Chapter 28
"Now, will everyone join me in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Hudson for their first time on the dance floor as a married couple?" The dj asked, as Santana stood from where Brittany and she were seated in the large room filled with people. Santana smiled as her two best friends came out hand in hand with huge smiles on their faces. Their happiness and love was clearly present as they looked at each other before the music started.
Santana was so proud of her best friend. She never would have guessed that these two would be here today. Hell, the moment that Rachel told the three girls she had feelings for Finn, the shock left her speechless. She was glad that her best friend finally grew the balls to actually tell Finn how she felt about him. Because, what she witnessed between the two of them a few moments earlier outside, that's what she called true love. She knew, because the way Rachel looked at Finn was the same way that she looked at Brittany every single day.
Walking over to her beautiful blonde girlfriend, she wrapped her in an embrace as they watched Rachel and Finn make their way to the now cleared dance floor.
The fact that there were a lot of people surrounding the two to watch them dance would have normally scared Rachel to death; especially if she were to make a mistake; But, not today. All of the familiar faces that surrounded them didn't faze her. The only face that she was focused on was the one that she was looking up at right now. The beautiful face that carried the most amazing cheek bone structure, the heartwarming crooked smile that those beautiful lips projected at times, the perfect nose that she loved to tap, the slight freckles around it, and most importantly, the face that contained the world's most beautiful dark amber eyes that always made her heart melt when they were set on her.
Placing her hand against the side of his head, she traced some of his perfectly sculpted hairs behind his ear. Resting her hand against his cheek, she smiled up at him as they patiently waited for their song for to come on.
"Okay, Hudson, time to see how well you did with the one job that you had in this whole wedding planning fiasco." Rachel whispered with a giggle.
Just after she said that, Gavin DeGraw's "More than anyone" blared through the room as he pulled her closer into his embrace. Taking her right hand in his left, he placed his hand on her waist and started moving back and forth with his newly found dancing skills. To say that Rachel was impressed was an understatement. She told herself that she would pretend to be surprised when she found out he was practicing before the wedding. What she was feeling now wasn't pretend. She was flabbergasted by how well he was dancing, and even more so by the song that he had picked for their first dance.
"Finn Hudson, have you been taking dance lessons?" she asked in a cocky tone.
"Why yes, Mrs. Hudson, I have." He replied in the same manner. "Are you impressed?"
"I am more than impressed, Finn Hudson. I was hoping you'd pick this song." She smiled. "Everything is perfect." Closing her eyes, she rested her head against his chest as they swayed to the beautiful melody and lyrics that were playing. "I love you." She whispered loud enough for him. She thinks she didn't say it loud enough when he doesn't give her the usual immediate response. Those thoughts vanished when he grabbed both of her hands pushed her out of his embrace, twirled her around once, and dipped her.
"More than you'll ever know, Rach." He smiled as his muscular arms were holding her just above the ground as the crowd was whistling and cheering at his recent move. Pulling her back up, Rachel felt dizzy. But it wasn't because he had just taken her off guard with that dip. It was because she was so high on love.
Once the song ended, the dj brought over two microphones to Finn and Rachel so they could give their thank you speeches to the guests. They were going to need this part of the reception more than the other parts, especially considering the fact that most of the guests who came all this way to see them get married, actually didn't see them get married.
"Hello everyone, Rachel and I would like to say a couple of things to all of you." Finn greeted to the now silenced audience.
"We'd like to say thank you to all of you for taking the time to be here today with us to witness the start of our life long journey as husband and wife." Rachel continued, "And we'd also like to say that we're deeply sorry for most of you not being present while we exchanged our vows. We know all of you came a long way to witness that special moment. It's safe to say we had a small string of bad luck in the beginning of this afternoon. But we're all here right now, so let's celebrate!" she exclaimed.
"We hope all of you have an amazing and fun time, just like we are." Finn smiled as Rachel chuckled.
"And hopefully none of us get too wasted, but it's my wedding so, no promises." Rachel said as she got a laugh from the whole crowd.
Laughing from Rachel's response, he picked added to it. "Let's just say that we might have to pay the limo driver extra to make sure we get on the right flight for our honeymoon." Another laugh was exchanged between their family and friends.
"We're not going to be that wasted, I promise." Rachel joked. "Have an amazing time tonight and we'll be going around after dinner to greet all of you individually. So, we hope to talk to all of you very soon. Now, let's eat because I'm starving!" she exclaimed as everyone chuckled. Returning the microphones to the dj, Rachel grabbed Finn's hand and led him to their seats at the table.
After eating, Rachel and Finn decided it was time to go around to greet all of their guests. Everyone told Rachel how beautiful she looked, how handsome Finn looked, and how happy they were for both her and Finn. They had a few guests to greet left when they came upon Suzy and Jacob.
