Chapter 22
Sitting still on the moving bus, Rachel let out a heavy sigh and held on tight to her brand new Hello Kitty lunch box that her dad's bought for her the previous afternoon. School had just let out and she was left feeling frustrated. Today miss Margaret taught them a new lesson in Mathematics, and no matter how many times she tried it, she'd get it wrong. So, now, she sat there blankly watching the figures passing the moving bus, trying to block out the trembling stress from her little brain.
Sighing, she wiped the small tear that fell down her cheek. She wished that something could cheer her up. She wished that something could occupy her from this worry that she was feeling. Looking over to her side, Finn's back was facing her.
She hated this too. Ever since Taylor Jones from Finn's class started riding the bus, Finn wouldn't talk to Rachel until she got off the bus. It was very obvious to Rachel. Finn was smitten. Every boy in their class was. Taylor Jones transfered to their school about a summer ago and ever since then, she had every boy in that class wrapped around her finger, including Finn.
Turning her attention back out the window, something caught Rachel's eye. Coming up in the view out the window was a big brick house that looked like a small castle. There had to have been at least three stories. Rachel smiled as it came closer into her view. She knew that this was where princesses lived. She loved it.
Turning around, she began tugging on Finn's jacket. When he didn't respond, she smacked him on his shoulder a few times.
"Ouch! What do you want, Rachel?" He asked, annoyance present in his voice.
"Look at that house!" Rachel exclaimed as she pointed to it.
"Wow." He whispered as his face expressed pure amazement. She had no idea how she never noticed it before in such a small town.
"Someday when I get older, I'm gonna live there. My boyfriend is gonna live there with me and we're gonna be like a prince and Princess. " Rachel said as they both smiled at the house moving behind them now.
"No, me and Taylor are going to live there, after we get married." Finn whispered so the brunette on the other side of him couldn't hear them.
"What? No way. I saw it first, and she doesn't even like you." Rachel replied in defense as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yes she does. If she didn't like me, then why does she hang out with me all of the time?" Finn asked.
"I don't know."
"Exactly. How would you know anything? You're just a second grader." He said harshly. Hearing those words from Finn felt like a punch in the chest. What did she do to him?
"Don't talk to me ever again. You're stupid and I hate you. When I get older I will get that house." Rachel said, as she choked up with tears. For the rest of the ride, Rachel sat in silence as Finn turned back towards Taylor.
Sitting down in the chair by the window, Rachel smiled as she took in the view. Since they were a few floors up, Rachel could kind of get a good view of the town from where she was sitting. She appreciated the peacefulness. The only noise projecting in the air, being Finn's occasional snores, which Rachel thought was adorable.
He was passed out like a rock. She could start banging pots and pans together and he could probably sleep peacefully through it. She was glad that he wasn't one of those light sleepers that woke at the drop of a pen. But, it was also a curse for him because he had to have assistance from Rachel to get up for work ever since she moved in with him. How he got up every morning before they lived together was way beyond her.
Getting lost in her thoughts, she jumped when arms wrapped gently around her neck and a kiss was placed on her forehead. Turning around, she smiled when Finn was standing behind the chair in his pajamas.
"Well, it's about time you woke up, sleepy head." Rachel chuckled.
"What time is it?" He asked groggily.
"2:15 in the afternoon." Rachel replied.
What? No, no, no. This isn't happening, I slept too late." He began rambling as his eyes widened.
"Finn, relax. I'm kidding. It's 7:36 in the morning." Rachel said, amused as Finn's face changed from worry to a joking one.
"You think you're so funny don't you?" He asked, smiling a devilish smile as he got closer to her. Smiling wide, she began backing up at tried to hop over to the other side of the bed so she could get away from him. Damn her being crippled, because she didn't get away. Finn grabbed her and her before she could get away. Laughing loudly, Rachel almost snorted as Finn began placing playful kisses all over her neck.
