He has to admit that he's dreading this visit, not that he doesn't want to see his mother, before she married Kurt's dad it was just the two of them, so of course they shared something of a special bond, tighter than that of the usual mother and son duo. He's not anxious because of her, he's anxious because of Rachel. He knows he shouldn't be, under normal circumstances Carole would absolutely love Rachel, but these were far from normal circumstances. Falling for a girl this soon after his injury wasn't bound to go over well...
Wait a minute... He thinks to himself, knitting his brow in contemplation, that can't be right, he can't be falling for her already. He likes her, a lot, she's sweet and talented and a wonderful cook and mighty skilled with those lips, but falling for her? The thought is just a little too intense for even him to comprehend, how could he expect his mom to understand? All he knows is that he has to talk to Rachel. He finds her room with some delicate maneuvering, and knocks softly, a smile immediately reaching his lips as she answers the door.
"Hi Finn," she says, and with her usual warning she presses her lips to his, making him immediately forget what he was about to say.
"Something on your mind?" she says after a few moments of silence.
"Um yeah, well as you know..." he starts, trailing off.
"Is this about your mom?"
"Well yeah," he admits. "The thing is, I..."
"You're not sure how to explain our relationship to her considering the circumstances of your injury," she says as a statement rather than a question.
"Wow, you're really making this easy," he chuckles.
"Well, we're friends right, nothing wrong with having friends," she says a bit hesitantly.
"Rachel, I think you know I don't want to be your friend," he says under his breath.
"I don't want to be your friend either," she says breathlessly, and he can feel the heat from her body as she inches closer to him and his hands touch her waist, and she kisses him again.
"Lets not be friends then," he whispers huskily into her mouth. And her soft hands cradle the back of his neck while they kiss and he holds her closer.
"You want to go in my room and make out and talk about this later?" she says between long, hot kisses.
"Totally," he agrees as she backs him up toward her bed. and they lay down together, kissing with heated abandon. All thought leaves Finn's head as he presses her up against the mattress and she removes his glasses, getting them out of the way to deepen their kisses.
"Finn," she gasps as his lips skim over her neck and his hand grazes her smooth thigh. "Finn, I..."
"Yeah?" he responds, his voice muffled.
"You're just really, really good.
"You're not so bad yourself," he teases, and kisses her again, his mouth grazing her cheek until he finds her lips again. He feels like he can do this all day, just one more reason to wish Carole were coming another time.
They agree not to go into too much detail about their fledgling romance with Carole, both deciding it's best not to worry her about too many things at once. The whole apartment smells like cookies, Rachel is nothing if not hospitable.
"So, I see you're going for the Veronica Lake look again today," Kurt says as he joins Rachel and Finn in the kitchen, and Finn's first instinct is to touch his own hair and clothes.
"Not you," Kurt sighs. "Rachel."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Rachel says coolly.
"Yeah, who's Veronica Lake?" Finn says, feeling for the plate of cookies.
"Think Jessica Rabbit," Kurt explains.
"Oh," Finn says, taking a bite of oatmeal cranberry. "Hot."
"Yeah, if you're a cartoon," Kurt says cattily.
"Kurt we talked about this," Rachel says under her breath, and Finn can't help but wonder what it is they talked about.
"I know, I'm just sayin- but before Kurt can finish the doorbell rings, and Finn lets out a long sigh before getting up.
"I can get it if you want," Kurt says.
"I can answer a door Kurt," Finn says, reaching for his cane, and after a few tries he manages to get the door open.
"Hey mom," he says as he answers the door.
"Finn..." Kurt starts behind him, but Finn pays no mind to his interruption.
"How was your flight?"
"First of all I'm not your mother, second 'how was your flight?' that's the greeting I get after all this time?"
His blood nearly goes cold at the sound of her angry, familiar Spanish accent, this can't be happening, not now, not in front of her.
"Santana," he says in almost a whisper.
"At least you recognize my voice," she says and he realizes now that there are tears in her throat, and they intensify as she throws her arms around him, sobbing, making him flinch a little, luckily he's getting a little more used to the surprise touching.
"Santana," he says, hugging her back hesitantly. "What are you doing here? You didn't even call..."
"I didn't call, what about you? I don't get so much as an email or a text letting me know you left the country and went blind? I come back from visiting my parents in Spain and you're just gone?" she says, still crying hysterically.
