Finchel are graduating college! Wow, I feel like a proud parent! Speaking of Finchel, I hope everyone's excited for tomorrow. We'll be getting some Finchel, I heard :) As always, thanks so much for all the support on the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this one and review if I should continue!

Chapter 18: Graduates

"Wow," Rachel gasped. She looked at Finn in his NYU graduation robe, feeling so proud of her husband. "You're about to be a college graduate."

"You will too, next weekend," Finn reminded his wife.

Rachel looked around the apartment. "Adulthood is really beginning." They'd packed up the things that weren't absolutely essential so that the apartment was ready for whoever moved in next. After the graduations, they'd be moving into the three smaller apartments.

"I'm so proud of you," Rachel said to Finn. "You're graduating from NYU with honors, and you have a great job lined up."

Finn gave Rachel a hug. "Well, you're going to be on Broadway this summer."

"I know," Rachel said, smiling.

"We should probably get going," Finn said. Kurt, Blaine, Brittany, Santana and Allie had already left to meet Burt and Carole at the NYU convention center and get some seats. Brittany and Santana had already had their graduations, and their parents had came and left town. Next weekend, Hiram, LeRoy, Cooper and Blaine's parents would be coming to New York for NYADA's graduation.

Rachel and Finn quietly rode the bus to NYU. Rachel gave Finn a kiss and wished him good luck with his graduation before she found everyone in the stands.

"Mommy!" Allie exclaimed.

"Good thing you're finally here," Santana said.

"Were you good, Allie?" Rachel asked her daughter.

"She kept asking for snacks, and we told her that Mommy had to buy those for her," Kurt explained.

"Allie, it's ten in the morning!" Rachel said.

"But the snacks look good," Allie moaned.

"We'll get some later," Rachel promised her daughter.

"Oh, Rachel, what do you think of this dress for the wedding?" Brittany asked, handing Rachel her phone.

Rachel looked at the dress. "I like it. Wow, since there's two dresses, we'll have to do two shopping trips."

"Do you think we should have a New Year's wedding or a Valentine's Day wedding?" Santana asked Rachel.

"I'm not sure," Rachel said.

Before anyone else had a chance to say anything, the MC stepped on to the podium to announce that the commencement was beginning. Pomp and Circumstance began to play, and the graduates began to process in as Rachel looked for Finn. Hundreds of people had processed in when Allie pointed. "Mommy, there he is!"

Rachel took a closer look and realized Allie was right. There was Finn. She cheered for her husband as he took his seats with the other students.

Unfortunately for Allie, the ceremony was very long. Rachel could tell that Allie was getting bored and restless when the names were finally being called out. "How much longer?" Allie whispered to Rachel.

"They just need to finish the names," Rachel whispered back. Allie groaned. Finally, the H's began. And finally, "Finnegan Christopher Hudson."

Rachel, Allie, Burt, Carole, Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana stood up and cheered as Finn walked across the stage and took his diploma. "Yay Daddy!" Allie shouted.

After the ceremony, the group made their way over to the library to meet Finn. Rachel let Allie be the first to give Finn a hug, but she wanted to go next. "I am so proud of you," she whispered as she gave her husband a kiss.

"I couldn't have done this without you," Finn whispered back. He handed his camera to his mom. "Take a photo of me, Rachel and Allie?"

"Of course," Carole said. She snapped a photo of the family. "I want a photo with my son now."

"We should have a family one," Burt said. "Me, Carole, Finn and Kurt."

Rachel took a photo of Finn with his parents and brother, but then Kurt suggested Blaine, Rachel and Allie be in the next one too, since they were now part of the family. Then Burt took a photo of Finn, Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana.

After photos and meeting up to congratulate some of Finn's friends, Rachel figured it was time to tell Finn the surprise she had planned. "I made reservations at a really nice restaurant for lunch."

"You did?" Finn asked.

Rachel nodded. "You graduated college with honors! You need to celebrate."

Finn gave Rachel a hug as they made their way to the restaurant.

x

A week later, Finn and Allie were sitting in NYADA's round room, waiting for the NYADA graduation ceremony to begin. Rachel's dads were sitting next to them, and Shelby and Beth were next to Rachel's dads. In front of them were Brittany, Santana, Burt, Carole, Cooper and Blaine's parents.

"Will this one be as long as yours?" Allie whispered to Finn.

Finn laughed. "I don't think so, there's a lot less people at NYADA."

Allie pouted. "Good. Yours was long and boring."

"Hey!" Finn teased his daughter.

"Sorry, Daddy," Allie whispered as the dean came on to the stage to welcome the family members and friends to the ceremony.

The ceremony began with a musical performance from the NYADA Class of 2017. Kurt, Blaine, and Rachel had gotten the solos, not that Finn expected anyone else to. After they processed in and took their places on stage, Allie was quick to point out to Finn that Rachel, Kurt and Blaine were front and center. The music began and the students began to sing.

NYADA Class of 2017: Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love. Seasons of love
Rachel: Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
Blaine: In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.
NYADA Class of 2017: It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!
Kurt: Oh you got to got to
Remember the love!
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love spread love
Measure measure your life in love.

Finn was right, this ceremony wasn't nearly as long as the NYU one. Before anyone knew it, it was time to call the names.

"Rachel Barbra Berry Hudson," Carmen called. Rachel came on stage to take her diploma and waved at Finn and Allie in the audience. Finn felt so proud of his wife.

"Blaine Devon Hummel-Anderson," Carmen called. Blaine came on stage, took his diploma and then gave Rachel a hug.

"Kurt Elizabeth Hummel-Anderson," Carmen called. Now Kurt took his diploma, took his place beside Blaine and kissed his husband, then hugged Rachel.

