Chapter 6

These days, time had definitely been going by too fast for Rachel. She felt that just yesterday she was having to wear tank tops out on her days off from the massive heat the swept New York this summer. Now, as she stood in her apartment, early Tuesday morning, she cuddled up to a large blanket and watched the leaves in central park fall to the ground.

She was given the entire week off from the hospital and she couldn't be any happier for that. She would have to remember to thank one of her good friends and coworker, Jessica, who happily agreed to take over for her. She would have to return early Monday morning and would probably have to do a little over time but it was definitely worth it.

This week was Thanksgiving, and she was happy because her parents, after almost 5 years of begging, had finally decided to hop on a plane and make their way over to New York. This would be the first time she would see them in almost 8 years and saying that she was excited was an understatement.

Another thing that Rachel was excited about was that her birthday fell on Thanksgiving and she was really happy that she could spend it with all of her friends and family. Even Kurt, whom she had not seen in the same amount of time as her own parents, was flying here with his now, husband, Blaine and their 5 year old daughter, Alexandria, whom they adopted just last year, as Finn informed her.

She was glad to know that Kurt would be coming since she had really missed him and his craziness. She just didn't know he would act towards her. She had to miss his wedding last year because the person who was supposed to cover for her at the hospital came down with a terrible stomach flu. Never mind that, this week would be fun, she would see everyone and it would be the best Thanksgiving and Birthday ever.

Being interrupted from her thoughts, Rachel found Santana, Brittany, and Quinn standing in her living room with cheerful looks on their faces. Gosh, it was 6:30 in the morning. Good thing she was up. Knowing Santana she would have gotten an abrupt awakening. Walking towards them, she took her blanket off and threw it on the couch.

"Guys, it's 6:30 in the morning. What are you doing here?" she asked, gripping her hips with her hands.

"We have a huge day ahead of us and you're definitely coming with us. Now get your skinny ass dressed. Dress heavy, it's freezing out there." Santana replied.

"Where are y'all going?" she asked.

"We, are going shopping. Black Friday is Friday, of course and I want to get my shopping done earlier this year. You know how it is in New York on Black Friday. You guys are gonna help me and you can even shop for yourselves, I really don't care. I just thought it would be a great day for us girls to hang and catch up with the gossip, you know?" Santana explained.

"Okay. Well, give me like a few minutes." she said.

"Whatever. We just have to be outta here by 7:15. I want to get started early so we can have time to get to as many shops as we can." Santana answered plopping down on the couch and turning on the TV.

By the time Rachel was finished getting ready, she took one last glance in the mirror. Instantly, she approved her look. She was wearing a long sleeved Royal blue shirt, dark blue jeans, a large white coat with brown fur in the hood, and brown ugg boots with fur, in which the bottom of her jeans were tucked into. Rachel decided to leave her hair down, so, she straightened it, and placed a brown beanie over the top of her head.

Her make up was the last thing that she needed to put on. She decided to keep it simple since she really wasn't going anywhere special. She applied a light coat of base and powder. After, she drew a small line on both of her water lines, top and bottom, with a dark black eye pencil. Once she put on three coats of mascara, Rachel was finished.

Leaving the bathroom, Rachel greeted her three friends once again. Santana seemed to like what she was wearing, proving that her outfit was more than likely a success. After grabbing her purse, Rachel followed the rest of the girls downstairs and to the sidewalk to wait for a taxi.

After about two hours of going to different shops, Rachel's feet were starting to hurt really bad. She could also see that Quinn was in the same condition as she was. They walked far behind Santana and Brittany, who were basically power walking the whole time with millions of bags in their hands. Rachel felt a little relieved to know that Quinn was in the same condition as her but she kind of felt bad to know that Quinn had an excuse. She had a baby less than 4 months ago. Rachel on the other hand had not had a baby in her whole entire life time and was still going as slow as she possibly could. Maybe it was the sharp pain of freezing air hitting her face or the fact that she hated walking in and out of shops. Hell, she hated shopping itself. It was too much commotion and she sometimes found it really boring. But Santana wanted to spend the day with all of them, so she would suck it up and spend the rest of the day with the girls. She just really thanked God that her best friend was a guy. Finn hated shopping just as much as she did. Except, Finn hated it to the point where he avoided it until he absolutely had to go.