"Santana I'm sorry I didn't tell you but come on, what did you expect, you cheated on me, remember?" Finn argues.
"Just because I cheated on you doesn't mean I stopped loving you you moron," she carries on, breaking the hug "And it certainly doesn't mean you can just bail and forget to tell me."
"We weren't speaking, I thought you moved out."
"I was trying to give you some space for awhile, imagine my surprise when I come home and all your stuff is gone."
"So what it was just supposed to be me, you and your lesbian lover under one roof?" Do you not see why that would be a little awkward for me?"
Everything goes silent at that point as everyone in the apartment is at a loss for what to say, this was the last thing anyone was expecting to happen.
"Are you still here?" Finn says hesitantly.
"I'm still here," Santana answers, her voice soft.
"Santana, this really isn't the best time," Kurt says, breaking the silence. "Our mom is coming and-"
"Who's this?" Santana says, cutting him off.
"Um, well Kurt you've met," Finn says. "This is Rachel, she my, well we're..."
"I'm Kurt's roommate," Rachel explains, and he can tell by her voice how uncomfortable she is right now. "You must be Finn's ex."
"Santana," Santana says. "It's nice to meet you."
"San I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't be here right now," Finn says.
"So what, that's it, you're just never going to talk to me again?"
"I will, if that's what you want," Finn agrees. "Just go back to your hotel and I'll call you when I get done okay?"
"If you don't I swear to God I will find you Finn," she says darkly. And as he hears her footsteps walking away he breathes a low sigh."
"Well that was weird," Kurt says.
"Tell me about it," Finn agrees. "I can't believe she came all the way here."
"And I can't believe you agreed to meet with her," Kurt replies.
"I had to get her to leave somehow, besides, she's right, we do need to talk, it's not like I'm mad at her anymore," Finn says.
"I know, but isn't this sort of the opposite of moving on?" Kurt says.
"I have moved on Kurt," Finn explains. "What do you think Rachel, do you think I should go?" she hasn't spoken in awhile, and he's anxious to hear her opinion knowing how weird this must be for her.
"Well," Rachel starts hesitantly. "I don't know Santana, or how you were as a couple, but judging from what I just saw, she cares about you a great deal, maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing to talk it out."
"It's up to you," Kurt says defeatedly.
"But you're sure she's gay right?" Rachel says in a way that only seems like she's half joking.
"Totally," Finn assures her. "When we were together I barely ever got any."
"Well then yes, I think you should go," Rachel says, sounded relieved.
It takes about five minutes for the doorbell to ring again, and this time it actually is Finn's mother, which he has to admit is a relief after the surprise that was Santana visiting.
"Oh Finn, Honey," Carole beams as she greets her son. "It's so great to see you."
"It would be great to see you to," he jokes as she enters the apartment.
"Hello Kurt," Carole continues. "And You must be Rachel."
"Hello Mrs. Hummel it's lovely to meet you," Rachel says warmly.
"It's lovely to meet you too sweetheart," Carole beams. "I hear you've been just wonderful these past few days."
"Well it's been a pleasure having Finn here," Rachel says. "We wish it could be under better circumstances. But you'll be happy to know he's made terrific progress."
"Rachel's right," Kurt agrees. "His prognosis is really strong and he's been out and about with no problems at all."
"Love you guys talking about me like I'm not here," Finn teases.
"So, out and about huh?" Carole says, clearly feigning nonchalance. "out and about doing what exactly?"
"26 mom, I'm 26," Finn reminds her.
"Oh honey I know it's just, it's a New City and you're still getting used to the..."
"Not being able to see thing?" Finn says, finishing for her.
"I just want to make sure you're staying safe, that's all."
"Well let's hope I don't have to get too used to it," Finn says. "The doctor says there still a good chance I'll get my sight back partially if not completely."
"But in the meantime Rachel really has been great helping him," Kurt says with enough suggestiveness in his voice to make Finn want to shoot him a look if he had the ability, Kurt just really couldn't help his mouth sometimes, and Finn really wishes he would have taken the time to explain to him that he didn't want his mother knowing about his budding romance with Rachel just yet.
"Well I would have thought that would have been your job," Carole says.
"Oh I don't mind, really," Rachel says, "My job has a lot more flexibility than Kurt's, besides, me and Finn get along so well."
