Thank you for the response to this story. I really like it thus far. I don't know how many chapters it will be, but I am always up to ideas of where to go with it. Thank you for reading, reviewing, alerting and such. So here is chapter 3! Enjoy!
Rachel was driving to Finn's house with Briella. Briella was singing and laughing in the back seat along the way. Then she abruptly stopped. She asked Rachel, "Mommy, why didn't my daddy want me?"
"What are you talking about, princess?"
"All the kids at school have a mommy and daddy except for me and Dayton. Why don't I have a daddy? Did he not want me?"
Rachel sighed. "Honey, your daddy didn't realize just how special you were. He didn't want to be a daddy. Mommy loves you so much. I hope you know that. I know that you wish you had a daddy, but we do okay, don't we?"
"Yeah. I love you mommy."
Rachel smiled. "It looks like we are here. Are you excited to see Dayton?"
"Yeah! I like Mr. Finn, too. Don't you like him, mommy?"
Rachel felt her face getting pink at the mention of his name. She told him, "He is very nice. Let's go inside." Rachel helped her daughter out of the car and took her hand. She was so glad that she had a built in person to go with her places to help her through her nerves.
Briella eagerly knocked on the door. Finn opened it. Briella exclaimed, "Mr. Finn!" She launched herself at his legs and hugged him
Finn smiled and said, "Hey girls. Dayton has been looking forward for the two of you getting here. Why don't you go get him and tell him to come out here with everyone?" Briella went running back to the little boy's room giggling the whole way there.
Rachel told Finn as she walked in the door herself. She told him, "You must be special. Brie loves you and Dayton."
"Well, Day loves you, too. He has been looking forward to tonight. Don't be surprised if you get a welcome much like I just did. Please come in. Puck and Quinn are in the living room with their little girl."
Rachel looked around as she walked in with Finn. She told him, "Wow, your house is lovely."
"I'm sure yours is great with all of your Broadway credits. Don't judge, but I may have googled you. Kurt and his husband will be here soon. I didn't tell him you were going to be here because he would have gotten here last night to set up tent."
Rachel laughed. "I doubt that."
"Trust me. Wait until you meet him. I apologize in advance for what he might say or how he may act."
"Accepted. Do I have a reason to be nervous about this evening?"
"No. Most everyone is pretty chill. I will warn you that Puck has an odd sense of humor that takes some time to get used to."
"He can't be as bad as Santana."
"I don't know about that. I promise you will be fine."
Finn walked into the living room. A couple their age was sitting on the couch playing with a baby who was laughing. Finn said, "Guys, I would like you to meet Rachel Berry. I'm sure you saw her little girl go running to find Dayton. Rach, this is Puck and Quinn. That little girl is their daughter Elle."
Rachel gave a small smile and said, "Hello. It is nice to meet both of you."
Quinn just smiled as she adjusted the baby on her lap. Puck smirked and said, "You must be the lady that our little Huddy can't stop talking about. Then big Huddy over that is the same."
Rachel smiled and said, "Umm… I guess so."
Briella and Dayton came running in. He wrapped his arms around Rachel and said, "Miss. Rachel!"
Rachel smiled real big and said, "Hey buddy. How are you?"
He told her, "Good that you and Brie are here."
Rachel smiled.
Finn spoke up and said, "Dinner is ready to go if we all want to go into the dining room." All of them walked in to take a seat.
Dinner was finished. They were getting ready to move into the living room when Puck asked, "When are the two of you lovebirds getting married?"
Dayton asked, "You are getting married? I'm finally going to have a mommy!" Both of the kids had a smile on their faces.
Finn said, "Rachel and I aren't getting married, buddy."
Dayton's smile faltered quickly. He ran back to his room. Finn got up to talk to him. Rachel asked, "May I talk to him? I mean give it a try."
"Sure. Puck, we have to have a talk."
Quinn asked Briella, "Do you want to play with me and Elle?"
Briella managed a little smile and said, "Sure. I like babies. I want a little sister someday." Everyone went their separate ways.
