Wow, ok so I know this is definitely way over due. It's been a pretty busy month! I also had just a little bit of writer's block, as I'm trying to navigate my way around the story. I loved reading the reviews from the last chapter, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well! Let me know what you think :)
Rachel was so upset. The day could not be going worse if she tried. She spent the whole afternoon baking cookies to bring to the party, and THREE of her batches burned. Then, she waited nearly an hour waiting for Tina finish getting ready. When they finally made their way to pick up Quinn, the traffic was ridiculous AND her phone died.
She got to Kurt's house maybe close to 9 and just knew Finn would be upset with her. Hey, at least she came right? She sighed knowing if the tables were turned she'd be so pissed at him.
"I'll tell him it was my fault! He'll understand." Tina told her as they rang the doorbell.
An older man in a baseball cap opened the door. He looked at the girls and then at his watch.
"You girls are a little late huh?"
Rachel's face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry that we're late...is it over?"
The man laughed. "Over? Party's just getting started. Come on in. I'm Burt, Kurt's father."
The girls smiled politely and walked in. "Everyone's out back, go on and make yourselves comfortable."
Rachel nodded. "I baked some cookies..."
"Oh! Look at that. The boys will love that. Here, I'll take that from you. What are you, friends of Kurt from school?" Burt said.
"Ah...no. Finn invited us..." Rachel responded.
Burt looked on to the girls surprised, but happy. "Is that so? Well you girls go on in and have a good time. Let me know if you need anything." Burt said.
The three girls walked through the house and out the French doors to the backyard. It was a huge beautiful home, with a huge backyard that was overly decorated with string lights and balloons. There were little tea lights floating in the swimming pool and the girls were amazed at the level of detail that was given.
Rachel immediately began scanning for Finn. She spotted him easily, because really...he wasn't that hard to miss. She took a deep breath and made her way over to him.
He spotted her the moment she walked in. He saw her looking from him and their eyes finally locked when she found him. He was in the middle of a conversation with the guys, but abruptly ended it as he also made movement towards her the moment he saw her walk towards him.
"Finn! I am so sorry that it took me so long to get here - the cookies burned, and then Tina couldn't find anything to wear and then traffic and then my phone -"
Finn watched and listened intently as she recapped all of the reasons she was late. Her words just blurred together because all he could really think about was how beautiful she looked when she rambled and that he really didn't care she was late. He watched her with a curious smile on his face before cutting her off and pulling her in for a deep kiss.
Caught by surprise, Rachel froze at the feel of his lips on hers. Seconds later, she reciprocated his kisses back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They slowly pulled away, unaware that they had an audience.
"You're not mad?" She looked up at him.
"I was...but you're here now. I'm just glad you made it." He let go of her but grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers. He was such a sucker for her and he knew it. All she had to do was look at him with her chocolate brown eyes, and her pouty lips, and he was a goner.
"Me too." She smiled softly. "I made you cookies. They're in the kitchen."
"Ha! No way? Let's go check them out, then." Finn said, pulling her in the direction of the house, wanting just a little more alone time with her, still unaware of their audience.
"Who is that?" Carole whispered to Kurt, as her eyes continued to follow the couple into the house.
"Oh, Rachel? Just some girl your son is obsessed with. Oh and she's his client?" Kurt said. "She's nice, though."
A warm smile touched Carole's face as she watched the couple walk inside the house. She thought Finn seemed out of it as the party progressed, and now it appears clear why he was. He was smitten.
"What's up jailbirds?" Sam said, walking over to Tina and Quinn as Rachel rudely left them to fend for themselves. "You both look nice." His eyes lingered a bit longer on Quinn.
"Aw thanks Sam!" Tina smiled. Quinn gave him a knowing smirk but politely said thank you as well.
Mike, Puck and Artie walked over to the girls. Mike knew Finn was trying to set him up with one of the girls, and he knew it wasn't Quinn, so it was time for him to make his move. Meanwhile - Puck and Artie were still making up rules for their bet over Quinn.
Mike cleared his throat, hinting to Sam to introduce them. Clearly Finn should have made introductions but he was just a bit busy at the moment.
"Oh." Sam said, realization setting in. "I'm not sure if you guys have met before. Tina...this is Mike. One of the best damn creative designers you'll ever meet." Sam said. They both shared a smile between each other, and Mike put his hand out to shake Tina's hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. "Tina, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Tina glanced at Quinn and then back at Mike with the biggest smile on her face.
