt and Carole. Instead they also find Hiram and Leroy Berry along with Burt, Kurt and Blaine.
"Wow, I didn't realize this was going to be a big party mom…"
"Dads! What are you doing here, I missed you both!" Rachel exclaims as she runs over to hug both her fathers.
Finn walks over to Kurt and Blaine exchanging quick hugs "I didn't know you guys were coming home too, you didn't say anything. How long are you staying?"
"Well Finn, this is MY home too.. And you rejoining the family after six years IS kind of a big deal, so yes Carole wanted to make a big family soiree of it.. We're only here for the weekend though." Kurt says as he sees his dad approaching to finally greet Finn.
Burt claps a hand on Finn's shoulder and immediately pulls him into a hug, "Welcome home son. We missed you so much.. And if you ever do this to your mother again I'll kick your ass," he chuckles through tears.
Finn hugs the older man back and chokes out "Dad I missed you.. And don't worry, I will NEVER do this to either of you again. I'm sorry for worrying you both and–"
"Stop. You're home now. It's all good. And you've got her back I see.." Burt smiles in the direction of Rachel "So I guess this was the big news you didn't want to share on the phone?"
Finn holds a hand out to Rachel who immediately comes over and laces their fingers together. Finn whispers in her ear "Now or never, are you ready to tell them all?" She nods.
Finn clears his throat. "Hey everyone… can I just say something?"
The room quiets down and all eyes are on him.
"So.. first, it's so good to be home. I know I really hurt most or all of you disappearing the way I did. It was too much for my heart to stand being in this town without Rachel here. My stupid teenage self made some dumb impulsive decisions, but I think being away forced me to grow up faster and figure some things out. And Rachel, she got to have her own experiences in the big city and learned things about herself too. But me forcing that separation the way I did, I know it hurt her the most, well, it hurt US the most. On one hand I'll regret it forever, but on the other, I think it made us both stronger as individuals." He looks at Rachel who's nodding at him with tears filling her beautiful brown eyes. He kisses the top of her head and then continues.
"Well, as you've all pretty much figured out, we made our way back to each other - and YES her prior engagement to that other guy is a distant albeit bad memory now." Finn noticed the relief in the fathers Berry faces. "Ahh.. yeah so Rach has forgiven me - which I still don't understand, but I'm so grateful that she has." She squeezed his hand tightly and mouthed I love you to him. "We spent a long time hashing out our history including the last six years and well… we realized we were still in love with each other the entire time we were apart. Distance and time away didn't change anything. So, besides her ditching the other guy and coming back to me, we knew we wanted to fully commit to each other so there weren't any doubts about our future and our intentions anymore. So we did. We went to Atlantic CIty two weeks ago and she is officially now Mrs Rachel Hudson."
The four parents were all smiles and - other than Carole - full of shocked expressions, but they looked happy. Blaine jumped up and shouted "I knew it!"
And then there was Kurt.
"Kurt man, I know you wanted to plan a big wedding and all that stuff.. And if you really want it Rach and I are happy to do a vow renewal and have the big party or whatever, and we'd love you to handle it… but we needed to do this for us. Please don't be mad."
Kurt's face was simply shock. His lips were pursed in a tight line and he looked ready to burst with some explosive response. He finally closed his eyes and took a big breath, exhaled and then said "Oh well. That's very kind of you, to want me to plan things AFTER THE FACT. I'm only YOUR brother and HER best friend and now one of the LAST to even learn you've already eloped, but OK, sure, I'll be the SECOND wedding planner, sure! THANK YOU BOTH for your consideration!"
"Kurt," Rachel began, as she unclasped from Finn to go to him, "Please don't be upset. Finn and I had our reasons for eloping, but it wasn't anything about wanting to exclude you or anyone else. It was something we needed intimately between us at the time. But we DO want to share our union with the people we love. And we trust you enough to handle all the planning… Please don't be mad."
Kurt sniffs while trying to look a bit disinterested, then he suddenly jumps up, "I'm just disappointed you didn't tell ME sooner! I'm not so upset you ran off to elope as I am to have been excluded from the news!" then he blows an exaggerated breath out and rolls his eyes "But of course I'd be happy to plan a vow renewal and a proper wedding reception, and ok.. I guess I forgive you both. I should've known FINCHEL has to do things their own way and the rest of us be damned!"
