Chapter 20 Goodbye
Will walked down the hallway at McKinley towards the choir room. He could hear the piano playing in the choir room and as he got closer he could hear "Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat" being sung. He walked into the room to see Rachel, Artie, Tina, Mercedes and Kurt singing and doing the number that started it all as everyone else watched on in amusement. As the group ended and everyone clapped, he smiled.
"That was the most ghetto number I have ever seen," Santana replied.
"Well then just call me George Jefferson, because we went from the ghetto, to the penthouse! National champs, times two, baby!" Artie replied back. Everyone clapped and cheered and saw Will writing the word "Goodbye" on the dry erase board and stopped clapping as he turned to them.
"This week's assignment is easy," Will started. "Graduation is just a few days away. There's, nothing left to prepare for. Our work here is done, so there's only one thing left to do: say goodbye."
Everyone sadly smiled at each other.
"Underclassmen, pick some songs to say goodbye the Seniors; Seniors, pick a song to say goodbye to us," Will continued.
"A part of me wants to lock these doors and stay in here with everyone forever," replied Mercedes.
"We can use the wastebasket as a toilet, and then eat Rory for food, since he's been here the shortest," Brittney replied and everyone laughed.
"I really hope you're about to rap," Quinn said to Will as he sat down with his guitar. Everyone laughed again.
"No suck luck," Will replied. "I'm leading by example here. This one, is for you guys."
He started to play the chords to Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" and everyone smiled.
Will:
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road that you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true
And do unto others as you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to Heaven
With a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young, yeah
And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young
"I wanted to dedicate my goodbye song to all of you," Kurt said later that afternoon in the afternoon meeting, "but I mostly wanted to thank the men in the room, who have truly inspired me and never saw me for the things that made us different. You only saw me for the ways that we're the same. Because in this room, it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, what matters is that we're friends." Kurt's voice was choking up as the others in the room started to tear up and the band started to play.
Kurt:
Say good-bye to not knowing when
The truth in my whole life began
Say good-bye to not knowing how to cry
You taught me that
And I'll remember the strength that you gave me
Now that I'm standing on my own
I'll remember the way that you saved me
I'll remember
Inside I was a child
That could not mend a broken wing
Outside I looked for a way
Kurt with New Directions:
To teach my heart to sing
And I'll remember
Kurt:
the love that you gave me
Now that I'm standing on my own
Kurt with New Directions:
I'll remember
Kurt:
the way that you changed me
I'll remember
Kurt with New Directions:
I learned
to let go
of the illusion that we can possess
I learned
to let go
I travel in stillness
And I'll remember
happiness
I'll remember (New Directions: I'll remember)
Mmmmm...
And I'll remember the love that you gave me
Now that I'm standing on my own
I'll remember the way that you changed me
I'll remember
Kurt (New Directions):
No I've never been afraid to cry
And I finally have a reason why
I'll remember (I'll remember)
No I've never been afraid to cry
And I finally have a reason why
I'll remember (I'll remember)
No I've never been afraid to cry
And I finally have a reason why
I'll remember (I'll remember)
The next day, when Santana entered the hallway to her locker, she was met by a strew of inflated balloons.
"What is this crap?" Santana asked as she saw Sam and Mercedes hugging and kissing.
"Didn't you hear?' Sam asked. "Mercedes got a recording contract."
"What?" Santana replied breathlessly.
"He's exaggerating," Mercedes replied. "Remember that video of Disco Inferno he posted on Youtube?"
"Yeah..."Santana said, looking at them weirdly.
"A music producer in L.A. saw it and wants to sign her!" Sam said excitedly.
"As a backup singer on an indie label," Mercedes replied. "Plus, I'm going to take extension classes at UCLA."
"If this happened to anyone else, I would be extremely jealous," Santana replied. "But this is very cool. Congratulations." She hugged Mercedes.
"Thank you," Mercedes replied. She turned to Sam. "And I couldn't have done it without you." She pinched Sam's cheeks playfully.