"Uhh hello? What about the rest of us? What are we, chopped liver?" Puck said to Sam, snapping them out of their love connection game.
"Oh." Sam said nonchalantly. "Tina, Quinn this is Puck and Artie."
Puck glared at Sam for a second. It sounded like Sam was trying to sabotage their bet but that couldn't possibly be the case, right?
Blaine stood awkwardly near the bar with a drink in his hand. He knew Finn was trying to hook him up, but it honestly seemed like Kurt wasn't even interested.
He barely said any words to him after he gave him a tour, and has been avoiding him like the plague.
He was about to make his move to talk to Kurt again, but then Rachel walked in.
What the hell? Now Rachel was kissing Finn?
This was just super weird. Not even a week ago they were all out on a business lunch, with no signs of Finn and Rachel interacting on a personal level, and now they were making out? Super, super weird.
But...it gave him an in to talk to Kurt. He hadn't decided yet if Kurt was his type, but it definitely doesn't hurt to at least try and figure it out with a little conversation.
Once Rachel and Finn disappeared inside the house, Blaine walked over to Kurt, who was at the dessert table, grabbing himself a cupcake.
"So...Rachel and Finn?" Blaine said to Kurt, also grabbing himself a cupcake.
"Ha... yeah. Is that weird for you?" Kurt looked over at him.
Blaine laughed a little. "I'm not sure? I work with her but I guess we've never spoken about our private lives to each other. I didn't even know she'd be here..."
"Yeah...her and Finn were friends or something like that before she started working there...I'm not really sure what they are right now." Kurt shrugged.
"Finn is friends with everyone it seems." Blaine laughed again.
"Thank God for that..." Kurt mumbled.
"Hmm?" Blaine looked over at him.
"Uh, nothing." Kurt smiled. "How about I grab us some drinks?"
Before Blaine had a chance to respond, Kurt was already walking away.
Blaine watched after him and laughed a little. Okay, fine. Kurt was kind of...cute.
Inside the house, Rachel and Finn found their way to the kitchen. Rachel was leaning against the counter with Finn standing in front of her, hands on both sides of the counter. He had her enclosed and his body was so close to hers.
She couldn't deny that she missed him this past week. She wasn't even ready for him to leave this morning. And now, she wanted nothing more than to be close to him in some way. She didn't care about their PDA in front of his family and friends, she forgot they were even there. It was so unlike her normal character...but Finn had her under some spell that she couldn't get out of...even if she wanted too. The more she was around him, the less she cared about their age difference.
She broke one of the cookies she made in half and fed him a small piece. She giggled a little as some of the crumbs fell onto his lips and out of his mouth.
"This is delicious. Probably the best cookie I've ever had." He grinned. "Did you make this just for me?" The way he stared at her with his eyes were so intense. It made her insides weak.
"Well really, they are for Kurt since this is *his* party." She smiled at him.
"Too bad for him. Because I want these cookies all to myself." He leaned down to capture her lips in a sweet kiss.
"Finn." She sighed happily against his lips, resting her hands against his chest.
"Hmm?" He kissed her again.
"You drive me crazy." She said.
"What?" He laughed a little. "That's not what I was expecting to hear."
"I missed you a lot the past few days we haven't spoken. It drives me crazy how much I missed you." She said, looking up at him.
He smiled a little listening to her. "So you DO like me." He laughed. If it was one thing about her, Finn loved that she was just so honest with how she felt, even when those feelings weren't so great.
"I like you very much." She kissed him again.
"Finn..." They both heard a soft voice from behind him.
He peeled himself away from the kiss to see his mom standing behind him.
"Hey! Mom!" He smiled. "This is Rachel...she brought cookies." Finn said.
Carole laughed. "Well hello there Rachel. So nice to meet you. And thank you for bringing my not so little boy here some cookies."
Rachel smiled and walked over to Carole to embrace her in a hug.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Thank you for having me in your home." Rachel said to her.
"Oh you are so welcome! Call me Carole, please." She smiled at Rachel and turned her attention to Finn. "So are you two...um..." She searched for the right words.
Finn laughed a little awkwardly. "Mom, I think...is that Burt I hear calling you?"
Carole laughed and made a face at Finn. "Uh huh, okay. I'll let you off easy this time. Either way, Rachel, please make yourself at home. I've got quite a few photos of a little baby Finn if you're interested." Carole winked at her.