Walking into Victoria's Secret, Quinn and Rachel made a 'oh my gosh' look at each other, as Santana and Brittany ran straight to the lingerie. Rachel was fine with them looking at the items for themselves, but as soon as Santana started suggesting things for her to try on, she would be out the door in a second.

Quinn and her laughed to themselves as they awkwardly stood there watching Santana and Brittany go through all of the lingerie, Bras, and underwear. Walking away from them, Quinn and Rachel went on their own to smell the different displays of perfume.

"I totally thought you would be looking with them. You know Sam would love that." Rachel laughed.

"Ha-ha, real funny. What about you? Finn would be in your arms in a heart beat. Especially with that black lacy thing I saw back there." Quinn laughed back.

"About that.." Rachel lightly smiled in Quinn's direction.

"What?" Quinn asked with a curious expression on her face.

"I think i'm just gonna let it all go. You know, the whole 'being in love with Finn' thing." Rachel told her.

"What? How can you let it all go? You guys are like undiscovered soul mates!" Quinn exclaimed.

"You seriously have no idea how many times I've asked myself that question. Like, too many times to count. I'm just so tired of just waiting around for him to come and sweep me off my feet like a freaking fairytale. Part of me had hoped for that for so long, but another part of me just knows that that is just a fantasy and will probably never happen. I mean there will always be a part of me that will love him, don't get me wrong. I just want to be happy and I know that if I spend my whole entire life waiting for someone who doesn't even feel that way for me, I won't be happy." She explained.

"What does that mean?" Quinn asked.

"It means that, I think I want to start dating again." Rachel smiled.

"Dating?" Quinn asked, with a brow raised.

"Yes, it'll be fun. And, to make things better, I even came up with like the best plan ever." Rachel smiled brightly.

"What plan?"

"I'm going to find someone for Finn and then we'll be able to go on the best double dates. I'll be happy and he'll be happy. Everyone will be happy and that's all that I want. Just, as long as he doesn't bring that blonde slut that I hate." She told Quinn.

"It sounds like a good plan! I'm so excited. We can all have the best triple dates!" Quinn smiled.

"Yes!" she exclaimed.

"I just want to make sure that you're okay with all of this. I mean, I know it's really hard to move on from something like this. I'd like to believe that true love only comes around once. What if Finn was 'the one'?" Quinn asked.

"I know.. But, I can never know that for sure until I try. You're right, Finn could be my soul mate... Or, my soul mate could be somewhere out there and Finn and I are destined to be nothing more than best friends..."

"You're right.. Have you told Santana?" Quinn asked as they both turned to look at the Latino, who was laughing with Brittany.

"And ruin Rachel's Angels? No thanks... Actually you're the only person I've told. Can we just keep it between the two of us?" Rachel asked.

"I can try, but Rach, you know that i'm terrible at keeping secrets. Hence the whole Finn, Puck, and Beth fiasco in high school." Quinn chuckled.

"Okay, i'm pretty sure that this isn't as serious as that was and you did keep it until I told Finn the truth about you." Rachel laughed.

"I know but still..." Quinn replied.

"Oh relax, it's just one small thing." Rachel smiled.

"I guess you're right.." Quinn smiled back.

"Thanks for listening to me and giving me your honest opinion." Rachel told her, as they pulled each other into a hug. "You're welcome." Quinn replied.

"What's with the cheesy hugging?"

Both girls released from each other and turned to find Santana and Brittany standing by them with curious looks on their faces. Knowing she couldn't tell Santana about everything they had just shared with each other, Quinn created a new subject.

"That was quick."

"Well, I know my size in pretty much everything in this shop.." Santana began as she dug through her bags pulling out a red piece of clothing. "I definitely think this is my color. I'm gonna look so hot!" she exclaimed.

"Definitely, babe." Brittany smiled.

"Well, okay. How about we move on to a different shop?" Rachel interrupted feeling awkward. She knew that Quinn was also feeling the exact same way as her.

"Yes, please." Quinn added.

Once they were out of several shops that the visited, they all decided that it was time to find a place to eat for lunch. As they were walking, Rachel noticed that Santana was holding Brittany's hand as they walked swiftly up the pathway. Seeing them, Rachel turned to Quinn and whispered.

"See, I want a love like that."

"Doesn't everyone?" Quinn replied.