"Correction," she began as he pulled away and looked at her. "I don't think I'm funny, I know I'm funny."
"Ha, clever." He laughed.
"What can I say, Hudson? That's just who I am. A clever girl." She giggled as he smiled at her.
"Okay, clever girl, how about we start getting ready? We have a long day ahead of us." Finn smiled as he went to his suitcase to retrieve some clothes.
"Ahh, yes, what exactly does this mystery day have in store for me, Mr. Hudson?" Rachel asked as she hopped over to the suit case to grab one of her outfits that she picked out for her trip.
"That, ms. Berry, is a secret." He winked as he walked into the bathroom and closed the door to take a shower.
As Rachel sat back down and waited for Finn to get out of the bathroom, she thought of something she had never wanted to admit to herself. She'd miss this place a lot once they returned to New York.
Sitting back down, she let her many thoughts drift as she watched the cars pass by on the highway around their hotel. She was so concentrated on her thoughts that she almost missed what Finn was saying.
"I'd say a penny for your thoughts, but the way you're concentrating on that window I'm guessing they're more valuable. Dollar for your thoughts?" Finn asked with a smile as he sat next to her and placed a hand on her back.
"I find it funny that I basically dreaded the thought of living here in high school, but now that we've come back, I miss it so much." Rachel told him as she watched the cars move by.
"We've changed, Rachel. It's understandable." Finn replied.
"Yeah, I guess we have." She whispered to herself.
"For the better." He added.
"Yes, for the better." She agreed as she wrapped her arims around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips, ending with the both of them smiling into each other's eyes.
"Hate to ruin the perfect moment, Berry, but if you don't get dressed soon we won't be able to have the perfect day I planned." He smiles as she sighs.
"Okay, fine. But, since you ruined that moment that we were having, you owe me." She laughed as she retrieved her clothing from the suitcase.
"Anything, Rachel Berry." He chuckled as she headed towards the bathroom.
"Just know, I'm gonna remember you said that." She said before going into the bathroom to take a quick shower. By the time she was out and dried off, she quickly threw on a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a white shirt with a tiger on the front, and her black leather jacket. She also had one black boot, leaving the other at home since her cast disabled her to put it on. Throwing her hair in a high ponytail, she quickly applied mascara to complete her look. Smiling, she walked out the room to where Finn was waiting for her.
"Hope you aren't taking me to a fancy restaurant." She laughed, as she hopped over to him.
"You look perfect." He complimented, looking at her as if she were the only thing on the Earth besides him.
"Thanks." She grinned shyly. "Now, I'm dying to know where you're taking me. Shall we?" She asked, Nodding towards the door.
"Yeah." He laughed as they grabbed hands and made their way out the door. Getting to the lobby, Rachel took sight of the car waiting for them. To her surprise, she recognized it. It was Finn's old truck from high school.
"Where did you find this? I thought you sold it to jump start your business." She asked walking up to it.
"I bought it back a few years ago." He replied, walking next to her. "There were too many memories in it to give it away completely. Good thing the man I sold it to was very understanding. I mean, you should have seen his face when I offered him my price." Finn chuckled as he opened the door for Rachel and helped her into the passenger side.
Once Finn pulled out of the driveway, Rachel smiled and took in the familiar feeling that this truck gave her. Once Finn started driving, Rachel used him as her own chauffeur. Ever since then, they'd ride everywhere together.
"So many memories..." Rachel said as she ran her hand along the cup board and smiled.
"I knew you'd love it. If you think this is amazing, wait till you see what I have in store for us today." Finn grinned as he quickly glanced at Rachel before returning his attention to the road.
By the time the truck came to a complete stop, Rachel immediately recognized where they were. Their old elementary school. Getting out of the truck, she stood there and took in the place. So many things about this place were different. For starters, the entrance was painted a different color from when she was there. There was also another building added to the school.
"This places looks so different from when I last saw it." Finn said, now standing beside her.
