Chapter 23

"Oh my g-g-gosh."

Rachel's entire backyard was rearranged. In fact, the only way that she knew it was her backyard was because she was standing at her back door. Surprise was most definitely evident on her face as she tried to find the right words to spit out.

Everything was breath-taking. The little backyard that used to be a swing set, trampoline, grass, and the 3 big oak trees in the back was gone. Now, standing on the side of Finn with a dumbfound face, she looked out onto a place that looked like something she'd find in her dreams.

"W-w-wow. Is this all for me?" she asked, looking up at Finn who hadn't taken his eyes off of her yet.

"Of course it is, Rach. Do you see anyone else around here who's completely stolen my heart?" He asked, holding out his hand for support on her lower back as she hopped down the three stairs that led to the backyard.

Placing her hand over her chest, Rachel gave Finn a grin showing that she was touched.

The first thing she notice when that back door opened a few moments ago were the lights hanging from the three oak trees that were in a line surrounding her backyard. The lights shown beautifully, almost replacing the light the gray sky above them projected. Along with those lights, hung thousands of tiny jars from the branches of all three trees. These jars contain many different colored flowers. As they got closer, Rachel could now tell that they were different colored roses. The colors Rachel noticed hanging in the trees ranged from colors like orange, yellow, and even lavender. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she took in the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Another thing that took her breath away was a long walkway, made of what looked like white satin. On the white satin lay-out, red roses were scattered along the pathway, ending where the pathway ended, which was at the foot of the largest oak tree, between the two smaller ones. She also noticed that there was a guitar leaning on it's stand next to the middle tree. There was also a decorative chair waiting at the end of the walkway, considering her flaw in the walking department. Seeing everything, she then knew with all of her heart that something important and monumental was going to happen. This moment of realization took her heart from fluttering to a beat going lightening speed over and over again.

Astonished, she turned to Finn who was smiling down at her. He hoped that she couldn't tell that he was nervous. Today, this moment, could either go one of two ways. Either everything turns out great and the both of them are filled with love and bliss, and just pure happiness. Things could also take a turn for the worst, leaving Finn completely brokenhearted. Every time he thought about what was happening right now, he always jumped to conclusions and skipped over the positive outcome, falling straight to the negative one.

Although his whole entire brain was covered with fear and fright about what was going to happen in the next few moments of his life, he saw that smile she flashed him. A simple smile from the love of his life could chill every bone in his body. That's when he remembered exactly why they were standing here in the first place. Taking a huge deep breath, he tried to clear his screaming mind and wipe away his sweaty palms. Slowly, he walked to where Rachel was and gently placed her small, fragile hand in his larger one. He chuckled a bit when she jumped, being pulled out of her trance.

"This is gorgeous, Finn. How'd you have time to do all of this?" she asked, smiling sentimentally at him.

"When you were...um...away, my mom told me to try and focus on something other than what was going on. So, i started planning this. Then, once we got here i ask your parents, Burt, and Blaine to help set it up in private. I waited till you fell asleep each night and came over here and helped put it together with them. Let's just say we were up pretty late. Do you like it?" he asked, looking down at his feet.

"Do i like it? Finn, i love it! I think its the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." she exclaimed.

"Well then, shall we?" he asked, smiling so hard his face hurt as he held out his arm.

"Yes." she grinned, later becoming confused as Finn slowly placed both of his hands on the metal of the two crutches at her sides.

"Finn, what're you doing?" she asked, confusion present in her tone.

"Do you trust me?" he asked with a grin on his face, hinting that he was up to something.

"With all of my heart." Question was still in her voice.

Taking both of her hands, Finn placed them on his shoulders and grabbed the crutches from beneath her and placing them in the grass on the side of the long white satin walkway. This left Rachel trusting Finn's muscular arms to support her whole entire weight, which wasn't an issue. Before she knew it, Finn made one swift motion and he was then carrying her bridal style.