"Oh just swimmingly," Kurt cuts in.
"Really Kurt," Finn sighs, annoyed.
"What Kurt means is..."
"Finn, is something going on between you and this young lady." Carole says, interrupting Rachel.
"No, not at all," Rachel replies a bit nervously.
"26 Finn, you're 26," Kurt says, repeating Finn's words. And as much as he hates Kurt right now he has to admit that he's right, it's not like Carole can do anything about him seeing Rachel if he wants to, and he definitely wants to, but that wasn't going to make the conversation that ensued any less awkward.
"We've been on one date," Finn admits.
"And we kissed but it wasn't Finn's idea," Rachel says frantically.
"Not that she took advantage of me or anything, I mean, I wanted to kiss her," Finn says.
"All I mean to say is that you don't have to worry about Finn becoming sidetracked, he is fully committed to his healing process," Rachel explains. "The kissing is completely relegated to Finn's free time and I can assure you, it won't be a distraction in any way... Please don't hate me."
"Oh sweetheart I don't hate you," Carole says after a few silent moments. "I'm just happy my son has found such a nice girl to spend his time with, don't get me wrong, Santana had her good qualities but I always thought she was a bit rough around the edges."
"Well I can assure you my edges are perfectly smooth," Rachel says adorably. "Also you will be pleased to know that I am not now nor have I ever been a lesbian, although I fully support her lifestyle,"
"Well honey if you and Rachel want to see each other don't let me stop you," Carole says brightly, and finally Finn's awkward grimace dissolves into a smile. "Just please be careful when you're on your outings, it's all I ask."
"We will mom," Finn says.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Rachel starts again. "I baked, it's a firmly held belief of mine that guests should always be greeted with cookies."
"I think that's a belief that's definitely worth subscribing to," Carole says, and Finn's smile widens once he realizes what's happening, his mother already loves her, she really couldn't be any more perfect.
They spend the whole day together, and it's actually pretty nice, and Finn loves how much Rachel and Carole get along, Carole even does mom things like calling her dress darling and suggesting a hairstyle that doesn't hide her pretty face, and he again wished that he didn't have a brain injury that hid Rachel's pretty face from him, although what she looks like is becoming less and less relevant the longer he knows her, he still can't help but be curious.
After his mother departs he asks Kurt to be his guide to Santana's hotel, thinking it wouldn't be appropriate to ask Rachel, and in spite of his reservations he agrees.
Santana seems to have calmed down when he greets her the second time, although he has no physical cues to go on, she says hello to him with a bit less of an edge in her voice.
"Hey Santana," Finn says as he enters her hotel room, Kurt in tow.
"I'm not here," Kurt says. "I just helped Finn find the place. I'll be in the hallway if you need me."
"Thanks Kurt," Finn says as he enters the room and Santana shuts the door.
"So, you wanted to talk," Finn continues. "Talk."
"You're being weird," Santana says. "It's like you're not even pissed at me anymore."
"Well that's because I'm not," Finn admits. "I'm glad you've found someone that makes you happy."
"That doesn't mean you didn't Finn it's just..."
"I have a penis, I get it," Finn says. "The truth is I kind of knew, I mean the way you were always looking at Brittany, it was kind of hard to deny, but I did for so long because, well, you were sort of my best friend. And I just didn't want to lose that."
"You don't have to," Santana says.
"But you know things can't just go back to normal."
"I know," she admits in defeat. "But I guess this is good right. And that Rachel girl seems nice, I mean she's way too short for you, I imagine you'll get back problems over time from bending down to kiss her, and her hair makes her look like she has half a face, but other than that I approve."
"Wait a second, is it really that obvious that we're dating?" Finn says, knitting his brow in confusion.
"It was mostly a shot in the dark but I figured there had to be a reason you got over me so fast, to get over one girl you get under a new one, it's, how you say, textbook."
"Well I haven't actualy been under her yet," Finn says sheepishly. "We've only been on one date. But I really like this girl Santana, I mean she's like the coolest chick on the planet."
"Wow, if only you could see your face right now," Santana says. "Somebody's got it bad."
He said he was going to take things slow, and he meant it, at the time. But at this rate this rate it was only a matter of time before getting under Rachel was a reality, and he had to admit the idea didn't suck.
Stay tuned folks!