"Oh, did you hear about Mike? He got a full scholarship to Joffrey!" Sam added.
"Oh, great, congratulations Mike," Santana said to him as he and Tina came up to the group.
"I bet you're excited to ditch that Cherrios uniform and put one on for the University of Louisville," Tina replied.
"Stoked," Santana replied. I don't know why I'm not excited, Santana thought as she turned away and walked to her next class. I'm a star, so what am I doing heading to Kentucky?
Later that afternoon, the glee club gathered in the choir room. The seniors were gathered by the piano, the underclassmen sitting in the chairs.
"And now the seniors of McKinley High School, Class of 2012 are going to sing for you," Finn started as music started to play and the seniors cheered. "This is your glee club, take care of it! It'll take care of you!"
Finn:
One, two
One, two, three
Yaow!
Puck:
Hey! Uh! Hey!
Finn:
Wake up kids
We've got the dreamer's disease
Age fourteen we got you down on your knees
So polite, you're busy still saying please
Mercedes, Noelle and Rachel:
But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light, (Finn and Puck: light)
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
One dance left
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
This world is gonna pull through
Puck with New Directions:
Don't give up
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got a reason to live
Puck with New Directions:
Can't forget
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
We only get what we give
Puck with New Directions:
This whole damn world can fall apart
You'll be okay, follow your heart
You're in harms way, I'm right behind
Now say you're mine
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
One dance left
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
This world is gonna pull through
Puck with New Directions:
Don't give up
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got a reason to live
Puck with New Directions:
Can't forget
Finn:
We only get what we give
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn:
I feel the music in you
Don't Let go
Mercedes:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Finn with New Directions:
Health insurance rip off lying
FDA big bankers buying
Fake computer crashes dining
Cloning while they're multiplying
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson
Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson
You're all fakes
Run to your mansions
Come around
Finn and Mercedes with New Directions:
We'll kick you down yeah!
Finn with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn:
You got the music in you
Don't give up
New Directions:
You got the music in you (Mercedes: Ooooohh)
You got the music in you
"Finn? Noelle? Rachel? Kurt?" called Carole from the foyer. "Your caps and gowns just arrived!"
"Sweet," said Finn, coming down the stairs. Rachel slowly following behind. Her four month belly was protruding from under her shirt and Noelle, who had rolled out from the kitchen with Sam and Rory behind her, noticed she was looking a little green.
"Rach? Are you alright?" Noelle replied.
"Yeah, just some more morning sickness," Rachel replied. "It's starting to taper off now. My doctor said that it should be gone in a few weeks."
"Oh that's good," Noelle replied. "You're finding the sex out tomorrow right?"
"Yes," Rachel replied.
"I hope it's a girl, I don't need two Finns living in our apartment," Noelle replied, earning a laugh from Kurt. "Hey, speaking of which, Kurt, when do you find out about NYADA?"
"Acceptance letters are being mailed out this week," Kurt replied.
"Cool," Finn replied as he tried on his gown. The four seniors tried on their caps and gowns.
"Oh, I should take a picture!" Carole replied.
"Looking snazzy, guys," Burt replied as he walked in the house. "Finn, Rachel, I have a graduation present for you out in the garage. Come see."
The group followed Burt outside to the garage and Finn and Rachel gasped at the sight. A handmade crib, rocking chair and Hope Chest were sitting in the middle of the garage with big red bows on top.
"Oh my god, Burt, these are beautiful!" gushed Rachel, running her fingers along the engraved "HUDSON" on the Hope Chest.
"Wow, Dad, I didn't know you knew how to do woodwork like this," murmured Noelle as she brushed her hand along the rocking chair.
"I had some help from Mike Chang Sr. and Mr. Koontz," Burt replied. "Mr. Koontz did the sawing and whittling, and Mr. Chang and I did the assembling and finishings.
"Thanks Burt, this means a lot," Finn replied, hugging him.
"Hey, I'm gonna be a grandpa, I have to start spoiling my grandchild somewhere!' Burt replied, earning laughs from everyone.
