A/N: This is the last chapter of this section of the story. Thank so much for sticking with me throughout this process! I hope that you will all do the same for the sequel! Enjoy! x]

It's funny how such a simple, everyday gesture can be so bittersweet. While gripping onto Finn's hand, Quinn knew that this was exactly one of those hated yet cherished moments.

Feeling the added pressure on his hand, Finn leaned down and placed a reassuring kiss on his girlfriend's temple. Subtly, he glanced out the window of the car. They were about fifteen minutes away from the airport.

When his parents had offered to take him to the airport, he didn't complain at all. As much as he didn't want to admit it, after today, there may be a chance that he would never see them again. 'Stop thinking like that!' he chided himself gruffly.

Immediately, he turned his gaze to the angelic face of the blonde beauty sitting next to him. It hurt to see the pain there - the dim look in her eyes. She was staring at him and forced a small, sad smile.

Beyond caring that his mom, Burt, and Kurt were in the car, he leaned down and kissed her. This kiss still held that electric feel that all of the others conveyed, but there was something different. It was more desperate, more passionate.

When he pulled away, he caught a glimpse of Kurt giving them a look of pity. Almost at once, Finn felt a sickening feeling wash over him. He had tried so hard to simply quit the Army before he got in too deep, before he had to leave Quinn, but he just couldn't. There was a part of him that wouldn't let him. Now, here he was. Sharing hasty last kisses and embraces with the love of his life. How'd he even get here?

Quinn pulled Finn's face to hers and gently rested her palm on the side, trying to embed the feeling of his skin under hers. It was ridiculous to think that she wouldn't be able to do this for years. She was still hoping that this was all just some messed-up, sick dream; that she would wake up and find herself sleeping next to him, his arms wrapped around her, keeping her safe, sound, and… sane. That hopeful thought was quickly shot down once Burt pulled into the parking lot of the airport. She had to fight extremely hard to prevent the sob that was threatening to escape her lips when he parked the car and turned the ignition off.

Reluctantly, Finn pulled away from her and hopped out of the car to quickly grab his duffle bag from the trunk. He then ran around the side to wrap his arm around her waist. Every single one of these last seconds counted.

The group then proceeded to quietly make their way to terminal seven. Occasionally, Finn would place kisses on Quinn's temple, hair, or forehead. A stab would shoot through his body whenever she would lean into him or tighten her grip.

Much too soon, they arrived at gate three. A disbelieving laugh escaped the tall boy's lips when he noticed that there was a small group gathered in the waiting area. With Quinn attached to his side, he made his way over to them.

"Hi." he greeted softly, voice a little hoarse.

A jumble of greetings and solemn nods were returned.

"We wanted to be here to see you off, Finn." Mr. Schuester said quietly.

Finn nodded once, touched by how much they cared. He felt Quinn worm her way out of his grip and briefly wondered why before Puck came up and pulled him into a hug. At first he was shocked- Puck never hugged anyone. However, he quickly got over that shock when his best friend choked out, "I'm going to miss you, dude. Please don't die, okay? I need my… brother."

"I won't die, bro." he whispered.

Puck gave him one last pat on the back before releasing him and walking back to the group, turning his head to the side. 'Was he crying?' That question was only pondered over for about a second before Brittany came up to him.

This process was repeated many times over the next few minutes; sorrowful and hopeful words accompanied with meaningful embraces.

"Finn, I know that you'll be back. All of us will be waiting for the day that you return. Thank you for everything…" Rachel whispered before pulling away, tears visible on her face, and walking into Puck's arms.

Throughout all of this, Finn did his best to keep his composure. That faltered slightly when the next person slowly walked up to him. A small smile crossed his face.

"Hi." Santana choked out.

"Hi." he echoed barely above a whisper.

They looked at each other for a few seconds. It still amazed him that the fierce Latina standing in front of him had become one of his best friends. He didn't regret it at all though. In fact, the only thing that he did regret was not giving a friendship with her a chance earlier. After the four years that he had experienced, it would've been nice to have her as a friend the entire time. Nevertheless, he was glad that they were companions now.

Five seconds passed and he assumed that she was simply going to turn away. He was extremely surprised when she took a step toward him and wrapped her arms around him, tightly. His response was to return the gesture, though not as tightly. A hollow feeling came across him when he heard a sob escape her. Throughout all of the years that he had known her, Santana had never cried in front of him. Hell, she had probably never cried in front of anybody.

