Chapter 20

By the time Finn and Rachel were finished getting their luggage, Finn was informed that the driver he hired prior to the trip was waiting for the two of them outside. Rachel really didn't understand why Finn had to hire a driver. She thought it really was unnecessary since both of their families lived here. She argued that he spent too much on her and needed to stop spoiling her. But, he told her that he wanted the most relaxing vacation for just the two of them without all of the crazy family drama that was never settled. Including all of the worries from them about the incident that recently occurred and the thanksgiving stunt with Rachel, her parents, birth mother, and of coarse, Kurt. As for her argument, he rolled his eyes and waved it off.

Finn also informed Rachel that he had gotten them a hotel room before hand. He said that it was a much better private option, rather than being crowded at Finn's or Rachel's family's house. Rachel agreed in the sense of wanting privacy. But, she vowed that during this trip home, she would spend it seeking redemption from the ones she hurt. She thanked the heavens that she had this opportunity, because she remembered the last time she thought of this was when she thought she was going to never see any of them again.

Once she told Finn of her intentions, he was more than happy to support her decision. He told her that he could write it into their schedule. This actually made Rachel laugh, because that's when she found out that he had been planning this trip for a long time. He had everything timed and mapped out. He was so OCD sometimes, she just wished he would be like this more around the house. Maybe then, she'd have less to clean after.

Once they spotted the black SUV waiting for them outside of the airport, Rachel and Finn placed all of their luggage in the back of the car, then got into the back seat. After Rachel buckled her seatbelt, she smiled and leaned into Finn's accepting arms. Her heart fluttered as she took in his scent. He smelled so good right now, and she honestly wished the driver wasn't there at that moment. Maybe she'd be more happier when they got to their hotel room.

As the car pulled out of the driveway, they were off to relive their memories as kids. Rachel took in a breath of hope. Maybe this trip would help her reconnect herself with her inner roots. She hoped that this little trip could bring her back to that little girl who didn't know that people could be so cruel. Maybe she could go back to being that little girl with this trip. She only wished.

Looking out the window at the passing places and houses, Rachel smiled to herself once she realized everything still looked exactly the way it did when she left Lima. The only major changes she noticed were a few new houses built and new shop or two. Other than that, it was as if she never left. She hadn't been here since she left after high school. Now looking back, she wished she would have visited more often.

Holding onto Finn's arms wrapped around her, she looked up at him. By his facial features, she knew that he was just as amused as she was. She really didn't know if Finn ever came back after they left. Even if he did, he must've not have told her. By the look of things, she really didn't think that he did.

"This place hasn't changed a bit." Rachel grinned as she continued to look out the window.

"I know. It's like we never left." he replied, placing a kiss on top of Rachel's head.

"I can't believe you brought me here. I can honestly say that I love you even more for it, babe." Rachel said, looking at him.

"I knew you'd love it." he chuckled. "I love you as well, by the way. Even more than you'd ever know."

Once the car arrived at the hotel, Rachel got out and took a quick glance around. The smell in the air was refreshing. It was no longer the familiar smell of New York City. It was better, more fresh. Turning around, she hopped over to see if she could help bringing up the luggage with Finn, but he told her he would get it. She really hated when he did this because it made her feel selfish watching Finn pull up both of the large bags. She also felt a little bad because she knew he was struggling. She tried to help him 5 more times, but he still refused, saying that he didn't want her to strain herself more than she already was. Rachel despised this, but she loved the fact that he was looking out for her. Right before they were about to head into the hotel, Finn turned around to Rachel and quickly whispered to her.

"Go with it."

"What?" she asked, but it was too late for a reply.

"Ah, finally, the two of you have arrived." a man from behind the front desk in the lobby said, approaching them. "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson. Congratulations on the wedding. May we show you to your suite now?" he asked.

Feeling the laughter fight it's way up, Rachel swallowed it, and wrapped her arms around Finn's waist as he gave her support as the crutches rested under her arms.

"I'm ready whenever you are, sweetheart." She smiled up at Finn and rested her head on his arm.

"Yes, we're ready." Finn told the man, smiling down at Rachel.

Once the man handed them the key, Finn took all of the luggage and leaded the way as Rachel followed closely behind. Stopping in front of the door, Finn turned around to Rachel with a huge grin on his face. Rolling her eyes, she looked around and smiled wide up at him.

"What did you do, Finn Hudson?" she laughed.