"Hey," Finn smiled, "Thank you guys for coming and supporting us today." He smiled.
"Thanks for everything you've done, Suzy. I've gotten so many compliments." Rachel added.
"You're welcome. Congratulations to you both." She smiled, only looking up at Finn.
"Hi Rachel," Jacob said, walking up to Suzy and wrapping an arm around her. If Rachel didn't know any better, she'd assume that Jacob was attempting to make her jealous. "Do you remember me? We went to school together."
"Hey." She smiled. "Yeah, school reporter right?" Maybe if she pretended to not know him how she actually knew him, he'd go along with it.
"Yes. Don't get offended Finn, but back in the day I used to have a little crush on your lady." He informed them. Rachel looked up at Finn to see his face bright red from straining. He was trying not to laugh. So instead, he smiled at Suzy, and replied. "No problem man. That was way back in the day. Plus, I myself sort of had a little crush on her too."
"Aww, well it was nice talking to you guys. Have an amazing night tonight. Suzy, I definitely need a picture of your two young ones so I can put it on my fridge." Rachel said.
"Sure thing!" she smiled, just before Rachel grabbed Finn's hand and began to walk towards Finn's aunt and uncle.
"You look very beautiful, Rachel! Like a bright summer's day!" Jacob exclaimed as they started to walk off.
"Thank you." She called back. Looking up at Finn, he was laughing silently. Smacking him on the arm, she spoke, "You better stop it right now, Finn Hudson!" She joined him in laughter.
"I'm sorry. It's just that, I guess I'm not yet used to having people compare my wife to a bright summer's day." He laughed.
"You are terrible!" She chuckled before they greeted the next group of people.
Once they were finished greeting everyone in the room, they made their way back to the center of the room where the caterers brought out their wedding cake. Once they were handed the knife, Rachel placed her hand over Finn's as they both cut the first piece out of it. After all of the pictures were taken, Rachel took a small piece from the slice and shoved it onto Finn's mouth just as Finn did the same to her. As they both broke out into hysterical laughter, he pulled her into a kiss and the flash of the cameras started up again.
Returning back to their seats, it was time for the toasts. Once everyone made it back to their seats and quieted down again, Puck made his way to the center of the room and grabbed the microphone from the dj with a glass of champagne in his hands.
"It is often said that true love is what will get us through this miserable lifetime. I myself personally find that crap, since, from experience, being a bachelor is like the best thing in the world. But recently, all of my beliefs have changed. I know that true love exists, because these two have been living proof. I have witnessed the power that it can have over a person. I've witnessed how it can make you step onto a stool in front of a large group of strangers in a crowded bar and pronounce your love for that one person. I've witnessed how sleepless and worried a person can get when their love is in harm's way and how crazy they get when they're not with each other at every moment. I've witnessed all of this because of Finn and Rachel. Many years ago, we stood as kids performing the fake wedding of Finn and Rachel as a form on imagination in Rachel's backyard. Now, I have the pleasure to say that today, I had the extraordinary opportunity of marrying my best friend once again to the love of his life. But, this time it was real and we all know that by the way they look at each other. Congratulations, Finn and Rachel, and I wish you many years of bliss, love, and laughter." Raising his glass, "To Finn and Rachel," he smiled at the couple. Placing a hand over her heart, Rachel smiled because she didn't know Puck had that in him.
Once he returned to his seat, Santana took his place. With a big smile on her face, she held the microphone in her left hand and her glass of champagne in her right.
"I have a quote that I would like to share with all of you. William Shakespeare once wrote in his incredibly famous tragedy, 'Romeo and Juliet', a love poem that I think can pretty much sum up the story behind these two." Santana smiled, while taking a folded piece of paper out of the chest area in her dress. This made Rachel laugh for some reason.
"Don't waste your love on somebody, who doesn't value it." She read as she smiled down at the paper in her hands. "This quote reminded me of the two of you and it presented itself with the most relevance. Now, I'm not comparing the two of you to Romeo and Juliet. God knows the two of you aren't love drunken teens who decided to kill themselves for a person they met a few days ago. What the two of you are, are simply love drunken idiots." She smiled, which caused a laugh from the crowd. "This quote suits them because; they truly do value each other's love. I know this, because I was there that one frantic afternoon when Rachel stormed into my apartment unsure of what to do because she had feelings for her best friend. I watched her cry and assured her that she had to say something. I watched as Finn bought a glass of champagne for every person in the bar and stood on top of a stool to pronounce to a group of strangers that he was in love with her. I sat next to a sleepless and worried to death Finn as he described Rachel from head to toe to the detectives when she was gone. I held him as he cried with all the energy he had when no one had any results for him as to where his girlfriend. I witnessed when he was angry and slipped up and called Rachel his wife. All this time I had a front row seat to the story of Finn and Rachel; two best friends who fell in love. I know with all my heart that the two of you will live a long and happy life together. I would be standing up here giving this speech if I didn't. So, here's to Finn and Rachel Hudson and to their long journey ahead that we all hopefully get to witness!" she exclaimed holding up her glass as everyone chanted "To Finn and Rachel".
