Chapter 11

Rachel and Finn walked hand in hand into her apartment. She quietly tiptoed over to the living room and found Chris and Alyssa sprawled out asleep on the couches. She sighed as Finn wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her head.

"I love them both so much." She whispered as she placed her hand over his tightly.

"Me too." She smiled as he let go and walked over to Chris gently lifting him up off the ground and over his shoulder.

Rachel walked over doing the same to Alyssa. "Goodnight Finn."

He leaned down and gently gave her quick kiss before grabbing the rest of their things and heading for the door. "Night Rachel. I love you."

"Let me know when you're home." She smiled as Alyssa shifted a bit in her arms.

He nodded and began to walk out, "Oh and Finn... I love you too."

He winked as he shut the door behind him.

...

Weeks passed and ever since that special night, she'd never felt closer to Finn.

Her eyes flickered opened a bit at the sun shining down through the window. A smile stretched across her face as she remembered the dream she'd just had. It was perfect, Finn and her, a family.

She turned to see him lying there beside her. It wasn't like them to spend the night with each other, being that the kids were always there. But Christopher had gone to stay with Finn's sister for the weekend, and Gema had offered to watch Alyssa overnight.

She gently rested her head on his chest as she brushed her hand down the side of his cheek. She kissed him quickly before jumping up to go shower.

She stood in the shower for a bit, she'd never been happier. Though she knew that Alyssa would always be the most important person in her life, she felt something so similar with Finn and Chris.

She jumped a bit, startled at the tapping on the door, "Rachel?"

She peeked her head around the curtain, "Hey, sorry, I hope I didn't wake you. Its just, I have to get home pick up Alyssa, take her to daycare and then get to the theater."

He stood in the doorway shaking his head, "No, its fine, I woke up on my own."

She smiled before closing the curtain and continuing on with her shower.

Finn dropped his boxers as he tiptoed over towards the shower quickly opening the curtain, and hopping in.

"Finn, what are you..." She began to laugh as he nearly slipped trying to get in.

"Okay stop laughing, and can't I take a morning shower with my girl on her birthday." He grabbed her trying to pull her close.

Rachel rolled her eyes playfully as she pushed away, "I'm gonna be late Finn..."

"I can be quick." She laughed as he tried to be seductive, and before she could protest anymore, he grabbed her in his arms taking her lips in a kiss as the water fell down on them.

...

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Rachel, happy birthday to you."

Everyone began to clap as they placed a tiny cake down on the vanity in her dressing room.

"You guys.." She stood up to hug them. "You shouldn't have."

One of the girls smiled, "Of course we did. You deserve it. Happy Birthday Rachel."

"Thank you all so much." They took turns wishing her a personal happy birthday as they exited her dressing room one by one.

"Happy Birthday Beautiful."

Rachel turned to see Josh standing in the door way, "Oh, Hi Josh. Thank you."

"So I'm hoping you don't have any plans this evening, because I would love to take you out to that new restaurant on 33rd street, I know the head chef and have reserved a special table for two." He made his way over towards her, taking a seat on the counter top of her vanity.

"Oh. That's very sweet of you Josh, but I have plans. I'm going to dinner with my boyfriend and Alyssa."

"Oh yes, you're daughter."

"Yea, she and Finn, whom I think you met actually, right? Well anyway they have a big surprise for me tonight, so I'm sorry. It was a very nice thought though."

"I see. So you and.. Finn are doing well and still together."

"Not that its any of your business, but yes, we're still together."

Rachel turned to grab her things and get ready to go, "I'm actually running a bit late, I should go. Thank you for the well wishes..."

She stood there waiting for him to leave, "Ahh, I guess that's my cue. Have a wonderful evening Rachel." He walked up to her kissing her cheek.

"Thank you."

With that Josh had made his way out of the dressing room. Rachel sighed with relief. How overly creepy of him she thought.

She knew Josh was pushy and sometimes a little over dramatic, but that had been flat out rude and uncomfortable.

...

Finn knocked on the door to Rachel and Alyssa's apartment as he, Jake and Chris stood outside.

"Hi Finn. Hi Chris. Hi Jake." Alyssa smiled as she opened the door for them.

"Hey prettiest girl ever. How are you?" Finn smiled as knelt down to hug her.

She smiled as she hugged him back and pointed at the flowers he was carrying, "I'm good. Those are pretty are they for mommy?"

"Yup. They are, Chris has some for you too."

She began to clap as Chris handed her the flowers, "Here you go Alyssa."

The three of them made their way inside as Chris and Alyssa took off to play.

"Finn is that you?" He turned as he heard her calling from the bedroom.

"Yea its us."

"I'll be out in a minute."

Just then Brooke made her way out of the bedroom, "Looking good boys."

They both turned to see her walking towards them, "Hey Brooke."

She smiled, "Finn."

"Hey baby." She made her way over to Jake wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hey. Don't you look handsome." She pressed her lips to his as Finn rolled his eyes.

Rachel stood at the door way as she too rolled her eyes, "You do look nice Jake, but the hottest guy in the room is definitely that one."

They all turned to see Rachel leaning on the wall pointing at Finn. He smiled in awe, as he looked at his perfect girl. He loved how beautiful she was. And tonight even more so. She stood wearing a tiny black dress that showed off her amazing legs. Her hair, parted to the side, fell loosely in long curls and her bangs tucked away.

She blushed a bit when she saw Finn starring. She gestured with one finger for him to come to her, and so he did, grabbing her in his arms and kissing her softly.

"Have you looked in the mirror, clearly the hottest one goes to you... Babe, you look stunning."

She laughed as she agreed with him, "Well the birthday girl has gotta look good. You only turn 29 once right?"

"Right."

He kissed her a few more times before Brooke interrupted, "Now that we've established how hot we all look. Can we go? I'm starving."

Rachel laughed as she grabbed her purse, "Alyssa, Chris, we're leaving."

...

Alyssa and Rachel walked hand in hand as she talked to Brooke. Finn walked a few steps behind with the boys, "Hey, did you bring it?"

Jake looked over at Finn, "Yea, got it right here." He tapped the pocket on his coat.

"Okay good." He inhaled deeply as he looked ahead at the girls. "I'm kinda freaking out."

"Dude chill, it'll be great. I know it."

Chris looked up at his dad, "Yea dad, chill. It'll be great. We know it."

He gave his son a half smile, "I hope you're right kiddo."