"Welcome to our suite, Mrs. Hudson." he joked as he slid the card in the door, and turned the handle to open the door. Turning on the lights, Rachel let out a gasp once the room was visible to her. The walls were painted a cupid pink, the bed was shaped like a giant heart with heart shaped pillows, and there were rose petals on the floor and across the bed. On the other side of the room, a table was set up with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"Wow." Finn said as he placed the luggage to the side.

"You're so bad. This lie will haunt me forever. But, honestly I don't care right now." Rachel laughed.

"Life's too short to be serious, Rach." he smiled at her before he took off his shoes and ran over to the bed before he jumped on it.

"Finn! You're going to mess up the beautiful bed!" Rachel exclaimed placing her hands on her head trying to look away.

"Come here. We can mess it up together." he winked.

Smiling she began to hop over to him. Getting up, he sat towards the edge of the bed so he could reach her. Going in for a kiss, Rachel took Finn off guard when she pushed him to the side and began laughing.

"Hey, what was that for? You ruined the moment!" Finn exclaimed, smiling as Rachel continued laughing.

"Because, you're a perverted little dork." she replied.

"Ouch. This isn't really going as I planned it would." he admitted.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You're my perverted little dork." Rachel smiled as she sat on Finn's lap and placed her crutches on the side. She really hated these crutches. They were a huge burden.

Placing his free hand on his heart, he smiled and looked at Rachel. "That's so touching." After that, Rachel wrapped her arms around Finn's neck and gazed into his eyes.

"I love you, Finn. You and all of your craziness." she whispered.

"I love you too, my love. With all of your craziness as well." he replied.

After their confessions, Rachel closed the gap between them, leaving them to show compassionate love and gentleness towards each other for the next few hours. By the time they were done, they both fell asleep in each other's arms.

As Rachel's eyes began to slowly open, she smiled when she felt Finn's strong and protective arms around her. Slowly getting up, she caught his attention in the process, waking him up. Sympathetically smiling at him, she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"I woke you up, didn't I?" she asked.

"Not really. I was waiting for you to get up actually." he replied in a groggy voice.

"How do I know with all of my heart that you are lying?" Rachel asked smiling at him.

"Damn. You know me too well." he chuckled. "What time is it?"

"Almost 5 in the afternoon. We slept most of the day." she frowned.

"That's okay. Today is supposed to be our relaxation day. We have the rest of the week to do all of the visiting and adventuring I have planned." he replied.

"So, what's the game plan for the rest of today, Mr. schedule man?" Rachel asked with a smirk on her face.

"Well, I was thinking, we could open up that champagne over there and take a hot bubble bath like we wanted to do a while back, before you know..." he trailed off.

"Before the incident.." Rachel finished for him, looking down.

"I'm sorry, Rach. I shouldn't have even brought it up." Finn said, pity in his voice.

"No, it's okay. I really need that bubble bath though. I haven't had one in ages! I'm glad you remembered. Let's go!" she exclaimed as she got up, grabbed her crutches and headed towards the bathroom with Finn and their champagne behind her.

After their bath, they ordered room service and spent the rest of the day and night cuddling and watching movies on pay-per-view. By the end of the night, Rachel didn't see how this could get any better than how it was already going. Finn really saved her by booking this getaway. All of that stress and fear that she was feeling seemed to be fading away, the more and more time she spent with him. This was exactly why she loved her best friend with all of her heart.

The next day, Finn and Rachel both agreed on letting this day be the day they go visit everyone. Rachel was excited and a little nervous. She decided that she would just go up to Kurt and her parents and pour her heart out to them and beg for forgiveness. She knew her parents wouldn't be so cruel as to deny her, but she really didn't know what Kurt would do, since she hadn't talked to him since Thanksgiving.

Finn knew that Rachel was distressed and worried about today's events. He told her that everything would go okay and that Kurt would forgive her. He also told her that in the unfortunate event that he didn't, he would be there for her and he wouldn't let anyone hurt her.

They left at lunchtime, since the both of them woke up around 10:30. They had stayed up late last night, wanting to finish the movie that they were watching. Rachel's sleeping patterns were also beginning to fade ever since she left the hospital. She was getting used to her time off. She knew that once she returned to work, it would be a bitch trying to fall back into the pattern.

They decided to go to Finn's house first to visit and have lunch with Carol and Burt. Rachel was kind of worried about that as well, because Finn told his parents over the phone that Rachel and him were dating. She hadn't spoken to them since. She hoped that they would be okay with the two of them together.

Walking up to the front door of Finn's old family home, they rang the doorbell and nervously waited for someone to answer. It didn't take long before the door flung open, and Carol Hummel was standing in the door, with a huge grin on her face.

