Chapter 12 New York
Cars and trucks honked. Cabs whizzed by down Broadway and 7th. Pedestrians crowded the sidewalks as the neon lights flashed. Billboards promoting all of the musicals were plastered all over buildings around Times Square. A short brunette stood there, taking in the sights and she let out a huge smile as the reality hit her that she was in New York City, her dream city.
"I made it!" said Rachel excitedly.
"Rach! Come on!" called Finn. "We're gonna be late for the show!"
Rachel snapped out of her daze and looked over to Finn and the rest of the New Directions, along with Carole and Burt and Will and Emma standing in front of the bleachers at Times Square. Little kids were not allowed at the Gershwin Theatre so Judy Fabray stayed at the hotel with Beth.
"Sorry, I just can't believe we're here in New York!" said Rachel. "You guys, this is going to be me some day with my face plastered on one of these buildings."
"Come on guys, we gotta walk up to Fifty-First street," said Will.
"I can't believe we're seeing Wicked," said Rachel as the group walked up Broadway. "It's my favorite!"
"We know," chorused everyone except Noelle and Kurt.
"Ours too," said Noelle. "Thanks again Mr. Schue for getting the tickets."
"My pleasure Noelle, you guys earned it," said Will as he walked arm in arm with Emma. They arrived in front of the Gershwin Theatre a few minutes later. Before Rachel entered the theatre, Noelle grabbed her arm.
"Rach, wait," said Noelle. "I want you to know something. I haven't even told Finn, Josh or my parents yet."
"What?" asked Rachel. Noelle took a deep breath.
"This has been my dream too," said Noelle. "To be a star. Whether it's Broadway or Hollywood or whatever. And you are like my sister and I don't want it to be weird that we are pursuing the same dream. You're my best friend and I don't want that to change."
"Are you serious?" Rachel asked. "You want to be on Broadway too?"
"Maybe," said Noelle. "Being in Grease gave me hope that I can be more than I am. And you've also shown me that as well. With all that I've gone through this past year and a half has made me a better person. I'm lucky to have you as a friend, Rachel. And thankful."
Noelle looked at the Wicked poster and smiled at the image of Glinda and Elphba.
"I really think we're Glinda and Elphaba," continued Noelle.
"Yeah?" replied Rachel. "Who's who?"
"Does it matter?" smiled Noelle. "This is going to be us someday. Maybe even standing on the same stage together. We'll be unstoppable!"
The two hugged and headed into the theatre to catch up with their friends. Towards the end of the show, when it came to Elphaba and Glinda's goodbye scene, Noelle and Rachel smiled at each other and closed their eyes, picturing themselves in Glinda and Elphaba's shoes and being the ones standing on that stage, performing in front of thousands of people each night, Rachel being Elphaba and Noelle being Glinda and in their full costumes.
Rachel:
I'm limited,
Just look at me,
I'm limited, and just look at you,
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda.
So now it's up to you, for both of us
Now it's up, to you...
Noelle:
I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn,
And we are led, to those who help us most to grow
If we let them, and we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,
But I know I'm who I am today, because I knew you.
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood,
Who can say, if I've been changed for the better?
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
Rachel:
It well may be that we will never meet again
In this lifetime,
So let me say before we part,
So much of me is made from what I learned from you
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart,
And now, whatever way our stories end,
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.
Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea,
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood,
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But, because I knew you...
Noelle:
Because I knew you
Noelle and Rachel:
I have been changed for good
Rachel:
And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
Noelle:
But then, I guess we know there's blame to share
Noelle and Rachel:
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Noelle (Rachel):
Like a comet pulled from orbit (Like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun (By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (Like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood (In the wood)
Noelle and Rachel:
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better.
Noelle:
And because I knew you..
Rachel:
Because I knew you..
Noelle and Rachel:
Because I knew you,
I have been changed for good
As the real Elphaba and Glinda ended the song, the audience had jumped to their feet and roared with applause, bringing Noelle and Rachel back to reality and they clapped and looked at each other.
Yes, this is going to be us...they both thought.
"Okay guys, we only have a couple days left before the first round," said Will the next morning as the New Directions gathered in one of the hotel rooms.
"I've decided that one of our songs is going to be original," continued Will. "And Noelle is going to write it."
"What?!" chorused the group.
"Mr. Schue, as much as we love original songs, I don't think it's a good idea," said Finn.