"So, Josh, myself, Quinn, Puck, Finn, and Rachel, we not only wanted to say goodbye to everyone here as we all go to the East Coast, but we wanted to say goodbye to someone who's impacted us the most here in the room. Someone we've looked to for guidance and wisdom," Noelle started the next day in the choir room. "This person has shown us not only courage and strength, but love and compassion. Mr. Schue, this is for you. If it wasn't you, there wouldn't be a New Directions. We wouldn't have been friends. When we all go our seperate ways, we will all remember you, and our first love: Glee Club."
The band started to play and everyone smiled as Noelle started to sing S Club's "Say Goodbye".
Noelle: In the years to come
Will you think about these moments that we shared
Quinn: In the years to come
Are you gonna think it over
And how we lived each day with no regrets
Josh: Nothing lasts forever though we want it to
Puck: The road ahead holds different dreams for me and you
Noelle, Finn, Rachel, Josh, Puck, Quinn: Sometimes goodbye though it hurts in your heart
is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye though it hurts is the only way now for you and me
Though its the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love in every way
Noelle: So say goodbye
But don't you cry
Because a true love never dies
Rachel: In a year from now
Maybe there'll be things we'll wish we'd never said
Noelle: In a year from now
Maybe we'll see each other, standing on the same street corner though it rains
Finn: Each and every end is always written in the stars
Puck: If only i could stop the World i'd make this last
Noelle, Finn, Rachel, Josh, Puck, Quinn: Sometimes goodbye though it hurts in your heart is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye though it hurts is the only way now for you and me
Though it's the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love in every way
Quinn: So say goodbye
But don't you cry
Because a true love never dies
Noelle: And when you need my arms to run into
I'll come for you
Nothing will ever change the way i feel
Noelle, Finn, Rachel, Josh, Puck, Quinn: Sometimes goodbye though it hurts in your heart is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye though it hurts is the only way now for you and me
Though it's the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love in every way
Noelle: So say goodbye
Because a true love never dies
The other New Directions clapped and cheered as tears fell from everyone's eyes and the six hugged Will.
"Quinn? Babe? Are you back yet?" Puck called as he walked into the Fabray house. Judy poked her head out from the living room.
"She went to the store real quick, Noah," Judy replied.
"Where's Beth?" Puck asked.
"I just put her down for a nap, shhh," Judy replied.
"Oops," said Puck guiltly.
"That's okay, she looked exhausted," Judy replied. "Oh, this came in the mail for you." She handed Puck a letter and he read the return address.
"Hey, it's from the community college I applied to in New Haven!" Puck replied as Quinn walked into the house.
"What's going on?" Quinn asked. She saw the letter.
"Is that from Gateway?" Quinn replied. "What'd they say?"
"I got in! I got into the business administration program!" Puck replied. He picked up Quinn and swung her around.
"Oh babe, that's amazing! I knew you could do it! Maybe you could apply to a four-year and get in and get your Bachelor's!" Quinn replied.
"I wasn't even sure I was going to get in here," Puck murmured, looking at the letter in disbelief. "You think I could get into a four-year?"
"I do," Quinn replied.
"Well, I'm okay doing the two-year degree until Beth's older," Puck replied.
"If that's what you want, Puck, I'm okay with it too," Quinn replied.
Meanwhile, across town, Finn and Rachel were at her sixteen-week scan. They were finally going to find out if they were having a boy or girl.
"Hi Rachel, hi Finn," said Dr. Chin, coming into the room. "How's everything going?"
"The morning sickness is finally over," Rachel commented.
"Good, right on schedule," Dr. Chin replied. "Let's find out how your baby is today, and I think we should be able to finally tell what it is." Dr. Chin took some measurements of Rachel's stomach with a small tape measure.
"Very good, very good," he replied. "You're right on schedule, Rachel, and if the scan is right, you should be at the sixteen-week mark as I predicted." He squirted the gel on Rachel's stomach and started up the machine. The "whooshing" of the baby's heartbeat filled the room as the image of the baby came on screen.