"Oh, my babies! Come here!" she exclaimed, pulling Finn and Rachel into a huge hug.

"Mom, careful." Finn groaned, referring to Rachel being on crutches.

"Oh, I'm sorry. How are you feeling dear?" Carol asked.

"Much better. Sorry, Finn seems to think I will break at the gust of wind." Rachel joked, earning a laugh from Carol and a glare from Finn.

"I'm just glad to see that you are alive, dear. Once I heard what was going on, my heart stopped. I don't know what I would've done if the unmentionable happened." Carol told her as tears began swelling in her eyes. Hopping forward, Rachel hugged Carol once more.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls soon enough over the past week. I've just been trying to catch my breath, you know?" Rachel said.

"It's alright. All that matters is that you're here right now. Now, let's get you guys inside. It's freezing out here." she smiled as they walked into the house.

Walking into the home, Rachel's mouth instantly began to water as she smelled the food in the air. She hoped that it was almost ready, because they both skipped breakfast this morning, and Rachel was starving.

"Please, sit down." Carol said, once they've entered the living room. "Burt's in the kitchen wrapping things up. The food should be ready in a few minutes. Can I get you guys anything to drink?" she asked.

"Coke." Finn told her, not really paying attention. He was too consumed in what was going on on the TV in front of them as they sat on the couch. Rachel laughed as Carol rolled her eyes.

"Some things never change." Carol whispered to Rachel.

"I heard that." Finn says and looks at them.

"Good." Carol replies. "Rachel, honey, what can I get you to drink?"

"A water would be fine. Thank you." she smiled at Carol as she nodded and walked away.

After a few more minutes of sitting there in silence while Finn was distracted by whatever was playing on the TV, Carol finally came back with their drinks. Taking the drink from Carol, Rachel gave thanks and then Carol told them that the food was ready. Rachel didn't know who was faster to get up after she told them that. Her or Finn.

Once they finally sat at the table, Burt brought out the pasta and greeted Finn and Rachel. As everyone fixed their plates and got settled, Carol started conversation.

"So, when were the two of you going to tell us that you've decided to get together?" Carol asked, making Rachel choke on her water.

"I called you guys and told you, didn't I?" Finn asked, smiling.

"Relax kiddos, we're just messing with the two of you." Burt smiles, especially at Rachel who is wiping the water from her mouth.

"I'm sorry, everything's just been so crazy and happening so fast. Plus, the whole situation really put a pause on things." Rachel explained to them.

"It's fine, honey. I am actually happy that the two of you finally came to your senses." Carol smiled and took a sip of water.

"Your mother here has not stopped going on about the two of you since we came up for Thanksgiving. You can imagine our surprise when you called and told us, Finn." Burt chuckled.

Rachel laughed with the two of them. She couldn't help but admire how in love Burt and Carol were. Rachel could remember the times when Carol was with Christopher and she remembered seeing them really happy together. But, with Burt, she was different. It was a different kind of love. Rachel would never be able to understand it, but she couldn't help but smile at how perfect they were. She knew that Finn despised Burt in the beginning of their relationship, but now Finn looked to Burt with respect and developed a very close relationship with him.

"Please, I knew they'd be together ever since Rachel got Finn to play her prince in the backyard." Carol smiled.

"Yeah, that was torture." Finn admitted.

"Oh come on, don't pretend that you didn't secretly like two girls fighting over you. Katy Hunter and I almost got into a fist fight over this boy. She continued to give me the stink eye in high school as well" Rachel laughed, placing her hand on Finn's arm.

"Good thing I picked you as my princess, then." Finn whispered, placing a hand over Rachel's.

"Good thing." Rachel replied, lost in Finn's warm brown eyes. "I love you, as if you don't already know."

"Trust me, I know." He winked. "And I love you more."

"For the millionth time, Finn Hudson, not possible." Rachel laughed.

"Possible, Rachel Berry." Finn smiled.

They seemed to forget that they had an audience watching them. Rachel's face turned bright red once she figured out that Burt and Carol were watching them. She didn't care though. Let the whole world know that Finn was the love of her life.

"Don't stop on our account." Burt chuckled.

"Yes, please, go on." Carol joked with him.

"No shame." Finn tells them. Rachel joins Finn and nods in agreement.

"So Rachel, Finn tells us that they found out Mr. Scheuster was your father. I hope everything is going okay between the two of you, right?" Carol asks sweetly, assuming that Rachel already knows.

"Mom!" Finn exclaims.

"Wait. What?" Rachel asks frantically.

"Oh my gosh, honey I am so sorry. I thought you knew." Carol said, placing her hands over her mouth.