Rachel hugs him and Finn just chuckles and rolls his eyes. Finn sees Rachel's dads looking his way and decides he needs to try to do some damage control of his own.
"Mr and Mr Berry, I'm really sorry I didn't speak to either of you first. I know it's probably a big shock just the fact that I'm back in her life, but to also be her husband, I'm sure it seems disrespectful to you both that I didn't ask your permission or–"
Hiram cuts him off with a hug. "Finn, don't sweat it. We couldn't be happier to have you back in Rachel's life. And the fact that you remained this committed to our little Star that you were willing to fully commit to her, well… we're happy for you both. Welcome to the family, son."
Leroy is standing next to them nodding and grinning. He shakes Finn's hand and gives a light embrace and leans to Finn's ear "Just do NOT break her heart again, we might not be so forgiving the next time." Then he gives a stiff smile and a wink to Finn and says "Welcome to the family Finn." Finn awkwardly smiles at both Mr. Berries.
Rachel's beaming a smile across the room at the sight of her fathers with her new husband. Finn spots her watching and excuses himself back to her side and sweeps her into his arms, then plants a giant kiss on her.
. . . . .
The dinner party slash welcome home slash congratulations Finn and Rachel party was a great success. Rachel offers to help Carole in the kitchen cleaning up and the men all retire to the living room, where Kurt announces "Ok Finn you and Rachel have less than 45 minutes to be ready to go."
Finn looks at him rather dumbfoundedly "Go? Where are we going? We just got here."
"Well, I had already planned a surprise Glee Club reunion for tonight, but now I guess it's also a surprise congratulations party from your friends? Karaoke bar, 9pm. Tell your misses to move her sexy behind and don't be late!"
. . . . .
A Gleeful Reunion…
As Finn and Rachel enter the karaoke bar, they spot their friends all sitting at 3 tables they've pushed together in the center of the room. It's so shocking to see ALL of them have turned up after all this time, just to celebrate their reunion-homecoming-marriage. Although they aren't sure whether everyone yet knows about the last part.
"Hey GROOT, we see you and Rocket, get your fannies over here!" yells Santana across the room.
They arrive at the table hugging and shaking hands with all their friends from the 2012 National Show Choir championship club. As they make their way around to their seats, Santana is passing out shots. "Ok ok, simmer down everyone! I just wanted to propose a toast real quick.. Everyone knows these two love birds were supposed to be together, they just needed a little push in the right direction. So here's to ME for being brilliant enough to locate him and providing the push to get Lurch back to his beloved lady hobbit, so they can live their happily FINCHEL ever after!"
Hysterical laughter, applause and table banging is heard all around as Finn turns beet red and hangs his head, glancing at Kurt with an "I told you so" pleading look on his face. Kurt just laughs and shrugs.
Blaine begins drumming the table and announces "FINCHEL DUET! You guys, it's been too long! Get your butts up on that stage!"
Finn's already a step ahead of him. "I already booked our song. Just waiting for them to call us up."
"Just PLEASE say it's not a damned Journey song?" Puck groans.
"Nope! Not that there's anything wrong with Journey… But we think you'll be pleasantly surprised!" Rachel announces with a big knowing smile.
And then they're called up to the mic for their turn. Rachel sings the first part, with Finn harmonizing on the chorus.
"I found myself dreaming in silver and gold
Like a scene from a movie that every broken heart knows
We were walking on moonlight, and you pulled me close
Split second and you disappeared and then I was all alone
I woke up in tears with you by my side
A breath of relief, and I realized
No, we're not promised tomorrow
So I'm gonna love you like I'm gonna lose you
I'm gonna hold you like I'm saying goodbye
Wherever we're standing, I won't take you for granted
'Cause we'll never know when, when we'll run out of time
So I'm gonna love you like I'm gonna lose you
I'm gonna love you like I'm gonna lose you"
Finn sings lead on the second half with Rachel singing backup harmonies.
"In the blink of an eye, just a whisper of smoke
You could lose everything, the truth is you never know
So I'll kiss you longer, baby (hey), any chance that I get
I'll make the most of the minutes and love with no regret
Let's take our time to say what we want (say what we want)
Use what we got before it's all gone (all gone)
'Cause no (no), we're not promised tomorrow"
They sing the final chorus together.
