I am SO sorry it took me so long to update :( I suck! I've been in orientation for my new job this week and haven't had much time or energy to write. But the chapter is up now! The beagle in this chapter is actually based off my beagle :) Again, I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and review if you want me to continue :)
Chapter 27: Audition and a Dog
A few weeks had passed, and Finn and Rachel were doing better. Well, as better as they could be doing. Both of them had to go back to work after a week. Neither of them particularly wanted to go back, they just wanted to be home with each other and with Allie. But life needed to go on.
As Rachel stood on the stage for her first performance back in Annie, she looked out into the stands and saw Finn and Allie. She smiled to herself, not expecting them to be there, since they both had school the next day. That reminded her of why she was keeping doing this. She had to make life nice for Finn and Allie.
At the end of the show, Rachel was changing in her dressing room when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in!"
Rachel looked up and saw a woman she didn't recognize. "May I help you?"
"You're Rachel Berry?" the woman asked.
"Well, my name is Rachel Hudson, but I have them bill me as Rachel Berry," Rachel said.
"Yes," the woman said, sitting down next to Rachel. "I'm Melody Harris, one of the producers of the revival of Phantom of the Opera that's opening up this winter. We've been searching online for talents, and we found some videos of you singing online."
"It's nice to know that you think I'm good," Rachel said. Could this be an offer for more than just the chorus?
"We do think you're good," Melody said. "I came to see you in Annie tonight, and you even stood out in the chorus. You should really consider auditioning for Phantom."
"I'll think about it," Rachel said.
"Here's my card, give me a call," Melody said before she left.
Rachel looked at the card and thought for a little bit. She was enjoying being in Annie, but it would be nice to try another show. But being in the chorus wasn't as demanding as having an official role. Being in the chorus, she didn't have to be in every show, which gave her more time with Finn and Allie. And of course, there was the fact that she and Finn still wanted to try to have another baby. Being on stage tonight had slightly taken her mind off what had happened, but she still really wanted another baby. If she got pregnant while in the chorus, it would be easier for her to perform. But very few major roles wanted their player to be pregnant.
She put the card in her purse, changed out of her costume and went outside to meet Finn and Allie.
"You were great, Mommy," Allie said.
"Thanks, sweetie," Rachel said, hugging her daughter. "I'm so glad you two could come."
"We wanted to support you on your first show since - " Finn began.
Rachel gave her husband a kiss. "Thank you. Let's go home." She took Finn's hand in one hand and Allie's hand in the other.
"Are you excited to get your cast off tomorrow?" Finn asked Allie.
"Yes!" Allie said. "I don't like it."
"I didn't like mine either," Finn said.
"Neither did I," Rachel said.
"You guys will take me after school?" Allie asked.
"We will," Rachel said. The family rode the train home in silence, and Finn sent Rachel a text. "I can't stop thinking about the baby."
Rachel replied to the text. "Neither can I." She looked up and gave Finn a sad look. Maybe tonight wouldn't be the best time to tell Finn about the producer who stopped by.
When they got home, they put Allie to bed, and then went together to the living room. Rachel figured now would be as good a time as any to tell Finn. "Finn?"
"Yeah babe?" Finn asked.
"A producer from another Broadway show came by after the performance," Rachel said. "She saw some videos of me online and wants me to try out for her show."
"Really?" Finn asked. "What show?"
"Phantom of the Opera," Rachel said. "It's opening up this winter."
"You should try out," Finn said. "If they seek you out, they might want you for another role besides the chorus."
"It is less pressure being an ensemble," Rachel told her husband. "Plus, if I get pregnant again, they won't have to worry."
"You mean WHEN you get pregnant," Finn said.
"You think it'll work?" Rachel asked.
"It will work," Finn said. "We're getting our second child."
x
The next day, Finn, Rachel and Allie went to the doctor to get Allie's cast taken off. Rachel tried to be excited for her daughter, but at the same time, being back at the hospital reminded her of why they were there not too long ago. When she put her hand on her stomach, her heart still broke knowing that there wasn't a baby there anymore. She wouldn't feel a kick. She wouldn't see any new pictures. She and Finn didn't plan on giving up on having a baby, but they'd lost one baby, they could lose another.
Her thoughts were interupted when she heard the nurse. "Allie Hudson?"
Finn, Rachel and Allie walked up to the nurse. "You're Allie?" the nurse asked.
"Yeah," Allie said. "I can't wait to get the cast off."
"Those are no fun," the nurse said as she led them back to the examination room. Allie was given the all clear, and the cast was taken off. Allie smiled at her parents as soon as it was off. "I can move my arm again!"
Seeing Allie happy made Rachel happy, even though being at the hospital made her think about the baby. "Yes you can!"
Allie gave Finn and Rachel each a hug. "Should we go get some ice cream?" Finn asked.
