Hi! Thanks to everyone for all the reviews. I'm sorry it took a while. As you know, I was out of town last week and had very limited internet access. This episode isn't one of my favorites (I know most Finchel fans like it, but I really didn't like Rachel's dads or the Karofsky storyline) but I did add somethings in that I thought should have been there. Enjoy and review if you want me to keep going!
Chapter 60: Heart
Finn went to his locker and saw a folded note on it. He figured it was a little Valentine's Day note from Rachel with Valentine's Day so soon. But when he unfolded it, he got confused. "Come to the auditorium now. It's urgent. Love, Mandy Patinkin."
Okay. This was a trick of some sort. He knew Mandy Patinkin wasn't walking around school leaving notes on his locker. But he might as well go to the auditorium. When he got there, Rachel was already there. "Wait, what are you doing here?" Finn asked Rachel. "I got a note that says 'Come to the auditorium now. It's urgent. Love, Mandy Patinkin.'"
"Yeah, so did I," Rachel said.
Finn and Rachel began walking toward the stage, and then Finn heard two familiar voices singing "Going To The Chapel." Finn looked at Rachel's mortified look and knew right away who this was. What were Rachel's dads doing here?
Finn and Rachel walked up to the stage. "Dads, what are you doing here?" Rachel asked.
"Well, a little birdie named Burt, who owns a tire store, and his little birdie wife, who used to wear a lot of denim, told us that you guys were, uh, fixin' to get hitched," Hiram said. "So we thought we'd return the favor and surprise you."
Oh no. Finn knew he should have asked Rachel's dads first. What if they didn't approve? "Mr. and Mr. Berry, I am so sorry. It's only customary to ask the bride's father first, but..."
"We wanted to say... congratulations!" LeRoy interrupted. "And what better place than on the very stage on which you shared your first kiss?"
Well, at least they weren't mad. "So you're not angry?" Rachel asked.
"Not at you," Hiram said. "I'm angry 'cause evidently your father has been having recurring dreams about Hollywood heartthrob Tony Danza."
"One dream. I had one dream that Tony Danza and I went ice fishing, okay?" LeRoy said before turning back to Finn and Rachel. "We know you two really love each other. And if you're really sure you want to spend the rest of your lives together, the last thing we want to do is stand in your way."
"No, we wouldn't do that," Hiram said. "I mean, marrying in your teens usually, you know, doubles the likelihood of divorce... a fate that befell Liza and Barbra..."
"Are you really going to do this right now?" LeRoy asked.
"Oh, why, you know who else got, uh, just got divorced?" Hiram asked his husband. "Tony Danza! Yeah, did you hear that, LeRoy? Oh! Yeah, he's single now. Why don't you fire up those snowmobiles and give him a call? It's ice fishing season."
"What your dad is trying to say is that he's very excited to start planning his only daughter's wedding," LeRoy told Rachel.
"I'm so excited, yeah. But, uh, we are using the square tables," Hiram said.
"Well, we want to start with a Valentine's Day dinner at our house with the Hudson-Hummels," LeRoy continued. "We're going to be one big family, so... let's make a milestone out of it."
"You were raised to be proud of the decisions that you make. And if this is what you really want, sweetie, well, then you need to start shouting it from the rooftops!" Hiram said.
Rachel gave both her dads a hug, but Finn felt slightly uncomfortable. Something about this didn't feel right.
x
The assignment in glee club this week was to sing love songs in honor of Valentine's Day. Rachel and Finn were still trying to find the perfect song, but Rachel did have other things on her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about what her dads had said to her. She was worried about what the glee club would say, but her dads wanted her to be proud of the decisions she made.
Before glee club, Rachel told Mr. Schue she wanted to tell the group something. After Mike and Tina performed their duet, Mr. Schue turned to Rachel. "Rachel, you had an announcement."
Rachel took Finn's hand and headed to the front of the room. "Yeah, actually, Finn and I have an announcement we'd like to make. Finn and I are proud to announce... that we're finally getting married." She held up her hand, revealing her finger.
The glee club looked confused. "Wow! When's the baby's due date?" Puck asked.
"Wait, guys, have you both carefully thought this through?" Mr. Schue asked.
Why was everyone acting like this was so horrible? "Yes," Rachel said. "And our parents are totally behind us. And your plan to stop us by telling them totally backfired, Mr. Schue."
"Actually, I'm the one who told them," Kurt admitted. "Because I think you guys are making a mistake. A huge mistake."
"When's the wedding?" Quinn asked.