"There's your baby this week," Dr. Chin replied with a smile. "Sucking it's thumb."
"Aww Finn, look the baby looks like you!" Rachel cooed. "It's got your nose!"
"Do we want to find out the sex? The baby's in a good position that I can determine," Dr. Chin replied.
"Yes please," Rachel and Finn agreed. Dr. Chin nodded and moved the ultrasound wand down a bit.
"Here we go Finn and Rachel, say hello to your little boy," said Dr. Chin.
"I knew it," Rachel said with a smile. "Oh Finn! A boy! Oh poor Noelle, she's going to be upset."
"Oh?" Dr. Chin replied.
"Noelle wanted it to be a girl," Finn replied. "I think Kurt did too."
"Well, I'm sure they will be happy to hear their nephew is healthy and growing well," Dr. Chin replied. "Well, hello there. Where did you come from?"
"What's that?" Finn asked with a dread of fear in his voice.
"Rachel, Finn, it appears you have another baby in there," Dr. Chin said, zooming out on the scan. "You're having twins. Baby number two was hiding. And that's a girl."
"Wait what?" breathed Rachel. "Twins? Are you sure?"
"Yep, see?" said Dr. Chin, pointing to the screen. "That's your son on the left and your daughter on the right."
"Oh my god," Rachel murmured. "Oh Finn. We're having one of each!" Finn hugged Rachel as she cried tears of joy. "Oh I can't wait to tell everyone!"
"What?" cried Noelle later that evening. "Two babies?!"
"One of each," grinned Finn. "I get my boy and you three get your girl."
"Yaye!" cried Kurt, clapping his hands in excitement.
"Congrats dude, that's awesome!" replied Sam. "Have you decided on names?"
"We have the list narrowed down, but we're still deciding on final names," Rachel replied.
"Cool," replied Noelle.
"Hey, did you guys decide what neighborhood we should get an apartment in?" Finn asked Kurt.
"Well, I think we should look into a brownstone or a loft large enough for all of us," Noelle replied. "And easily accessible."
"Agreed," Rachel replied. "Like on Bleeker Street."
"Wait, the same Bleeker Street from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?" Noelle said excitedly. "Yes, yes, yes, that's a great neighborhood! Greenwich Village! So many musicians lived there! And it's in walking distance from NYU. Josh would have to take the subway to Pace, but it's only like ten minutes away."
"Great, I'll start looking," said Kurt, rushing off to his room. Just then, Noelle's phone rang.
"Hello?" Noelle asked as she answered the phone. "Dean Winters, hi! How are you?"
"Hi Noelle, I'm great. I'm sorry to hear about your incident at your track meet. I wanted to let you know we will make the necessary accomodations for you, Rachel and Finn. However, that's not why I'm calling."
"How can I be of service then?" Noelle replied.
"I'm kind of a bit in a bind," Dean Winters said. " My teaching assistant for my summer classes was offered a semester overseas in London, and none of my other graduate students are able to take her place. I was wondering if you would be interested in filling in for her. I would give you credit for it of course."
"Oh my gosh! Sir, I would be honored! This is such an amazing opportunity! Um, when would you need me there?"
"I know it's short notice, but would you be able to be here by next week, like around Monday? Classes start on May 29th. "
"What about housing? We haven't got any place to stay yet," Noelle replied.
"I can get you a place temporarily on campus until Finn and Rachel arrive," replied Dean Winters. "I'll have it arranged for you when you get here. I'll even pay for your train ticket."
"Okay, I'll do it,"replied Noelle.
"Oh thank you, Noelle! You are a lifesaver, truly! I'm already looking at the Amtrak schedule. The closest station is in Bryan, Ohio and it leaves at 1:40 in the morning. The Lakeshore Limited. I'll book your train for Saturday Night/Sunday morning. Just pick your ticket up from Will Call."
"That's literally hours after my graduation ceremony," Noelle replied. "I guess I need to go pack."
"When you get to NYU, just come to my office and we'll get you settled in," said Dean Winters. "I can't thank you enough again Noelle. Goodbye!"