They all decided on the first café they saw since the food looked good and they really didn't feel like walking anymore down the road to find a another one. Once they were all settled with their food and drinks, Santana was the one to break the silence that was lingering above the table.

"So, Quinny, where'd you drop of baby Ken and Barbie?"

"Jeremy, is spending the day with his daddy." she smiled, sipping on her water.

"Father and son day. Sounds like fun. Might even do trouty mouth some good." Santana laughed.\

"Yeah.." Quinn replied.

"What about you, Berry? Where's Frankenteen on this lovely day?" Santana asked.

"He's actually really busy getting ready for Thursday. I thought it would be best to give him his space since he's like really stressed about getting everything perfect. He's going crazy." She laughed.

"Well, he better have good booze this year, because a Hudson/ Hummel Thanksgiving is not something that I can do sober." Santana told her, taking a bite out of her food.

"Me too." Quinn added.

"Come on, guys. It'll be fun." Rachel laughed.

"You weren't there last year, were you?" Santana asked.

Now thinking about it, last year for Thanksgiving, Rachel decided that she wanted to work during the holiday since she really didn't feel like getting together at Finn's house. So, she got off early, bought a tub of chocolate ice cream, and stayed home watching reruns of The Vampire Diaries on Netflix.

"Rachel, last year was terrible. Britt and I had to sneak up to the roof of the building to get some peace and quiet. Especially with that "concert"." Santana explained.

"What concert?" Rachel chuckled.

"Blaine and Kurt decided that it would be fun to put on a little concert for us. It was nothing but Broadway songs. It was miserable. I love Blaine and Kurt to death, but, I felt like I wanted to shoot myself in the face. Even Burt and Carol were looking like they had enough. It was absolutely terrible." she explained.

Quinn and Brittany seemed to have started shaking their heads in agreement with Santana.

"I just miss the old days." Santana continued.

"What do you mean by 'the old days'?" Rachel asked.

"You know. When we would all go to Finn's house. There was just us four, Finn, Sam, and Puck hanging out as a small family. The boys watching football, the girls gossiping in the kitchen while we cooked the food. Then, after everything had been eaten we would play drinking games and get drunk off of our asses. I remember the first year we got here, Rachel and I had to crash on the couch because we couldn't even walk on our own. We were so wasted. Those were the good days. I miss that. Now that Finn started inviting his parents and Blaine and Kurt, I just feel like I have to watch what I do or say, or else I'll be given the looks of disapproval. It's not as fun as it used to be." she explained.

"I think we all miss those days.. But, i'm very excited. I haven't seen Kurt in like 8 years. Do you know how long that is? We have like a ton of stuff to catch up on. Also, Finn told me that Carol wants my help making her Coconut cream pie, which is like a secret recipe, so that's going to be like awesome. And also, i'm pretty sure that Burt has new jokes from the last ones. Let's face it, they're going to be hilarious. Oh yeah, and Finn is hiring a personal chef to cook the food this year, so, we won't have burnt food like we did two years ago. It's only going to be not fun if you make it that way. It's going to be a good day! It's my birthday and I finally get to spend it with my parents!" Rachel exclaimed.

"No offense, Rachel, but, you sound like a peppy housewife from the 50's." Brittany told her, causing them all to laugh.

"I'm excited. Sue me." she laughed.

"When are your parents coming in?" Quinn asked.

"I have to go pick them up from the airport tomorrow at 2:15. I'm so excited!" She laughed.

"How long are they staying for?" Santana asked.

"They have to leave early Thursday afternoon." Rachel hesitantly answered.

"Wait... They're leaving on your birthday? Rachel, that's hardly fair for you. Why are they leaving so early?" Santana asked.

"They have a meeting the next day." Rachel answered.

"And they couldn't cancel it to spend the day with their daughter on her birthday?" Santana asked.

"Look guys, I know that you guys are concerned about me and I really appreciate it, but you have nothing to worry about. They're taking time out of their busy schedule to spend the day with me and i'm really thankful for it." She told them.

"We just don't want you to get your hopes up, Rachel. I remember high school okay? I'm pretty sure we all do at this table. All of those times that you cried. They didn't even go to your graduation. I don't wanna see you hurt like you were." Quinn explained.

"I'm not gonna lie, it will hurt when they leave, but I haven't seen them in 8 years. I'd rather have two days than none." She explained.

