Hey everyone. Thanks so much for your reviews on the last chapter. I really appreciate them. This was my favorite Season 4 episode so I was definitely excited to write it. Not going to lie, I kind of wish we had gotten a Finchel baby after this so Finchel could have gotten back together. Anyway, enjoy this chapter and review if I should keep going!
For those of you who are interested, I also posted the first chapter of my version of Season 6 :)
Chapter 84: I Do
"Are you nervous?" Kurt asked Rachel as the plane started to land.
"Well... yeah," Rachel admitted.
"Don't be, Finn's probably going to be making googly eyes at you," Santana said. "And Finn would be a big improvement over that... thing in our apartment now."
Rachel would rather be with Finn than Brody, but she still wasn't sure if Santana should have said that. "Santana!"
"I'm not a fan of him either, Rachel," Kurt said. "You can do a lot better."
"Go on?" Rachel asked her friends. "Does this have anything to do with him sitting in your flea market chair naked?"
"He did that?" Santana asked. "That's gross!"
"He did," Kurt said. "And when Rachel was being a nightmare, he was encouraging it. He also wanted her to show her boobs on screen."
"Yeah, Rachel, let him go," Santana said.
As they walked off the plane, there he was. Finn. "Hey," Rachel said, smiling at Finn. She wanted to kiss him... but she was with someone... sort of...
"Wow, isn't this a surprise," Kurt said, giving his brother a hug.
"I thought I'd pick you guys up," Finn said. "So, how was the flight?"
"It was fine," Rachel said.
"You two look happy to see each other," Santana said.
"Yeah, kiss," Kurt mumbled.
Rachel wanted to kiss Finn, but she instead gave him a hug. "I'm so happy to see you."
"Me too," Finn said. "I know we're meeting at the Lima Bean for breakfast tomorrow, but I did want to pick you guys up."
"It's a nice surprise," Rachel said. "A VERY nice surprise." In a way, she'd wished that Kurt and Santana could be picked up by other people so she and Finn could have some time to themselves. But she also knew that she and Finn could have breakfast together tomorrow.
x
The next morning, Rachel went to the Lima Bean to meet Finn. She wondered if something was wrong, because he looked stressed. "Thanks for coming to meet me," Finn said. "I half-thought that Brody guy was gonna be with you, and I didn't think you'd want to spend your first Valentine's Day apart."
Rachel was tempted to say that she didn't want Brody to come, so she decided to make it seem like Brody didn't want to. "Yeah, it's actually a little bit of a point of contention between the two of us. He was I don't know, weirded out, about going to a stranger's wedding..."
Finn didn't look happy. "Okay, cool, cool. So I don't really need to hear about your new boyfriend that you're living with, all right?"
Rachel knew Finn was upset about something. "Finn, what's going on right now? You look like you slept in those clothes, and you won't even look at me."
Finn gulped. "I kissed Miss Pillsbury."
Finn had kissed someone else? Rachel tried to hide in how upset she was. By finding out who it was, she was feeling shocked as well. "Did she kiss you back?"
"No, she was totally freaked out by it," Finn rambled. "I don't even know how it happened. We've been spending all this time together, and then she was there, and I just felt the need to... And I kissed her..."
"Does Mr. Schue know?" Rachel asked.
Finn paused. "I don't think so. I don't think she'd tell him, but maybe I should."
If Miss Pillsbury hadn't returned the kiss, maybe it was for the better that Mr. Schue didn't find out. Rachel had to admit, she was glad she hadn't. "No. Don't. Just don't. Okay? Remember how you felt about Puck when you found out about him and Quinn? You kicked a garbage can."
"I'm the worst person in the world!" Finn declared.
Rachel looked at Finn. "No, you're not. What you did, it wasn't great, but I get it. You're confused and lonely. I'm sure that just knowing about Brody and I living together, it set you off."
"Not everything has to do with you," Finn snapped. He looked like he knew he'd hurt Rachel and his voice got calm again. "Look, I don't know what to do."
Rachel tried to think of something to say. "You always wanted to be an actor, right? So here's your chance to play the role of the supportive best man."
"So you don't think I should tell him?" Finn asked.
"Well, maybe ask her if she wants you to," Rachel said, still trying to get the image out of her head. She felt like a hypocrite. She couldn't expect Finn to wait for her forever...
"Are you okay?" Finn asked.
"I guess I'm just upset about that," Rachel said.
"But aren't you with that guy in New York?" Finn asked.
Technically, yes. But her heart wasn't in it. "Yeah... I miss you though."
