Chapter 21

"Rachel we wanted to tell you for a long time. I just couldn't. I hope you understand."

William Scheuster broke the tense silence in the air as they all looked at him. They had since then moved into the dining area where Emma had offered them food and drinks. Finn and Rachel both politely decline the offer seeing as though they just had lunch and Rachel's mind was wrapped around something far more important. The fact that the man sitting in front of her was her biological father, yet she's known this man her whole entire high school life and not once did he mention a single thing to her.

She was boiling with so many emotions. Hate, anger, and large amount of misunderstanding. How could he just sit there all those years and not say anything to her about it. She was so disappointed at this moment. At her parents for not telling her anything. At Mr. Schue for not saying anything to her soon enough. Also, at herself, for not realizing any of this in the first place.

Now looking at him, she realized that they did share a few traits. They had the same sculpted jaw line and facial features. They also shared the trait of a short body frame, because Mr. Schue wasn't exactly the tallest man in the book. Especially compared to Finn. Other than that, she assumed she inherited everything else from Shelby.

Tears were now starting to make their way down Rachel's eyes. This was just all so unreal to her. William Scheuster, the man who taught her how to hit her higher notes and acted as a mentor for most of her life in high school, couldn't be her father. When she was a little girl, Rachel used to always assume that her father was dead, or a no good high school drop out with no financial support. It always made her feel good and it gave her a reason to believe how her parents could just give her away. She loved her two dads, but that always had an affect on her. Which was why she couldn't believe that Mr. Schue, who seemed to be doing good with his life, could just hand her away and not even think twice about it.

"We? God dammit, how many freaking people know about this?" Rachel asked, anger present in her voice.

"Just me, Emma, Shelby, your parents, and the two of you." Mr. Schue explained.

"Plus, Santana." Finn added slowly.

"How does Santana know?" Mr. Schue asked Finn, worried.

"It's a long story." Finn told him, not wanting to tell him about the incident without Rachel's consent.

"It doesn't matter who knows. All that matters is that you didn't tell me yourself." Rachel said as she got up and walked out of the house. Not knowing where to go, she collapsed on the steps to the porch and looked out across the street. Tears began to swell in her eyes again, but she fought them back. She hated crying. She'd been doing to damn much lately. All she wanted to do was just get pass all of this horrible drama and make it to the point in her life where she could be happy without seriousness. She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there before she heard footsteps on the porch behind her. Thinking it was Finn, she turned around.

"Hey." Mr. Schue said, looking at her with sympathetic eyes.

"Hi." she said looking across the street as he sat next to her. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you like that. It's all just too much on me." Rachel explained.

"It's fine, I get it Rachel. I should've told you sooner. I just didn't know when or how. It's not like I could have written all that on a Christmas card." he replied.

"I just want to know one thing. Why?" she asked.

"Why what?" he asked confused.

"Why couldn't you keep me? Why was it so easy for you to give me up? I mean you seem well enough to raise a kid with Emma now. Why couldn't you raise me as your own kid?" Rachel asked, tears threatening to spill with the slightest movement of her eyelids.

"Rachel, your mother and I were 15 years old. I didn't know the first thing about babies, let alone being a dad. Plus, we were scared. We didn't know what to do. We thought it was the best option for you. We wanted you to have all your dreams come true and we knew that wouldn't have happened if you were with us. Plus, our parents weren't too supportive of us. We were kids, Rachel." Will explained.

"That doesn't explain why you nor Shelby thought it was important to tell me that you were my parents until later on in my life. It would have been nice to know who my birth parents were, rather than making them up in my head while I was growing up." Rachel replied, nearly cracking her voice.

"Your parents would have never let." Will answered. "We agreed on a completely closed adoption. Things became difficult once you became one of my students, but I still respected your parent's wishes. That's why I never told you. I'm sorry Rachel." he explained.

"I don't want apologies. I just want answers." Rachel told him.

"I thought I answered all of your questions." Will replied.