Next to come to the center following the maid of honor and the best man were Burt and Carole. With big smiles on both of their faces, they took the microphone from Santana and began to speak. Carole began; "The first moment I saw Rachel, was when Finn brought her over to the house. I remember hearing Finn talk to someone from the screen door that I kept open when he would play outside. At first I became alarmed because my husband wasn't home and I thought he was talking to a stranger. So, I walked over to the window, and sure enough there she was. Standing beside Finn with her school bag on her back and a curious smile on her face as Finn showed her the tree house that we had in our backyard." She smiled. "Ever since then, there wouldn't be a day that she wouldn't be at our house. She became a part of our family." She started choking up.
"I remember Christopher and I watching them run around in the backyard. He leaned over to me, and said 'Carole, he's going to marry her'. He was right, which I'm so glad that he was. Rachel, today I'm not just getting a daughter. I'm getting someone who I know will love my son and make him the happiest person in the world. That's all a mother wants for her son, and I'm glad that I get that. Finn, I'm so proud of the man that you've become. I can't believe both of my sons are married now." She laughed. "I'm getting old!"
"We're so proud of the both of you." Burt chimed in. "We love you both and we just wanted to say congratulations."
"Congratulations, and Finn, just know that you're father is probably looking down on you right now with tears of joy and he is so proud of how much you've grown. He loves you and don't forget that he's also here with us today; in all of our hearts." Carole added with a tearful smile, as they handed the microphone to Rachel's dads and returned to their seats. Rachel noticed Finn bring his hand up to his eyes, indicating that he had been crying. Wiping tears of her own, she placed her hand on his cheek and wiped away the tears on his cheek. Smiling sincerely, she placed her other hand over his and rested her side against his chest as he wrapped both arms around her.
"To say that we are so happy for the both of you is a bit of an understatement." Leroy smiled at the two of them.
"A father's worst fear is to someday give his daughter away to some guy who promises that he loves her. So, you could imagine our hesitation in the beginning, when Rachel told us that she was getting married. But all of those fears vanished when we knew that the guy we were giving her to was Finn Hudson. Just like most of everyone here today, we've had the pleasure to watch Finn grow from a young boy to a grown man. For years, it was like he was our son. Like Carole said, there also wasn't a day that we didn't see Finn running around in our backyard with Rachel. He became a part of our family." Hiram added.
"With that being said, we now know that we've made the right choice in handing our daughter to you. We know that you'll protect her with your life and love her more than anyone else on this planet. We stand here, so proud of both of you and we wish the best for the both of you for the rest of your lives. Rachel you've grown into a beautiful young woman, and I know we've had our differences, especially in recent times. Just know that we love you so much, and are so happy to witness our only daughter falling in love with her soulmate." Leroy went on.
"We love both of you. Congratulations to our beautiful little bride and our new son on the most wonderful day of their lives. May you have the longest time of love and joy!" Hiram exclaimed, as they held up both of their glasses of champagne.
Getting up from his chair, Finn made his way to the center of the room and hugged both of the berry's. As they returned to their seats, Finn grabbed a glass of champagne from the nearest table and began speaking into the microphone.
"Today will go down in history as the best day of my life. There's no second guessing that. Well, at least until our son is born." Finn said, gaining laughter at his certainty that their first child will be a boy. "Today, I was married to the missing piece in the puzzle of my life. There she is." He smiled, pointing to Rachel. "In my eyes, the most beautiful woman in the whole entire world sits at that table right there, wearing her beautiful dress, and her even more beautiful smile. She will always be my number one priority."
"I'm not saying that were going to have an easy journey together. We're going to have our ups and downs. But I know with all of my heart, that when all's said and done, I'm going to feel the same way about her then as I do right now. She's the love of my life, and I'll know it because I get to wear this wedding ring and let everyone know that I made a promise to her every day for the rest of my life." He smiled, holding up his glass of champagne. "Here's to you, princess. Our love will never waver and I know that because we're best friends and best friends stick together."
Spreading an ear to ear grin, she got up from where she was sitting and made her way to him as fast as her dress was allowing her. Finally reaching him, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into her kiss. She smiled as the crowd cheered.
"Best friends stick together." She repeated loud enough for him to hear.
Handing her the microphone, he kissed her on the cheek once more before he made it back to his seat. Grabbing a nearby glass of champagne, she smiled and took a deep breath before she spoke.