"So many memories are flying through my brain right now. I can't believe it's been so many years since we graduated from this place. It feels like it was yesterday that I was leaving this place."Rachel said smiling as Finn wrapped his arms around her.
"Then you're going to love what I have in store for you, my love." he replied before they started walking towards the entrance.
"Aren't we going to get into trouble? They're kids at school." Rachel asked with a little concern in her voice.
"Don't worry, Rachel. Let's just say that I pulled a few strings with some people. No one's going to be bothering us." he laughed.
Nodding, she allowed Finns hand rest on her lower back as he led her to where they were supposed to be going. She recognized every place they passed on the way. Walking in the small hallway and taking in the familiar scent of the elementary school brought a large grin to her face. It's funny how after all of these years being away from Lisa her memory was still clear as water.
Once Finn stepped in front of her, he stopped and looked at Rachel. Smiling, he placed one hand gently over her eyes.
"It's a surprise." he chuckled as Rachel heard a door open and was lead into some large room. The echo that projected after Finns voice was heard proved the largeness of the room. "Okay, one, two, three. Open your eyes!" he excitedly exclaimed as his hand was removed from her eyes.
They were in the gym of the elementary school. Finn was right, she was surprised. Never once did she think she'd ever come back here again and she was glad that she did. It felt nice to be able to relive her childhood by visiting these places.
"oh my gosh, it's the gym! I've missed this place so much." Rachel exclaimed as she placed her hands over her mouth.
"Any memories come to mind? " he smiled as he grabbed a basketball from under one of the bleachers near them.
"You mean how you ruined my cheer with your stupid little basketball game?" she asked smirking as she leaned on her crutches.
"I knew you'd say something along the lines of that. Just so you know, you ruined our basketball game. I mean, you threw the ball across the room." Finn laughed as Rachel playfully rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe an elementary school gymnasium was where I first saw the love of my life." she smiled as she hopped closer to Finn. "What's even funnier is that, the first time I saw you, I absolutely hated your guts. I'd love to go back in time to see the look on my face when I told myself that I'd end up with you." Rachel laughed as she rested her face on Finns chest and closed her eyes.
"The first time I saw you, I thought you were nothing more than a little child that I thought was annoying. I'd love to see what that version of me would say if he saw us here right now. " Finn replied before they both laugh.
"He'd just have to deal with the fact that he's stuck with me. " Rachel added cockily.
"I am stuck. Stuck with the best." Finn whispered into the top of her head as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
Come on, follow me. " Rachel smiled as she began hopping in the opposite direction of Finn.
"Where are you taking me, Ms cripple pants? " Finn asked curiously as he followed behind her.
" You'll see.. " was all she was going to tell him.
Walking out the entrance to the gymnasium, Rachel looked around and instantly remembered the pathway to where she wanted to go. Taking a deep breath, she began hopping again until she came upon a small wooden bench on the side of the school.
"I can't believe this is still here. " Finn smiled petting the wood of the bench.
"It's too important. This is where our entire friendship was declared. This was like the beginning of so many roads for us. This little bench was the beginning of what we have now." Rachel smiled wide as she sat down with Finn joining her.
"Do you think our lives would've been different if I wouldn't have came when I did? " Finn asked, watching the cars pass on the street.
" What do you mean? " Rachel asked, looking at Finn as she ran her hand through his hair.
"I mean, when I asked you to be my best friend you were crying because you had just been pushed down by some boy. What if I wouldn't have been there to give you the bandaid and ask you to be my best friend? " he said, looking for expression in Rachel's features.
" I don't know. All I can say is that if you weren't, I don't know where I'd be. My life is so much better with you in it. Especially after everything we've went through these past couple of months. I mean, I don't think I would've ever been able to forgive myself if I allowed myself to quit fighting and forever leave you. This broken leg right here is a reminder that I had to get home to you. I love you too much, okay? Finn Hudson, you are my person." Rachel explained as she wiped a small tear from her face and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I like that phrase, 'you are my person' . It'll be our new always and forever.."