"The date is TBD, but I can assure all of you that we're gonna have a very simple and elegant ceremony at the Justice of the Peace, which all of you are invited to," Rachel said. "And we're registered at Samuel French."
"You guys aren't mature enough or old enough to properly face this type of commitment," Quinn said.
Rachel decided now that she'd had enough. "If you don't support us, then I feel sorry for you, and you're not invited to the wedding. Which makes me really sad, because I would have loved to have seen you in a bridesmaid's dress, Quinn. And you as well, Kurt."
"I'd be happy to be a bridesmaid, Rachel," Tina said. "I'm not sure I'm ready to get married, but I do know what being in love feels like."
"We'll be there," Mike added.
Rachel was glad to hear she had some support. "Thanks, guys," Finn said. "And we hope the rest of you all change your minds, because it would mean a lot to us if you were all there."
"Well, add me to the list of people who are wishing you guys the best in your marriage," Artie said. "However, let's stop the fighting and remind ourselves that Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching. So if you'll excuse me..." He wheeled to the front of the room. "Congrats though," he added.
Finn and Rachel took their seats, and Rachel made an effort not to say anything for the rest of the meeting. She was tired of arguing with people. After glee club, Rachel began heading to the courtyard when she heard someone call her name. "Rachel, wait up!"
Rachel turned and saw Santana. Was Santana going to give her a hard time now? "I didn't speak up in class, but I wanted to say that I'm 100% behind you," Santana said as they walked into the courtyard. I fully support your right to be unhappy with Finn for the rest of your lives. You should be able to love whoever you want."
Well, Rachel didn't think she'd be unhappy, but at least Santana was supporting her. "Thank you."
Then Mercedes came up to her. "Excuse me. Are you Miss Rachel Berry?"
Rachel knew Mercedes knew who she was. "Um, yeah." Then she noticed Sam, Quinn and a boy she didn't recognize with Mercedes.
"Well, we're the God Squad, and we're here to deliver a Vocal Valentine from one Finn Hudson," Mercedes said right before the boy Rachel didn't know began singing.
Joe: My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every no-o-ote
Make me your radio
And turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
Sam: Gym Class Heroes baby!
If I was just another dusty record on the shelf
Would you blow me off and play me like everybody else
If I ask you to scratch my back, could you manage that?
Like it Yeah!, check it Trouty, I can handle that
Furthermore, I apologize for any skipping tracks
Its just the last girl that played me left a couple cracks
I used to, used to, used to, used to, now I'm over that
Cause holding grudges over love is ancient artifacts
Mercedes: If I could only find a note to make you understand
I'd sing it softly in your ear and grab you by the hand
Sam: Just keep it stuck inside your head, like your favorite tune
And know my heart is a stereo that only plays for you
God Squad: My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every note
Make me your radio
And turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
Joe: I only pray you never leave me behind (Sam: Never leave me)
Because good music can be so hard to find (Sam: So hard to find) (Mercedes: Oh)
I take your head and hold it closer to mine (Merrcedes: Oh, Yeah) (Sam: Yeah)
Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind (Sam: Yeah, come on, wooh!) (Mercedes: Yeah!)
God Squad: My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every note
Make me your radio
And turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
Oh oh oh oh oh
To my stereo
So sing along to my stereo!
"Happy Valentine's Day. Love, Finn," Mercedes said at the end of the song.
"That was so sweet," Rachel said.
"So you guys are a Christian group?" Santana asked the boy they didn't know.
"Yes," the boy said.
"And if I pay, I can send a Vocal Valentine to anybody I want, right?" Santana asked.
"That's the deal," the boy said.
Santana handed them some money. "Well, awesome. In that case, I would like to send one to my girlfriend Brittany. And by that, I don't mean my friend who's a girl. I mean my girlfriend girlfriend. How does that sound?"
"We'll think about that," the boy said before leaving.
Santana turned to Rachel. "So they're just willing to blow me off?"
"I'm sure they'll do it," Rachel told Santana. "Sam, Mercedes and Quinn are in glee club with you, and they're good friends with you and Brittany and Kurt and Blaine."
"Yeah, but that Christian guy probably is like my abuela," Santana groaned.
Rachel paused. "I'm sure he'll come around. Hey Santana, why do you think I'd be unhappy for the rest of my life?"
"Because it's Finn," Santana said. "Didn't you listen when I said Finn was terrible in bed?"
"He wasn't for me," Rachel pointed out. She didn't want to get to into it. Even though she and Santana didn't hate each other like they once did, she didn't think they were at the point where she could talk about that with Santana.
