Forever Has to Start Somewhere
Chapter 15: Furt
Jesse slipped through the doors of the auditorium.
Most of New Directions was lined up in two rows between the seats. Finn and Rachel were in the front of the room, dancing to the beat. Quinn and a blonde boy Jesse assumed was Sam were dancing down the aisle in the middle of the room.
As Quinn sung, "Who cares if we're trashed, got a pocket full of cash," Kurt and Mercedes started to make their way down the aisle.
He made his way through the seats as they continued through the number.
Mr. Schue spotted him from his seat on the other side of the room and raised an eyebrow.
Jesse's lips tipped up in a smirk. He pressed a finger against his lip.
Mr. Schue gave a small nod before turning his attention back to the group.
He watched as each couple made their way down the aisle. The whole group looped back as Tina and Mike began to make their way down.
They settled at the end in two rows again.
Jesse supposed this was when Burt and Carol would enter during the wedding.
Since it was just a rehearsal, Jesse had no problem with sliding out into the aisle and joining in as the song came to its end, "Is it the look in your eyes or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby. I think I wanna marry you."
All of New Directions was staring at him as he walked towards them, none of them saying a thing.
It was Puck who broke the silence with a smooth, "Hey, St. James."
His words seemed to kick Rachel into motion because the next second she was running towards him.
Jesse picked her up effortlessly. Her arms locked around his neck and her legs around his waist. He settled one arm around her waist to keep her up and rested the other on the back of her thighs to keep her skirt in place.
She bent down, slamming their lips together in a kiss.
He responded in kind, meeting her eagerness with his own.
They didn't pull apart until they heard a cough from somewhere to their side. Mr. Schue chided, "Let's keep things PG, guys."
Jesse couldn't help the groan that dropped from his lips as Rachel pulled her lips from his. He dropped his head onto her shoulder to keep from chasing them.
"Sorry, Mr. Schue," Rachel apologized. Her thumb made lazy strokes along the nape of Jesse's neck. "We just missed each other."
Puck let out a snort from where he stood with the others. "That's an understatement. You were on him like a starving man who'd just seen a McDonalds."
"I am starving, Noah," Rachel answered. She looked over her shoulder. "I'm touch starved."
Jesse let a puff of laughter out against her skin. "You are such a drama queen."
"Says the one who lied to me about his flight just so he could make a dramatic entrance."
"I didn't lie to you," Jesse said. He lifted his head up so he was looking into her eyes. Her brown eyes were shining with so much affection that he couldn't help ducking in to press a peck against her mouth. "I canceled my flight last minute and drove down since I had to two tag-alongs."
"Brody and Adam?"
"Yeah. Brody's dad doesn't approve of the whole performing arts school thing and Adam's British so he was just going to sit around his dorm trying to figure the holiday out," Jesse said. "They're going to stay with my uncle and me this week and head back up to New York Saturday night."
"Where are they now?"
"My place. I figured I'd come pick you and Kurt up. Then we could all go out for coffee."
She hummed before turning her gaze to Mr. Schue, "Is it alright if we cut practice short for today? I know we have a lot to do for the wedding, but-"
"It's fine, Rachel," the teacher assured. He gave them a soft smile. "Enjoy the time you have with Jesse before he goes back to school."
"Thank you," Jesse said.
He felt Rachel tap his arm with one finger. Understanding what she wanted, he dropped his arms from her. She caught herself on her feet without as much as a stumble.
As she moved to tuck herself under his arm instead, Jesse called out, "Kurt! Take a thirty minute break from wedding planning to come out with us."
Kurt didn't turn away from his conversation with Mercedes, just called back, "Why would I want to do that when you two are going to be attached at the lips?"
"Because Adam would be very disappointed if I dragged him all the way to Lima and he didn't get to meet you."
His head whipped around to stare at them. "Adam's in Lima?"
"He didn't have anything better to do during Thanksgiving Break," Jesse confirmed.
Kurt pursed his lips. Then he gave a small nod, "No more than thirty minutes though. I'm on a deadline."
They end up staying at the coffee shop for a long longer than thirty minutes.
Rachel and Jesse stay locked together the whole time. She sat on his lap with his chin hooked on her shoulder and his arms around her waist.