"Let me finish," said Will, holding his hands up in defense. "Noelle is going to write and perform the song. The rest of us are going to work on our other two songs. We're going to do a New York medley after Noelle's solo. A mashup of New York, New York and I Love New York, and then we're going to close with Empire State of Mind."
There was a murmur of agreement amongst the group.
"Great, Noelle, you go ahead and work on your solo while the rest of us get started with the other rehearsal," said Will.
"Mr. Schue, is it okay if I go sit in Central Park or something to write?" asked Noelle. "Open spaces give me a peace of mind."
"Sure," said Mr. Schue. "Just be back before eight o'clock, okay?"
"Of course," said Noelle, grabbing her satchel and shoving her notebook into it. "I'll probably go only a few hours." She carried her guitar case with her and Noelle headed down to the lobby and stepped out into the Manhattan sunlight.
"Need a cab, Miss?" the doorman of the hotel asked.
"Yes please," said Noelle. The doorman hailed a taxi for her and she thanked him as she climbed in a taxi.
"Where to young lady?' asked the cabbie.
"Central Park please," said Noelle. "As close to the Bow Bridge as you can get."
"Okie dokie," said the cabbie. As he drove away, he looked at Noelle.
"So where you from?" asked the cabbie.
"Ohio," replied Noelle. "I'm here with my high school show choir for Nationals."
"Ah," said the cabbie. "You a songwriter?"
"Sort of," said Noelle. "I'm actually headed to the park to write a song for us for Nationals."
About twenty minutes later, the cabbie pulled up in front of the building closest to the Bow Bridge. Noelle could see it in the distance.
"That'll be 15.25, young lady," said the cabbie. Noelle handed him a twenty.
"Keep the change," said Noelle.
"Thank you very much young lady, and best of luck to you in your endeavors and at your competition," replied the cabbie. Noelle thanked him and grabbed her belongings and climbed out. She walked over towards the bridge and found an empty spot on the grass and sat down and pulled out her notebook and started to write lyrics.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the rest of the New Directions had started rehearsing the other songs. Mike and Brittney choreographed while Finn and Rachel ran over vocals with everyone. Around three o'clock, Noelle returned, her guitar case in one hand and her satchel slung over the other arm.
"Hey guys, I'm back!" said Noelle. "I got it! I got the perfect song!"
"Awesome, can we hear it?" asked Puck.
"Yeah," said Mercedes. "You write amazing songs girl."
"It's not quite perfect yet," said Noelle, nodding her head as she pulled out the lyrics and her guitar. "I still need to write the piano chords and have Finn add some percussion, but here it goes."
Noelle started strumming a upbeat tune on her guitar and everyone listened to the lyrics. As the song ended, the group applauded.
"That was amazing, Noe!" gushed Quinn. "Was that about coming to Broadway?"
"Yeah, this whole trip kind of inspired me," said Noelle. "Rachel already knows, but I wanted to tell you guys, that when I graduate, I'm moving to New York with Rachel."
"Are you serious?" asked Josh. "Why here? What about school?"
"After I finished writing the song, I stopped and applied to NYU," said Noelle. "For their music program. The head of the music department was there and he had me audition."
"That's great!" said Finn. "Do Mom and Burt know?" Noelle shook her head.
"No," said Noelle. "This was all a spur of the moment. I'm going to tell them when they get back from sight-seeing. I told the dean I was still in high school and in town visiting for Nationals and he's coming to the show!"
"Are you serious?" cried Rachel. "That's incredible!"
"He was like, 'There are more of you?' and then I told him about the New Directions and he said he wanted to see us perform," said Noelle.
"Wow, that's crazy!" said Josh.
"Come on guys, we gotta make these numbers flawless," said Will. "Finn, you, Rachel, and Noelle finish writing the song. The rest of you, let's take it from the start of the mashup."
Noelle took a deep breath as she stood on the stage, waiting behind the curtain as the New Directions took their places to go on for their performance. Vocal Adrenaline had also made it to Nationals. After losing to the New Directions last year, Shelby Cochran had stepped down as director of the group and Jesse St. James, now graduated from Carmel, had taken over as director. He had even gotten the group into a different region so that they could compete against the New Directions.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our final competitors of the evening, your reigning 2010 second-place finishers, from Lima, Ohio, the New Directions!" said the announcer. The audience applauded as the music started for Noelle's song and the curtain rose and Noelle stepped up to the microphone started to sing.