"Well, I guess that's good, maybe he's gotten better," Santana said. "Well, I hope you're right and they decide to sing to Brittany."
x
Finn was in his room, working on his homework when Kurt came in. Usually Finn was glad to see his brother, but after what had happened at school today, he wasn't sure if Kurt coming in was a good thing. "Spare me the lecture, Kurt."
"What lecture?" Kurt asked. "I was just coming in to see if you wanted some of the chocolates Blaine sent me. There's way too many just for me." He held out a box of chocolate.
Finn reached out and took a chocolate. "Thanks. But I think you know what I'm talking about. Rachel's going to be here soon to help pick out a duet for this week's glee assignment, and I don't want to hear anymore about how wrong it is that I'm marrying her."
"Finn..." Kurt began.
"I'm not giving up on myself!" Finn said. "I have my whole life to figure out what I want to do with myself. I don't think I'm just going to turn into the purse holder."
"Well, if you insist," Kurt said.
"So Blaine's been sending you candy from his sick bed?" Finn asked.
"Yeah, isn't that sweet?" Kurt said.
"It is!" Finn agreed. "I'm glad you found him, Kurt."
"Me too," Kurt said as Rachel came in.
"Hi," Rachel said, coming up to Finn.
"Hi," Finn said, giving Rachel a kiss.
"I'll let you two work on your duet," Kurt said, leaving the room.
"I actually have a duet in mind," Rachel said, sitting next to Finn.
"Really?" Finn asked. "What is it?"
"Open Arms, by Journey," Rachel said. "I was thinking that would be a good one since we already did Faithfully and we've done some of their other songs."
"I like that idea too," Finn told Rachel. "So, what did you think of the things people had to say today?"
"I'm tired of it, but there's nothing we can do," Rachel admitted.
"Yeah, me too," Finn said. "I'm glad some people were suppotive."
"That's something," Rachel said. "I love you, and I want to spend my life with you."
"So do I," Finn said. "That's all that matters, right?"
"Yeah," Rachel said. "Let's see how that duet sounds, shall we?"
Finn gave Rachel a half smile. "Good idea."
Finn: Lying beside you
Here in the dark
Feeling your heartbeat with mine
Softly you whisper
You're so sincere
How could our love be so blind
Rachel: We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are
By my side
Both: So now I come to you
With open arms
Nothing to hide
Believe what I say
So here I am
With open arms
Hoping you'll see
What your love means to me
Open arms
Finn: Living without you
Living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
Wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
Rachel: But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
Both: So now I come to you
With open arms
Nothing to hide
Believe what I say
So here I am
With open arms
Hoping you'll see
What your love means to me
Open arms
x
A few days later, Finn and his parents went over for dinner at Rachel's dads' house. Rachel had to admit, the food was good, but her dads' behavior was a bit... odd tonight.
"Rachel and I performed our duet in glee today," Finn told their parents. "We did a Journey song. That was the band that did our first competition duet."
"I remember that duet," Burt said. "You two sounded great."
"Yeah, I'm still mad we didn't win," Rachel said.
"So, how are things in Congress?" Hiram asked Burt. "We voted for you."
"They're fine," Burt said. "I hope the tire shop is well taken care of."
"Without you, it seems to be a bit different," Hiram said. "The other day I went down there. We came back and I said I said, 'LeRoy, this guy sold us the wrong lube. That's why the rubber is squeaking. That's why it feels so weird when we start going really fast.'"
"Excuse me, Hiram, what are we talking about?" LeRoy asked.
"We're talking cars. Yeah, those clowns down at Local Lube, they don't know how to lube a car," Burt said.
"Hiram, the duck was divine and the house is exquisite," Carole said, clearly trying to change the subject.
"Thank you, sweetie," Hiram said. "Nate Berkus... a dear, dear friend."
"That's not true," LeRoy interrupted.
"Yeah, no, it's not, no, no, no, not true, but it feels like he is," Hiram admitted. "I love his designs so much. Everything is, you know, Nate, Nate Berkus."
"So, Mr. Berrys, how did you two meet?" Finn asked.
"Hey, that's a funny story. We were both in the international supergroup Up with People," Hiram said.
"Up with People was a sensation," LeRoy said. "Glenn Close, you know, she got her start on Up with People."