"Well, you're here now," Finn said, giving Rachel a half smile. "What do you say we order breakfast?"
x
Finn decided to follow Rachel's advice and ask Miss Pillsbury if she wanted him to tell Mr. Schue. When he arrived in his former counselor's office, she was putting together some paperwork. "Oh, God I'd feel a lot more comfortable if this door stayed open," she told Finn.
"The whole wall is glass, and there's like fifty kids walking by," Finn said.
Miss Pillsbury still wouldn't look at Finn. "I don't have time for this, Finn. Seriously, this seating chart is like a giant sudoku. Will wants his mother as far away from the bar as possible, and all of you Glee kids have dated so incestuously that I can't even remember who can tolerate who anymore, so..."
Finn decided to get to the point. "Look, I'm worried about not being able to do this. Being able to look Mr. Schue in the eyes."
"Look, I'm really sorry that I don't have a pamphlet handy for you right now, but I'm pretty sure if I did, it would say something like, "Get Over It," okay?" Miss Pillsbury said. "My therapist says that I use my OCD to control the uncontrollable. Ever since I was a little kid, I would plan and plan and plan all my birthday parties but never actually went through with any of them because they were never ready by the time my birthday actually rolled around."
Finn hadn't been trying to kiss her. "I just wanted to help you."
Miss Pillsbury finally looked at Finn. "Look, when I get on that altar, and I make my solemn vows for the second and, I hope, the very last time, standing right behind my husband will be his best man. That's you, the guy who thought it was okay to kiss me a week before my wedding, the guy who is forcing me to lie to my fiancé. And if you really want to help me, then just keep a wide berth and keep your mouth shut."
Finn figured he had an answer to his question. Then he heard a knock on the door and saw Mr. Schue. "How's my nervous little bride doing?" Mr. Schue asked.
Miss Pillsbury looked at her fiance. "Um, good, I just, I just really could use some help with this seating chart."
Mr. Schue went over and kissed Miss Pillsbury. Finn wondered if that reminded her of what he'd done. "Right after Glee practice, I promise," Mr. Schue said. "Come on, Finn."
x
Finn had managed not to say anything, but he was still thinking about it. Mr. Schue had asked him to sing to them at the reception. He'd texted Rachel to ask for help, but then she replied to the text about an hour later, saying she'd just gotten it and she was on her way. Finn was glad, because he wasn't sure if the songs he had in mind were good choices.
"Where have you been?" Finn asked as Rachel arrived. "I asked you to come, like, an hour ago."
"I was getting a spray-tan," Rachel said.
"Mr. Schue asked me to sing him a song as my best man toast," Finn explained. "So far, I've narrowed it down to Confessions by Usher, My Best Friend's Girl, and Lying Eyes by the Eagles. I can't I can't go through with this."
Rachel gave Finn a smile. "You're gonna be fine, all right? I'll sing with you. We can do a duet. I'll take the lead, and you can just sway in the background." She gave Finn a teasing look.
Finn was glad to have Rachel back. "Right. Well, I think the real issue here is, whether or not you can handle singing with me. I mean, we do have some pretty dangerous musical chemistry."
Rachel giggled. "I think I can control myself. Although, I will admit, you do look very cute right now."
"I've been dieting," Finn admitted.
Rachel began to look through the sheet music. "I'll pick out a song."
"Well, if you want to sing with me, how about we do a duet together at the reception, and I do my best man song myself?"
Rachel smiled. "You know, I like that idea. I haven't gotten to listen to you sing in a while."
"Well, we'll need a song to sing together," Finn said.
"We should do Faithfully," Rachel said. "That's perfect for a wedding, and..."
"No," Finn interrupted. "That's OUR song. I'm not willing to share it."
Rachel giggled. "I see your point."
Finn thought the urge to kiss Rachel. All these smiles and winks and giggling and flirty looks... it was taking everything he had to hold back. Being with Rachel again made him feel better about everything. He looked through the sheet music some more and began reading the lyrics of a song called We've Got Tonight. "Rachel, look at this one. This would be good for you and me."
Rachel looked at it. "YES! I can see us sounding perfect on that."
"Yes," Finn repeated. "It's been too long since one of our legendary duets."
"Yeah," Rachel repeated. "Too long."
x
The wedding day was here, and Finn stood at the front of the church with Mr. Schuester. Since things seemed to have calmed down, Finn was finally feeling better. Maybe Miss Pillsbury had put what happened behind her. Maybe today could just go on like usual...
The bridal chorus began, and the door opened. But it wasn't Miss Pillsbury walking down the aisle. It was Coach Sylvester.
What was going on? Why was Coach Sylvester wearing Miss Pillsbury's wedding dress? Where was the real bride?