"I have one left. Where were you? Huh? Where were you for all the times in my life when I needed my real father. Where were you for the time when I couldn't go to sleep when I was a little girl because no one was there to read me bedtime stories? Or for the time when I was scared and I needed my dad to protect me? Or for the time when my heart was broken into pieces in high school and I needed my dad to beat Jesse up? Where were you then, huh? Where were you a few weeks ago when I was kidnapped and tortured almost to death? I needed you to be there for me, to wipe my tears away from my eyes, and to tell me that everything was going to be okay. Hiram and Leroy will always be family to me and I love them with all of my heart. But, I always needed you to be there, Will. I needed my dad!" Rachel exclaimed, letting out her sobs as she watched the pity show on his face.

Taking her by total surprise, Will wrapped his arms around his sobbing daughter. Holding her close, he began to put her hair back as he rocked her back and forth.

"I can't even begin to explain how sorry I am, Rachel. I should have been there, I know it, but I wasn't. I's going to take me a really long time to make it up to you. You can either spend the rest of your life hating me for that or, we can spend the rest of our lives making up for the time lost. Please tell me you're willing to try." Will whispered.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Rachel asked.

"I made a lot of mistakes in my past, and not being there for you is the biggest one. If you give me a second chance in your life, I swear it'll be worth it." Will promised.

"Okay. But if you blow it, so help me God.."

"I won't, Rachel. You have my word." he replied. "Now let's get inside, it's freezing out here." Will smiled.

"Okay." Rachel agreed, with a new sense of happiness and acceptance.

Walking back into the house, as soon as the door closed behind the two of them, Finn and Emma hurried to see if everything was okay. Seeing the smile on Rachel's face, Finn became relieved.

"Everything okay?" Emma asks politely with a hand on her stomach.

"Yeah." Rachel smiled.

"Well, Rachel, it's almost two, so we just get going if we want to go see Blaine and Kurt." Finn said.

"Right." Rachel remembered. Another event that she was dreading.

"Well, it was nice visiting with you guys." Emma smiled wide.

"Yes, very, and Rachel, i'm glad you're gonna let me in your life. I'm really happy we talked." Will smiled at her.

"Me too." she smiled back.

Before they left the house, Rachel made sure to give Will her number so they could contact each other whenever they needed to. Rachel was glad that she got to have that discussion. It really helped clear things in her life and now she could say that her birth father was going to be in her life from now on. If only she could say the same for Shelby. She'd work on that later. Now, she wanted to focus on someone else.

Pulling up to the two story white wooden house, Rachel's heart began pounding harshly. Looking over at Finn, he was looking back at her with a sympathetic look. She could tell that he was worried about her.

"All's going to go good." she assured herself aloud. "By the end of this, Kurt will love me again and then I'll apologize to my dads and then Shelby and then everything will be great. It's all gonna go great. Everything's gonna go great, right?" she asked, frantically.

"Okay, firstly, Rachel breath. Second, everything will go great because you're a great person and Kurt will see that. Don't worry over this." Finn smiled at Rachel.

"Okay." she said, taking a deep breath. "You're right, everything is going to be just fine. All I have to do is go in there and explain my case and apologize. He'll forgive me. He has to." she said aloud. "Let's go." she said.

"Let's go." Finn repeated as the both got out of the car. Walking up to the front porch, Rachel was just as nervous as she was when she walked up to Will and Emma's front porch. Hopefully this visit will end as the other had. Once Finn had rang the doorbell, all there was left to do was wait.

The waiting was altered once Alexandria, Kurt and Blaine's 5 year old daughter, answered the door. Finn was the first to speak.

"Hey Alex, are your daddies home?"

"Yes." she answered proudly.

"Can we come in? We'd like to see them." Finn told the little girl.

She smiled a wide grin and shook her head yes. Walking in, Rachel looked around the walls and living room. It was a very nice home with beautiful decorations and family photos everywhere. If she had to guess, she'd put all of her money on the fact that Kurt was a major part in the decoration of the house. As they walked further into the house, Rachel could hear Blaine's voice in the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, Rachel became nervous and started walking more slowly. She ended up behind Finn, who wasn't nervous at all.

"Oh my gosh, what are you guys doing here?" Blaine asked with happiness and surprised evident in his voice and in his facial features.

"We decided to come here for the week and to visit everyone. I hope this is a good time." Finn replied.

"Are you kidding me? It's perfect! Come here, you guys! It's so good to see you!" Blaine smiled, pulling Rachel and Finn into a tight hug. "Kurt, get down here! We have company!" Blaine exclaimed once they were out of the hug. "He's gonna be so surprised." Blaine smiled.