"Yeah, and we've been together ever since, which was in our late 20s, early 30s when we got together," Hiram said. "Uh, and on that note, may I make a toast to Rachel and Finn on this very special Valentine's Day? Finn, you're a fantastic... husky young man whom LeRoy and I simply adore, and it gives us such joy to see you make our little Rachelah so happy. Let me tell you the secret of a long and happy marriage... never go to bed without moisturizing. Bet you thought I was going to say never go to bed angry."
LeRoy picked up a glass. "Okay, let's get back on track here. A toast to the... Hudson-Hummel-Berry clan. And to Finn and Rachel. We love you both so very, very much."
Finn, Rachel and their parents clinked their glasses together. "Now dessert," Hiram said. "Oh, you know what we've got? Velvety Viennetta, and then we're going to commence with the teenage lovemaking. No, just kidding. No. We, we don't have Viennetta. They discontinued Viennetta years ago. We're gonna go straight to the teenage lovemaking."
Rachel didn't know what her dad was talking about. "I'm sorry, what?"
"What are you talking about?" Finn added.
"Your mom packed a bag," Burt told Finn.
"I brought your toothbrush and your jammies... your sleepy T-shirt and, and boxers," Carole said.
Finn looked embarrassed. "Mom."
"No, I did, yeah," Carole said.
"You're getting married, you're not kids anymore," Burt said. "As far as we're concerned, you're adults, so knock yourself out. Carole and I are gonna go catch a movie."
"Hiram and I are going to stay here, but we'll put on some music just so you don't think we're trying to listen in," LeRoy added.
So their parents had planned this behind their backs? Finn and Rachel went upstairs. "Do you think they're rushing things a little?" Finn asked Rachel.
Rachel was glad she wasn't the only one. "Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I always love spending time with you but I rather would have had it been that we plan it ourselves."
"That's how I feel too," Finn said as they walked into Rachel's room.
"I can't believe this is happening," Rachel said.
"I love you. Let's go to bed," Finn said.
"Okay. I know it's tempting, but, uh, no monkey business tonight, not with my dads around the corner," Rachel suggested.
"Of course. Are you gonna use the bathroom first?" Finn asked.
Finn didn't know about Rachel's evening ritual. "Yes, if that's okay because my ritual is pretty elaborate. First I shower. I'm more thorough than during my morning bath. The world is a very dirty place. Brush teeth, eyebrows, makeup remover, moisturizer, followed by an ice water face bath à la Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest... the height of glamour. Find something cute to wear. Text my dads to let them know I'm almost ready for my evening tea... well, we'll skip that one tonight. Then condition and brush my hair."
"That's - a lot," Finn said.
"Yeah," Rachel admitted. "I'll be out soon." She went into the bathroom and then heard Finn knock on the door.
"I kind of need to use the bathroom; it was a really big meal," Finn said.
But Rachel was in the middle of her ritual. "No, you can't do that here."
"Where am I supposed to do it?" Finn asked.
"Um, at your house?" Rachel asked.
"Hilarious... I'm just gonna jump in beside you. I don't mind if you stay," Finn grumbled.
Rachel didn't want to embarrass herself in the middle of her ritual. "Oh, for God's sakes, Finn. Can't you at least try to keep some sort of mystery until we're married?"
"What do you think it's gonna be like in New York?" Finn asked.
Rachel hadn't really thought about that. "We'll be on opposite schedules, so, you know, you can use the bathroom while I'm at school and I'll use it when you're at... when you're working or whatever."
Finn looked angry. "What's that supposed to mean? You don't think I'm gonna be doing anything in New York? You think I'm just gonna be around to bring you Diet Cokes and cheer you on?"
Big mistake. Rachel knew that Finn still wasn't sure what he was going to do. "I knew it. I knew one day you'd be intimidated by my success, but I didn't think it would be before we graduated." Finn began leaving and Rachel realized she'd made another mistake. She'd touched one of Finn's soft spots. "Where are you going?"
"The bathroom downstairs," Finn snapped. "I can guarantee one thing you're not gonna have to add to your little crazy-town nighttime ritual... getting into bed with me."
Rachel couldn't believe it. Was he breaking up with her? As she threw her brush, she thought that maybe she shouldn't be so OCD about her ritual. She sat on the bed and waited for Finn to come up. Hoping he would come up.
After a few minutes, he did come back. Then Rachel remembered that his bag was still here. She made an effort to speak first. "I shouldn't have been like that. I'm just used to having my own bathroom. I can change my routine around."
"I guess this is what it's really like," Finn admitted. "I'm sorry."
Rachel kissed Finn. "Yeah, me too." She patted her bed. "Snuggle with me?"