Noelle: Driving down this dusty road
We're heading out into the world
And I only got one thing
On my mind
That's you
That's you
I don't know where we'll go from here
Wherever life takes us I
Know you'll be
By my side
But I know for sure you'll be there
That's you
That's you
Noelle could see the dean from NYU sitting front and center and she smiled at him as the rest of the New Directions joined her on stage.
Noelle and New Directions: We're on our way
To a life of love and bliss
We're on our way
To fortune and fame
And my heart won't stop
Beating Fast
What are we doing
Will this last
I know it's crazy
But I don't care
We're on our way
We're on our way
Noelle: 100 miles to go
Til we end up at that sacred road
Where everyone wants to be
And I only got one thing
On my mind
That's you
That's you
I can see the city lights from here
And I know that we're both scared
But one thing for sure is near
That's you
That's you
Noelle and New Directions: We're on our way
To a life of love and bliss
We're on our way
To fortune and fame
And my heart won't stop
Beating Fast
What are we doing
Will this last
I know it's crazy
But I don't care
We're on our way
We're on our way
As the song ended, the audience roared with applause and gave Noelle a standing ovation. Noelle took a bow and motioned to the others.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the New Directions!" said Noelle as everyone took their seat. The music for the mashup began and Noelle joined Josh at his side as Finn started to sing.
Finn:
I don't like cities
But I like New York
Santana:
The famous places to visit are so many
Finn:
Other places
Make me feel like a dork
Santana:
I told my grandpa I wouldn't miss on any
Artie:
Los Angeles is for
People who sleep
Mercedes:
Got to see the whole town right from Yonkers on down to the Bay
Artie:
Paris and London
Oh baby you can keep
Santana:
Baby you can keep
Mercedes:
Baby you can keep
Rachel with Finn and New Directions (New Directions):
Other cities always make me mad
Other places always make me sad
No other city ever made me glad
Except New York, New York
It's a wonderful town (New York)
I love New York
Artie and Mercedes with New Directions:
I love New York (New Directions: New York, New York)
I love New York (New Directions: New York, New York)
New York, New York
Finn:
If you don't like my attitude
Then you can get lost
Santana (with New Directions Girls):
(Manhattan women) are dressed in silk and satin
Finn (with New Directions Boys):
(Just go to Texas) isn't that where they golf
Santana (with New Directions Girls):
(There's just one thing that's) important in Manhattan
Artie:
New York is not for little wussies who scream
New Directions Girls:
AAAHHH!
Mercedes:
Pick up a date
Maybe seven Or eight
Artie:
Paris and London
Oh baby you can keep
Mercedes with Santana:
Baby you can keep
New Directions:
Baby you can keep!
Rachel and Finn with New Directions (New Directions):
Other cities always make me mad (Mercedes: Make me mad)
Other places always make me sad (Mercedes: Make me sad)
No other city ever made me glad
Except New York, New York
It's a wonderful town (New York)
Artie and Mercedes with New Directions:
I love New York
I love New York (New Directions: New York, New York)
I love New York (New Directions: New York, New York)
Noelle with New Directions Girls:
We've sailed the seas
And we've been the world over
Made the Mandalay
We've seen the Sphinx
And we've seen the Cliffs of Dover
And we can safely say
Rachel:
New York!
Finn with New Directions:
Other cities always make me mad (Mercedes: Ooow!)
Rachel and Finn with New Directions:
Other places always make me sad (Mercedes: New York!)
No other city ever made me glad except New York, New York
It's a wonderful town (New York)
Mercedes:
New York!
Artie with New Directions (Rachel with New Directions):
I love New York
I love New York (New York, New York)
I love New York (Mercedes: New York now, New York now)
I love New York
(New York, New York)
(New York, New York)
Mercedes:
New York now, New York now
Rachel and Finn with New Directions:
New York, New York!
The crowd, who had been clapping along, roared with applause and cheers again as they jumped to their feet when the mashup ended and the crowd roared with cheers and applause as Empire State of Mind started to perform. The crowd also started to sing along.