Before they knew it, footsteps were heard moving down the stairs, revealing Kurt entering the kitchen. Surprise was evident on his face as he looked between Rachel and Finn, stopping dead in his track.

"What're you guys doing here?" He asked. Rachel could tell he wasn't too pleased with her presence by the angry and strained look on his face.

Before anyone could reply, Kurt rolled his eyes and headed out the back patio, which Rachel just seemed to notice and thought was very lovely.

"I'm sorry guys, he's just having a bad day I guess. Nothing personal." Blaine explained with sympathy, which Rachel knew was just a cover up for the truth. Kurt was still mad at her from Thanksgiving and he didn't seem forgiving like Rachel hoped he would be.

Tears began to build up in her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time today. What did she expect though? A big hug and a big warm welcome from the friend she betrayed deeply by skipping out on one of the most important milestones in his life? All because she couldn't get someone to cover for her. Hell, she would never forgive herself for it either.

Finn saw that she had tears building up in her eyes, and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him, he flashed her a look she didn't want. A look of sympathy, which everyone had been giving her lately. Especially after the incident. Maybe this vacation was a bad idea. Why did her sadness always have to ruin everything? She had no idea. She felt the drunk girl at the party who always made everyone else's time miserable.

"Oh, I have to show the two of you something. Yall are going to love it. Let's just say that Santa was amazing this past Christmas." He remembered, smiling and clapping his hands together as he began moving towards the loving room where Alex was playing with her baby dolls. Before Finn could follow him, he turned around and gave Rachel a confused look when she didn't move.

"Go see." She smiled. "I'll be there in a few. I think I just wanna be alone for a few minutes."

"Are you sure?" He asked, concern not leaving his face.

"Yes, Finn I am fine. Go." She smiled again.

"Okay." He replied before he joined Blaine in the living room.

Hopping over to the glass sliding door in the back of the house, Rachel looked out it for a moment. The scenery looked amazing. The backyard looked what Rachel imagined to be the American dream. There was a small garden, flowers around the back which seemed to be perfectly kept up, a bench swing, and large playset in the backyard, a sandbox, a pool, and a trampoline. A grill was also lcoated toward the back of the yard. It was the perfect setting.

While she was admiring the backyard setting, she noticed Kurt sitting on one of the benches in the backyard. Frowning, she watched him as he picked up a pebble from the ground and aggressively threw it towards the woods that were in the back of the white picket fence.

Feeling bad, she opened the door with a little struggle, and hopped towards the bench where Kurt was sitting. Slowly, she sat down next to Kurt and placed her crutches on the ground. Looking over to Kurt he was staring straight ahead with a look of being tense. If she had to guess, he was most probably not okay with this.

"Hey." Rachel said, not knowing what to expect.

"You might as well go back inside, Rachel. I'm not talking to you." He replied in a low voice.

"Kurt, please. I'm really trying here, you know." Rachel begged with desperation in her voice.

"You lost the right to talk to me when you didn't show up at my wedding." Kurt answered.

"I know and I am truly sorry for that, Kurt. All I'm asking for is your forgiveness." Rachel said.

"Forgiveness?" Kurt laughed harshly. "Are you stupid or something?"

"You don't have to be so mean." Rachel replied, tears threatening to spill.

"I have to be mean, Rachel. If I'm not mean then that means my guard will be down and you can destroy my heart just like you did when you didn't show up!" Kurt yelled.

"Kurt, you have to believe me. I am truly so sorry for that. I skipped out for my own selfish reasons and you should be mad at me. I deserve it. But, I can't stand us being like this. I miss my best friend. So please, accept my apology. I need you in my life Kurt." She tried to explain herself.

"Do you know that I waited for you for hours? When you didn't show up, I just thought that you were running a little late. But when you didn't show up to the reception, my heart just broke. The first thing that ran through my mind and destroyed my happiness was the fact that my very best friend didn't even come to my own wedding. We went on forever as kids dreaming about our weddings together. We always said we'd play special parts in each other's. You didn't even think my wedding was important enough to show up to, Rachel. That really hurt." He replied, wiping tears from under his eyes.

Hearing those words felt like Rachel had been smacked in the face with a brick. She'd no idea how badly she hurt him until now. Seeing him desperately try to hide his tears from her made her feel even worse. She had broken his heart and she really wished that she hadnt. If only she could've been there at that wedding. If only someone else could've taken her shift.