Rachel went back to Dayton's room. She knocked on the door and asked, "May I come in?"
Dayton didn't reply, so she came in anyway. She sat down on his bed beside him and asked, "What is the matter?"
"Why don't I have a mommy? I really want one. Do you not want to be my mom?"
Rachel said, "You are an awesome little boy. Any woman would be lucky to have you as a son. I have always wanted a son just like you. Someone I know will be best friends with Brie and watch out for her."
"I would do all of that. Will you be my mommy?"
"Buddy, that isn't all it takes. Mommies and daddies love each other. Your daddy and I are friends. We don't know each other very well. You have to know the person you are marrying well before you marry them and spend the rest of your life with them."
"Can you get to know him? My daddy likes you a lot. I know he does."
Rachel smiled. "We are still getting to know each other. You never know what will happen in the future. Are you okay? Your dad is worried about you. He is yelling at Puck right now."
Dayton laughed. "Daddy always yells at Uncle Puck for something. He never listens."
Rachel chuckled. "Let's get back out there. I'm sure Brie wants to see you."
The two of them hugged and went back to the living room.
In another part of the house, Finn stepped closer to Puck and asked, "What is your problem? You know how much Dayton wants a mom. You just had to say that. We were doing okay. Puck, I can't take this. It is one thing when you say crap like that to me, but when you do it while my kid is around is a whole other story. I mean he is five. He already thinks that there is something wrong with him because his mom didn't want him."
That was when it hit him. He didn't think about it that way. Puck said, "I'm so sorry. The two of you just look hot together and you have awesome kids. I mean you would make the perfect family."
"I really do like her, but I hardly know her. I asked her out on a date next Tuesday, but neither of us have a babysitter."
"Me and Q got you covered. I really am sorry, man. I didn't think about it like that. I was just trying to point it out that the two of you would be good together."
"Thanks, we will see where it goes. The next time you want to say something stupid, please don't. I don't know if she will still want to come around after tonight."
"Of course she will. Her kid loves you and Day. Not to mention she couldn't take her eyes off of you throughout dinner. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Finn, you are a great guy. The lady would be lucky to have you. I know you like her kid and that is what matters. She likes your kid too. I really don't think you have anything to worry about on this front. I'm calling it. The two of you are endgame."
"We will see if you are right."
"Do you forgive me?"
"For now. Just keep the stupid comments to yourself for a while."
"You got it, man." The two of them fist bumped and went back into the living room.
Briella and Dayton both came over and gave him a hug. Rachel just looked up at him and smiled.
Finn was walking Rachel to her car. Briella had fallen asleep and he carried her to the car and got her situated in the back seat. Finn gave Rachel a hug and said, "I'm glad you and Brie came over. I am sorry for Puck. I can't say I didn't warn you though."
Rachel laughed. "You did warn me. Puck is nice. Quinn doesn't seem to like me very much though."
"She just needs to warm up to you. She is pretty protective of me and Dayton after Day's mom skipped town on us."
"I can see why she would be. The two of you only deserve the best. So, we are on for next Tuesday then?"
"Yep. Puck and Quinn are going to watch the kids. Puck now owes me. You really have nothing to worry about. They are great with kids most of the time. Quinn keeps Puck in check when it comes to his language and the topics of conversation."
Rachel laughed. "That sounds good. Thank you for the tonight. We had a lovely time. We will see you at the playground most likely."
"I'm sure you will. Bye Rachel. Thank you for everything."
"It's not a problem. I look forward to more evenings like this. Maybe our place next time. Goodbye Finn."
Finn gave Rachel a hug and kissed her cheek. There was just something that told him it was the right thing to do. Rachel smiled and got in her car.
The whole way home she kept replaying the evening. She kept seeing the way Finn would steal glances at her during dinner. How he would do anything for Briella and Dayton. The image that went through her mind the most was the hug and kiss on the cheek as she felt. There was no denying that this man was something special.