"You're going to carry me?" she asked, chuckling.

"I know how much distress those awful things are causing you. I thought it'd be nice to give my princess a break for once." he smiled as she leaned her head against his chest. Slowly, he began walking again.

"I love all of these roses everywhere." she whispered as she looked down by his feet and up at the jars hanging from all three oak trees.

"I knew you would." he replied, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"Can you guess what color is my favorite?"

"Your favorite color rose is the yellow rose. I remember that because you used to go on and on about how your favorite princess was Belle because her big yellow dress was amazing. I then proceeded to ask you why yellow? Do you remember what you told me?" Finn explained.

"I told you because it was the same color as the sun and I liked sunny days. But that wasn't the real reason.." Rachel said, causing Finn to stop in the middle of the walkway and look at her with curiosity.

"What was?"

"Yellow is my favorite color because its the color of the band-aid that you placed on my knee after that boy pushed me." Rachel admitted, smiling like a fool.

"See, that right there. What you just said is one of the many reasons why I am head over heels in love with you, Rachel Barbra Berry." Finn replied, as he held her tight and continued to walk towards the big oak tree.

It took him about another few footsteps to get to the foot of the oak tree. Once he did, Finn placed Rachel in the decorative chair waiting at the end of the aisle. Finn's heart rate drastically increased to levels that he didn't even know were humanly possible. He became more nervous than he's ever been for something in his whole entire life. In order for his plan to work, she had to remember one thing about where they were standing. The look of confusion on her face as she looked up to the leaves above them hinted that his plan may fail. Taking a leap of hope, he spoke.

"So?" he asked, his expression hopeful of her memory.

"What?" she asked confused before giggling.

"You don't remember this tree, do you?" he stated.

Not recalling anything, she shook her head in defeat.

"This is where we got married. Remember?" he smiled as her face lit up the minute the words left his lip.

"Oh my gosh, yes, i remember. I'm sorry, i thought it was at that tree over there." she said pointing to the other tree on the side.

"Oh, it was this one. Remember it had that really big stump on the side which Santana tripped on while wearing her mother's high heels?" he asked, causing them both to fall into laughter.

"I can't believe you actually remembered that.." Rachel said becoming serious as she placed a had on Finn's cheek. He placed his hand over hers and replied.

"How can I forget? I remember every little detail. Me in one of my dad's old tuxes, and then you all decked out in that white bed sheet that Santana tried to tie into a dress. I remember the first glance i caught of you. All decked out in plastic jewelry and Quinn's mom's white high heels." Finn said, smiling as he pushed a strand of hair behind Rachel's ear.

"Those heels got us into a lot of trouble with Mrs. Fabray. As for the plastic jewelry, every bride has to have some sort of pearls on their wedding day. Even if those pearls do come from a beauty play set that Santana got for Christmas one year." Rachel chuckled as Finn watched her in pure amazement at how much her laugh lit him up inside.

"Well, you were beautiful. Especially with all of those flowers that the girls put in your hair." Finn added.

"Yeah, I had no choice. Quinn and Santana actually sat me down and told me what was going to happen. Although, I do have to admit that i was a little relieved that you were playing my husband instead of Puck."

"Really? I was relieved to know that you were playing my bride instead of Santana. Do you know how awkward that would have been?" Finn asked, laughing as Rachel joined in.

"To this day, i still have no idea how Santana knew all of that stuff about getting married at the age we were. Especially when she told me that I had to sleep with you on our honeymoon." Rachel said, her cheeks turning light red.

"She told you that?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I thought it meant sleeping together in the same bed. I had no idea what the other version of that term meant." Rachel replied, laughing.

"The only thing that Puck told me about this stuff was that i was supposed to dip you at our first dance. Which i did. Well, i tried to at least." He said, giggling when Rachel looked at him a funny way.

"You tilted me a little and then dropped me on the ground."

"At least i tried. You know that dancing is not my strong suit." Finn said, defending himself.