"You haven't seen them in 8 years, not because of you, but because they never came to visit or asked you to visit. Didn't you beg them to come over?" Santana added.

"They've changed guys.. It's going to be a fun day, okay?" Trying to change the subject, Rachel spoke again. "I think we should get going. There might be a few good shops down the street." she smiled, standing up as the bill had already been paid.

Once they were finished with all of the shopping that needed to be completed, they were all in a state of exhaustion. Getting into the cab, with Santana and Quinn sitting next to her, Rachel rested her head against the window with tears forming in her eyes, as her head repeated everything that the girls told her. She couldn't believe anything they said, no matter how much she wanted to. Her parents weren't the people who they used to be. They loved her and did everything for her. Even though she was hurt in high school from their abandonment, she understood that they were just making a living so she could have a good childhood. Quinn, Santana, and Brittany made it sound like they didn't even love her. That wasn't true at all. Falling into her thoughts, she drifted into a deep sleep.

The next thing she knew, Santana was shaking her violently as she was awaken from her much needed sleep. "Wake up, sleeping beauty."

Getting out of the cab, Rachel was a bit confused. This wasn't her or Santana and Brittany's apartment complex. Neither was it Quinn's. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around with a bit of confusion. Maybe she did know where they were. It was dark outside and her exhaustion did play with her vision.

"What are we doing here Santana? I want to go home. I'm tired." Rachel asked as they walked into the lobby and she recognized where they were.

"Oh, relax. We won't be here that long. It was the closest place I knew and I couldn't be in that cab anymore, the driver kept looking me up and down and it was awkward. I'm pretty sure he was taking looks at you too while you were asleep. Plus, if you're too tired, you can probably crash on the couch. Or, knowing Hudson, he'll probably tell you to crash in his bed. It'll be your bed too soon enough." she smirked, causing Rachel to roll her eyes.

"Whatever." she replied as they got onto the right floor from the elevator.

Once Santana found out that the front door was unlocked, she walked right through it like she owned the place. Walking through the house, it seemed empty.

"Is he even here?" Quinn asked, looking around the room.

"Oh, he's here. The smell of that cologne that I hate hit me the moment we walked through the door." Rachel replied as they walked further into the house.

"Hudson, you in here?" Santana called out.

"Santana!" Rachel whispered, hitting Santana's arm.

"In the kitchen." the familiar voice called out.

Rachel smiled when she walked into the next room to find Finn cutting up something with a bottle of beer on the side of the cutting board. Getting his eye, she smiled and walked over to hug him. Wrapping her arms around him, she felt like she could fall asleep right there. Quickly pulling away, she went to the fridge and grabbed a coke to keep her awake. Plopping herself down on the stool on the opposite side of him, she opened her drink and watched him cut up the vegetables he was cutting. As Santana and Quinn sat on the sides of her, leaving Brittany to stand beside them.

"What are you guys doing here?" Finn asked with a smile as he looked at them.

"Well, Rachel just had to see you, so we decided, why not?" Santana chuckled as she winked in Rachel's way.

Rolling her eyes, she rested her head on the counter.

"Is that so?" Finn smirked, laughing as Rachel huffed loudly against the counter.

"Real funny, Santana." Rachel sighed.

"Actually, you're our Safe Haven for the moment. The cab driver was a bit of a pervert and i'm pretty sure if I didn't tell him to pull over soon enough he would've taken us to a dark alley. Plus, he kept taking looks to the back seat where Rachel was sleeping. We had to get out and you were the closest place I could think of." Santana explained.

"Oh wow." Finn's eyes turned to Rachel, who still had her head rested against the counter as she looked at her can of coke. "And what about you? What were you doing sleeping in a cab?" he asked.

"I had a long day, okay?" she looked up at him. "What are you doing chopping vegetables at 8:24 at night?" she asked, with a laugh.

"I just got back from work and I need something to eat for supper." he replied.

"Whatever." She said.

"What's up with you, Oscar the grouch?"

"She's been like that ever since we left the café earlier today." Santana whispered.

"I can hear you, you know. I'm just really tired." Rachel answered.

"Go lay down in my bed." Finn offered.

Sitting up, Santana was behind Finn making sexual motions and winking faces.