"I know I'm technically supposed to give a speech to my wonderful new husband about how much I love him and about how happy I am to be married to him today. Don't get me wrong, all of those things are absolutely one hundred percent true. I just feel like I'd have a better time explaining how I feel musically." She smiled. So, I found a song that fits us and I'd like to share it with all of you." She smiled as the dj began to prepare the music. "This one's for you, baby. I love you so much." Then the tune started to play from the speakers.
She said
I was seven and you were nine
I looked at you like the stars that shine
In the sky, the pretty lights
And our daddies used to joke about the two of us
Growing up and falling in love
And our mammas smiled
And rolled their eyes
And said oh my my my
Take me back to the house and backyard tree
Said you'd beat me up
You were bigger than me
You never did
You never did
Take me back when our world was one block wide
I dared you to kiss me
And ran when you tried
Just two kids
You and i
Oh my my my
Well I was sixteen when suddenly
I wasn't that little girl you used to see
But your eyes still shined
Like pretty lights
And our daddies used to joke about the two of us
They never believed we'd really fall in love
And our mammas smiled and rolled their eyes
And said oh my my my
Take me back to creek beds we turned up
Two am riding in your truck
And all I need is you next to me
Take me back to the time we had our very first fight
Slamming up doors instead of kissing goodnight
You stayed outside
Till the morning light
Oh my my my
A few years had come and gone around
We were sitting at our favorite spot in town
and you looked at me
Got down on one knee
Take me back to the time when we walked down the aisle
Our whole town came
And our mammas cried
You said I do
And I did too
Take me home where we met so many years before
We'll rock our babies on the very front porch
After all this time
You and I
I'll be 87 you'll be 89
I'll still look at you like the stars that shine
In the sky
Oh my my my
Getting back up from his chair, Finn found the trip back to his seat completely useless. Walking over to his beautiful bride who had joyous tears rolling down her cheeks, he pulled her as close to him as he physically could without hurting her. Smiling up at him, he laughed.
"I think you finally beat me on the whole speech thing." He was referring to a conversation they had a few months after the engagement when Rachel insisted that his speeches are always more detailed and romantic than hers.
"I disagree. You can be very romantic when you want to be." She chuckled as their faces were closer than they were a minute before.
"So can you, Mrs. Hudson. Keep that with you. It might do you some good on the honeymoon." He winked.
"Advice considered." She winked back as they returned to reality. Now that all of the speeches and toasts were finished, it was finally time to return to the dance floor. By the time it was time for the father-daughter dance, Hiram took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Tim McGraw's "My little girl" started playing from the stereo and Rachel couldn't help the tears that escaped once her father took her into the dancing position.
"You're so pretty tonight, sweet pea." Hiram whispered. "You look just like Shelby."
"Thanks daddy," She replied, "Thank you for being here tonight."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He assured her.
"I love you, daddy."
"I love you too, my sweet angel." He replied.
As they continued to sway to the soft melody, Hiram stepped to the side and Leroy took his place. He smiled down at her as she gave Hiram a look of gratitude before he could walk away.
"I'd say that you're so beautiful tonight, princess. But, I bet your father already beat me to it?" he chuckled.
"It still means a lot coming from you too." Rachel assured him.
"I can't believe my baby girl is getting married. Just yesterday, we were holding you in our arms for the first time." He added.
"I'll always be your little girl, dad." She promised.
"Of course you will." He smiled, as he began to choke up.
"Thanks for being her tonight, dad." She added.
"Are you kidding? Miss my daughter's wedding? No way." He smiled.
"I love you, dad. I hope you know that. I'm sorry for everything that I've put you guys through lately." She said choking up.
"I love you so much more, my sweet little princess. Know that your father and I love you so much more than you will ever know. We always will." Closing her eyes, Rachel rested her head against her father and listened to the song that she thought was so beautiful.
After about another minute of swaying, she was taken by surprise when Leroy stepped aside. Looking up, Leroy was now walking towards where Hiram was standing and Will was standing in his place. He had a big smile on his face and his hand reaching out for hers to grab it. Without hesitation, she got into the dancing position.
"I know I didn't get to walk you down the aisle, but I was hoping that you'd allow me the last minute of this song." He whispered.
"Absolutely." She replied.
"You're so beautiful tonight, Rachel. You look just like your mother." He complimented.
"Thanks. My daddy said the exact same thing." She laughed.
"I hope you know how proud I am of you, Rachel." He began, "As your father, but also as your glee club instructor. I've gotten to watch you grow into an amazing woman and I couldn't be happier."
"Thank you." She replied. "You have no idea how happy I am now that you're in my life."
"Same goes for me." He replied.
