Chapter 11

Rachel POV

"Rachel, that is the fourth person you have made cry today, I think it's time you take a break." Rachel rolled her eyes as the small girl stormed past her, wiping the tears from her eyes. Her director was staring at her from across the stage. She sighed loudly before stating matter-of-factly "Fine take five." She climbed down the stairs, her arms crossed in front of her. "No I think maybe we should break for the day." He demanded.

Rachel stopped in front of him, "We have a show tomorrow." She exclaimed.

"Yes and I think unless you want the rest of the cast to throw tomatoes at you when the curtain rises, we need to end for today and you should go home and rest."

"Rest?" Rachel snorted, feeling rather insulted. "Do I look like I need rest?"

"Rachel" Her director was talking softer so that only they could hear the conversation. "I'm serious. I don't know what is going on with you lately, but I suggest a long bath and maybe a valium." He leaned toward her, "Please, Rachel."

"Fine." Rachel stormed toward her dressing room, slamming the door behind her. Coats and clothing clattered to the floor as they fell from the vibrating walls.

"Wow, Princess, I don't think I've seen you like this since the 10th grade!" Kurt was sitting in her dressing room chair reading a book.

"He…" She pointed toward the closed door. "thinks I need to take a break. A break!" She said louder as she spoke. "As if I ever need to take a break. I'm the only one in here that doesn't need a break. Everyone else should take a break to learn their lines, or for God sake grow some talent around here."

"Well I'm glad to see we are still dealing with our little problem like an adult." Kurt scoffed.

"Problem?" Rachel shot back, indigently. "I hope by problem you are referring to the way this idiotic dress is clinging to my hips or perhaps the inability of anyone here to understand the true talent that is Rachel Hudson because any other little problem you might be referring to is nonexistent."

"Oh that's great news. So the test was negative?" Kurt's face brightened.

"Um sure." Rachel looked away and started to straighten up her makeup desk.

"Rachel? You did take the test right?"

"Well, I started to."

"Wait, how do you start to take a pregnancy test but not finish it?" Kurt questioned.

"Simple. I opened the box and then found better things to do." Rachel tossed her makeup bag into the corner of the table.

"Rachel. We talked about this. It's been a week and still no visit from your friend. You need to just take the test and be done with this." Kurt had been following her around for the entire week with a pregnancy test, leaving it on the table with her plate of eggs, sitting it next to her toothbrush as she got ready for the day. Everything in her wanted to take the test and get it over with, but the other half wasn't ready to accept the truth. Rachel Berry was pregnant and her entire existence was done. Everything she had dreamed about was crashing down around her because she forgot to take a stupid pill. And all because they had to take that damn road trip to hillbilly central. One stupid road trip and her dreams were ruined.

"Ugh fine, I'll take it tonight. Apparently we get to go home early anyway so we have time." She grabbed her purse and coat and looked back toward Kurt. "Well, are you coming?" She said impatiently.

Kurt jumped up from his spot and jumped through the door. "Ready as you are."

"Let's just stop by the store and get a few more of those tests and maybe some chocolate. I want to be absolutely certain before I drown my sorrows in misery and despair." She sighed.

"Rachel Barbara Berry you are still the biggest drama queen I have ever known."

They stopped at the CVS on the way back to the apartment, buying every brand of pregnancy test and 3 boxes of chocolates. The cashier gave them disapproving looks before shoving everything in two paper bags. Rachel was tense as she climbed the steps to the apartment. "You know maybe we can wait until…" She started to say as she put her key into the door.

"No way, we are doing this." Kurt insisted as he pushed the door open, jumping backwards as if bitten by a snake.

"SURPRISE!" They were greeted by the deafening sound of yelling from inside the apartment. Rachel felt all the color drain from her face as she stared into Finn's eyes inside their apartment. Blaine stepped forward and grabbed Kurt into a hug, quickly planting his lips against Kurt's astonished mouth.

Rachel sat the brown paper bags behind the door before walking toward Finn, getting lost in his arms as he pulled her against him. She had that enormous feeling of being safe as Finn engulfed her in his embrace. She had been avoiding him for weeks yet being in his arms was everything she had missed and wanted. She needed Finn more than anything, but she didn't know how to tell him that she had ruined their entire lives. She didn't want him to stare at her with his eyes, knowing that her carelessness had stolen their dreams.

"We stopped by the theater but they told us you guys left an hour ago." He mumbled into her hair.

Rachel murmured against his chest. "Yes we got off early today; guess that's what happens when you are professional and prepared for a show." She lied. She squeezed Finn tighter, not wanting Finn to catch the guilt in her eyes.

Finn stiffened and then pulled out of the hug. "You need help putting the groceries away?" He leaned toward the paper bags. Kurt screamed. "NO." Everyone froze and stared at him. He laughed, "I mean, you've come all this way, I think we can handle a few groceries, you two should…unpack or something." Kurt grabbed the bags and pushed Rachel toward the kitchen.

"So, what's the plan?" Kurt whispered when they were out of sight of the boys.

Rachel began pushing the paper bags behind the mixing bowls under the counter. "Well, I guess these will have to wait, now won't they." She spat back.

"I meant about telling Finn what the hell is going on." He argued.

"And why would I do that? I haven't even taken the test. He just got home. I think I can wait a little while longer."

"Yeah just don't wait 9 months." Kurt teased, rolling his eyes.

"I hope we aren't waiting 9 months for dinner?" Blaine walked into the kitchen. "Or…" He looked confused when he didn't see any groceries being put away.

"We decided to go out for dinner, celebration." Kurt smiled.

"Great idea." Blaine returned Kurt's smile, reaching out to touch his face. "Anywhere I can go and sit across from your face is good with me."

Kurt blushed and Finn slouched against the counter, staring at Rachel. "I'm not really hungry." His voice moody and muted.

Rachel glanced at him. She could tell that he was angry with her. The last few weeks were probably confusing for him. She knew that he wouldn't understand her avoidance. Knew that he would take it as a personal attack. She didn't know how to explain herself. She didn't know where to start. She walked toward him and wrapped her arms around him, needing to feel his warmth surround her. "We can stay in if you want." She looked up into his eyes and saw a flicker deep within his pupils. He had a faint smile and then it was gone. "Yeah sure."

Rachel bit her lip. She knew she had a lot to explain. She was sure that once she did, it would ruin their homecoming. Maybe she could put it off for the night. She really just wanted to enjoy her husband being home for the first time in six months.

Blaine seemed hesitant for a moment and then shrugged "Suit yourselves. I'm starving."

The apartment had been quiet since they left. For ten minutes Rachel and Finn sat in the living room just staring at the television. Neither one of them seemed to want to start the conversation. Rachel leaned toward Finn's shoulder and made a soft, cooing sound. "I missed you." He said softly.

She could feel Finn smile beside her. His hand rested on her knee. "I missed you more." She giggled.

Finn looked down at her, his face seemed uncertain of what to say next. Rachel wondered if he was about to start the conversation she was avoiding. She felt herself stiffen next to him. "Prove it." He smirked, his entire body relaxing. Rachel reached up and touched the soft stubble on his chin. She missed everything about him. She wanted to remember the way his stubble tickled her thighs and how his hands caused her melt into soft putty.

She needed Finn Hudson in every way imaginable. She wanted to forget everything that was wrong and focus on the things that were right. Most of all she wanted to feel every inch of her husband as he reminded her of how womanly and sexy she was. Tonight she could be Rachel Hudson, talented wife of her incredible hot drummer. His touch would melt away her concerns and fears. The pregnancy tests were hidden and the conversation could wait until tomorrow.