"No it's not, sweetheart. But I love you anyways. And I love the fact that we got married with blue ring pops." Rachel said, holding out her hand for Finn to grab it, which he did.

"I do too, honey. You know I do. Which is why, right now, i'm going to say what I've been waiting to all trip." He began.

"Gosh, I had this whole entire speech memorized in my head, but with just one look at you, it all flew away from my brain. I have to start from scratch. Are you okay with that?" he asks.

"Speaking from your heart results in the best speech there is. I don't care if it's from a small piece of paper, or if you made up every word as you went along. All that matters to right now is that you're the only person that's ever done any of this for me, and in my mind, that's perfect." As she watched Finn freak out with amusement.

"I'd do it everyday if i could, baby." Finn smiled as he held onto her hand. "I'm gonna start if that's okay." Finn told her, looking for approval.

Smiling, Rachel shook her head in approval and he began.

"Did you know that different color roses have different meanings? I sure as hell didn't. I went to the flower shop and asked for some roses and then the lady asked me what color? I honestly only thought that there were red roses. I thought you were just being crazy when you said that you wanted yellow roses at your wedding. i thought they were made up. I guess this was because of my lack of love and inexperience of being in a committed relationship. The lady then got to showing me the different colors and explaining their different meanings. Then, something crazy happened. Almost all of the meanings behind these different colored roses resembled us in some way."

Reaching up, Finn grabbed a jar hanging above him. This jar contained a dark pink rose. Opening the jar, Finn took out the rose and handed it to Rachel carefully, so the thorns wouldn't hurt her.

"The dark pink rose symbols appreciation and gratitude. Rachel, you will always be the one who i am most thankful for and who i appreciate the most in my whole entire life. You literally changed my whole entire life around and i can't thank you enough for it. Without you, i'd probably be some poor excuse of a man who didn't know how to love. You've always given me the right advice in life, you have always been there for me in my hardest or most difficult times, and not once have you ever let our friendship waver. No matter how stupid i acted. You have no idea what you mean to me, baby. I am so thankful that you are in my life. Please, take this dark pink rose and know that i have gratitude and appreciation for you."

Placing the empty jar full of water to the side, he reached up again and untied another jar hanging above them. This jar contained a light pink rose. Performing the same motion as before, he took out the light pink rose and handed it to Rachel.

"The light pink rose symbols sweetness and joy. With you, not a single day goes by that i'm not over filled with joy. You are my sunshine. You are my light at the very end of the tunnel. Ever since you have been in my life, you made me a happier person. Let's not forget to mention your sweetness. How many times have i gone and hurt you, and how many times have you forgiven me for being a total idiot? If i had to put a measure on things, I'd say its too many times to count. Your sweetness and gentleness, both inside and out, is what keeps me going everyday. All i want to say is that i'm glad that i fell in love with a person with as much grace, sweetness, and joy as you. Because without it, i don't think i'd be the same. So Rachel, please take this light pink rose and know that your sweetness, joy, gentleness, and grace is what gets me through each day in this cruel world."

Putting this empty jar next to the other one on the side, he reached up again and untied another jar. This jar contained a yellow rose. Taking it out of the jar, he smiled and handed it to Rachel.

"I was kind of waiting for your response to this one since i know it's your favorite color. Personally, this is my favorite as well. Not because of the color, but because of it's meaning. This rose is us in a nutshell, Rach. The yellow rose symbolizes friendship and gladness. You're the very best friend that I've ever had in my whole entire life and I'm amazingly glad that i can say that without thinking twice about it. Without you becoming my friend that day by the bus stop, I have no idea where i would be. But, i'll tell you one thing. I'd be nothing compared to the man that you made me. You taught me so much, and whenever i needed you, you were there for me. Whenever i went and screwed up, you forgave me without thinking twice about 're the type of friend that everyone needs in their life, and i am more than honored to be able to call you mine. Our friendship may shift and change over the years, taking the fact that we fell in love with each other as a major example, but it will last forever. We may have had our ups and downs with it and i'm not promising that it'll be all sunshine and rainbows in the future, but just know...You're my best friend Rachel, and i would never change a single thing about that. So Rach, please take this yellow rose and know that i'm filled with complete gladness to know that i can call you my best friend."