Artie:
Yeah, yeah
Now I'm up at Brooklyn
Now I'm down in Tribeca
Right next to DeNiro
But I'll be hood forever
I'm the new Sinatra
And since I made it here
I can make it anywhere
Yeah they love me everywhere
Finn:
I used to cop in Harlem
All of my Dominicanos
Right there up on Broadway
Brought me back to that McDonald's
Took it to my stash box
Five Sixty State street
Catch me in the kitchen
Like a Simmons with them pastries
Puck:
Cruising down 8th street
Off white Lexus
Driving so slow but BK is from Texas
Me I'm up at Bed-Stuy
Home of that boy Biggie
Now I live on Billboard
And I brought my boys with me
Say what up to Ty Ty
Still sipping Mai Tai's
Sitting courtside
Knicks and Nets give me high fives
Jigga, I be spiked out (Santana: Come on)
I can trip a referee (Santana: Come on)
Tell by my attitude (Santana: Come on)
That I most definitely from
Rachel and Noelle with New Directions (Puck):
New York (Hey, aha)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of (Yeah)
There's nothing you can't do (Yeah)
Now you're in New York (Rachel: You're in New York) (Aha aha aha)
These streets will make you feel brand new (Rachel: You feel brand new) (New)
Big lights will inspire you (Rachel: Inspire you) ( Come on)
Let's hear it for New York (Your welcome old G)
New York, New York (I hold you high, sugar)
Finn (Mercedes):
Catch me at the X
With OG at a Yankee game (Whoa, whoa)
Dude I made a Yankee hat
More famous than a Yankee can
You should know I bleed Blue (Whoa, whoa)
But I aint a crip tho
But I got a gang of brothers
Walking with my clique though
Welcome to the Melting Pot (Whoa, whoa)
Corners where we selling rocks
Africa bambaataa
Home of the hip hop
Yellow cap, gypsy cap
Dollar cab, holla back
For foreigners, it ain't for they act
Like they forgot how to act
Puck (Mercedes):
Eight million stories
Out there in it naked (Whoa, whoa)
The city is a pity
Half o' y'all won't make it
Me (Whoa, whoa) I gotta plug Special Ed
"I Got It Made"
If Jesus payin' LeBron
I'm payin' Dwayne Wade
Three-dice Cee-Lo (Whoa, whoa)
Three-card Marley
Labor Day Parade
Rest in peace, Bob Marley
Statue of Liberty (Whoa, whoa) (Santana: Come on)
Long live the World trade (Santana: Come on) (New Directions: Yeah, eh)
Long live the kingdom (Santana: Come on) (New Directions: Yeah, eh)
I'm from the empire state that's
Noelle with New Directions:
New York (Rachel: New york!) (Puck: Hey) (Santana: Huh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do (Puck: That you can't do) (Mercedes: You can't do, oh)
Now you're in New York (Rachel: You're in New York) (Santana: Huh, yeah) (Puck: Welcome to the bright lights baby)
These streets will make you feel brand new (Rachel: You feel brand new) (Mercedes: Brand new, baby)
Big lights will inspire you (Rachel: Inspire you) (Mercedes: Oh)
Let's hear it for New York (Santana: Uh, huh)
New York (Santana: Yeah)
New York (Santana: Uh, huh) (Rachel: Yeah, hey)
Artie (Mercedes):
Lights is blinding
Girls need blinders (Whoa, whoa)
So they can step out of bounds quick
The side lines is
Lined with casualties (Whoa, whoa)
Who sipping life casually
Then gradually become worse (Uh, huh)
Don't bite the apple Eve
Caught up in the in crowd
Now your in-style
End in the winter gets cold
En Vogue with your skin out (Whoa, hoo)
The city of sin is a pity on a whim
Good girls gone bad
The city's filled with them
Finn (Mercedes):
Mommy took a bus trip
And now she got her bust out (Hoo, hoo)
Everybody ride her
Just like a bus route
Hail Mary to the city your a virgin
And (Oh, oh, oh) Jesus can't save you life starts when the church ends (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Came here for school
Graduated to the high life
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight (Oh, whoa)
Dub MHS (Santana: Come on) (Whoa, whoa) (New Directions: Yeah, eh)
Got you feeling like a champion (Santana: Come on) (Oh, whoa)
The city never sleeps (Santana: Come on) better slip you an Ambien (New Directions: Yeah, eh)
Santana with New Directions (Mercedes):
New York (Rachel: New York!) (Finn: Huh, huh) (Santana: Yeah, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of (Rachel: Haa hi yeah)
There's nothing you can't do (Nothing you can't do) (New Directions: You can't do)
Now you're in New York (Rachel: You're in New York) (Yeah, yeah, eh) (Santana: Huh, huh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand new (Rachel: You feel brand new) ( New) (New Directions: You feel brand new)
Big lights will inspire you (Rachel: Inspire you) (You) (New Directions: Inspire you)
Let's hear it for New York (Santana: Huh, huh)
New York (Santana: Yeah) (New York)
New York (Santana: Huh, huh) (Rachel: Yeah, hey)
Mercedes with Santana and New Directions Girls:
One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty
No place in the world that could compare
Put your lighters in the air
Finn and Mercedes with New Directions:
Everybody say yeah (Santana: Come on), yeah (Santana: Come on)
Yeah, (Santana: Come on) yeah!