As Noelle hung up the phone, she stared in disbelief as the group around the dinner table looked at her.
"What did Dean Winters want?" Burt asked Noelle.
"He's asked me to be his teaching assistant for the summer," Noelle replied. "I get college credit for it."
"That's great!" said Carole and Burt.
"Congrats!" everyone else said.
"That's a huge honor, you can't be a teaching assistant usually unless you're an upperclassman or graduate student!" cried Rachel.
"There's a slight problem though," Noelle replied. "He needs me there by Monday. I'm on the 1:40 A.M. train to New York on Sunday morning. I'm going to New York early you guys."
"Are you sure about this, Noelle?" Josh asked her the next day as she told him the news.
"Yeah, it's a great opportunity for me," said Noelle. "Besides, I'll be able to get an early overview of the campus layout for Finn and Rachel and maybe find us a place to live. Dean Winters said he's going to get me a dorm for the summer session and then after that I'll be able to live off campus once we get a place."
"But do you really think you'll be okay by yourself for three months?" Josh replied. "What about getting around town? And money?"
"My savings," Noelle replied. "And I'll be okay on the subway." The other New Directions came into the room for what would be the last glee club meeting before graduation.
"Noelle, we heard the great news!" Tina cried. "So exciting!"
"Yeah, it's great," replied Santana. "I'm really happy for you Noelle. New York is such an amazing city."
"Thanks San," replied Noelle. "I wish you were coming with us. All of you. New York's not going to be the same without any of you guys."
At that moment, Will came in to the room.
"Alright you guys, everyone have a seat," said Will. "First off, let's congratulate Noelle on her early admission to NYU!"
"WHOOO!" cried the New Directions. Noelle waved them off.
"Yeah yeah," Noelle muttered.
"Second of all, the underclassmen and I have a little something prepared for all of you seniors," Will continued. "It's our way of saying goodbye."
Artie, Sugar, Rory, Tina, Sam, Blaine and Harmony came to the front of the room, standing in front of the piano as Will sat on his stool.
Harmony and Sam (with Sugar and Tina):
There are (places I'll remember)
Artie and Sam:
All my life, though some have changed
Harmony and Sam (with Sugar and Tina):
Some for (ever not for better)
Blaine and Rory (with Artie):
some have gone (and some remain)
Harmony and Sam (with Sugar and Tina):
All these (places have their moments)
Blaine and Rory:
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Artie, Blaine, and Rory (with Sugar and Tina):
Some are (dead and some are living)
Artie and Sam:
In my life I've loved them all
Blaine (with Sugar and Tina):
But of (all these friends and lovers)
Artie, Harmony, and Sam:
There is no one compares with you
Harmony and Sam (with Sugar and Tina):
And these (memories lose their meaning)
Artie and Blaine:
When I think of love as something new
Rory (with Sugar and Tina):
Though I (know I'll never lose affection)
Artie and Blaine:
For people and things that went before
Rory, Harmony, Sugar, and Tina:
I know I'll often stop and think about them
Artie, Harmony and Sam:
In my life, I love you more
Rory (with Sugar and Tina):
Though I (know I'll never lose affection)
Artie and Blaine:
For people and things that went before
Rory, Sugar, and Tina:
I know I'll often stop and think about them
Artie, Harmony, and Sam:
In my life I love you more
Artie, Blaine, Harmony, Rory, Sam, Sugar, and Tina:
In my life I love you more
And then it was Graduation. The seniors in the New Directions were going last in the diploma handing as they wanted to go out with a musical number. Brittney looked on sad from the crowd since she had to repeat her senior year.
"The seniors of McKinley High New Directions wish to bid you farewell with a song as they receive their diplomas," Principal Figgins said after the other seniors received their diplomas.
As Finn played the drums, Puck started playing guitar while he and Finn sang.
Puck:
Yeah. C'mon. Hoo!
I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
"Michael Chang Jr.," said Figgins as Mike stepped out to cheers, hugging the underclassmen New Directions and heading up to receive his diploma.