Coach Sylvester reached the front of the church. "Sue, what are you doing?" Mr. Schue asked.
Coach Sylvester looked at Mr. Schue. "I'm trying to stop this from becoming an utter fiasco." She turned and faced the congregation. "Emma's left the building."
Oh no.
Finn knew this was all his fault.
He'd ruined the day his mentor, his role model, his teacher had been looking forward to for years. All because Finn couldn't control his impulses when he felt attraction to Miss Pillsbury. The wedding guests talked to each other as they gradually left the church, leaving Finn with Mr. Schue.
Finn didn't know what to say. Miss Pillsbury wanted him to keep his mouth shut, but he wanted to apologize. "So, did she give you any idea why she might do this? I mean, like, leading up to today, did she - tell you anything?" Finn asked.
"She didn't have to tell me anything," Mr. Schue said. "I left her with all this stress and planning. She was losing it and I kept telling her that it was her usual obsessiveness."
"Yeah, but she left you at the altar, man," Finn said. "I mean, that's pretty hard-core."
Mr. Schue sighed. "You think there is something else? Do you think there's... do you think there's someone else?"
Yes. Finn knew there was. Maybe he should say something. Before he had a chance, Santana came in. "I have been chosen, probably because I'm numb to other people's feelings, to come here and ask what you would like to do, Mr. Schue."
"About what?" Mr. Schue asked.
"About the reception," Santana confirmed. "Miss Pillsbury's parents say they paid for the whole thing, so we might as well go ahead and have the party and if you ask me, they seem pretty happy about what happened."
Finn was definitely feeling too guilty to go to a party. "We can't have a reception now."
"Sure you can," Mr. Schue said. "All of you came back, you should be together. Just because I ruined my Valentine's Day doesn't mean I have to ruin all of yours, too. I'm gonna go see if I can find Emma."
Finn felt horrible watching Mr. Schue leave. He'd been deprived of the wedding he'd dreamed of, too. Santana looked at Finn. "What's up with you?"
"I just feel bad for him," Finn said.
"Me too, but I'm sure it'll work out," Santana said. "You know how she gets. Come on, let's get to the party. I think a certain big nosed girl would love to dance with you."
Well, Rachel probably would want to dance with Finn. But Finn wasn't in the dancing mood right now. He drove to the hotel where the reception was being held, took a seat at the table where he was scheduled, watching Kurt and Blaine sing and thinking about what he'd done. Why hadn't he controlled his impulses? He hadn't tried to get attracted to Miss Pillsbury...
Rachel came over to Finn. "You know that what happened today isn't your fault, right?"
Finn had a feeling Rachel was just trying to make him feel better. "How do you know?"
"Because I've seen every runaway bride movie that there is, and I know that when the bride runs away, it's never because of a random kiss, all right?" Rachel reassured Finn. "It's because she knew, deep down inside, that it wasn't right. Well, look, it's not everyday that we're in the same city, so let's dance."
Finn had to admit, that sounded good. "Yeah, let's dance."
x
Dancing with Finn had been so much fun.
When Rachel danced with Brody, it felt awkward, and she felt like she had to force herself to be into it. But when she danced with Finn tonight, Rachel felt so happy, so free. She could just enjoy herself, and it felt like she was finally becoming herself again.
After some dancing, Rachel went to get a snack when Coach Sylvester took the podium. "Today is the day we honor Saint Valentine, a man publicly beheaded for defying his government, by exchanging candies and chocolates to nonsensically render the objects of our affection more fat and less attractive. And in other nonsensical traditions, Emma left behind her bouquet as she fled the scene, leaving it to somebody else to toss these soon-to-be-dead flowers under the mythical belief that whoever catches them will magically become the next person to get married, or, more than likely, to sprint from the altar. So gather round, single ladies, and allow me to be the one to enable your false dreams and ridiculous expectations."
Rachel joined the gaggle of women as Coach Sylvester tossed the bouquet, and to her surprise, she caught it.
Rachel saw Finn eyeing her as the other wedding guests clapped. Rachel then went to the restroom, and when she left, Finn was waiting for her. "That's weird," Finn said. "See, traditionally only single girls line up to catch the bouquet." He took a flower and picked a petal off it. "She loves me."
"I am single," Rachel said. She had told Brody she didn't want any labels.
"You live with a guy." Finn took another petal. "She loves me not."
"Have you been drinking?" Rachel asked. By the way Quinn and Santana were acting, she was sure they were.