Rachel and Noelle with New Directions (Mercedes):
New York (New York) (New Directions: New York) (Santana: Yeah, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of (Jungle, yeah, yeah)
There's nothing you can't do (New Directions: You can't do)
Now you're in New York (New York, New York) (Artie: New York) (Santana: Yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand new (Brand new) (New Directions: Brand new)
Big lights will inspire you (Inspire you) (New Directions: Inspire you)
Let's hear it for New York (New York) (Santana: Huh)
New York (New York) (Santana: Yeah)
New York (New York, yo whoa) (Santana: Huh, uh)
As the final song ended, the crowd, already on their feet, roared with applause and cheers and the New Directions grinned at each other as Noelle caught the NYU dean's eye and he gave her a thumbs up.
Noelle stood in the hotel lobby Sunday night, the tall trophy sitting on a luggage cart as the New Directions waited to board their tour bus back to the airport.
"I can't believe we actually did it," said Noelle. "National champs."
"And it's all thanks to you," said Josh, kissing her head. "Your song helped us win."
"We all did it," said Noelle, shaking her head. "Everyone was a team player."
Just then, to Noelle and the New Directions surprise, the dean from the NYU School of Music appeared in the lobby.
"Oh good, you haven't left yet," said the dean as he shook hands with Noelle. "I'm sorry I didn't get to speak with you on Thursday, but as soon as your performance was over I was called back to the school. I just wanted to tell you all that I was very impressed with your performance."
"Thank you sir," said Noelle. "Dean Winters, this is our director, Mr. Will Schuester."
"How do you do?" asked Will, shaking Dean Winters' hand.
"You have an amazing group of students, Will," said Dean Winters.
"Well, we have an amazing teacher," said Rachel.
"And this is my brother Finn, my brother Kurt, and my parents, Burt and Carole Hummel," added Noelle, motioning to the Hudson-Hummels.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hummel, you have extraordinary children," said Dean Winters. "Young lady, I would like to offer you a welcome to the NYU Fall semester of 2012 with a full music scholarship."
There was a gasp among the group as Noelle and Carole's hands both flew to their mouths and Dean Winters handed a packet to Noelle.
"Welcome to NYU, Miss Hudson and congratulations to all of you on your win," said Dean Winters.
"Thank you so much," said Carole to Dean Winters as Burt shook his hand, thanking him, and Dean Winters nodded.
"Have a safe trip everyone. If any of you decide to apply to NYU, give me a call. Noelle has my number," said Dean Winters, leaving the lobby. The members of New Directions hugged and congratulated Noelle.
"We're so proud of you," said Burt, tears coming down his face.
"Thanks Dad," said Noelle, wiping tears away. "I'm pretty proud of me too." Everyone laughed.
The group landed back in Ohio several hours later and arrived at McKinley, where the rest of the parents and the entire staff and student body welcomed them to cheers and congratulations. The trophy was carried into the choir room and after the media frenzy died down, the trophy was placed in the case next to the rest of their trophies.
After the celebrations were over, Rachel searched through the library and found Finn sitting on the floor.
"Hey, there you are," said Rachel. "What are you doing in here? We have our final glee club meeting of the year in a bit."
"Just doing some thinking," said Finn.
"Is this about Noelle and NYU?" asked Rachel, sitting down next to him.
"Kinda," said Finn. "I'm really happy for her. But that makes me wonder what I want to do with the rest of my life."
"Finn, you have to know, I'm going to New York too," said Rachel.
"I know," said Finn. "And so do I. Wherever you go, I go."
"Finn, I don't want you to sacrifice your dreams for mine," said Rachel.
"I want to be your husband," said Finn. "And there are plenty of opportunities in New York for me. You know that show you make me watch with the guy and the curse words."
"James Lipton and Inside The Actor's Studio?" asked Rachel.
"Yeah, that's the guy," said Finn. "I think I want to apply to Pace."