The five of them, because Brody ended up joining them rather than hanging around the house by himself, talk about Kurt's situation with Karofsky. Rachel asks Brody and Adam about their classes because both of them take more performance based ones than Jesse who's using his freshmen year to knock out his general classes. Kurt and Rachel talk about the upcoming wedding and the plans Kurt has made thus far. Brody tells them stories about his high school days while Adam answers all their questions about England.
It's fun and easy and Jesse can't help being a bit relieved about it.
Despite the fact that Rachel never seemed to mind when Brody interrupted their Skype sessions or that Adam always seemed to be texting Kurt, Jesse had been worried his two lives wouldn't mesh.
He'd been worried that Brody and Adam and NYADA and New York would be a part of himself that just wouldn't fit with Rachel and Kurt and small town Ohio.
It occurred to him when the sun had set and they were walking out of the coffee shop, still laughing over a story Adam had told that involved him chasing a frog through his school, that there was a reason for that.
The reason Jesse's two lives slotted together so well was because Jesse's life in Ohio was filled with people who were destined for New York.
Thursday and Friday pass in a flurry of activity.
Rachel and Jesse have breakfast with her fathers on Thursday morning and, other then Leroy asking if they used protection when they first come downstairs, no one really comments on the fact that Jesse clearly spent the night.
They go over to Jesse's afterwards. They push the large table and chairs in the St. James dining room off to the side and spend the afternoon dancing around the room. Rachel and Jesse's uncle waltz around the room. Brody taught Rachel a few complicated salsa steps he learned in dance class, Adam responded by leading her in a nearly flawless samba, and Jesse took her arm after for a mambo. Jesse's uncle laughed at them through all of it and told them he understood why they all went to a performing arts school.
They sing a bit when they're done. Brody wasn't as strong as the rest of them so he left the dueting and solos to Adam, Jesse, and Rachel but he joined in a few group numbers.
When they'd thoroughly exhausted themselves, Jesse took Rachel back to her house so she could spend Thanksgiving with her fathers.
He spent dinner laughing loudly with Brody, Adam, and his uncle. With three boys just out of high school and one grown man, they ate most of the ridiculously large feast his uncle's cook had made. They all make a point to thank the woman when she's leaving to eat whatever her daughter has cooked for their own meal.
After they've swept the table clean and done the dishes, they gather around the table and play poker. His uncle allowed them each one glass of whiskey since it was a special occasion then cut them off.
Their game wrapped up around nine when Jesse and Adam both went all in just to get it over with. Adam ended up winning.
Kurt and Rachel showed up at the doorstep at two am Friday morning and hauled the three of them out of bed for black Friday shopping.
The day was spent laughing in the cold air outside of a store as they waited for doors to open and driving Jesse's rover and Kurt's navigator at unsafe speeds to get to the next stop in time. They pick up everything from a toaster oven Brody really wanted for their dorm room to pile of CD's almost as tall as Jesse.
By the time they take Kurt back to his house and sort through all the purchases, it's time for Carol and Burt's rehearsal dinner.
After dropping Rachel and Kurt off at the venue, Jesse and the others went back to his house. They managed to watch one movie before all three of them were asleep in the living room.
Jesse was sat on the edge of Rachel's bed when he heard her bathroom door click open.
He craned his head to look at her and felt the air rush out of his lungs.
She looked gorgeous in her red bridesmaids dress. Her hair was pinned to the top of her head with two curls falling to frame her face.
"You are gorgeous," he murmured as he reached a hand out for her. She set her palm in his and let him tug her forward so she was standing between his legs. "Absolutely gorgeous."
"Thank you," she said. She reached up, tangling her fingers in his hair. "You look pretty nice yourself."
He hummed. His suit jacket was lying somewhere further up the bed, leaving him in his button up and black suspenders. "Thank you, darling."
He stretched up to peck her lips, only to have her turn away so he met her cheek instead.
"You'll mess up my lipstick," she offered as an explanation.
"Ah...can't have that can we?"
"Nope." She squeezed his hand in hers. "After though?"
"Absolutely." He stretched up to pressed a kiss to her forehead before pulling their hands apart. "We should get going. Kurt would never forgive me if I made you late to the wedding."