"Oh, Kurt 't cry. I am so sorry. I will never be able to make that up to you. But, I promise you one thing. If you forgive me and allow me the honor of being your friend again, I will spend the rest of my life making sure that nothing like that ever happens again. I'm so sorry, Kurt. I really am." She answered, choking on her own tears.

"I'm not doing this. I'm sorry, you have to leave." He said, beginning to get up from the bench. He was taken by surprise when Rachel's arm flew up and grabbed him.

"Look, a few weeks ago, I didn't think I would ever get the chance to do this. I was literally going to die, but then for some odd reason I got a second chance. So, here i am, begging you. I know that you probably hate me and I don't deserve your forgiveness, Kurt. So, say the word and I'll leave and you'll never have to see me again. I'll understand. Just remember Kurt, everything that our friendship has faced. It has survived breakups, fights, and every other emotional Rollercoaster that I can imagine. I know with all my heart that it can survive this. But, if you don't think so, say the word. You decide. I'm done fighting with you, Kurt. I just really want you to know that I am so sorry." Rachel explained as the tears fell down her face.

With the tense silence filling the air, Rachel knew her answer. Nodding her head, she grabbed her crutches and got up balancing on them. Beginning to leave, she felt the sobs rising, and she didn't even bother to hold them back. All she wanted now was to go back to the hotel. She was extremely tired and she wanted to cry her eyes out if she hadnt already cried all her tears away.

"Rachel, wait!" She stopped dead in her tracks, slowly turning around.

Kurt was walking towards her at a high speed. She was confused. Before her thoughts could go any further, she was taken a back by arms wrapping around her body. Kurt was hugging her. But there was something else. He was sobbing as well. Lifting her arms, her crutches dropped and she held onto him for support as theyou both cried into each other's shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Kurt." Rachel cried.

"I know. So am I. I was horrible to you at Finn's on thanksgiving." He replied, crying.

"No, Kurt don't apologize. You had your guard up because of me. I'm the only one who should be apologizing." She sobbed.

"Yes, I should Rachel. I didn't even call you. You were gone and I thought I'd never see you again. Then they found you and they said you were in a horrible condition and I decided not to call because I was being stubborn. I should've called Rachel." Kurt told her.

"Everything's okay, Kurt. You don't have to apologize for that. I'm fine." Rachel said.

"No you're not, Rachel. You're holding onto me for support. You can't stand alone without your crutches because you're leg is broken. That crazy bitch did that to you and I didn't even check in to see if you . There are still marks from the bruising on your face, Rachel." Kurt cried.

"I guess my healing is not progressing as much as I thought then." Rachel said, lightly chuckling as she wiped away stray tears. Relief fills herself when she hears Kurt's laugh fill the air. Smiling, she pulled out of the embrace, and placed her hands on Kurt's shoulders to help her stand. They both start laughing together and Rachel got the familiar feeling in her lungs that she used to have in high school. The feeling of not being able to breathe because the laugh is so hard. Everything was like old times again and she realized just how much she missed it.

"I've missed you, friend." Kurt smiles once the laughter dies down.

"I've missed you too, friend. " Rachel replied, smiling back. " We should head back. No telling what our boys are up to." Raches laughed.

"Yeah." He agreed with a chuckle. "Here.." he said bending down as she held onto him. Grabbing her crutches, he handed them to her so she could balance herself on them. "I'm pretry sure you might want these back."

"Thanks." She chuckled. "Don't think I'd get too far without them." She said before starting to hop towards the house.

"Rachel.." Kurt called out.

Stopping in her tracks, she turned and looked at Kurt with confusion. "What is it?"

"I-I-I forgive you."

"What? Oh my gosh, Kurt! Are you serious? You won't regret, I swear." She exclaimed before hugging him.

"I know." He said to himself. "Now, let's go see what the boys are up to. It's freezing out here." He told her as they both walked towards the house.

Once they entered the house, they were greeted by Blaine. He was in the kitchen and appeared to be cooking. At first Rachel thought he was insane for cooking so early. Her eyes grew wide once she realized how long her and Kurt had been talking. It was now 6:24 pm and Rachel hoped to make one more stop before she went back to the hotel to sleep off this stressful day.