Abruptly, she pulled away from him and smiled before walking back to the small group, immediately getting comforted by the other Glee club members.

Finn exhaled shakily. There were so many emotions washing over him right now. Once again, his composure began to waver when his tear-stained step brother walked up to him with an equally upset Blaine at his side.

Blaine was the first to pull him into an embrace, saying words of encouragement and hope. As soon as he moved away, Kurt took his place.

"You're my brother, Finn. I don't care that we aren't blood related, but you are my brother. You better not leave any of us. We all need you." It was a little hard to hear him due to the constant sniffling, but Finn made it a priority to listen to him. His step brother, no his brother,held onto him for a few more seconds before murmuring a quick "Good luck" and backing away, instantly receiving comfort from his boyfriend.

'Don't break down. Don't break down.' Finn chanted to himself helplessly. His attempt to remain composed was quickly forgotten when a broken-looking Quinn stepped up to him. When he noticed the tears falling down her face, a painful throb ricocheted through his body.

"Finn-"

She was cut off when he pulled her toward him and kissed her passionately. Finn was only vaguely aware that tears were now sliding down his face and mixing with hers. He was too caught up in kissing her with everything that he had, wanting this last kiss to stay with the both of them. No, this wouldn't be their last kiss… this would just be… a parting gift? He had no idea what to call it, but whatever it was, it was going to play through his head every single day that he was away from her.

Finally, they broke apart, panting for air. He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I…" Quinn trailed off meekly. 'What am I supposed to say? How do I tell him goodbye?'

She took a deep yet shaky breath before trying again. "I'm going to miss you so much. I... I'll be thinking about you every s-single second."

"I will always be with you." Finn whispered in a strangled tone. Slowly, he lifted her left hand and placed a kiss on the ring. He then gently kissed her hand before resting his forehead against hers once more.

A sob escaped the blonde as she nodded.

Finn quickly pulled her against him, staring blankly ahead as she sobbed into his chest. This moment was going to haunt him forever - her crying vigorously with her heart most likely breaking ever so slightly. More importantly, he couldn't do anything to fix it, to make her feel better. At least, not right now. 'I will come back to her. I have to.'

Their moving, unforgettable moment was interrupted by an announcement stating that it was the last call to board the flight that Finn was on to Georgia.

Moving as slow as possible, he backed away from her and planted one more sweet, tender kiss on her lips.

"I love you, Quinn. Always and forever."

She nodded numbly before placing her hands on his face and wiping away a few stray tears. "I love you too, Finn. I'll be waiting for the day that you show up at my door." With those words said, she left her hands on his face for a few more seconds before forcing a smile and backing away from him.

Taking a deep breath, Finn picked up his duffle bag and headed toward the gate. After handing the women his boarding pass and thanking her once she handed it back, he turned around and faced his family and friends. His eyes scanned over each and every one of their faces, lingering the longest on Quinn's. He gave a half-hearted wave before turning around and walking down the bridge.

Quinn was aware that Mrs. Hudson was holding her, but she didn't really feel it. She didn't feel anything. It was if her whole body had gone numb. After everything that she had been through in her life, from pregnancy to heartbreak, she had never felt what she did at this moment. It almost seemed like Finn had taken a piece of her as soon as he turned the corner of the boarding bridge and got onto the plane.

A minute later, she found herself looking out the large window of the lobby. There were so many thoughts and memories flickering through her head that she just couldn't keep up. Eventually, her mind went blank.

What felt like seconds later, she watched as the plane that Finn was on take-off. She kept her eyes on the thing until it was impossible to see it anymore. Without even being aware of what she was doing, she turned her face into Mrs. Hudson's shoulder and began to cry once more. Already, she could feel the painfully noticeable absence of the tall, goofy boy that she loved more than anything in the entire world.

As the Hudson-Hummel family led her back to the car, she played with the ring on her finger, tears silently falling down her cheeks.

Once she got settled in her seat, she leaned her head against the window and pressed the precious object lightly to her lips. She shut her eyes and took comfort in the six little words that he had told her. 'I will always be with you.'

And that's the end! Please leave a review! I'm not one for bargaining, but if I get enough of them, I may just stop working on my summer assignments to write the first chapter of the sequel tonight! (: Once again, thank you so much for reading! Hope you liked!