"I'm surprised he agreed to letting me get ready here instead of in the dressing room with the others," Rachel mused. She took a step away from Jesse, allowing him to twist to retrieve his jacket.
"I think he's just trying to give us more time together," Jesse answered. He stood up, pulling his suit jacket over his shoulders. "I'll be here next week, but you'll be back in school and preparing for sectionals."
Rachel gave a small hum in response. She asked, "What are Brody and Adam doing while we're at the wedding tonight?"
"Adam's dragging Brody out to some gay club over by Westerville." He grabbed his keys from her nightstand before holding his hand for her once more. Their fingers linked together as they started towards the door. "Apparently they want to make the ten hour drive back to New York hung over. Fine by me as long as they don't puke in my car."
He laughed when he saw Rachel's nose scrunch at the thought.
"Rachel! Jesse!" They looked down to find Hiram standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Let me get a few pictures of you before you leave."
"You know, it's not our wedding, dad," Rachel said as she led Jesse down the stairs.
"I know, but the two of you are all dressed up. It'd be a shame not to take a few."
"You'll see us all dressed up when prom comes around," Jesse pointed out.
"Since when do you two turn down photo shoots?" Leroy questioned. He was leaning against the door frame leading to the kitchen, a fond smile on his face as he watched them.
"We're running late," Rachel said. "We don't really want to risk Kurt's wrath."
Hiram held up two of his fingers, "Just give me two minutes. You'll still get there by 3:45 as long as Jesse speeds down the highway."
"Hiram, are you telling him to put our little star in danger?"
Hiram shot an exasperated look at his husband, "Honey, you've been going ninety down the highway with Rachel in the car since she was two."
Leroy let out a small laugh. "Indulge your father, Rachel."
Jesse and Rachel exchanged a look. Then they nodded.
"Alright, dad," Rachel agreed. "Two minutes! But that's it! Kurt really won't be happy if we're late!"
Jesse pulled himself out of bed early Sunday morning.
He'd been out late, after Burt and Carol left their reception New Directions made their way down to the lake for some good old fashion underage drinking since they hadn't been allowed any at the party, but at six o'clock he was standing in his driveway with Adam and Brody.
"You're gonna be getting back to New York around rush hour. If you crash my car before you get it to NYADA's parking garage, I will murder you," Jesse warned. He knew he didn't look very intimidating as his hair was still fluffy from sleeping and he hadn't bothered to change out of his pajama pants.
"You are such a drama queen," Brody said with a roll of his eyes.
"Brody..." Jesse growled.
"We'll be careful," Brody assured. "I promise to make sure Adam is driving on the right side of the street the whole time and not to let him behind the wheel once we hit the New York state line."
"Hey!" Adam protested. "That only happened one time! And it was only because I haven't driven since moving!"
"One time is one time too many," Jesse said. He wrapped his arms around himself. He cleared his throat before adding, "Car aside, just be careful okay? It's a long drive."
Brody's face softened. He reached out and patted Jesse's arm. "We will be. Thanks for inviting us this weekend."
"It's no problem. We've got plenty of room to spare as you've seen." He shuffled his weight from foot to foot before saying, "I know Adam's going overseas, but if you still haven't made up with your parents you're welcome back for Christmas."
A look of relief passed over Brody's face. He gave a small nod, "I'll think about it."
"Record sectionals for me," Adam said. "I want to hear Kurt and Rachel."
"I was already planning on it," Jesse assured. "Rachel likes to watch her performances so she can critique herself."
"And watch over him while you're here," Adam added. "I know he says things haven't changed much, but just in case."
"Absolutely," Jesse agreed.
Adam nodded slightly, content with Jesse's promises.
"Come on," he said, inclining his head towards Brody. "We've gotta get going."
"Yeah. Sure." Brody flashed Jesse a smile. "See you in a week?"
Jesse nodded. "See you in a week."
E/n: Whew! Okay this chapter is a monster by my standards. Usually I do around 1.5K, this one went on for a full 2.5 before I was settled.
Hopefully you guys enjoy it.
I will never get sick of writing the Brody, Adam, Jesse friendship. It is the pride and joy of this fic.
Review and follow/favorite if you enjoyed!