"So I'm gonna love you like I'm gonna lose you (lose you)
I'm gonna hold you (hey) like I'm saying goodbye
Wherever we're standing (yeah), I won't take you for granted
'Cause we'll never know when, when we'll run out of time
So I'm gonna love you (I'm gonna love you)
Like I'm gonna lose you (like I'm gonna lose you)
I'm gonna love you (love) like I'm gonna lose you
I'm gonna love you (oh)"
When their song ends they're gazing deeply in one another's eyes and holding hands, fingers laced together. Forgetting where they are, he leans down and kisses her, deepening into a passionate embrace, putting their New York national's 'kiss that missed' to shame. Cat calls and whistles finally snap them out of their trance as they depart the stage hand in hand to a standing ovation.
A Finchel Fairytale Ending…
"Babe, we're gonna be late if you don't hurry!" Finn yells up the stairs to his wife of five years.
"I'm trying Finn… I can only move so fast." Rachel complains back to him, as her 7 month pregnant belly leads her down the stairs, where Finn is waiting to collect her in his arms.
"I know, I'm sorry baby.. and baby.." as he leans down to kiss her belly. While his face is still buried in her tummy he's greeted with a kick. He rubs her belly and smiles at Rachel, "Babe, she loves me already! She knows when I'm giving kisses!"
Rachel laughs "Yeah Finn.. you said the same thing 3 years ago while Jacob Christopher was still cooking in there too. Speaking of… has Kurt already picked him up?"
"Yep. You were still napping, I didn't want to wake you.. My girls need their beauty rest for tonight."
"Aww babe, I love you so much for taking care of me but.. I really wanted to say goodbye to my little man since I won't see him 'til tomorrow."
"Well if we have time maybe we can stop in and say goodnight, if it's not too late after the ceremony. Or maybe we can at least call."
"Ok deal."
"But before we leave, please let me admire you Mrs. Hudson… you look GORGEOUS tonight. Well, you look gorgeous every night, but this dress.. WOW."
She blushes and looks up into the eyes of her soulmate "Aww Finn, you always make me feel so special.. Thank you. And you look mighty handsome yourself. Kurt picked you a real winning tux I see." They kiss and Rachel breaks it off before it gets too out of control and says "But we're gonna be late, MOVE IT HUDSON!"
He just laughs, "Yes dear!"
. . . . .
"And the award for 'Best New Pop Song by a Duo or Group' goes to… FINCHEL for 'The Best Part of Me is You'!"
Finn and Rachel make their way up to the stage to accept their award. Rachel steps to the mic "WOW! This is so unexpected! To win one Grammy tonight would have been a blessing, but to win three is just, surreal! So thank you all for this unbelievable acknowledgement of our work. Finn and I are so overwhelmed and so grateful.. And we're just really really happy we got to work together on a record that was so personal to us, and to share it with the rest of you and for you to love it as much as we do, well. Words are failing me.. Thank you all so much!"
Finn kisses her on the cheek and takes his turn at the podium "Yeah, wow.. everything Rachel said.. Plus I want to add a huge thank you to my beautiful wife. We've been married 5 years but we've basically been destined to be together for 15. She was the most incredible inspiring person I'd ever met all those years ago, and she still inspires me every minute of every day. I wanna thank her for loving me, and for giving me one and soon to be TWO beautiful Finchel babies - and Jakie, if you're still up it's past your bedtime buddy! Daddy loves you! … But yeah, we wouldn't have made this record if Rach hadn't suggested it in the first place. I just tend to follow her lead, so this really is her victory tonight. I love you baby!" He turns to her and sweeps her up into a deep kiss as the audience rises to their feet in a standing ovation.
Backstage, Rachel pulls Finn down to her eye level "Finn, you just kissed me on national TV during the Grammy Awards."
"Yeah I did. I made myself a promise to kiss you on whatever stage we're standing, no matter who the audience is. Especially tonight.. Because the 'Kiss that Missed' needed redemption, so…"
She just giggles at him. "This is why I still love you after all these years Mr. Hudson."
"And I'm gonna love you for all the rest of them yet to come, Mrs. Hudson."
A/N - I hope you enjoyed the story! Thanks for reading and reviewing, and now that I've gotten this outta my head I can get back to Some Origins of Fire… FINCHEL FOREVER!
SONG CREDIT: "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" by Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend