Chapter 2: The Park

He regretted everything he did nine years ago. He regretted letting his fiance go. He regretted putting her on the train to start her new life in New York. He knew she was living her dreams. She'd be a huge Broadway star. He knew she wouldn't be so upset about him after she settles her life in NYADA, her dream college. She would stop thinking about him.

But he's never stopped thinking about her. She's never changed her number. He constantly called and texted. He never gave up. Why wouldn't she talk to me? Was she that angry with me? I know she thinks we should be married but...his shook his head. Forget it, Hudson. She's moved on. She probably has a boyfriend who's a broadway star himself. She doesn't need you. You set her free.

For the past nine-years he couldn't date any other girl. Rachel Berry was for him. She was the love of her life. He had to let her live her dream. He couldn't follow her to New York knowing there wasn't anything there for him. If I could change the past, I would. I would of never set her free. Why am I so stupid?

Here he was at twenty-five, living in an apartment at Ohio, and living alone. He backed out of the army. His mother was so afraid for him. It made him realise he couldn't put his mother in the same pain she was in when his father died. It was too late to run afer Rachel, the love of his life.

He enrolled in Ohio state and graduated. He majored in engineering and took over Burt Hummel's auto repair shop. He was now the owner of the shop.

He picked up the photo frame that laid on his night stand and held it close to his chest. It was the picture of him and Rachel during the graduation of high school. They were happy, they were in love, but now he doesn't know what they are. He jumped up when he saw his step-brother Kurt Hummel walk into his room in the apartment.

"You really need to stop acting so depressed. You can't be like this for another year, Finn." Kurt says.

Finn sat up. "I miss her. I miss her so much."

"Then go after her." Kurt cried.

"It's too late, dude!" Finn yelled. "She doesn't love me."

"How do you know that's for sure?" Kurt asked.

"She ignores my text messages and my calls. I even left her a few voice mails." Finn said. He covers his face with his hands. He wasn't going to cry over this in front of his step-brother.

"You need to take a walk to the park or the beach..." Kurt suggested.

Finn raised an eyebrow. "I'm not going anywhere with you.."

Kurt crosses his hands. "It's for your own good. You're miserable, Finn."

"I know. And I hate myself for doing this!" Finn cried.

Kurt sighs and grabs his brother out of bed. "We're going to the park."

And Kurt finally got his brother to go out..It would be good for him.

Rachel wanted to get out of the house. She wanted to take her daughter out. She wanted a mother/daughter day. It was something that they've haven't had for a while. Rachel was happy that her daughter was happy. Her daughter had a smile on her face when she ate her vanilla Ice Cream cone with sprinkles. Rachel ate a chocolate Ice Cram cone herself. They sat on the bench together enjoying tehe sceneary.

"Are you having a great time?" Rachel asked.

Ashley nods. She looks at the kids playing in the playground. "Baby, you can go play if you want."

"I don't know anyone." Ashley sighs.

Rachel nods. She wasn't going to push her daughter. "Okay, baby." Rachel kisses her daughter's head. "Do you want me to push you on the swings?"

Ashley nods with a smile. "Please? So I can go higher?"

Rachel smiles. "Of coure. Anything for you." Rachel says.

"Just let me rest my tummy. I don't want to throw up." Ashley says. Rachel nods. Her eyes grew wide as she saw a tall familiar man and another man with the latest fashionable clothes.

It couldn't be...no way! She told herself to stay calm so she did and decided to listen to them.

"Do you think she misses me too?" She heard a familiar voice. The other guy wasn't paying attention so he almost trips over Ashley's shoes. "I'm so sorry, sweetie.." Kurt apologizes. Rachel turns around when Kurt stares at the little girl.

The little girl looks like a young Rachel Berry. Finn stares at the little girl as well. He was speechless. There was another young lady sitting next to the little girl. It couldn't be...was it really her? The one who's looking away? No way! Finn tried to open his mouth but no words came out.

Kurt decided to do what Finn wouldn't do. He tapped the young lady who was still looking away, not facing them.

And she slowly turns her head around. She was finally facing them.

Kurt Hummel and Finn Hudson. They were standing in front of Rachel and Ashley Berry. "Rachel?" Finn asked.

"It's so good to see you!" Kurt says. He wasn't lying. It was good to see her. Kurt has missed his little diva so much. He wanted to reach over for a hug but he wasn't sure how Rachel would react.

Rachel tends to smile. "Nice to see you too, Kurt."

She tries not to make eye contact with the one and only Finn Hudson. She then rushes to grab her things and hold onto her daughter. "I'm sorry. We have some errands to run." She says. "Come on, baby."

"What about the swings, mommy?" Ashley asked.

"We can go next time, baby girl. I promise." Rachel says. She turns the other way holding her daughter's hand.

She wasn't ready to run into them.

She wasn't ready to explain herself.

LeRoy and Hiram figured there was something wrong with their baby girl. She came home sobbing onto their arms. She's been crying for half an hour in front of her little girl.

Her fathers have been stroking her hair and rubbing her back. They've even gave her a glass of water to drink knowing she was thirsty. None of that worked. "Mommy? PLease don't cry." Ashley pleads.

Rachel wipes her tears away. "Baby girl? Please go with Granddad upstairs to the room." She says trying to calm herself down. Ashley hugs her mother. "Mommy? Please don't cry. It makes me sad."

Rachel nods. "Ok, baby girl. I need you to go upstairs."

Ashley nods and LeRoy walks with Ashley upstairs. LeRoy wanted to be there for Rachel but he knew Rachel wouldn't want their granddaughter to hear the full story. LeRoy respected her request.

Hiram continues to stroke his daughter's hair and rub her back. Rachel sat up. "I saw them. I saw Kurt Hummel and Finn..." She whispers.

"You weren't expecting to see them right away, huh?" Hiram asked. Rachel shook her head.

"Daddy? What am I gonna do? I can't keep running away from Finn now that I'm here."

Hiram sighs. "I think it's been a long nine-years. I don't think it's healthy for you to keep hiding Ashley from him. I think Finn deserves to know who her father is."

"But she's never asked." Rachel whispers. "She's never asked about her daddy. It's always been me and my baby girl."

"Darling? What's the real reason why you came back here?" Hiram asked.

Rachel let go of her father's arms. "To be a mother to my baby girl. To raise her and not count on her nannies and tons of babysitters she's had. I came here to be part of her life ."

"Did you realise that maybe one day you might run into Finn and Kurt?" Hiram asked. "Finn, especially..."

"I don't know what to do, daddy. Please tell me what to do." Rachel was now sobbing uncontrollably. Hiram pulled her daughter closer for comfort. "You need to tell him, baby girl. You need to tell him." Hiram says.

Rachel just nods and continues sobbing onto her father's arms. Rachel was interupted being comforted by her father as they heard the door bell rang. Hiram gets up but gives Rachel a pillow. Rachel hugs the pillow close to her chest looking down. She couldn't control her tears.

Hiram opens the door and was shocked to see someone who shows up unexpectedly. "Mr. Berry..." He says quietly.

This was his chance.

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