They swayed in silence until the song came to an end. Clearing the way, it was now time for the mother-son dance. As Finn and Carole made their way to the center of the dance floor, the crowd quieted down. Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" started to play through the room.
"I wish your father could be here to see the grown man that you've become." Carol smiled. "He's so proud of you. I know it."
"You think so?" he asked.
"Absolutely, Finn; we're all proud of you." He returned her smile. "So, now that you're married, don't you dare hesitate to give me my first grandbaby." She threatened. "The two of you aren't getting any younger. Especially you, Finn; you're almost 30." She informed him.
"Thanks for reminding me, mom." He chuckled.
"I'm sorry, it's just that I think Alex is getting a little tired of being spoiled. She needs another fellow cousin for her grandma to spoil." She laughed.
"Right." He joked.
"Oh well, I tried." She replied, laughing.
"I love you mom. I feel like I don't say that enough." He told her. "Thank you for being the most amazing mother that any man can ask for. We went to hell and back when we lost dad all those years ago. You took all of those pieces and you rebuilt our family after tragedy. You have no idea how much respect I have for you. You're the strongest woman I know. You're my inspiration." He explained.
"Finn, I already cried enough watching you and Rachel dance!" she exclaimed, wiping more tears from her eyes. "I love you, my little handsome knight." He smiled as they swayed to the music.
Once the song ended, Finn was asked to dance with many of the guests. The same went for Rachel. After dancing with one of her uncles, Rachel received yet another tap on the shoulder. Turning around, she found Quinn smiling at her.
"Hope you don't mind. My little guy over here wanted to dance with the beautiful princess." She smiled, holding her blonde son's hand as he stared up at Rachel in amazement.
"Hey buddy!" Rachel exclaimed. "You want to dance with aunt Rachie?" she asked.
His wide emerald green eyes never left Rachel's large wedding gown as he slowly bobbed his head up and down. Laughing at how adorable he was, Rachel picked him up in her arms and Quinn quickly pulled out her camera as Rachel moved to the music with the fascinated boy in her arms. After smiling for a picture, Rachel spun him around and gently dipped him to the beat of the music.
She couldn't believe how much Jeremy had grown since the last time she had spent time with him. Since the time she and Finn had to watch him, he had started walking. He was now two years old-going on three-and he was the cutest thing in the world. He looked like Sam and Quinn more and more every day; especially now as she held him up in his little tuxedo. The older he got, the more difficult it was for all of them to identify who he looked more like.
Now, as she spun him around in her arms to the upbeat music, his emerald green eyes were opened widely and the baby teeth that he had grown in were flashing as his mouth spread open into a huge grin. It made her heart melt as his adorable little laugh filled the air. His blonde hair was moving around in the slight wind that Rachel's movement was causing and his face was brighter than the stars. It was absolutely obvious that he was enjoying this dance, and so was Rachel.
Once the song ended, Quinn smiled and mouthed a "thank you" as she collected her son and led him to go and dance with a few other kids around his age in the corner of the dance floor. Watching them walk away, Rachel smiled and waited for the day when that would be her at San and Britt's wedding. That was, if Finn and her would even have kids by then. She'd like to think that they would. Getting lost in her thoughts, she felt another tap on her back and snapped out of it. Turning around, that's when she saw him.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"Ah, Jessie St. James, I heard that you were here." She replied with a cocky remark.
"Well, I guess I just couldn't stay away. Especially with you looking like this." He smiled a smile that the old version of her would've been completely charmed with.
"It's pretty risky of you to show up like this, Jessie. Especially since my husband is only a few feet away." She warned him.
"Yeah, I heard about that. What a shame. I guess I was a little late on the finding you part." He admitted.
Rolling her eyes, she looked down at his hand that was still out stretched for her to take and accept the dance. Stepping back, she turned around and quickly headed for the nearest exit. Looking around, she saw Finn occupied as he was dancing with Brittany. She was glad that he was having a good time. Hopefully her friends would occupy him for a while, before he could realize that she wasn't still on the dance floor. Hopefully they would distract him and he wouldn't even have to realize that she was gone at all.
Opening the door and closing it behind her, she made sure the back of her white dress didn't get caught in the door. The sun was setting now. The sky projected an orange-reddish color that she thought was so beautiful. Sitting on the nearest stone bench she could find, she placed her hand over the antique blue cameo necklace that Shelby gave her and closed her eyes.
It didn't take too long before she wasn't alone anymore. She didn't know if it were his loud footsteps that gave him away or the slamming of the door to the reception hall. She felt the weight on the stone get heavier and a deep breath being let out. Opening her eyes, she proved herself right. He did follow her.
"I guess your ego is clouding your judgement just as much as it was back on that subway in New York. See, when a girl walks away from you, Jessie; that means that they don't want to be followed." She explained to him in a monotone voice.
