A/N: Hopefully I can get the next chapter up tomorrow (Saturday) but if not don't fret! I have a super busy weekend ahead so my time to write is limited. Enjoy though! Oh…this part, with Finn's family…I sort of did not base it off of Glee or Cory's life at all just so you know! So I guess that part is sort of an AU (Though isn't this story all in a way?) All grammar errors are mine.
A few days later, Finn was standing over Rachel in her bedroom, flashing the tickets in front of her face. "Just take it." He said, trying to hand her the roundtrip plane ticket to Dayton, Ohio that he had printed off earlier in the day.
"No." Rachel protested. "I'm not accepting that."
"Oh my God, Rachel come on! We've been through this already like ten times in two days." Finn said, obvious irritation in his voice. "Don't you want to go see him?"
"Of course I do." She said quietly, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Then take the damn ticket. Get over whatever pride issue you've got going on in that pretty little head of yours." Finn said, handing her the ticket once more.
"And I've told you no repeatedly because I refuse to be treated like a charity case from my own boyfriend." Rachel said sternly.
"I didn't get it for you because I thought of you as charity. I got it because I love you and you need to go see your father." Finn explained, annoyed because he had already explained that to her. It was a constant battle ever since he suggested the tickets, but now, it was getting excessive. She would agree at one moment and the next be completely distraught by the idea. He didn't get it. He had even talked to her manager himself, explaining when and why Rachel wouldn't be able to start just yet. Her manager had understood, saying that sometimes things like this came up and she was gladly allowing Rachel to start the following week. It gave them five days in Lima, just enough for her to see her recouping father, and just enough time for her to calm her nerves about the situation.
Rachel sighed, ripping the ticket angrily out of his hand. "Fine. You win. But I'm not happy about it."
Finn smiled. "We leave tomorrow morning, six AM flight." He said. "I'll pick you up at three, okay? No more protesting from here on out because if you try to protest with me at a ridiculous time like three AM, I'm not sure I'll be as calm as I am now."
Rachel nodded.
"And if you refuse to go that early, I'll just pick your tiny ass up and carry you."
"Babe, I appreciate the lecture and all, but I got it." Rachel said sounding annoyed. "Thank you." She then added quietly. "I can't express how thankful I really am. Even if I don't sound like it right now."
"Hey, you could start by not protesting!" Finn said, his mouth hanging open as his eyes widened, a silly expression on his face.
"Very funny." She said sarcastically.
000
"So why were you so adamant on making sure I left? My dad did say daddy's going to be fine. I even spoke with him yesterday night." Rachel said as they sat next to each other at their boarding gate's waiting area. It was five in the morning, and Finn didn't look so thrilled to be there that early.
"You need to see him. Besides, I don't even know what that's like." He said, sighing, looking up at the airport monitor.
"You mean…?" She began as he took a sip of his Starbucks, nodding.
"Well yeah, I mean, I told you about how I was raised by just my mom before, and how I didn't have a father figure and I don't know…" He shrugged. "With my mom, it's still questionable on whether or not that can be considered good parenting." He said, setting his coffee next to him, leaning forward, his hands clasped together as he spoke quietly, looking down at the ground.
Rachel also leaned forwards a bit as she turned to face him, one leg up in the chair, the straw to her iced coffee in her mouth as she spoke. "Finn…" she said leaning into him. "We don't have to talk about this now, not here."
Finn turned to face her. "It's okay." He said, though he looked slightly distraught.
She smiled genuinely and rested her hand on his shoulder as he continued to speak. The first night Finn had stayed the night with her, he had briefly spoken about his family life, however, he had quickly changed the subject by throwing the same questions right back at her. She knew he felt uneasy that evening so she didn't bring it up. That, and she hardly knew him.
"It's just been rough." He was saying. "And I'm an only child so I sort of just raised myself…well besides my friends and their families."
Rachel listened intently. She never saw this part of Finn. He usually seemed so put together, but like this; he looked like every other vulnerable person who had gone through a struggle in their life.
"Don't get me wrong, I love my mom. She tried her best you know?" He looked up at Rachel who smiled sincerely, nodding slowly. "But I…I never had a father figure. Ever. And who knows where my dad actually is, I've only seen him a few times throughout my life."
Rachel set her coffee down next to her, biting the inside of her cheek.
"Probably in and out of jail for all I know. Drugs and stuff you know?" He asked looking at her, shrugging. Truth was, Rachel had no idea what that was like. She didn't have a mother sure, but she did have two fathers who always cared very much about her and were also involved and supportive of everything she did. She also knew who her birth mother was, and although she wasn't close to her, she still was thankful she at least knew who it was.
Just then a girl approached them, Rachel hardly noticing until she spoke.
"Oh my God, you're Finn Hudson!" The girl said.
Finn looked up tiredly, as did Rachel who instantly let go of his shoulder.
"Oh my God." The girl repeated. She looked no older than sixteen. "I'm such a huge fan! I love Bonnie Dune, and you! I saw you guys play like five times!" She squealed, jumping up and down lightly.
Finn smiled, and Rachel stared at her, though she knew what was going on.
"I don't want to be a bother, but could I get a picture or just an autograph?" She asked excitedly.
"Oh, of course!" Finn said, standing as he began to make general conversation with the girl who stood before Rachel.
"Could you please?" The girl asked, handing her iPhone to Rachel.
Rachel smiled, a bit sarcastically to the girl who didn't even acknowledge her existence. She raised the phone up, snapping the photo as the girl shrieked happily.