Rolling her eyes at Santana, Rachel got up and started walking towards Finn's room. "Just this once. Goodnight guys." she smiled, waving as she continued to where she was going. Once she got into his room, she was really surprised with how tidy it was. The housemaid must've came early this week. Before she could get to his bed, her phone started going off. Pulling it out of her pocket, she smiled when she saw who it was.

"Hey, daddy." she answered.

"Hey, princess." Hiram Berry answered the phone.

"What's up? Are you calling to ask about the plans for tomorrow. Because, if so, I really think that you guys should see the city. Oh, we could go to Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty, and we could even go see a Broadway-" she was cut off.

"Actually, i'm calling about that. I'm very sorry but your father and I aren't going to be able to make it to New York tomorrow. There was a meeting scheduled at the last moment."

"What? But you promised!" Rachel felt the tears building up. "Why can't you just cancel and reschedule to another day?"

"It doesn't work like that baby. You're father and I are truly sorry, sweetheart."

"No, you don't have to apologize for anything. I understand. But, you will be here on Thursday, right?" she asked, with worry in her voice.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world princess. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." she replied before he hung up.

Great, she thought.. Just another thing to make this the worst day of my life. Maybe the girls were right earlier..

Grabbing her jacket in which she placed on Finn's bed before the phone call, she put it on and exited the room. All she wanted now was to be alone.

Passing by the kitchen, she seemed to have caught the eye of the girls and Finn. Knowing that she couldn't avoid them now, she slowly walked into the kitchen. Tears were rising in her eyes but she would not, under any circumstances, let them see her cry.

Walking up to them, she rubbed her eyes a little, doing her best not to smear her makeup and began to speak.

"It's getting late. I think I'm gonna head out." She smiled slightly.

"Rach, you can crash in my room. I'll take the couch. Plus, I don't feel comfortable with you being out this late especially with what Santana just told me about that cab driver." Finn explained.

"I know. I just really want to go home and clean up a bit before my parents get here tomorrow. You know how daddy is with big messes. I'll see you Thursday, okay?" She smiled, giving him a hug and feeling guilty about lying to him.

"Okay. Can I at least walk you downstairs?" he asked, rubbing his forehead.

"That would be nice." She smiled, then turned to the three girls who had smirks on their faces.

"That's so thoughtful of you, Finn." Santana smiled, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Very." Quinn added trying not to laugh.

"Bye guys. See you thursday." Rachel said, rolling her eyes.

Once they got into the elevator, Rachel and Finn quietly stood there. The silence in the small space was killing Rachel, but she knew that it was better than letting Finn see what was really going on with her. So, she held it in. She told herself that she would wait until she was in her own home where no one could see her ugly cries. Where no one could ask her what was wrong or worry about her.

Once they stepped out of the elevator and out of the lobby, Rachel finally broke the silence As Finn started waving for a taxi.

"Thanks. You know, for everything." She said.

He turned to her and smiled that crooked smile that made her melt every single time.

"Anything for the best friend."

Once a cab pulled up, Rachel got in and looked up at Finn.

Waving, he smiled as the cab pulled away and onto the street. Smiling back at him, she watched as his figure became smaller and smaller as she got further and further. No Rachel, she thought to herself, you've got to move on. She knew it was the most stupidest idea she ever came up with, but it simply had to be done. She knew it wasn't going to be easy but she needed to do it. She owed to Finn and herself.

Closing her eyes, she finally let go. The tears fell like rain as she held herself in her arms. She knew that the cab driver was looking at her with concern, but she didn't care. All she could think about was how everything could just fall apart and that there was nothing she could do about it.

She knew that her parents were very busy men and they did all they could for her, but she just never really saw it. Everything that Santana and Quinn had told her, she didn't want to believe it at first. But, With what she had experienced tonight, she just didn't know anymore. The way he straight out told her on the phone that they weren't going to make it. She didn't even hear any grief in his voice. What if they took the meeting to get out of coming to New York a day early? Stop it, Rachel, she thought to herself. She couldn't think of anything Like that. Her parents loved her with all of their hearts and she couldn't second guess that.

The next day went by very slowly for Rachel. She had the day all planned before her daddy threw the bomb on her that they weren't going to be coming. Now, all she did was lay around all day and watch different movies on Netflix while shedding a tear of two.