Putting the jar down next to the others, Finn reached above him and took down another jar. This jar contained an orange rose. Taking it out of the jar, he handed it to Rachel.

"The orange rose symbolizes desire and enthusiasm. I know this rose symbolizes us because desire is all I have for you. It's been that way ever since that day in high school when i fell for you. I love you so much that whenever you're away, i can't breath. I can't sleep. A heavy weight sits on my heart and it feels like bricks are piling up on my chest. My heart desires you so much that i do crazy ass things just to let you know that my love is very much present. My heart's desire for you also assures me that i'll never ever stop doing those crazy things as long as i'm alive. Now, enthusiasm plays a role in this as well. Enthusiasm plays a role in both of us. First, your enthusiasm in life is just down inspiring. You set your mind something and you do it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You dream so big and you achieve it. You project large amounts of self confidence and ambition in your life and i just wanted to let you know that I admire that aspect about you. You never give up on anyone, including me, and i love you even more for that. The enthusiasm that i hold is set towards us. I am enthusiastic to carry out my love for you forever. I am enthusiastic to love you with all my heart and make you feel like the most loved woman in the whole entire world, even beyond my dying day. I also am enthusiastic to fix every break or bruise on your heart. Please, take this orange rose and know that i hold so much desire for you and your love and also know that i have extreme amounts of enthusiasm to love you every day for eternity."

Placing the empty jar down next to the other empty jars, Finn reached for yet another jar above him. This jar contained a lavender rose. Taking it out of the jar, he handed the rose to Rachel.

"The lavender rose symbolizes love at first sight and enchantment. I know i can't say that we shared love at first sight, because trust me that was not the case. But, on the other hand, i can describe us with enchantment. You enchant me so many times everyday, Rachel, and you probably have no idea while doing so. I become full of delight just by the sight of you. Every time you walk into the room, my heart skips a beat. You enchant me by that amazing and contagious laugh that I have the pleasure of listening to everyday. That beautiful big white smile that you flash my way melts my heart to it's very core. Just the sound of your voice has me on the tip of my toes. Those big beautiful brown eyes are like my motivation everyday. Hell, waking up next to you is my motivation. You have so many things about you that are amazing and enchanting. The funny thing is, most of the things I love the most about you are the things that you hate and try to hide, or the things about you that you have no idea they exist. Life with you is like a large and amazing amusement park that I never want to leave, and i never will. Rachel, please take this rose and know the absolute enchantment that you cast on me every single day. Also know that i wish with every fiber of my being that it was love at first sight with us. But then again, i love the fact that you totally pissed me off the first time i met you."

Laughing with Rachel, who happened to think that was hilarious, Finn placed the jar to the side with the others and reached for the next. This jar contained a more familiar rose to Rachel. The white rose. Taking it out of the jar, Finn handed it to Rachel.

"The white rose symbolizes purity, innocence, and humility. I knew from the moment the lady told me what this one meant, that this rose absolutely described you. You are, and have always been pure, innocent, and down right humble. The same thing goes for your heart. This doesn't only describe you. It also describes your heart and your personality. Which, by the way, was one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you from the start. Your love is the most purest thing that I've ever experienced. I can look at you right now and know that you'd never do anything to hurt me or my heart. You're also the most humble person I've ever met. When your life was placed in absolute risk, you fought with every fiber you had just so that you could come back home to me. You put everything aside to fight for our love and i honestly can't think of anything more selfless or humble. You're selfless, you're caring, loving, and just absolutely amazing. Your innocence is what makes me love you even more as well. You'd never hurt a single fly. You're nothing like all of those other girls I've seen in those New York City clubs at 3:00 am in the morning. They'd do anything to just get drunk and sleep with the first guy they saw. You're full of class and you respect yourself enough to never do that. You gave your heart to a guy, and in return he shattered it to a million pieces, throwing the remaining dust to the wind. You never deserved that. So, if you take this rose, know that I spend every waking moment trying to fix your heart from all of that trauma. I will remind you everyday of your purity, your innocence, and your humility."