"I made a mistake, okay?" he replied.
"What?" she asked.
"In high school, I shouldn't have cheated on you. I know it wasn't right and I know that I really hurt you." He admitted, defeated.
"If you regret it so much, then why did you do it?" she asked him.
"I don't know. At that time in my life I thought that my image was the most important thing to me." He told her.
"Your image." She repeated, not being able to believe that the reason why he cheated on her was so accurate in her head this whole entire time. "You started dating me for my voice because you thought that my talent could carry us both to the bright lights. But then you got the part in Les Miserables that one summer and bottle blonde convinced you appearances were everything. Of course, like an idiot, you believed her." She guessed.
"I realized how wrong I was when I ran into you on the subway that one day almost a year ago and fell in love. You didn't deserve everything that I put you through and I told myself if I could go back and change that day, I would." He assured her.
"You really hurt me Jessie." He told him.
"I know Rachel, and I feel terrible for it."
"No. You don't understand. Of course, my heart shattered into a million pieces when you walked up to me with your arm around her while I thought we were still together. But if you want to go back and change things, it's going to take a lot more than going back to just one day." She said, choking up by the pain of the past coming back into the light. "It hurt like hell when you left. A little part of it had to do with the fact that I had given you all of me with nothing from you in return. Another part of it had to do with the fact that I was stupid enough to fall for your games and manipulation and call what we had love. But, I think the part that hurt the worse was knowing that you cheated and dumped me because you weren't satisfied with me. You didn't think that I was good enough to be seen with. You were embarrassed by me." She explained to him.
"I know. I've realized that over the last few years and I feel like punching that kid version of myself every time I think about what I did to you." He tried to defend himself.
"You know, when I turned around to see you in that subway I was hoping that you'd become more civilized and responsible over the years that we had been away. That's when you opened your mouth and proved me wrong. You started with your cockiness and old games and that's when I realized that there was no hope for you. I knew that from the moment you opened your mouth. So what makes you think that you can just convince me that once I agree to be with you again you won't go back to those old games, just to do exactly that?" She told him. "I'm not that girl anymore, Jessie. You can talk for hours about how much you think you regret the past, but the truth is that you can't fool me anymore, okay?"
"You don't get it, Rachel. I was a kid then. I've changed, trust me." He said grabbing her hand and placing it on his chest. "You feel that? That's what you do to me." Pulling her hand from his, she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Let me tell you a story, Jessie. Just listen, okay?" she began. After a hurt expression on his face from her hand removal, he cleared his face and showed that he was providing her with his fully undivided attention.
"I used to be obsessed with finding my soulmate. My parents told me how they met each other when I was a young girl and from that point I wanted exactly everything that they described. So, when I got to high school and met you I was sure that it was you. You made me feel a certain way in my heart that, at the time, no other guy could compare to. I thought everything that we had was good. So I ignored the way that you would blow me off when we had plans, I let myself believe that every time you talked to me with a rude and arrogant attitude was okay. I didn't think that it mattered because after every bad patch that we went through, I thought our so called 'love' would see everything through. I made a big mistake with you, Jessie. I was so deep into your manipulation that half the time I didn't even know what was happening until it was already done. That's why I let you be my first. I guess I was just so happy that I had finally found someone that I thought would be my forever and always." She took a breath. "The truth is if I could go back in time, I would also change things about us, Jessie. I wouldn't have let myself fall for you."
"What you and I both didn't know at that time was that there was already someone else. When I was in grade school I met a boy who would become a big part of my life. The boy who would later become my partner in crime, the groom in my imaginary wedding, the voice to my ken doll, the prince to save me while I was stuck at the top of the swing set in my dress, and the other half to whatever imaginary characters I would think of each day. He was always there and I never even noticed because for the longest time I thought of him as a brother." She chuckled wiping the tears that were spilling out.
"Then, we got to high school and things changed. He became the quarterback of the football time and got the ultimate popular status." She laughed at how cheesy and stereotypical she just sounded. "And I started dating you, so we kind of weren't as close as those two kids in the backyard, but we made it work."
"But, unlike you, he didn't drop me when my social status and appearance became an issue. Sure, some of his friends made fun of the way that I dressed and looked, and almost all of the cheerleaders told him that he was crazy for being friends with a girl like me. But Jessie, you know what? Instead of breaking my heart and abandoning me with extremely harsh words like you did, he defended me and he told them that he didn't care what they thought. He told them that I was the coolest person he knew and no one would change that opinion in his head."
"So, when I was all alone crying after not only having my heart stomped on by you and bottle blondie but being completely humiliated, guess what? There was a knock on my bedroom door and when it opened, there he was with two spoons, a huge tub of chocolate ice cream, and a sincere expression on his face. He was the first one there for me, he listened to me when I explained how badly I messed up, and he held me as I cried my eyes out. I will never forget that."
