Chapter 7: Meeting My Daughter

It's been a week since Finn hasn't seen Rachel. He knew Rachel was preparing herself on how to explain the whole who Finn is situation to her daughter. She figured that she could always say he was a great friend. Her daddies were going to be out the whole day so it would just be her, Ashley, and Finn.

Her small family.

Finn has explained everything to Burt and Carole how they were grandparents for nine-years. They weren't angry or upset but they were happy that he told the truth. They were actually proud to be learning that they were grandparents themselves. He's shown them the picture that Rachel has given him. She was a beautiful granddaughter. They couldn't wait to meet her.

And he felt exactly the same wait. HE couldn't wait to meet his precious little girl. He was expected to show up at one o'clock for lunchtime. He dressed up in jeans with a plaid sweatshirt. He really came prepared.

He rang the doorbell. He was ready. He was ready to meet his little girl and he was ready to start over with Rachel...he was ready to really start over.

He had a smile on his face when Rachel opened the door. She wore a red lace dress and her hair was super straight this time. She had make-up on but not too much. She looks around the house to see if Ashley has come down yet but she was still upstairs. Rachel reaches over to kiss Finn on the lips. "Hi, handsome. You look lovely today."

Finn smiles. "Thank you. You look beautiful." He says during the kiss. He pulls out red roses and a box of chocolate. "This is for you." He hands the roses to Rachel. "Finn..." She smells them and holds it closer to her. "There my favorite! Thank you!" She kisses him once more.

"And this is for our little lady." Finn smiles.

"Chocolate?" Rachel asked. "You shouldn't, Finn..." She lets him in and closes the door behind them. Finn sits on the couch. She calls down for Ashley who came down the stairs. Ashley hides behind her mother's back. Rachel rubs her daughter's back telling her it was ok to continue walking towards the couch. "Ashley, baby? This is a very good friend of mine. We want to high school together." Rachel introduces her daughter to Finn. "He's Finn Hudson."

Finn smiles at the girl and waves. "It's nice to meet you." He then hands Ashley the box of chocolate.

Ashley gives Finn a shy smile. She has such a beautiful smile. I really want to be a good dad to her...Finn thought.

Rachel nods and tells them that lunch is ready.

As they ate lunch Finn couldn't help notice how shy his daughter was. She ate in silence as Rachel did all the talking. Finn clears his throat. "So, Ashley? What's your favorite subject at school?" Finn asked.

His little girl puts the fork down and stares at her food. "Baby? What's the matter?" Rachel asked.

"Did I say something wrong?" Finn asked.

Rachel shook her head. "It's just she gets very, very timid around people she doesn't know." Ashley looks up at her mother. Rachel could see the sadness in her daughter's face. "What's the matter, baby?"

"I'm sorry, mommy! I really am! I love you very much but I want a daddy." Ashley was now in tears. Rachel walks over to her daughter and pulls her into a hug. She allows her daughter to cry on her lap. "Oh, baby...sweetie..." Ashley was shaking her head. "I want a daddy."

She knew this day would come but she just doesn't understand what made her daughter bring up the daddy topic. Rachel strokes the girl's hair. "Sweetheart? What's wrong? You never asked me about your daddy before..."

"Because you never have a guy friend over." Ashley cries. "He's the first guy friend."

Yup, she sure is intelligent. Rachel can't keep avoiding Ashley from finding out the truth now.

The mother of the daughter continued to comfort Rachel. After that, none of them had the appetite to eat their lunch. 'Tell her. It's time.' Rachel could read Finn's lips.

She was tired from all the crying. She took a nap. Finn really didn't get to know his daughter well. He spent the rest of the afternoon comforting Rachel who has been sobbing on his shoulders.

"Now are you ready?" Finn asked. Rachel shook her head, letting out a loud sob. "Come on, babe. You have to be ready. You can do this."

"But what about you?" She was now in hysterics. "I will be there if you need me. I won't leave. You're strong, Rachel." Finn kisses Rachel. "Hold my hand, never let me go." She says. Finn nods and the whole time he has his arms wrapped around her as they head up the stairs. They head up the room to where Ashley was staying.

Normally Ashley never took naps unless she was upset. Rachel didn't want to let this nap to ruin her sleeping habits during the night. Rachel gently wakes up her daughter. "Baby? You've been sleeping for a while. IT's time to get up." She whispers. Ashley slowly opens her eyes. She sat up and Rachel sat on Ashley's bed with Finn standing, holding her hand. "I have something to tell you. You may be upset or angry with me but I need to tell you this."

Ashley just nods and waits for her mother to continue. "I figured I wouldn't tell you about this but after what you told me earlier, my heart crushed. I couldn't keep doing this to you. I love you so very much, Ashley. You are my star...and I love you." Rachel kisses her daughter.

"Mommy? What do you want to tell me? I could never be angry with you." Ashley says looking into her mother's eyes. She was ignoring the fact that Finn was in her room.. Rachel looks away and continued to cry. "I can't do this." She fought against herself. Finn rubs Rachel's back. He was still holding onto Rachel's hand. "Then I will." He says. He bends down on his knees to talk to the confused little girl.

"Hi." He says. The little girl moved back. She didn't exactly know him well he knew who he was to his mother but they haven't talked at all. This whole time. Finn nods. "Ok..." He took a deep breath.

His family was very fragile right now. Rachel couldn't tell her but he wanted her to know...and he was going to do it. "Ashley? I'm your daddy..." He says. He took deep breaths. He heard Rachel sob even louder and he waited for Ashley to make a movement.

There wasn't any movement coming from the child. Ashley Nicole Berry didn't know what to think or do.