"Yeah, I love it and more importantly, I love you, Finny. " Rachel chuckled as Finn wrapped his arms around her and took her into a deep embrace. The smell of his Cologne was pleasantly intoxicating. All she wished now was that they were not in public. Pulling back, Finn smiled into her eyes and allowed their souls to connect as he placed his lips to hers.
"You already know my response to that, my love. I love you more than life itself. And because you are the strongest woman I know, I'm able to say that to you right now."
"And you will never ever be allowed to stop saying it, because I'm not going anywhere." Rachel answered back. "Now, what's the next agenda on your big day?" Rachel asked with excitement in her voice.
"Well, follow me and you'll find out." he said as he got up and helped her get up as well. Holding out her crutches for her, Rachel grabbed them and began to follow Finn back to his truck. He offered to help her into the passenger seat, but she turned it down stating that he was spoiling her too much. But secretly, she loved it.
After they'd been driving for about ten minutes, Rachel's heart skipped a beat once they pulled into the entrance of McKinley High. Grinning at Finn, she couldn't wait until the car stopped before she could get out and go back to her high school that she missed and loved so much.
Once they got out, Finn practically had to run to catch up with Rachel's hopping. She had no idea why, but she was so excited to go into the building. Maybe she just wanted to get all of her good memories back and leave behind all of the bad ones.
Walking into the building, Rachel's heart fluttered as she took in the familiar scent of the halls of McKinley. She found it extremely odd at how excited she was to be there again, considering the fact that when she actually attended the school she couldn't wait to get the hell out. Some things were just different now she guessed.
"We have to hurry and get to where I wanted you show you." Finn whispered to her as they walked hastily down the hallway.
"Where are you showing me? " she asked looking around with curiosity.
"This..." Finn grinned as he lead her into the women's restroom. "Technically were not supposed to be in here right now, but I don't care. This very room is where I fell in love with you for the first time. After I walked out of this room that day, you weren't my little best friend, Rachel. You were the woman I loved with all of my heart. "
" I thinks it's amazing how we knew we loved each other at the same exact time. Especially the part where we fell in love with each other in the same exact room. " Rachel chuckled as Finn joined in.
"I'm actually glad you said that. I feel a whole lot better. I think I'm ready for our last destination. Come on." he grinned an ear to ear grin and turned to leave with Rachel following behind him.
"You're acting like a crazy person." Rachel told him once they got into the truck. As they left, Rachel noticed that Finn was nervously tapping his hands against the steering wheel and he would constantly check his phone.
Something was with him. She was going to ask him what was up, but she decided to shrug it off. She hoped she'd eventually find out.
As the truck came to a final stop, confusion crept up in Rachel's mind as she watched Finn quickly get out of the car and jog around to get to her side before she could get out on her own. Opening the door for her, he smiled and held out both of his arms for her. Grabbing his shoulders, she gently got down as Finns arms helped her keep balance.
Grabbing her crutches, Rachel looked at where they were. She had no idea why he brought her here since they had just come yesterday. They were standing in the front of Rachel's dads' house. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he guided her forward.
Finn I'm confused. Why are we here? We came yesterday." Rachel asked looking around.
"It's a surprise. " he replied as they walked toward the front door. What really blew her mind was when Finn turned the door knob and opened the front door without knocking. He would've never done that on a normal occasion. Something was going on.
"What's going on, Finn? " she asked as he lead her towards the back door that led to the backyard.
"You'll see in just a few seconds. Ready?" he asked as he placed a hand on the doorknob and began turning.
"Yeah, just open the door. " Rachel said laughing.
Without hesitation, Finn opened the door and once Rachel eyes lifted to the scene, her heart completely fell to the ground.
"Oh my g-g-gosh."