"I fell in love with him not long after that. But like a coward, I held it in because I was terrified that he didn't feel the same way. But sure enough, a few years down the road he told me he felt the same way. I will probably always regret not acting on my feelings as soon as they happened, but everything that happened led to where we are now and I wouldn't change that for the world."
"We have been through some pretty crazy situations since then, but there is not a single moment with him that I regret. The minute that everything happened, I had this feeling in my heart. In the beginning it was so empowering that I thought I was having a terrible heart attack. I had no idea what was going on. Every time I was away from him for even a second, this huge weight sat on my chest and it wouldn't be lifted until the next time that I saw him. But, that was after we admitted we loved each other and let me tell you, the night that we spent together after that will go down in history as the best night of my entire life after this one. That night left me regretting the decision that I made to make you my first, when all along it should have been him."
"All of those things that I felt and still feel now with him, I never once felt that with you. So I know with all of my heart that that's what actual love is. Not the screwed up version that I was trying to convince myself that I was feeling with you. What we had wasn't love. You were just my way of trying to convince myself that I had found a soulmate. When the truth really was that he was already at my reach. My soul mate has been by my side most of my life, he was by my side all of tonight, and he will be by my side for the rest of my life. So, I should probably get back inside before he notices that I'm gone." She said, standing up and smoothing out her dress.
Standing up with her, Jessie grabbed her arm which prohibited her from taking any further steps. His grip was awfully strong for Rachel's liking.
"Ow, Jessie you're hurting me!" she exclaimed. Her exclamation didn't faze him.
"Look Rachel you don't get it, okay?" he whispered. "You're the love of my life. Without you, there's no me. There is no other girl on this planet. We're going to be together, okay?" he told her, almost as if he were instructing her.
Ripping her arm free from his strong grip, she took a step back and faced him.
"No we're not Jessie. You're going to leave here right now, you're going to forget about me, and you're going to move on like I did. You're going to do those things if you truly care about me, okay? There's someone for you, I promise." She told him.
"Isn't there anything that I can say to change your mind?" he asked, slowly becoming defeated.
"No." she replied with all of the certainty she had inside of her.
"Okay, fine." He said. "I'm going to miss you, Rachel."
"You're going to be fine without me, Jessie. The love of your life is somewhere out there. All you have to do is search really hard. She'll turn up." She assured him as she rubbed the red area on her arm where his tight grip had been.
"Goodbye Rachel Berry." He smiled as he headed towards the church parking lot.
"Jessie!" she called, causing him to stop dead in his tracks. Turning around, he had a hopeful look in his eyes.
"Yeah?"
"Good luck with everything. Have a nice life." She said.
"Yeah, you too." He replied turning once again and this time making it all the way to where she couldn't see him anymore.
Before she could savor the peace and quiet of being alone for too long, the sound of the reception doors startled her and brought her back to the reality that she had to return to her own wedding. Turning around, she was faced with a concerned looking Finn walking at a fast pace towards her.
"Hi." She smiled.
Pulling her into a tight hug, he breathed in her perfectly fixed up did hair.
"I got so worried when I didn't see you. I thought you ran out on me or Mandy came back or something like that."
"I'm perfectly fine and as for the whole running out on you thing, do you honestly think I could do that after everything we've been through together?" she asked.
"No." he replied with his crooked smile.
"I was just fixing a mistake that shouldn't have happened in the first place." Rachel admitted.
"I have a game plan proposal that I want to run by you." He said.
"Another game plan…" Rachel repeated. "Does this one involve sneaking around like the last one?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Maybe." He smiled.
"Talk to me, Goose." She replied.
"How about we go back in for one more dance together and then cut out a little early?" he asked.
"To be honest, that sounds perfect." She approved. "Do you think limo drivers do drive-thru?"
"We can ask. Why?" Finn asked amused and curious.
"Because, I haven't eaten anything since that small piece of cake you shoved in my mouth and I am starving." Rachel explained.
"I'll buy you the biggest burger on the menu at your favorite fast food place. How about that?" he asked.
"I'm liking my husband already and we haven't even got to the honeymoon yet." She smiled, slowly and seductively moving closer to him as he wrapped her in his grip and placed her on his lap.
"Oh, I think you're going to like me a lot more in a few hours."
"Why?" she asked, curious.
"There's a little sneaking around in this game plan of mine. But this time, you're not in on it." He laughed when her face dropped.
"Oh, Finn Hudson, you know I hate surprises!"
"That's exactly why I planned it." He laughed getting up right after she playfully smacked him on the shoulder.
"Come on. We've got a final dance to perform before we head out." Finn said grabbing her hand and pulling her back into the reception hall.