Puck:
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
"Quinn Fabray!" said Figgins. As Quinn stepped out from behind the curtain, she laughed as her caught her hat from falling off her head as she stepped down the stairs and headed towards the stage, turning around and waving at her mom.
"Joshua Koontz!" Josh came out to cheers as he let out a "Whoohoo!" Homer Simpson style and did a happy dance to the laughter of everyone as he received his diploma.
Finn:
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was
Puck and Finn:
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days
in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
"Mercedes Jones!" said Figgins and Mercedes stepped out to cheers and applause and she headed for the stage.
Finn:
All right boy watch me working now! (Puck: Working now)
"Noah Puckerman!" cried Figgins.
"Finally," said Puck as he walked over to Emma as the instrumental interlude played. Emma handed him his diploma.
"Thank you," said Puck, before hugging her. The music cued him back in.
"WHOO!" cried Puck flipping his tassle to the left. He gave a quick kiss to Quinn and they waved to Beth in the audience, who was sitting with Judy and Mrs. Puckerman.
"Santana Lopez!" cried Figgins. As Santana appeared in the doorway of the entrance, she gave a little shimmy, causing everyone to laugh.
Puck:
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
"Kurt Hummel!" cried Figgins. The crowd enthusiastically cheered as Kurt spread apart the curtain and did a high kick. Kurt walked over to Blaine, tears in Kurt's eyes and Blaine handed him a handkerchief. Everyone laughed as Kurt walked up the steps dabbing his eyes as he cried uncontrollably. Burt high-fived Michael Chang Sr.
Finn:
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of...
Kurt curtsied as he moved his tassle after he got his diploma to cheers from the crowd.
"Whoo! That's my boy!" cried Burt in the crowd. Carole was sobbing uncontrollably too.
"Noelle Hudson!"
Noelle wheeled herself out onto the stage to the claps and cheers from everyone as she accepted her diploma from Emma with a hug. Noelle rolled up to Josh and he leaned down and kissed her.
New Directions:
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days
"Finn Hudson!" said Mr. Figgins as Finn let the drummer take over and he walked over to pick up his diploma.
New Directions: in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Finn hugged Emma and fist-pumped the air to Will.
Glory days well they'll pass you by
"Rachel Berry-Hudson!" cried Figgins and everyone enthusiastically cheered as Rachel pushed the curtain apart and appeared.
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
She carefully walked down the steps and high-fived the underclassmen of the New Directions.
"I love you!" she said to the underclassmen. Finn walked over to help her up the stage and walked her over to Emma, who handed Rachel her diploma.
Finn:
What about this!
All right!
Ooh yeah
Puck:
All right!
Finn:
Woah, c'mon now
Puck:
Oh yeah
Finn:
All right!
Rachel walked over to Finn and Finn leaned her back, kissing her passionately.
Puck:
It's alright
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the William McKinley High Class of 2012!"
Puck and Finn:
Glory days!
Hats were thrown into the air by the graduates. They were officially out of high school!
The New Directions all stood outside the Amtrak station in Bryan, Ohio, about an hour and a half from Lima with Will and Emma, the Hudson-Hummels, Frank and Alice(who had come for the ceremony), Judy, Mrs. Puckerman, Beth, and the other families to see Noelle off to New York. Despite it being the middle of the night, everyone was wide awake and had come to see their friend off. Beth had slept most of the night before the car ride to Bryan so she was wide awake. Noelle wheeled out of the ticket building, her train ticket and her purse in her lap. Josh was pulling her suitcase behind him and carrying her guitar case for her.
"Well, I'm all set," Noelle replied. She looked at her friends and family. Tears were starting to form in her eyes.
"I love you guys," Noelle said to the group. "I'm not gonna say goodbye. Goodbyes are permanent. We're always gonna be one big family."
She hugged everyone one by one. Burt and Carole showered her with hugs and kisses. Kurt was crying uncontrollably, as was Rachel.