"Thank you!" She said to Rachel who nodded, handing back the phone.
"Thank you so much. My friends are going to be so jealous that I met you. You're so cute, this is the best day of my life. I just love you!" She said before Finn thanked her as she walked away.
Finn, who handled the situation nonchalantly, smiled as he took a seat once more next to Rachel.
"She just loves you." Rachel said sarcastically.
Finn frowned. "Oh come on, she was happy."
Rachel smiled. "I'm just saying, I didn't know I was dating such a celebrity."
"Obviously." Finn said jokingly in a conceited tone. "Besides, one day, people are going to be doing that to you. Mark my words."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Yeah, okay…" she said, blowing it off.
"Anyway…" he said in a more lighter tone. "Back to what I was saying before, I didn't get what you had as far as family goes and regardless of the situation, family is important to me. You should be there with him, fine or not fine."
"Remember that first night we spent together?" Rachel then asked.
Finn nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me about your family like that then when I asked?"
Finn shrugged. "I didn't want you to think differently of me."
"Finn, why would I think otherwise?"
He shrugged once more. "Your life, it seemed so perfect. Mine was, well, the opposite."
She smiled, sighing at the same time. "I wouldn't think anything less of you solely because of your background." She said, her hand caressing his large back softly. "For the record, you're still pretty amazing in my eyes."
He looked over at her and smiled. "Well thanks." He said quietly.
Rachel leaned over, giving his cheek a peck. "No, thank you." She whispered, before changing the subject, lightening the somber mood.
000
Finn looked over at Rachel who had the complimentary plane blanket draped over her tiny body, her head against the window as she slept. The pilot had just announced that they would be making their descent into Dayton International Airport almost seven hours after they left LAX.
Finn smiled to himself, watching her as she slept before waking her. He had been uncomfortable the entire flight, hardly getting any sleep. He was far too big for the plane they were on. Luckily for Rachel, she didn't have that problem.
"Hey Rach." He said quietly in her ear as he leaned over. "Rachel." He repeated until her eyes opened.
She smiled at him, her eyes lighting up at the sight of his face. His stomach flip flopped briefly. It was strange to him, how she was capable of doing that every single time she looked at him. She made him feel special, just from the look she gave him alone.
She turned her head, looking out the window, down at the ground. "Oh, we're definitely in Ohio." This caused Finn to look out of the window as well, seeing much of nothing on the ground below them.
When they exited the plane, Rachel grabbed his hand. "Are you excited to see Ohio?" She then asked, looking up at him.
"Very!" He exclaimed before laughing.
"That wasn't supposed to be a joke!" Rachel said as they walked hand in hand through the airport that Rachel had been too many times in her life.
000
Rachel was able to rent a car, but Finn generously put the rental under his name, telling her he would drive, despite his exhaustion.
"Are you sure? It's like an hour and a half away from here." Rachel said as they threw her things into the back seat.
"I'm positive." Finn said before hopping in. "As long as you'll be my navigation system. I have no idea where we are."
"We're in the middle of nowhere, except it's about to be a lot worse when we get to Lima."
"You act like this is hell, Rachel." Finn said.
Rachel shrugged. "It's not that, it's just not fascinating either."
"That's probably because you grew up here, babe." Finn said as he started the car.
Rachel shook her head. "No, believe me, after five days, you'll be ready to go back too."
Finn ignored her comment as he leaned over, planting a kiss on her lips before starting the car.
As they drove, Finn listened to Rachel talk, but it wasn't until they were close to Lima did she fall silent.
"Are you alright?" Finn asked as he drove, listening to Rachel's instructions on where to go.
"I'm fine." Rachel said, taking a deep breath. Truth was, she wasn't okay. Her stress had kicked in once more. Her daddy was just fresh out of the hospital and here she was, back in her hometown after all these years. A town she swore she would leave and never return to. She knew she hurt people when she left as well. She didn't want to think about it.
"Finn?" She asked quietly, reaching for his free hand.
He glanced over at her quickly before returning his eyes to the road.
She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I love you, remember that, okay?" She said.
He looked at her, confused. He agreed however, not wanting to question her comment.
"Welcome to Lima, Ohio." She then said as they crossed the city limits. She directed him towards the house she grew up in, a tight grasp on his hand, refusing to let go.
000
"Here." She said, pointing in front of her and to the right. "That house. The one with the black impala." She added. Where was her dad's car though?
Finn nodded before pulling up along the side of the road, parking the rental.
"The leaves are really pretty." Finn said, taking in his surroundings.
"Yeah?" Rachel replied with a giggle.
"Shut up, I've never seen fall leaves in person, okay?" Finn said looking at her, turning off the engine. "Can I ask you something before we get out?" He then asked nervously.
Rachel eyed him, nodding.
"What if…your dads don't like me?"
Rachel smiled with relief. "They'll like you. They couldn't hate you. Nobody could."
"Oh people could, Rach." Finn replied.
"Well, I happen to be very fond of you which means they will be too." Rachel began. "Finn, they'd be crazy not to." She added.
Finn smiled as she began to step out of the car, releasing the tight grasp she held on his hand. He moved his hand around briefly, realizing it was stiff from the tight little grasp she had on it. He stepped out, taking a deep breath of fresh air nervously. He had met many girls' parents in his life, but it never meant to him what it did meeting her fathers. He was after all, in love with their daughter. That in itself was something he had never felt with anyone in his lifetime but her. He really did not want to mess this up.