Finn then placed the empty jar to the side with the others. Walking up to where Rachel was sitting, he smiled as she held the roses in her hands with tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. Her million dollar was shining brighter than the light from the trees and the gray sky.

"Hold on one second." Finn smiled as he hurried around the other side of the tree. Four or five seconds later, he was back with a glass vase. "Here, put them in here so you won't have to carry them around. I don't want those thorns to hurt you."

Following Finn's instructions, Rachel placed them in the vase and then looked up to Finn to see what he was going to say next.

"The last rose that i have for you is the most common one." he said before reaching into his jacket, revealing a single red rose taped to the inside. Taking it, he handed it to Rachel.

"The red rose can be interpreted into several different meanings, depending on the shade of red they are or the quantity that they are presented in. For example, a single red rose means 'i love you'. Fifty red roses shows unconditional love. A dozen red roses is a way of showing someone your gratitude towards them. Dark red is supposed to symbolize unconscious beauty. But all in all, the red rose symbolizes one thing; love. I saved this one for last because I thought it was the most important one. I love you, Rachel. I know i say it over and over again everyday, but i need you to understand that every time those words come out my mouth i always mean it. You're everything to me. To be honest, I fall hard for you every single day that you're with me and quite frankly, its scares me to freaking death. I've never had these feelings about anyone else before. The feelings are different because you're the one. You're the one girl that I've been searching for my entire life, not knowing that on most occasions, she was literally sitting right in front of me. Please, take this single red rose and know that i love you with every single inch and centimeter on my whole entire heart."

Placing the rose in her hand, he was pulled into a tight hug by an emotional Rachel. He felt like he could just stay there in her arms forever and the rest of the world would never matter again. As she pulled away, he placed a hand on her cheek and wiped away a stray tear.

"From the beginning, I was just a kid who cared for nothing but sports and a baseball collection. But then, I met you. I then became introduced to wide variety of adventures and games. I became the kid who played a prince and a husband to you, a father to Santana's baby doll, and the official voice to your Ken doll. I know you know that i hated playing those games sometimes, but i did play them, because you were my best friend and i loved hanging out with you. Then, we got to high school and we sort of became distant due to our age differences, but that never stopped either of us. I left high school a different person. When i left high school, I was in love with you. To be honest, i thought i was crazy for having feelings for the girl who i looked at like a little sister for most of my life. But they were strong feelings, so i carried them with me to college. I thought they'd eventually go away, but they didn't. So, once we got to New York, I had endless chains of stupid one night stands, to try and shake those feelings from my brain and most importantly my heart. Honestly, thought i had gotten rid of them."

"Then, after i had to ask my best friend to drag me out of a situation that i had gotten myself into with yet another one night stand, you sat me down and told me that i wasn't getting any younger. You said that i needed to find that one girl and settle down with her. That's when I opened my eyes and realized that i couldn't keep denying those feelings that i had been pushing back for so long. I should have kissed you right then and there. But, i didn't because i'm a total idiot. Instead, i got drunk one night at a night club and hurt you terribly. After that, i thought that you were never going to forgive me for what i did to you. But instead, you did the exact opposite. Not only did you forgive me. You gave me warm clothes and allowed me to spend time with you. That's when i realized that i needed to man up and tell you how i felt. But everything got messed up. Mandy messed up everything. Things got twisted and messed up and then the next day, they weren't. To this day, I absolutely thank Santana for spilling the beans, even though i specifically told her not to. If she wouldn't have said anything, we wouldn't be where we are right now."