"Don't cry guys, you'll see me in a couple months," Noelle said to the group. "I'll call as soon as I find us a place to live." She turned to Finn.
"Hey Big Bro, I love you," Noelle replied.
"I love you too, Noe," Finn replied. "Have a safe trip."
"I will," Noelle replied. He hugged Noelle tight and Finn sighed as Noelle turned to Quinn and Puck, Beth in Quinn's arms.
"When you guys get settled in New Haven, let me know, I'll come visit you before the fall semester starts," Noelle said.
"Sounds good," Quinn replied. "Here. This is for you."
"What's this?" Noelle asked as Quinn handed her an envelope.
"A Metro North Pass from New York to New Haven," Quinn replied. "Kurt, Finn, and Rachel have one too."
"Sweet," Noelle replied. She looked at Beth, who was uncertain at what was happening.
"Hey munchkin, come here and give me a hug," Noelle said to Beth, who held out her arms. Noelle took Beth in hers and gave her a hug.
"I love you Monkey Face," Noelle said. "Be good for Mommy and Daddy, and Aunty Noelle will see you soon, okay? And I'll take you to FAO Schwartz one day, I promise."
"Wat dat?" Beth replied.
"A BIG toy store!" said Noelle gleefully and Beth's eyes lit up.
"Toys?" Beth asked.
"Yup!" Noelle replied. "I love you munchkin, be good."
"Otay," Beth replied. Noelle handed her back to Quinn, and Noelle hugged her and Puck.
She finished hugging the other New Directions and then hugged Will and Emma.
"Thanks again for everything you guys, I owe you so much," Noelle said. "Without you, I wouldn't be where I am now."
"Noelle, with everything we've gone through, there's no one more deserving of this than you," Emma said.
"What Emma said," Will replied. "You'll do great. Be careful and come back to mentor any new members, alright?"
"I promise," Noelle replied. She turned to Josh.
"I love you," Noelle said.
"I love you too," Josh replied. "And I'll see you in a month or so. But for now, this should be good enough of a promise." Josh pulled a small jeweler's box out of his pocket and opened it and everyone gasped as Noelle's hand flew to her mouth.
"Noelle, will you marry me?" Josh asked her as he got down on one knee.
"Yes," Noelle replied with a smile on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. The group cheered as Josh slid the ring on her hand and kissed him.
"ALL ABOARD the Lakeshore Limited! Next stop, Toledo! Final stops, Boston and New York City!" called the conductor.
"I love you," Josh replied.
"I love you too," Noelle replied. "I love you so much." She kissed him again as Burt handed her suitcase and guitar to the conductor, who placed it into the storage compartment. Noelle wheeled herself on the train and the conductor helped her to her seating area as she started to sing.
Noelle: La da da da da da
la da da da da da
da da da da da da da da
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreamin' of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could breakaway
Noelle looked out the window at her friends and family as the train rolled out of the station, Josh watching and following the train to the end of the platform.
Noelle: I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky
I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
Noelle stared out the window of the train as an employee brought her some food and Noelle took in the sights of the Pennsylvania countryside.
Noelle: Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on-board a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away
And breakaway
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
I won't forget all the ones that I loved
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
After an hour layover in Albany, Noelle arrived at Penn Station around 6:30 in the evening. Her suitcase and guitar were being carried by an Amtrak employee who also hailed her a cab. She told the cab driver the address and he nodded. Noelle took in the city around her as she called Dean Winters to inform her that she had arrived in New York and would be at NYU soon. She was officially home now. New York was always going to be where she ended up, no matter what.
Noelle: Building with a hundred floors
Swinging 'round revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep movin' on, movin' on
Fly away, breakaway
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
Gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway
The cab pulled up to the Music School at NYU, and Noelle saw Dean Winters standing by the door. As the driver helped Noelle out, she paid him as he got her suitcase and guitar out of the trunk.
"Hello Dean Winters," said Noelle. "Here I am!"
"Hi Noelle, welcome, to New York University," smiled Dean Winters. Noelle grinned widely.