"Ohhh..." Rachel smiled, looking over at Finn before turning back to Carole. "I am most definitely interested."
"Mommmm." Finn groaned.
"Ha! Rachel, Follow me. I've got it in the den..." Carole linked her arm with Rachel's and led her to the next room.
Finn looked on, shaking his head. Did his mom just steal his date?! He smiled a little at how well the two of them seemed to get along. He followed behind them because there was NO way he'd just leave them alone together...who knows what his mom had as photo ammunition.
Sam watched on as Artie and Puck both made attempts to hang out with Quinn. It was like...watching a baby deer learn to walk. Or like, a baby bird learning to fly for the first time. They fell every time. It was quite amusing for him. Quinn seemed to humor their attempts, but there were a few times her gaze fell on Sam...could it be? Sam couldn't shake the feeling that she wanted him instead.
Sam moved his gaze over to see Mike and Tina hitting it off. They were engaged in conversation and Tina was laughing every minute or so. That had to be a good sign, right?
Sam laughed seeing Mike begin to show off some of his dance skills. He walked over to get a drink, unable to shake the feeling someone was watching him.
Kurt in the meantime, was freaking out. Blaine was here and he had no idea what the hell to even say or talk to him about.
He went inside searching for Finn and some of his brotherly advice. He found them in the den looking at old photo albums.
"...and this was Finn when he learned how to play the ukulele. He was always the tallest kid in his class." Carole smiled fondly at the photo.
"You play the ukulele?" Rachel looked on, impressed.
"I dabbled from time to time." He shrugged sheepishly. "And the drums too. The guys and I kinda had our own little band in high school. We were pretty good if I say so myself."
"Wow" Rachel smiled. "I had no idea. I must hear you guys in action. You know, I'm a great singer. We should play something together sometime."
"I know you are." He said.
Rachel looked on confused. "How do you know? I've never sang in front of you."
"I hear it when you hum. I can just imagine you've got an amazing voice." He said.
Rachel smiled at him. He was just the most attentive person she ever met. She didn't notice the way Carole observed the two in conversation, a sweet smile also plastered on her face.
"So am I going to get to hear your little band play? Sounds like this party is a perfect time for a reunion."
Finn groaned. "We broke up for creative differences."
"And yet...you all work together." Rachel smirked at him.
"You know I still have that ukelele! How about a little surprise performance for Kurt's party?" Carole jumped up, and was off on her way to find it.
She started to walk out and bumped into Kurt.
"Oh sorry sweetie! I have to go find something of your brother's..." She quickly hurried off.
Kurt watched after her, thankful she left so it gave him time to talk with Finn.
He walked into the room seeing Finn and Rachel just seconds away from their lips touching.
He plopped himself down on the chair in front of them.
"My life is over!"
Finn pulled back from Rachel and turned to his brother.
"Kurt, my favorite brother. Why aren't you at your party? You know, the one outside." Finn said to him.
"Because you've cursed me! You bring over this guy and what am I supposed to? Just entertain him like some trained monkey?" Kurt said to him.
Kurt looked at Rachel. "Sorry, I know you work with him."
Rachel looked confused. "What?"
"Blaine. I invited him...for him." Finn said, moving his head to Kurt's direction.
"Blaine is here?!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Yeah...is that weird?" Finn asked, scratching the top of his head.
Rachel shook her head. "No...maybe a little. You know I don't like to mix work with pleasure. But... it sounds like we can help your brother out...you know, make the conversation go just a little easier for him..."
"Yes! Please come outside and save me." Kurt pleaded.
Finn sighed. Here he thought inviting Blaine would keep his brother occupied and it turns out he just needs more babysitting.
"You owe me." Finn said, standing up. Rachel clapped her hands together, excited, but also a bit nervous. Did Blaine see her and Finn kiss? What if he tells someone back at the office? She didn't need that type of reputation at all.
Finn helped her up and interlocked their fingers together, following Kurt out of the room.
The little gesture made Rachel's heart swell. She stopped walking before they got outside. Finn turned towards her confused, but before he was able to say anything, she stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him.
"Hmmm...what was that for?" He asked after their kiss.
"Can't a girl just kiss her boyfriend?" She asked, smiling at him.
The smile on his face widened as she then continued to walk outside, pulling him along with her.
By the time Kurt was outside, Blaine was talking with Sam. He walked over with Finn and Rachel behind him.