There were more people, but Finn couldn't listen. He just looked at his wife up there on that stage, feeling so proud of her. He knew this journey hadn't been an easy one. Rachel had considered quitting when she found out she found out she was pregnant, and now she had graduated.

Since Rachel had made lunch reservations for Finn's graduation, Finn wanted to return the favor. He'd found a restaurant called Emerald Isle in New York that he was sure Rachel would love.

Finn was right when they got there. Emerald Isle had a marble green building with a crystal glass door. "Emerald Isle" was written across the top in sparkly green script. Inside, the building was even more impressive. The tables were also made of green marble with pullout chairs. There were trees everywhere, and the waiters and waitresses were dressed in green suits. There was a fountain in every corner, each a tributary to the indoor river that surrounded the island of tables. The indoor river, of course, was dyed green.

"This place is amazing!" Rachel said as she and Finn crossed the bridge to the island.

"I thought you'd like it," Finn said.

"I love it," Rachel said.

"Can you believe we're both college graduates?" Finn asked Rachel.
"Barely," Rachel said.

"Daddy, this place is so cool!" Allie said.

"It is!" Finn agreed with his daughter.

The group sat down at their table. Since none of them had gotten to give speeches at their graduations, Rachel's dads suggested they give them now. After Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana gave theirs, Finn gave his. "I guess all I really want to do is thank all the amazing people in our lives. Mom, I've told you so many times, but even though there wasn't one in the house when I was little, you've really made me into a man. You've always been there for me and I love you so much. My whole life, I've wanted to make you proud of me, and now, I feel like I've done that. Burt, even though you didn't conceive me, you are my dad. You helped me get my first job, took me to NFL, NBA and MLB games, and were there for me when I needed a man to talk to. And Kurt - you are the best brother ever. I feel horrible for how our relationship startd off, but now

"I'd also like to thank Blaine, Brittany and Santana, for being with us every step of the way. Living with you guys has been so much

"Allie, you are the best daughter I could ever ask for. You make me and your mom so happy, and we're so proud of you. You have all the best in both of us, and you are our biggest accomplishment. I love you so much.

"And Rach - you are the love of my life, there's not much more to say than that. Every day I feel so lucky when I get up and see you next to me. You support me like no one else does, you bring out the best in me, and you love me for everything I am. Thank you."

Rachel kissed Finn and then began her speech. "Like Finn, there are so many people I want to thank. I'd like to first thank my parents. Mom, I'm so glad that you've come into my life because our bond is something I now can't imagine my life without. Dad and Daddy, thank you for raising me for eighteen years and supporting my dreams. I know we had a rough patch during my college years, but I'm just so glad that we're close again. The three of you are the best parents I can ask for. And Beth - I'm so glad you're my sister. I've always wanted a sibling and I'm so glad it's you.

"I'd also like to thank my other family, the Hudson-Hummels. Kurt and Blaine, you two have always been two of my best friends, and NYADA wouldn't have been the same without you. I'm so glad you're my brothers in law. Burt and Carole, you are like extra parents to me and I love you so much. Thank you for sharing both your sons with me.

"And of course, my friends are like a family. Brittany and Santana, living with you guys was amazing. I know we had our ups and downs in high school, but I'm so glad we resolved it because you are two incredible women. Many other people who aren't here today deserve to be mentioned. I'm very grateful to Katie and Anna for being my first friends at NYADA and helping me out my first year. And of course, the New Directions is my second family and I miss them so much, but look forward to the next time we see each other. Puck and Quinn have helped Finn and me out a lot with what to expect as young parents, and I'm so glad we have those train passes. I have many fond memories of being in that choir room with Sam, Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Artie, Rory, Sugar and Joe, and cherish my friendships with them. And of course, we've formed a bond with Ryder, Marley, Jake and Harmony while living in New York.

"Of course, I end with the two most important people - Finn and Allie. I am so thankful that you two are in my life. Nothing, no role on Broadway, no award, could mean as much to me as you two do. I love you both so, so much. I think you make me the best I can be, and you are my biggest supporters. Thank you so much for everything."

Finn pulled Rachel in for a hug after her speech.

x

The apartment was completely empty, and Finn, Rachel, Allie, Kurt, Blaine, Santana and Brittany stood in it, taking a look around. "I can't believe we're moving out," Kurt said.

"I know," Finn said.

"Should we go now?" Santana asked.

Rachel sighed. "I guess we should." She looked over her shoulder as they began to leave the apartment and went downstairs to the new ones. When Finn, Rachel and Allie went in their new apartment, Rachel first noticed that it was smaller than the old one. They'd planned it that way, of course, but it didn't feel so final until now.

Finn and Rachel began unpacking their bags when Allie started crying. Rachel went up to her daughter. "What's wrong, Allie?"

"I wish my aunts and uncles were here," Allie said sadly.

Finn and Rachel exchanged a look. They knew how much Allie loved Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana. "They still live down the hall," Finn reminded his daughter.

"I know, but I miss them," Allie said.

Rachel took Allie's hand. "Would you like to go see their new apartments after we're done unpacking, and then have dinner with them tonight?"

Allie's face lit up. "Yes!"

Finn and Rachel finished unpacking, and then they took Allie to Kurt and Blaine's apartment, and then to Brittany and Santana's. After visiting the apartments, all seven of them went out to dinner together. Their adult lives were beginning, but they would be spent together.

SONG: "Seasons Of Love" from Rent

Chapter 19 preview: Finn takes Allie to Rachel's Broadway debut. Some familiar faces come to New York to see it too!