"That first night that we had together was the best night of my whole entire life. That night was like the opening show to everything that i'm proud to have as memories. My love for you made me do some pretty crazy things, good and bad. I organized a game plan to hide you from our friends, acted a total fool and hurt you when i couldn't fess up that it was you who i was seeing. Then i stood on a bar stool in front of a room full of strangers, who i'd never seen before in my life, and announced that i was madly in love with you. Then, i took you out into the street, danced with you like one of those old 1940's love stories that you always here from old people, and asked you to move in with me. You alone caused me to act like a love sick crazed fool and I would never ever want to take that back."

"And then... you were taken from me. My whole entire world flipped upside down and i lost myself. I didn't know what to do. I became a person that i am not proud of. In those few days, I realized just how much life sucked without you. With every second, minute, and hour that passed by, i held the phone in my hand and waited for someone to tell me that they found you and were bringing you back to me. Then, the sun would rise on a new day, and the amount of hope that i had would shed a little. I became angry with everything and took it out on cups, plates, chairs, and our wall. But, still, i told myself that i'd have you in my arms again. So, i promised myself one thing. If you came back to me, which i hoped and knew that you would, i would come back here with you and do this. And you did. You came back to me..." Finn paused, choking up as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He then continued.

"You're everything to me, baby. You're my best friend, my life, and most importantly, you're my soul mate. Because i love you so much, i want to dedicate this song to you." Wiping away a few more tears that escaped his eyes, he turned and retrieved his guitar.

Rachel watched him as her heart pounded. Tears were making their way down her already stained face. Today was definitely not a good day to wear mascara. Holding one hand over mouth and the other over her heart, she watched as he began strumming the guitar in front of her. It took her a while, but she finally caught on to the tune. It was Louis Armstrong's "La Vie en rose". The exact song that her dads sang for her first dance with Finn as their pretend wedding many years ago.

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast

This is La Vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though i close my eyes

I see La Vie en rose

When you press me to your heart

I'm in a world apart

A world where roses bloom

And when you speak

Angels sing from above

Every day words

Seem to turn into love songs

Give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be

La Vie en rose

Placing the guitar back on the stand, Finn walked over to Rachel and knelt in front of her. Smiling, he pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

"I had 88 roses placed around your backyard. I handed you a single red rose to let you know that i love you. I had fifty red roses scattered out on the white satin aisle to represent the unconditional love between us. And a dozen red roses are in jars hanging from these three oak trees." Finn smiled at Rachel who was looking around.

"What about the other twenty-five?" she asked.

"I hoped you'd ask that." Finn smiled as he walked over to the chair and picked her up bridal style. Looking around, Rachel's heart fluttered when she felt Finn's heart beating as she leaned against his chest.

"You're heart's beating really fast." Rachel whispered into his ear as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"That's because i'm madly in love with you and you're in my arms." Finn smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Once they made their way around the house, Rachel's mouth dropped in shock.

On the side of her house, where her old wooden swing set used to be, was a long table with a dark red table cloth over it. At the table, a vase filled with red roses was placed in the middle with two small Ring Pop bags sitting in front of it. On the side of the table sat a decorative love seat designed for the outdoors.

Walking over to it, Finn placed Rachel in the chair and grabbed the two bags of Ring Pops, handing one to Rachel.

"What color do you think you have?" Finn asked.

"I don't know. I hope it's blue. Blue was always my favorite flavor." she smiled.

"On the count of three?" he asked.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three..."

The sound of bags rustling filled the air for a few seconds. Then it was gone. The sound replacing it being Rachel's muffled cries.

In Rachel's palm sat a 3 carat cushion cut diamond engagement ring with a halo setting. Rachel's free hand was placed over her mouth as she looked at Finn through her tears.

Slowly, Finn got down on one knee and took the ring from Rachel's palm. Holding it in between his thumb and index finger, he looked up at her and choked out his words.