She didn't get much sleep that night. All she did was toss and turn, and every now and then, she'd glance at the clock. It was now 11:55, and she was beginning to drift off into a slumber. Just as she was finally asleep, she was abruptly awoken by a loud ringing in her room. Switching on her lamp on her nightstand, she grabbed her phone and sighed once she saw the caller id.

"Finn, it is 12:00 am, why are you calling me so late?" She asked.

"I just wanted to wish the most amazing friend that anyone could ever ask for, a very happy birthday!" He exclaimed.

"And you couldn't have waited till like 7 or 8 to say that?" She laughed.

"Hell no, Berry. I wanted to be the first person to say it." he replied.

"Well, if that's the case, thank you, Finn. That's very sweet of you." She smiled.

"Is it going great so far?" He asked.

"Well seeing as though it's 12:00 am and i'm having a conversation with you instead of my glorious, well needed sleep, how do you think it's going?" She chuckled, rubbing her exhausted eyes.

"Right. Not good." He replied.

"Look, thank you very much for the early birthday wish. It was very sweet. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Love you." She said, before she could think about it.

"Wha-" he was cut off.

"Gotta go." She said, before she hung up.

What the hell was she thinking? She wasn't, that was for sure. Great, things were going to be totally awkward tomorrow. This is going to be the best birthday ever, yeah right. Scoffing, she threw her phone on her nightstand, turned off her lamp, and cursed herself as she stared up at the ceiling fan. After counting the rotations a little longer, then she finally got the sleep she'd been needing.

Once her eyes open, she knew it was morning by the light shining in through her curtains. Reaching for her alarm clock, she sighed as it was already 8 in the morning. She had promised Finn that she would be there before 10:30.

Getting up from her bed, she walked to her kitchen and fixed a pot of coffee to start the morning off.

Going into her bathroom, she decided that she would shower before getting ready. As the warm water hit her face, she realized that she was 27 years old today. Gosh, where did her youth go, she wondered. Just yesterday, she was 18 years old with the world in her hands, ready to make the best of herself. Today, she already accomplished her goals and was still unsatisfied.

Once she got out of the shower, she wrapped herself in her bathrobe and fixed a cup of coffee before heading back to the bathroom. After blow drying and curling her hair, Rachel went to her closet and looked through her choices. After about a few moments of looking, Rachel decided on. Her new royal blue lace dress that stopped a few inches above her knees and had a low cut in the back to show off her tan back. To match her dress, she chose her pair of tan pumps to go along with it.

After everything, she applied her makeup which wasn't really that heavy. It consisted of a black smokey eye, thick layers of eyeliner, and a few different coats of mascara.

After spraying her perfume and putting on her royal blue cameo necklace, she rushed to get her purse and headed out the door.

Once she arrived to Finn's building, she stood outside for a few minutes, burying her hands in her button up black coat. Sitting on the bench, she took a deep breath and let it out. She was nervous to go upstairs, especially with what happened last night. She didn't know how Finn would be around her. Would it be awkward, would it be the same? She'd never know until she goes upstairs. Standing up, she finally decided that now was the time.

Standing in front of his door, Rachel's heart started pounding as she listened into it. She could here everyone she had been longing to see. She could here Blaine's voice, Kurt's laughter that she had missed so much, Carol's sweet voice, Burt's laughter, she even heard Quinn and Sam. All she had to so now was walk in and join her family.

Opening the door slowly, she tried to be as quiet as she could, but her heels against the wooden floor really didn't do her any good.

"Someone else is here." She heard Carol say, as her voice came closer.

Holding her breath, she walked further into the house until she came face to face with Carol, otherwise known as her only real mom that she ever had, seeing as though her biological mom was a deadbeat.

"Oh my gosh, it's my little Rachel!" She exclaimed clasping her hands together. "You've grown up so much. Get over here, sweetheart." She exclaimed as Carol pulled Rachel into a tight hug.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you, Carol. How's Lima?" She asked as they started walking towards everyone else.

"Oh you haven't missed much. I promise you that." She said. "Now let's get some meat on them skinny bones." She smiled As they approached the others. Everyone was there, Finn, Quinn, Burt, Blaine, Kurt, Alexandria, Santana, Brittany, everyone except the people she wanted to see most, her parents.

"Rachel." Blaine smiled as he got up to hug her.

"It's nice to see you" she smiled up at him as she walked towards Burt and gave him a hug as well.