Once the fast up beat song that was playing before they walked in ended, Finn winked at the dj and pulled Rachel to the center of the dance floor. Before she could say anything furthermore, Journey's "Faithfully" began playing over the stereo and Rachel face lit up.
"Oh, Finn, this is our song!" she smiled.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to my little beauty of a bride." He whispered as he once again impressed her with his newly found dancing skills.
Closing her eyes, she placed her hand in the back of Finn's head to support his neck with her hand. Taking one of his hands in hers and placing it on her chest, she watched as his face became a little more sincere than before.
"You feel that? That's what you do to me. After all of this time, we actually ended up like this. It feels nice." She smiled.
Grabbing her hand from his neck, he placed it over his chest. Rachel felt the deep and fast pounding that was being projected from his chest. It felt like electricity. Wrapping both arms around his neck, she rested her head against his chest and swayed to the song they first heard in high school and since then, declared it theirs. Once the song ended, Rachel found the room mostly empty. There were a few people here and there. Most of those people were caterers trying to clean up the tables from the mess that had been left on them.
Taking her hand in his, he led her through the door that they entered once they first got here. Once he pushed the door open, Rachel's heart dropped by the loud sound of people's chanting. As they walked through the crowd, they were covered by rose petals that were being thrown above their heads. Smiling, she waved to all her loved ones and blew all of them air kisses. Once they said their final goodbyes, Finn and Rachel got into the limo and closed the door to the madness that was their wedding.
After getting settled in the back seat of the limo, Finn wrapped his arm around Rachel and pulled her in closer to his side. Wrapping both of her arms around him as well, she rested her head into his chest and fell asleep.
A few moments later, she was awoken by a little movement on the side of her. Looking around, she found Finn getting up to accept something from the driver of the limo. She didn't know what it was at first, but then the senses in her nose came into play and she realized that it was food. Walking back to her side, he smiled at her and handed her one of the two bags. It was from Burger King, which Finn knew was her favorite fast food chain.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty. Did you have an amazing dream?" he asked, cockily.
"Yeah, it was about how this hamburger would taste." She replied munching down on the box of fries as she took out the box that contained the burger.
Laughing, he left her to eat her food just as she left him to eat his. Once she was finished and stuffed, she was wide awake and curious as to where they were going to end up next. If she had any bets on it, she'd say their next stop would be the airport. But, with Finn Hudson as your husband, you could never be too sure.
Once the limo made another stop, she attempted to look out the window. There wasn't really that much light outside of it, so she couldn't see anything. It didn't help that the windows were tinted.
"It's time for the next stop on mission Hudson honeymoon." Finn told her. She didn't miss how much his eyes lit up when he said that.
"Mission Hudson honeymoon?" she asked, amused.
"Are you ready for your surprise?" he asked.
"I hope." She laughed.
"Okay." He said moving closer to her. "I'm going to need you to get closer to my side of the window because that's what door we'll be going out of."
"Okay." She said before maneuvering herself so she was in front of Finn now.
"Close your eyes" he instructed. Just after she did as she was told, she heard the door in front of her being opened and felt the warm spring night on her face. Finn hands went to her waist and helped her up to her feet on what felt like one side of grass and one side of concrete. She was confused.
"On the count of three, open your eyes. Are you ready?" Finn asked, waiting for her to nod her approval. Once she did he began counting down.
"Three." Rachel let out one breath.
"Two." Rachel drew a breath in.
"One! Open your eyes, Baby!" Finn exclaimed. Rachel's hands fell to her side and her eyes opened. Her gasp was so loud that the driver inside the car could probably hear it.
"Oh my gosh!"
Here's chapter 28! Sorry its so long! There was a lot of info I had to fit into one chapter! I'd also like to apologize for the links in my last chapter. I honestly thought they would work, but I guess it doesn't for this website. So if you really wanna see all of their looks, you can go to my polyvore account. It doesn't matter if you don't have an account. You can still see it. If you don't know what to do, follow these steps below.
1) Go to polyvore
2) Go to the top search bar
3) On the side of the search bar where it says products, move your mouse over it
4) Go all the way down and hit members
5) Type in Katherine anne 978
6) the search results should come up to just one. Mine is the profile picture of a kitten sleeping.
All of the sets should appear under my profile. So, you can look that up if you want to get a better picture of what they all look like in the wedding chapters. Please let me know if this worked if you try it. Thanks.
Also, the music mentioned in this chapter were=
More than Anyone- Gavin DeGraw
Mary's Song (Oh my my my)- Taylor Swift
My little Girl- Tim McGraw
I Hope You Dance- Lee Ann Womack
Disclaimer~ the songs above belong to the artist who sing them. Not me.
Thanks for reading! Hope to update soon! Stay tuned to see what the cliffhanger is! ;)