"I remember the exact day my father gave this ring to my mother. I was around 9 so they hadn't been married for that long. My mother and father had gotten married in Vegas and were given gold wedding bands as wedding rings. Anyways, my dad sat us both down one day to tell us that he had been called into service for the army. I remember seeing my mother start crying. But then, my father grabbed her hands and placed this box right here in her hands." Digging into his pocket, he pulled out a small black box. Handing it to Rachel, he continued. "When she opened the box and saw this ring, she was so happy, even though the situation was so bad. He then told her that even though he was going to be away for a while, he wanted this ring to let her know that he loved her with all of his heart. When i saw this, i knew that that was what true love was like. My father died five months after that and things were rough. But, I remember my mom telling me that I needed to find the right person like she did. And thanks to you, i did."

"You're my everything, Rach. I know we've had our ups and downs. I also know that life won't be all rainbows and butterflies. There are gonna be days when fight. There are going to be days when we are going to bicker and disagree. We're not always gonna be in honeymoon avenue. But, i promise you one thing, I will always feel about you how i feel now. I'm not gonna stay this young forever, my appearances are going to change and my hair's going to grow grayer, but even then, my heart will still continue to beat for you. I love you and you're it. I'm taking your advice Rach. I want to settle down with you. I want to start a family with you. I want to be old and gray watching our grandchildren running around in the front yard while we hold hands. I want that future for us. All you have to do is answer one simple question, and then we can have it all."

Pausing to take a deep breath, Finn looked at Rachel's expression. She was crying with her hand pressed over her heart. He just hoped that she would say the answer what he wanted.

"Rachel Barbra Berry, will you do me the most amazing honor of marrying me?" he asked, as he choked on the last few words.

"What do you think?" she sniffled.

"Is that a-?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed.

"Yes?" he asked, chuckling with an ear to ear grin on his face.

"Yes! Finnegan Christopher Hudson, i will marry you!" she exclaimed again, wrapping her arms around Finn as he took her into a tight and loving embrace.

"I love you so, so much.." he whispered before crashing his lips against hers. Sitting next to her in the large chair, Rachel positioned herself to where she was leaning against Finn's side as his arm rested around her. Taking her left in his, he slid the ring on her finger.

"Perfect." he smiled.

"Are you sure Carol's okay with me wearing her ring? I mean, this holds so much sentimental value to her." Rachel asked.

"I'm sure. I asked her myself. She told me that she wouldn't want any other girl but you to wear it. She then started crying because her little baby boy was proposing to his girlfriend." he laughed as held her in his arms.

"This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.." Rachel said, holding her hand up as she admired the sparkly rock on her left ring finger.

"And it now belongs to the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Finn added.

"I love you so, so much.."

"I love you more and there's no arguing that." He smiled.

"I can't believe it.. I'm actually getting married." Rachel exclaimed jumpy.

"I can't believe I didn't ask you sooner." he said.

"What? No way! Tonight was perfect. What you did was the most romantic thing that anyone has ever done for me." she smiled, choking up in her voice again.

"I'm glad you liked it. I was so nervous something would go wrong." Finn admitted.

"Aw, you were nervous? That's so sweet." Rachel giggled.

"More like deathly afraid." Finn added.

"What were you afraid of? That i would say no?" she asked.

"Honestly? Yes."

"Finn, I could never say no to you. You're the love of my life." she assured him.

"I know that now." Finn smiled, running a hand through the hair that hung from her ponytail.

"Good." She smiled, "I have a question.." Rachel said, sitting up.

"What's the question, lovely?"

"You never told me what the twenty-five roses stand for.." she said.

"When you give someone twenty-five roses, you are tell them congratulations." Finn answered as he stood up and grabbed the roses from the table handing them to Rachel.

"Congratulations, soon to Mrs. Hudson." he purred in her ear.

"I love the sound of that." she giggled. "Rachel Hudson."