"Hey guys. How'd everything go?" Blaine asked, as he chopped what appeared to be a tomato.

"Everything went perfect." Kurt grinned from ear to ear and then looked in Rachel's direction.

"Definitely. Everything went perfect." Rachel smiled, looking back at Kurt.

"Do you want a glass of wine, Rachel?" BLaine asked as he handed one to Kurt who gladly accepted.

"No thank you." Rachel smiled politely. "Actually, it's time we head out. Got one more stop on the visiting train. Would you happen to know where my boyfriend is?" Rachel asked, looking around laughing.

"I don't know, Rachel. You're going to have to take that up with Alex. I think she stole your man." Blaine joked.

"She did, did she?" Rachel asked, playfully raising an eyebrow.

"You better go fight for your man, Rachel." Kurt joked.

Rachel laughed as she hopped into the living room, where Alexandria and Finn were. She smiled to herself when Alex's giggle filled the air.

"What's this one's name, Alex?" Finn asked, smiling.

"That's Tiffany. " Alex replied.

"Can I brush Tiffany's hair? I don't think she's ready to see Ken yet." Finn replied.

"Yes. Put this on her." Alex said holding out a small pink dress.

"Okay. What kind of date is she going to, Alex?" Finn asked, seeming into the conversation. Rachel couldn't help but adore his cuteness.

"She's going to the beach." Alex replied, smiling wide.

"Really? Are they going swimming?" Finn asked.

"No. She can't get her dress wet." She replied.

"Yeah, Finn. Why would she go to the beach in a pretty pink dress if she wanted to go swimming?" Rachel asked, smiling as she hopped in the room.

"Brush Amy's hair." Alex demanded, giving Finn a blonde barbie doll.

"Okay. Rachel you should join us. This is fun." Finn says laughing, while Alex nods in agreement.

"Says the same guy who used to despise me for making him play Ken when we were little?" Rachel asks laughing.

"I'm not ashamed anymore, because I'm a 29 year old uncle, hanging out with his neice, playing barbies. Back then, I was a 10 year old boy playing barbies with a girl. Do you see the difference here?" He asks.

"Whatever you say, silly goof. Are you ready to head out, 29 year old uncle playing barbies with his neice?" Rachel asks, ruffling his hair. She enjoyed doing it because he hated it.

"What time is it?" He asks, getting up while Alex continues to play.

"Almost 7." Rachel responds. "I was thinking that we could make one more stop."

"Let me guess, Leroy and Hiram's?" Finn asks.

"You know me so well, Finn Hudson." Rachel joked.

"I know." He smirks.

After they all say their goodbyes and give farewell hugs, Rachel and Finn finally head over to Rachel's dads' house. Rachel isn't as nervous for this visit as she the last two because she spoke to her parents on the phone previously and they seemed to have brushed off past events. The only thing she wanted to do was cherish time with them and eat the food they had cooked because she was starving.

And that's exactly what she did. They went to their house, talked for a while, ate dinner aND dessert, had a glass or two of wine and spent the rest of the time talking with them and Finn. By the time they left and arrived at their suite, it was 11:05 pm and Rachel was down right exhausted. Quickly changing into her pajamas, she vowed to herself that she would take a shower in the morning, being too tired to care.

Getting into bed beside Finn, she his chest. Smiling, she closed her eyes and took in his scent. He was wearing her favorite cologne that she packed for him.

"You're really warm, you know that? You're like my own big teddy bear." Rachel smiled.

"Wow, I don't tthink anyone has ever called me a teddy bear before." Finn replied, laughing.

"Good. Then, I'm the first one." She told him.

"Yes, you are." He smiled to himself.

"Today went pretty great, didn't it?" Rachel asks.

"Yes, it did. I'm proud of you, you know that?" Finn replied.

"Thanks." She smiled as she looked into his eyes.

"I love you so much, Rachel Berry. I hope you know that."

"I do know that, Finn Hudson, because I love you more. Withe all of my heart i do."

"If you say so." He replied.

Here's chapter 21! Hope all of you like it! Don't forget to review! :) If any of you guys have any questions about the story and want to contact me or just want to give me ideas or opinions on future chapters, my instagram is thattvdgleekgirl Have an amazing night or day, lol. Whenever you read this..