"You know, you were the one who told me to stop moping around and being such a sad sack," Finn continued, taking another petal. "She loves me. And it got me thinking about Will and Emma. About how relationships are a lot like flowers. If you find the right seed, put it in good soil, give it water and sunlight bam, perfect bud." He took another petal. "She loves me not. And then comes winter and the flower dies. But if you tend that garden, spring will come along and that flower will bloom again." He took a petal. "She loves me."
"Are you telling me that you want to be a gardener?" Rachel teased.
"I'm asking you how you can live with a guy but still be single," Finn confronted, taking a petal. "She loves me not."
Rachel knew Finn had a point. She just didn't want to come out and saw why she didn't want labels. "Come on, it's New York, okay? Haven't you ever seen Sex and the City? Brody and I had a very mature conversation. We just decided that we're not gonna, you know, put any labels on anything or worry about what we are."
Finn took a petal off the flower. "She loves me. So, do you really believe all that stuff you tell yourself about, you know, labels and mature conversations, Sex and the City, really?" He smirked as he took a petal. "She loves me not."
Rachel had a feeling that Finn knew why she was saying this. "You think I'm lying to you?"
Finn shook his head, taking another petal. "I think you're lying to yourself. She loves me. And I think that the reason you can't really commit to Brody is because you're still in love with someone else." He pulled the last petal. "She loves me not."
Yes, Finn definitely knew. "You?"
Finn looked at Rachel. "You and I both know how this thing ends. I don't know how or when, and I don't care where you're living or what dope you're shacked up with, you're my girlfriend. We are endgame. I know that and you know that." He dangled the flower in front of Rachel. Only one petal was left, and Rachel knew what it meant. "We got to go sing our duet, so..." She pulled the petal as she headed to the podium, letting Finn know she loved him. She always had, and she always would.
Finn joined Rachel at the podium, and the looks he was giving Rachel showed her that he was happy she had pulled the last petal. It felt good to be singing with Finn again. Since Rachel was in the second semester now, she'd sang with people in her voice classes more often, but nobody's voice went with hers like Finn's did. And his voice was so beautiful - this moment felt perfect, and she wished she could be up here singing with him forever.
Finn: I know it's late
I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Rachel: Still here we are
Both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from all that we see
Finn: Why should we worry?
No one will care, girl
Rachel: Look at the stars now, so far away
We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight, babe
Why don't you stay?
Deep in my soul
I've been so lonely
All of my hopes so fading away
And I've longed for love
Like everyone else does
I know I'll keep searching after today
Finn: So there it is, girl
We've got it all now
Rachel: And here we are, babe
What do you say?
Finn and Rachel: We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight, babe
Why don't we stay?
Finn: I know it's late and I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Rachel: Still here we are
Finn and Rachel: Both of us lonely
Both of us lonely
Rachel: We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
Finn: Let's make it last
Rachel: Let's find a way
Finn: Turn out the light
Rachel: Oh, come take my hand now
Finn and Rachel: We've got tonight, babe
Why don't we stay?
We've got tonight, babe
Why don't we stay?
At the end of the song, Finn held out his hand for Rachel. "I have a room," he whispered. "Want to go upstairs?"
"I'd love to," Rachel whispered. Her hand felt perfect linked with Finn's. So much better than it felt in Brody's. She went upstairs with Finn and into the room. She didn't even need to ask Finn why he'd gotten the room. She knew.
As soon as they were inside, Rachel began taking off her clothes, letting Finn know she wanted to sleep with him.
Finn looked surprised at first, but then he gave her a half smile and began taking off his clothes as well. Rachel climbed into the bed, waiting for Finn to join her. Finn got in the bed with Rachel and Rachel decided to make the first move. She leaned close to him and kissed him passionately.
"Wow," Finn whispered.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," Rachel whispered.
Finn leaned back and kissed Rachel. "I missed kissing you."
"I missed it too," Rachel said, kissing Finn again as she moved closer to him. "Finn, come into me."
"What will Brody think?" Finn asked.
"I don't care," Rachel said. "I care that you and I do this, now."
"Well, I'm fine with that," Finn said, moving into Rachel.
This felt amazing. Rachel had forgotten how good it felt. It had been so long, too long. But what mattered now was that they WERE doing it. Rachel wished they could just lock these doors and stay here forever.
"Harder," Finn whispered to Rachel.
Rachel was happy to oblige.
x
When Rachel woke up the next morning, she realized that what she'd done had been wrong.
She may not want to be with Brody, but she was with him. She'd cheated on him. This was what she'd done that had hurt Finn so much.
She couldn't stay here. She'd just risk more cheating. As much as she just wanted to drop everything and stay with Finn, she had a lease and a semester of college paid already.