"Wait, Finn, what is she talking about?" Rachel asks as her voice gets higher and tears begin to swell in her eyes.

"I was going to tell you as soon as possible. I'm sorry, I forgot." Finn explained, trying to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, excuse me." Rachel said, getting up from the table and leaving out the back door on her crutches.

"I'm so sorry Finn, if I would've known that she didn't know, I wouldn't have said anything." Carol tells him, worry in her voice.

"It's alright mom, you didn't know." he says, getting up from the table and going after Rachel.

It was cold outside and Rachel forgot to take her jacket with her, but her mind was far more distracted with the news she was given. This was impossible to her. This couldn't be. Mr. Scheuster was her teacher, that's it. He couldn't be her father. She did look up to him as a father figure at one point in glee club, but she never actually thought that she was his biological daughter. All of this sounded like nonsense to her. Her biological father couldn't be William Scheuster, it was just impossible.

"Rachel!" Finn's voice filled the icy air.

Turning around, Rachel's eyes could barely make out Finn, since they were covered with tears that she was afraid to let loose. Wiping her eyes, she watched Finn run up to her.

"This isn't happening." Rachel croaked out.

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't have known either. We found out at the police station when you were missing." Finn explained.

"Who's we?" she asked, wiping the stray tears.

"Santana and I." Finn told her.

"Santana knows, but not me? The actual daughter?" Rachel asked, her voice started raising.

"I wanted to tell you, I really did. I just got caught up since you came back and I forgot. I'm so sorry, Rachel. I should've told you sooner. I'm an idiot." Finn told her, placing his hands on his head. She would be mad at him for the rest of this trip and he knew it.

"This is impossible, Finn. Will Scheuster cannot be my father. He's Mr. Schue, my teacher!" Rachel cried. "Why is it that the one time we try and escape all of this drama and stress, it follows us?" Rachel asked, tears falling from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I should've told you." he says, wrapping his arms around her. "Let's go inside. It's freezing out here."

Nodding, Rachel allowed Finn to help her back into the house. Once they got back inside, Burt and Carol were waiting for them with concern on their faces.

"I'm so sorry, Rachel. I thought you knew. I should've kept my mouth shut." Carol tells her.

"It's okay. It's no one's fault. I'm actually glad you told me. I can't imagine finding out in New York." Rachel told her. Smiling, they all returned to lunch.

Once Finn and Rachel said their farewells, they got into the car and made their way to Kurt and Blaine's house. The car was parked in front of their house, when something crossed Rachel's mind.

"I'm not ready for this just yet, Finn." Rachel told him.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to." Finn replied.

"I want to, but just not right now. I feel like I need to talk to someone else first." she told him. "Do you trust me?" she asked.

"With every fiber of my being." He told her.

Leaning forward, Rachel told the driver the directions to where she wanted to go. Once they got there, Finn and Rachel slowly got out of the car and looked up at the two story brick house.

"Rachel, you don't have to do this." Finn said, looking at her worried expression.

"Just promise me one thing. If this doesn't go well, be there for me?" she asked.

"Always."

Going up the steps to the porch slowly, Rachel rang the doorbell and waited for an answer. Her heart was pounding very harshly. Taking a deep breath, Rachel's heart fell when the door opened and a ginger woman answered the door with a big smile on her face. Rachel knew that she'd missed a lot suddenly when she looked down and saw that the woman was pregnant.

"Rachel? Finn? What brings you two back to Lima?" the woman asks.

"Just visiting." Finn replies politely for the both of them, as Rachel blankly stares at the woman.

"Well, can I help you guys?" she asks.

"Is Mr. Scheuster home?" Finn asks again for Rachel. He knows by the look on her face that she seemed to have lost all words.

"Yes, he's in the house somewhere. Come in." she smiles as the two of them slowly walk into the nice home. Finn places a hand on Rachel's back for support.

"Will, you have visitors!" the woman calls.

Rachel's heart does a somersault when she hears heavy footsteps making their way towards the three of them. She almost gasps when he enters the room. He hasn't changed a bit. Neither has Emma. They both look exactly the same as they did when she knew them in high school. Although, nothing about this meeting was the same as high school.

"Hey guys! What brings you over to the neighborhood?" Mr. Schue asks with a bright smile on his face.

"We came down for vacation and to visit our folks." Finn smiles while Rachel is staring at him.

"Hey Rachel, how have you been doing, sweetie?" Mr. Schue asks, acknowledging her presence.

The words fly so quickly from her mouth that she has no time to take them back.

"Hi dad."