A/N: there you go, round 3!

Day 3: Summer

To be honest, Rachel is more of a winter person. It's not because her birthday is in late December, she just likes the atmosphere around Christmas time, even though she's Jewish. And maybe, but really just maybe, summer isn't her all-time favorite season, because while everyone is having outrageous pool parties, traveling to exotic places or simply enjoying their summer, Rachel either bores herself to death or spends her time with teaching ballet at the local youth center. It's lonely at the top, you see? Well, right now winter gets serious competition, because this summer isn't half as bad as the others. Admittedly, she still teaches ballet, but only three days a week, much to her dads' dismay, because 'a young lady has to know what it means to work' , she won't let them bring her down, though. She has other things to care for this summer, and trust her she knows what it means to work for something.

Right now she finds herself in Finn Hudson's backyard on a picnic blanket with a horrible floral print under an apple tree. She's comfortably nestled into his side, face pressed into crook of his neck, her left hand resting right over his heart and directly under his right one. He hums contently as his left hand dances up and down her spine, making her shiver, despite the July heat. She sighs, as she presses her nose to his pulse point, inhaling his smell of fresh laundry and sweat and something she can only describe as Finn.

"A Penny for your thoughts, Finn." She whispers into the silence, causing him to turn his head in order to press his face into her hair.

"Babe" He whines reluctantly, his voice vibrating through her body.

Babe. He calls her that sometimes, but mostly it's either baby girl or simply baby. Normally she pretends to be annoyed by his preference for nicknames; today is a nice day, though. She'll leave him be. (And just to be honest she loves that he calls her that.)

"Yes, Finn?" She asks mockingly, propping herself up on one elbow.

"It's summer how can you honestly accept me to think anything?" He drapes an arm over his eyes, palm facing upwards.

"Expect." She corrects him gently, reaching one hand out to trace the creases of his palm. He curls his fingers around hers.

"Yeah, that too. " Finn mutters, voice muffled by his arm.

"Hey, Finn?"

He produces something between a hum and a groan for an answer, reaching with the hand that isn't occupied with shielding his eyes for a daisy standing nearby. She leans over him one hand planted against his chest, using the other to affectionately wipe some strands of sweaty hair from his forehead. He opens his eyes and smiles up at her.

"What's on your mind?" Finn questions, still smiling, while tugcking the daisy behind her ear.

"It's silly probably." She warns him, tilting her head to the side.

"Well, thank god I dig the Rachel Berry kind of silly." He teases grinning, brushing his fingers over her freshly cut bangs.

Rachel bits her bottom lip and closes her eyes momentarily.

"You're happy, aren't you?" She looks at him, eyes big as saucers and he sits up, weight leaning on both his elbows. His face is close enough for her to count the few freckles, scattered across the bridge of his nose.

"'Course I am." He states casually "Aren't you?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?"

"Let me test that." He suggests sheepishly, before cupping the back of her neck with his right hand to pull her down. Her eyelids flutter closed the moment she feels his hot breath fan against her lips and he kisses her gently, slowly, but thoroughly. He opens his eyes, when he pulls away, slowly blinking at her and she must be blushing, because he smirks slightly rubbing his thumb back and forth against the contours of her cheekbone. He opens his mouth as if to say something but changes his mind instantly, rather leaning up to press a lingering kiss against her bottom lip, followed suit by one against every inch of her face he can reach until she's giggling. He pulls back then smiling contently.

"Yeah, definitely happy." He observes, lying back against the blanket.

"Told you so." She replies, matter-of-factly, but letting him pull her on top of him. He opens his eyes then and all the playfulness is suddenly replaced by something different as he gazes up at her, tugging an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

"What?" Rachel asks, frowning.

"Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are, Rachel?" He questions slowly, calmly, still smiling slightly at her. This time she can feel her cheeks heat up. She only shakes her head for an answer. She leans in close enough to kiss him and his lips part in anticipation, but she won't kiss him, not right now. She waits a moment. His eyes flutter open and his brows knit together in confusion.

"Actually, you could kiss me if you wanted too." He states, impatiently. She smiles at him, brushing her over one shoulder.

"Not quite yet." She says softly, scraping her nails lightly over his scalp. He hums softly, eyes slipping closed.

"Now?" Finn inquires, opening one eye to squint at her. Rachel smiles and then nods, but just before she kisses him, she breathes her own seven letters and three words, her own I love you against his parted lips.

She can feel him smile against her skin, when he kisses the point just below her ear, just after that. Later then he'll tell he knew all along.

And she did too.

A/N2: Leave me a review, make my day! Love; Kat, of course