"It's nice to see all of you." She smiled at everyone, including Kurt.

Looking towards Finn he looked nervous. Maybe I was right, today would be a bad birthday.

"Where have you been birthday girl?" Quinn asked walking up to her with a glass of wine in her hand.

"I woke up a little late this morning." She chuckled nervously as everyone was looking at her.

"Well, now that you're here can we eat? I'm starving." Santana said, walking into the room.

They all begin to gather around the table, Rachel sitting in between Puck and Finn, before Carol demands to say grace before. Grabbing Puck and Finn's hand, Rachel's heart begins to pound even faster as she tries to concentrate on the prayer.

After the prayer, they all begin to pick up their forks and pass food around, before Finn interrupts.

"Before we eat, shouldn't we wait for-" he's cut off by another voice walking into the dining room.

"Sorry to take so long. I was having a bit of a makeup malfunction."

It's a blonde girl who walks in. Her hair is in loose curls hanging down her back, her dress is black, tightly fitted to sculpture her curves and like Rachel, she's also wearing pumps, except hers are black. For some reason Rachel recognizes her. Why is that? When the girl shoots Rachel a nasty glare, it all comes back to her. It's Mandy.

As the girl sits on the chair across from Finn, Rachel focuses on her food to block out the side view of Mandy's eyes burning a hole through her face.

"Rachel, do you know when your parents are going to be here?" Carol asked, breaking the silence.

Smiling, she replies, "They should be here any minute now. I told them to come straight here. They just had to see that Statue of Liberty." She smiled, as she took a sip from her glass of wine.

Finn smiles down at me and nudges me in the arm, looking up at him I smile, and then he whispers something in my ear. "This is awkward. I wish someone would say something already."

"Tell me about it." I whisper back, laughing to myself.

"So, Rachel. I don't think we've met before. Tell me about yourself." Mandy breaks the silence yet again, after seeing the two of them whispering into each other's ears.

"Well, I'm a pediatric surgeon and that's pretty much all there is to know about me. I don't really get out much." she smiled at her, trying to ignore the flares being thrown by Mandy.

"Oh, come on. There has to be more to you than that."

"Well, I like pizza." She smiled, causing everyone to laugh, except Kurt.

"She's also obsessed with her job. So, if you're planning to become friends with her in the future, don't. It's a waste of friendship. She won't talk to you for years, she won't even come to your freaking wedding. That's who Rachel Berry is. A cold hearted bitch who doesn't have time for friends that aren't good enough for New York City." Kurt spat out, glaring at Rachel.

"Kurt!" Carol glared at him, as well as Burt.

Rachel's smile fell as looked at Kurt with hurt eyes. She knew they were pretty distant in the past few years, but she never thought he could ever say things like that. He was her best friend, or at least she thought he was. She wanted to catch up with him today, spend the day talking to him about how much their lives had changed and revive their friendship. But, now, all she wanted to do was get away from him, from everyone. She felt the tears boiling in her eyes, the pain in her chest from holding in the tears.

"I'm sorry, can I please be excused for a moment?" Rachel asked, and Carol nodded with sympathy on her face.

"Rachel.." Finn called, but she wouldn't stop for him. She wouldn't stop for no one.

Right before she could head out of the front door to the house, she heard the doorbell ring. Opening it, Rachel's heart fell when she saw who it was. It was Hiram and Leroy Berry. They weren't alone though.. On the side of them, was a woman. She was moderate in height, being a little taller than Rachel. She had long brown hair and big brown eyes, just like her, and her face was flawless, no hint of aging. Right then, Rachel knew exactly who this woman was.

"Mom?"

Here is Chapter 6! I'm terribly sorry to keep all of you waiting for so long. I guess I had a bit of a writer's block. I've been so busy lately. Just starting school, shopping, doctor's appointments, I just never had the time to sit down and write anything. I promise you guys that there will be another chapter soon! I'm officially back! So, I really hope you guys enjoy this one, despite the incredibly long wait! This chapter has gotten me so frustrated, I almost gave up. Every time i would write it, I would forget to save it, so I had this chapter written out 3 times, but they all got deleted by my stupid iPad. So, enjoy this chapter because it's the one that actually survived without being completely erased. Note to self: always save everything you type down. Enjoy guys! Please review and tell me what you think and ideas are always appreciated! Okay, bye! ;)