"That would be a great school for you," said Rachel.
"I've also thought about becoming a music teacher, like Mr. Schue," continued Finn.
"We've got the whole summer to figure out what you want to do," said Rachel. "Okay?"
Finn nodded and leaned in and kissed her.
"Will you marry me?" whispered Finn. "Not like, right now, but I mean, maybe before we go to New York?"
"Are you officially asking me?" whispered Rachel.
"I want to propose right," said Finn. "With your dads' permission, and my parents' blessings, and with a ring, but god I want to marry you Rach."
"I told you once that when you do officially ask me to marry you, that my answer is yes," said Rachel. "So ask me and my answer is yes."
"Rachel Barbra Berry, will you marry me?" whispered Finn.
"Yes," replied Rachel. "Yes, I will marry you, Finn Christopher Hudson." Finn grinned and planted his lips on Rachel and then stood up, picking Rachel up with him and twirling her around.
"Do you think we could wait to tell the rest of the Glee Club until after we've told our families?" asked Rachel.
"We told them they would be the first ones to know, didn't we?" asked Finn. "They're our family too."
Rachel nodded. "Come on, let's go tell them."
The two of them rushed to the choir room to find the others.
"Hey, there you guys are," said Quinn. "Where have you two been?"
"The library," said Finn. "Is everyone here? Rachel and I have an announcement to make."
"Yeah we're all here," said Noelle. "What is it?"
"Finn officially proposed!" said Rachel. "We're gonna go pick out the ring later!"
There was a gasp among the members of the New Directions. Noelle squealed and she and Kurt hugged the two. The rest of the New Directions were in shock.
"Are you nuts?" asked Quinn. "We haven't even started senior year!"
"Finn and I agreed that our plan in life is to be together, whatever life brings us. And we don't want to be with out the other," said Rachel.
"We're happy for you Rach," said Puck. "I think Quinn's just in shock."
"It's a bit sudden, don't you think?" asked Blaine.
"We aren't getting married until next spring or summer," said Finn. Mercedes and Quinn both let out a deep sigh of relief.
"You guys thought we were going to elope over the summer?" asked Rachel. "Heck no, this wedding is going to be in the works for at least a year."
"Okay, I'll admit that relieves me," said Quinn.
"You'll be my maid of honor, right?" Rachel asked Quinn.
"Of course," smiled Quinn.
"And you know you're my wingman," said Finn, bumping fists with Puck.
"I'd be honored, Bro," said Puck.
"And we want all of you to be in the wedding too," said Rachel. "Even you, Beth. You want to be a flower girl again?"
"Yes!" said Beth excitedly. She looked up at Quinn, now confused. "Flower?"
"You get to throw pretty rose petals for Aunt Rachel when she walks down the aisle to marry your Uncle Finn," said Quinn. Beth clapped her hands excitedly and everyone laughed.
Just then, Will and Emma walked in, smiles also on their faces.
"Mr. Schue, you missed Rachel and Finn's big news!" said Tina.
"We're getting married next year!" said Finn excitedly.
"What?" replied Will and Emma in disbelief with a look of excitement on their faces. Emma looked up at Will.
"You wanna tell them?" asked Will. Emma nodded.
"Tell us what?" asked Harmony, confused.
"Well, there will be two weddings to plan," said Will excitedly. "I proposed to Miss Pillsbury in her office just now."
"And I said yes!" said Emma, holding up her hand excitedly.
"Oh my god!" cried everyone. "Congratulations!"
"Come with me Rachel, we can look at dresses together," said Emma, taking her by the arm. "I have a whole bunch of magazines in my office."
The two brides-to-be left the room and Noelle hugged Will.
"I'm very happy for you two, Mr. Schue," said Noelle.
"Thanks Noelle," said Will. "Emma and I decided we're not going to do anything fancy. Just a simple ceremony surrounded by the ones we love. And then we're going to have dinner at Breadstix."
"Sounds perfect," said Finn, nodding his head in agreement.
"Finn, I'd like you to be my best man," said Will, clapping his hand on Finn's shoulder.
"I'd be honored Mr. Schue," said Finn.
"And I'm pretty sure Emma's asked Rachel to be her maid of honor," said Will. "If she hasn't yet, that is."
"So when's the big day?" asked Santana.
"We are looking at Valentine's Day," said Will. "And we want you guys to all be there of course."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world, Mr. Schue," grinned Noelle.