Allie smiled. "Yes!"
x
That evening, Finn and Rachel were sitting in the living room. They'd enjoyed their afternoon with Allie, but again, their thoughts were going back to the baby. Finn spoke after a few minutes of silence. "Rach?"
"Yeah?" Rachel said.
"Remember what you told me yesterday about that producer?" Finn asked.
Rachel nodded. "Yeah."
"You should do it," Finn said. "Call and see if you can go in."
"Are you sure?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Finn said. "It might make you feel a little better."
"What about you?" Rachel asked her husband.
"I am glad to be back at school," Finn said. "The kids told me they missed me."
"Who wouldn't miss you?" Rachel asked, snuggling up to her husband.
"I'll go with you if you want," Finn said.
"I guess I'll call," Rachel said.
"You should!" Finn said.
x
The next day after school, Finn and Rachel were standing outside the Phantom of the Opera producers' office. Rachel had called, and they wanted her to come today and audition. Rachel still wasn't entirely sure if she was ready for this, but Finn really had wanted her to. They'd asked Kurt and Blaine to pick up Allie from school, but hadn't told them what they were doing.
A producer came out. "Rachel, we're ready for you."
Rachel took a deep breath, gave Finn a hug and walked in. She told herself that this song was for the baby, introduced herself and began to sing.
Think of me,
think of me, fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -
please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me ...
We never said our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging as the sea -
but if you can still remember,
stop and think of me ...
Think of all the things
we've said and seen -
don't think about the way
things might have been ...
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and resigned.
Imagine me,
trying to hard
to put you from my mind.
Recall those days,
look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do -
there will never be a day, when
I won't think of you ...
We never said our love was evergreen
or as unchanging as the sea -
but please promise me,
that sometimes,
you wil think of me!
"Thank you, Rachel," the producer said. "We'll get back to you."
Rachel thanked them and went to the door, where Finn was waiting. "You were amazing," Finn said.
Rachel gave her husband a hug. "You always think so."
"Because you always are!" Finn said.
x
Allie was waiting for her parents at the end of the school day when she saw Kurt, Blaine, Santana and Brittany arrive. She smiled and ran up to them. "Where are Mommy and Daddy?"
"They're running some errands, so they asked us to get you," Santana said.
"Allie, we should get a surprise for your mommy and daddy," Kurt said.
"Is it their birthday?" Allie asked.
"Well, it's not their birthday, but they have been sad lately," Santana told Allie.
"Because of the baby?" Allie asked.
"Yeah," Blaine said. "So we thought we'd get a surprise for them."
"Like what?" Allie asked, getting excited.
"Well, you have a bunny," Brittany said. "And Santana and I have Lord and Lady Tubbington, but how about we get your parents a pet?"
Allie clapped. "Yay!"
"What should we get them?" Santana asked.
"A dog," Allie said.
"I bet they'd like that," Blaine told Allie.
"Let's go now!" Allie said.
Kurt, Blaine, Brittany, Santana and Allie got on a train to the pet store that Finn, Rachel and Allie had gotten Nibbles at. As soon as they got there, Allie ran to the back and began looking at the dogs. There were so many of them, and they were so cute. Finally, Allie saw a beagle and knew this was the one she wanted, and the one she knew her parents would like. She turned to Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana. "This one?"
"I bet they'd like that one," Kurt said.
A pet shop worker walked by. "You guys like Coda?"
"That's his name?" Allie asked.
"It is," the employee said.
"He's so cute!" Allie exclaimed.
"I bet Finn and Rachel will like him," Kurt said.
"They will!" Allie said. "And Nibbles will, too!"
Kurt, Blaine, Brittany and Santana paid for the dog, then they went back to the apartment. Allie was so excited to show her parents the dog. When she'd told the people at the pet store she had a bunny, they'd told her that beagles were great with other pets.
Finn came to the door and looked surprised when he saw them with a dog. "Allie, who's your friend?"
"This is our dog, Coda!" Allie proudly said to her dad.
Finn knelt down and smiled. "He's so cute!" He began petting the dog.
"We wanted to surprise you and Rachel," Kurt said.
"I am surprised!" Finn said. He turned and called out Rachel's name.
Rachel came into the hall and saw the dog. "Is this dog for us?"
"He is!" Allie said. "His name is Coda!"
Rachel also looked very happy and began petting the dog. "What a nice surprise!"
"We didn't want you to be sad anymore, so we got a surprise to make you happy," Allie said.
"Well, I am very happy!" Rachel said.
"So am I," Finn said. "We have the best daughter and the best friends ever!"
"And the best dog!" Allie added, feeling good to see her parents happy.
SONG: "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera
Chapter 28 preview: Rachel hears back from Phantom of the Opera. Allie visits the school she'll be going to for kindergarten in the fall. Finchel have a romantic date out for the anniversary of a special day for them.