"Of course," Finn said as he lay on the bed next to Rachel. "I guess maybe we didn't know what it would be like. In marriage, we have to compromise."
"Yeah, I shouldn't have gotten so mad at you," Rachel admitted. "I really want to do this, Finn."
"So do I," Finn said. "You are the one."
"When do you think we should do it?" Rachel asked.
"Well, how about around Nationals and graduation?" Finn asked.
Rachel smiled. That would be the perfect way to end her high school career. "I like that idea. I'm really glad we kissed and made up. I mean, it is Valentine's Day, after all."
"Mm-hmm," Finn agreed.
"This whole living together thing and being right on top of one another... it's definitely a lot more challenging than I thought. It's like real life and stuff," Rachel admitted.
"I know," Finn said.
"I have to be honest. I was a little... afraid of what it would be like for us to really be married. I don't know. I think we can do it, right?" Rachel asked.
"I think we can," Finn said. "Except for one thing. It's 7:15."
Rachel looked at the clock. "You want to go to Breadstix?"
Finn gave Rachel a squeeze. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"Let's go," Rachel said. "It will be nice to be at the party with our friends."
"Is it okay if I spend the night at home?" Finn asked. "Like we said earlier, I always love spending the night with you, but it was - too much of a surprise, I guess?"
"Of course!" Rachel said. She and Finn changed clothes and went downstairs to see her dads. "Hey. We're gonna go go Breadstix. We decided that we want to just be with our friends tonight."
"And then I'm probably just gonna go home after," Finn said.
"Really?" Hiram asked. "Yeah, we thought we heard you guys squabbling up there. Cohabitating is not so easy, huh?"
"I hope this little experiment doesn't cause you to postpone the marriage for a few months," LeRoy said.
"Right, or years. Don't do that," LeRoy said.
"Actually, it's the opposite," Rachel told her dads. "We just decided that, you know, since it's gonna take us a little while to get used to one another, that we might as well just, you know, get started."
"We're getting married in May!" Finn declared.
"Right after Nationals! It's gonna be a spring wedding. I'll talk to you guys more about it when I get home tonight. I'm so excited. And I love you both very much," Rachel told her dads. She and Finn did still have some planning to do, but at least they knew it was happening. Rachel walked to her car with Finn to give him a ride to Breadstix. By the time they arrived, just about everyone was there - including Blaine, who had now recovered from his surgery enough to be with everyone again.
The night at Breadstix was fun, and as Rachel went to give Finn a ride home, Kurt came up to them. "Can I ride home with you guys?"
Rachel noticed Kurt looked a little uneasy. "Sure."
"Yeah, she's giving me a ride home anyway," Finn said. "I'm surprised you didn't want a ride home with Blaine."
At the mention of his name, Blaine came over. "Kurt, maybe tomorrow we could hang out?"
"Yeah, I'm just really tired," Kurt told Blaine.
Blaine gave Kurt a kiss. "Well, I love you."
"I love you too," Kurt said.
Finn, Rachel and Kurt headed to Rachel's car. "Are you okay?" Rachel asked Kurt.
"Remember those treats I was telling you guys about Blaine sending me?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah," Rachel said as she began driving.
"They weren't from Blaine," Kurt said. "I thought he was just signing 'your secret admirer' to be cute but they were really from a secret admirer."
"What?" Finn asked. That was exactly what Rachel was thinking. Anyone who knew Kurt and Blaine knew they were head over heels in love. "Who was it?"
"David Karofsky," Kurt admitted.
Rachel couldn't hold it in. "Kurt, that's the guy who threatened to kill you and drove you away from McKinley for six months!"
"Yeah, stay away from him," Finn said.
"He seems to be changing, but it was still bothersome," Kurt admitted. "I'm glad he seems to be improving his life, but I love Blaine, and there's a complicated history. He just showed up and revealed that it was him."
"What did you say?" Finn asked.
"I told him basically what I told you guys," Kurt said. "It's a bit odd. I've only seen him once at a bar since he left McKinley, and we spoke briefly... but most of my history with him isn't the best."
"I'd be bothered too," Rachel said.
"Please don't tell Blaine," Kurt said. "I didn't want to worry him but I just... I had to tell you guys."
"I'm glad you told us," Finn said. "Do you want me to tell him to leave you alone?"
"Since I told him I don't want to be with him, I don't think we need to worry about it," Kurt admitted. "But thank you for offering."
"We'll do whatever we can for you," Rachel said. She just hoped things would be okay.
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