Blaine smiled, noticing the group walking towards him.
"Hey Rachel, didn't think I'd see you on the weekend." He grinned at her.
"Yes well...it's a very small world now isn't it?" She smiled at him, her fingers still interlocked with Finn's. She contemplated removing them, but whatever. She'd just kill Blaine later if he ever told anyone at work without her permission.
Blaine nodded, his eyes drifting down to her and Finn's hands. "So Finn this must be why you're always blowing me off to hang out man." He joked.
"Ha. Dude I told you a million times I'm not going to sing karaoke at some bar to embarrass myself." Finn said to him.
"Ooh karaoke! You know who just loves karaoke? Kurt." Rachel said.
"I...sing." Kurt said, caught somewhat off guard. The girl wasn't wrong. He loved to sing.
"No way?" Blaine looked at him pleasantly surprised. "We should totally go sometime. You know, once our project is over." He said.
Kurt nodded a little. "But that's like 5 months from now." His eyes widened as he realized he said it out loud. Leave it to him to sound obsessed and desperate.
Finn and Sam both raised their eyebrows at Kurt's weirdness, but luckily, Rachel distracted Blaine in conversation.
"I also heard Finn and the guys had their own little band in high school. So I'm pretty sure he does sing." Rachel said to Blaine.
"Babe, I don't sing...I was the drummer."
"Ha he's totally lying. He definitely sang! The girls loved us. Of course I was the lead." Sam smirked.
"I need to hear what everyone was so crazy about! You guys need to sing." Rachel said to Sam, before turning to smile at Finn.
He shook his head at her amused, and somewhat embarrassed.
Sam looked at Finn. "Let's do it...let's get the band back together!"
"I dunno man...you think they are really ready for this?" Finn said.
Blaine laughed, interjecting himself in the conversation. "Oh I'm so ready for this."
Sam grinned. "I'm gonna get the guys together. We'll be back. Come on Hudson."
Finn groaned and laughed. "Fine...I'll be back. You're lucky I kinda like you." He joked, pressing a kiss to Rachel's cheek and followed Sam off.
Everyone sat around talking to each other while Mike, Puck, Artie, Sam and Finn were inside planning their comeback.
"Excuse me everyone...I now present to you...the Acafellas!" Carole said proudly, as the guys started coming out of the house, dressed in some of Finn's old football jerseys to match.
"Oh my God." Rachel muttered, and started giggling as she watched on.
The guys started off with Travie McCoy's "Billionaire" with Sam singing Bruno Mars' verses, Artie doing the rapping, and Finn on the ukulele. The girls started screaming in pure joy once they heard the guys sing, because it was pretty damn good. Everyone was quite thrilled with the performances, and they kept throwing requests out to the group, which they happily obliged to. Kurt even joined in on some of the songs which impressed Blaine quite a bit, as well.
The night seemed to go on forever, but it was cool that everyone was getting along, and Kurt was finally able to loosen up in front of Blaine.
"Tonight was a lot of fun...thank you for inviting me." Rachel told Finn as he walked her out. She was Quinn and Tina's ride, and while she was so tempted to have them hitch a ride, it probably wasn't the best first impression to leave to Carole and Burt. Sure...they were all adults but your parents will always be your parents, and there are just some things you don't do the first time meeting them. Like, sleeping over in their son's childhood bedroom.
"I'm glad you had fun." He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What are you going to do for the rest of the night?" She asked, playing with the hem of his shirt.
"We'll probably just chill out here. I'm pretty tired, I barely got any sleep last night...picking you up from jail and all." He joked.
Rachel pouted at him. "You're not funny, Hudson."
He laughed and kissed her. "Drive safely. Text me when you get home."
She kissed him back, holding her lips to his just a little bit longer.
"Let's go lovebirds!" Quinn called from the front seat.
Finn groaned and kissed her one more time. "Bye babe."
He opened the car door for her to get in and closed it once she was safely buckled in.
She sent the window down as soon as she turned on the car.
Finn leaned down to look in the car. He first turned his attention to Tina and Quinn. "Ladies, it was a pleasure."
"We'll see you soon I'm sure." Tina smiled.
"Thanks for the invite, Finn." Quinn said.
Finn nodded and looked at Rachel, leaning in to press one more kiss to her lips. He said his goodbyes and waited for the girls to pull off before heading back inside.
It turned out to be a pretty good day, after all.
