Chapter 16
I know it's short, and I apologize for that! It just needed a small cliffie, and couldn't tie in anything else to it. But without further ado...Happy Reading!
"...and the crib should go there, and the changing table over there..." Rachel was giving the orders as Finn was hauling in the heavier things.
She definitely couldn't carry any of the baby furniture. Not at almost nine months. She was far too round, and was waddling around at this point. She couldn't even sleep on her sides anymore, it was all on her back. And frankly, she was getting really tired of it.
Finn was being a trooper, though, and that was making the entire baby thing a whole lot better and easier. He always asked her if she needed him to do anything for her, and made her feel as loved as ever. That care accident definitely got both of them appreciating what they had, and they made the most of any time together.
"Oh, honey, you can't put the toy box right by the crib. Toys will get lost under there!"
"Babe, I really don't think our baby will even be able to play with the toys until he or she can sit up." He leaned over to give her a kiss, but does as she wanted, just to please her.
"Thank you," she replied with a smile, then clapped her hands together. "It's perfect. I can't wait for he or she to see it!"
Finn wrapped his arms around her from behind, placing his hands on her round belly. "I can't believe the baby's almost here. And you, my dear, are just glowing."
"No, I'm pretty sure that's me sweating, Finn," Rachel looked at him playfully.
"Whatever it is, you look radiant." He kissed her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She turned so she could kiss him again.
Ever since that accident, they managed to catch a break. No drama, no fighting, no other injuries. Rachel's pregnancy was going smoothly, and her career was getting bigger and bigger. It was the life she'd always dreamed of, but never thought would happen. She never thought she deserved it. And now she had it all. She had the guy, the career, and soon, the family.
Now all she needed was that ring to just make it official already...
"Uh-oh," said Finn as he came back from getting the paper.
"What uh-oh? I don't like uh-ohs." Rachel came up behind him as he was reading the front page.
Rachel seemed to be the new Angelina Jolie. People loved finding out new things about her, and that was why she tried not to go out unless she had to. Concerts were on hold until after the baby, and an occasional press conference never hurt anyone.
But this time, both Rachel and Finn were on the front page that morning. The paparazzi caught a photo of the two of them holding hands and walking down the street. The headlines? 'Porn Star Caught Sporting Baby Bump. Who's the Baby Daddy?'
"Bad headline, good picture of us," Finn finally spoke up, but he touched her arm tenderly. "I'm sorry they haven't adjusted to your new career yet, sweetheart."
"Me? I'm totally okay! It's something I have accepted that will follow me for the rest of my life. I'm sorry about you. The whole...baby daddy thing. I mean, you're clearly our baby's father." It was just like the media to try to throw off their relationship at a time like this.
"I know I am. And it's okay. The more famous you become, the worse the rumors will be, and we knew that from the beginning. All that matters is that...I love you and you love me. We know the truth, and that's all we should pay attention to."
He looked a little bothered by it, but she knew he trusted her. She hadn't even thought about looking at another man since she began dating Finn. The first time. She didn't want any of that fake love. She wanted the real thing, and not just the sex. Sex made her body feel good, but her heart was dying a little bit every single time. She loved Finn. Everything about him. He was all she'd ever wanted.
Rachel nodded at his response. "You sure you're okay?"
He looked at her and smiled. "Absolutely."
But he kept looking at her like he wanted to say or ask her something. Something important. "What?" she finally asked, getting a little nervous.
"I just...I really love you. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I can't wait to make you...Mrs. Hudson."
That was the first time he'd mentioned anything about marriage. It was something couples talked about, right? Getting married? He'd never said anything about it until now.
"You...want me to be your wife someday?" she asked tentatively.
"Of course. I-I want to marry you, and...have more kids with you-"
"You want more than just one?"
"I-yeah. Did...you?"
She nodded with a smile. "I want as many as we get. I've...kind of always been dreaming of having lots of kids with...the man that I love. And you're that man. This baby is ours and it just made me so happy when I found out because...we made him or her. Both of us. And I...love you. I would want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Well, good, because..." He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Her eyes widened. "I was going to have this huge...thing planned out for you. Rent out an entire restaurant and fill it with red roses. But I don't want to wait another moment. This feels right. Right here, right now. I love you so incredibly much, Rachel Berry, and I can't wait to learn and discover new things every day with you. It would be an honor...if you would be my wife. So will you...will you marry me?"
He wasn't even done with half of that speech before she began nodding. Tears were in her eyes, but he had the grin of a cheshire cat on her face. "Yes."
"Yes?" He was grinning now, too.
"Yes! I will...marry you, Finn Hudson. Nothing in this world could stop me from becoming your wife. Nothing."
He immediately took her hand and slide the ring on her fourth finger before kissing her deeply.
It was a little difficult, but they'd managed to have some pretty awesome celebratory sex just after their sudden engagement. As if anything could get in their way of that. Even afterwards, Rachel was on cloud nine, Finn couldn't stop grinning, and even the baby was excited and kicking.
No, wait. That wasn't kicking. That was...