So when she woke up, she left a note for Finn saying that her flight had been earlier than she remembered and that she hoped to see him soon. When she arrived at the apartment, it was decorated for Valentine's Day. "Hello? My God, this is amazing," Rachel said as she came in.
"Just a little something I threw together," Brody said. "Only took two whole days, but you're worth it."
Maybe Brody did like her. And Rachel couldn't just be adulterous to a guy who liked her. "Thank you."
"I felt bad about us not being together on Valentine's Day, but since, uh, Kurt and Santana are out until tomorrow, I thought we could take advantage," Brody said, kissing Rachel. "Did you kiss somebody else when you were away? You're kissing differently."
Yes. Rachel had kissed someone else. And this didn't feel good in the way that kissing that someone else did. "What if I did? I thought we were in a modern and open relationship."
"Yeah, we are," Brody said. "But, I mean, the key is that we are honest with each other with everything that we do. So, did you see Finn?"
Yes, Rachel had seen Finn. And she wished that she was with Finn right now instead of here. "Finn's fine. He lives in Ohio and I live here with you. Cool?"
"Like a cucumber," Brody said. "Thank you for being honest with me."
Rachel decided to turn things around. "Well, speaking of being honest, what about you, huh? Who did you see? Who did you do? Sure there are a lot lonely girls in New York City on Valentine's Day."
"I stayed at home and watched weightlifting videos," Brody said.
"Well, thank you for being honest with me," Rachel said.
"Care to join me in the bedroom?" Brody asked.
No. Rachel didn't want to go in there. She wanted to do it again with Finn. "Is it okay if I pass tonight? I have airplane belly."
"Of course," Brody said. "I am kind of worn out from the night before you left. I'm glad to have you back. I genuinely missed you."
Rachel didn't know how to answer that. She hadn't missed him at all.
x
Rachel's plane had been earlier than she remembered.
Finn was disappointed. He went downstairs for breakfast and saw Kurt there. "So, how was your night?"
"I slept with Blaine," Kurt said.
"What?" Finn asked.
"Yeah," Kurt said.
"Aren't you with that guy in New York?" Finn asked.
"I am, but..." Kurt began.
"It's okay," Finn said. "I slept with Rachel, too."
"Where is Rachel?" Kurt asked.
"Her plane left early," Finn said. "She had an earlier plane from what she remembered, apparently."
"Oh, I see," Kurt said. "So, how was it?"
"It was great," Finn admitted. "Best I've felt since..."
"Yeah," Kurt said. "I tried to hide it, but I haven't felt this good since either." He looked at Kurt. "And this week - she's been herself again. She's been the Rachel we know and love. Maybe having you around has something to do with it."
"Really?" Finn asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Kurt said.
Finn smiled to himself. He definitely liked the sound of that.
x
It had been a few days, and there was still no sign of Miss Pillsbury. No one had any idea where she was, and only Finn had an idea of why what happened that day had happened.
Finn arrived for Glee practice and saw Mr. Schue in the teacher's lounge, drinking coffee. He took the coffee cup away and poured it out. "Uh, that was a fresh cup," Mr. Schue said.
"Clearly it's not working," Finn said. "You're sitting there looking half-asleep."
"What has gotten into you, Finn?" Mr. Schue asked.
Finn couldn't say. He felt responsible for what had happened and he needed to make things right. "Everything. The whole situation it sucks, and it's time to fix it. No one ever felt better sitting around, moping, feeling sorry for themselves. That's what Glee Club, and you, have taught me over the years. Never shy away from a challenge, never back down, and no matter what, do not give up."
"I am not giving up," Mr. Schue protested. "I I just need time to process."
"Look, there's no time to process, Mr. Schue," Finn said. "Somewhere out there right now there's a Miss Pillsbury running around who should already be a Mrs.
Schuester. Emma needs her husband, and the New Directions! need both of their coaches. I'll be right by your side. I'm your best man. We're going to go and win nationals again together. And together, we're gonna find your wife, and we're gonna make things right."
Mr. Schue looked at Finn. "Okay. Thank you."
Finn didn't know if he could do this. But he could at least try.
x
It had been about two weeks since the wedding, and Rachel still hadn't stopped thinking about what happened. She just wished she could get on the plane and go back there. She missed Finn. But like it or not, she was here, and so was Brody.
Looking through her planner, Rachel tried to find plans for today. She quickly noticed that her period was due last week...
Oh no.
Had she and Finn used protection? She couldn't remember. What if she was pregnant? How was she going to explain that to people?
She had to find to find out first. Rachel went to the drugstore and picked up a pregnancy test. She went back to the apartment and peed on the test, waiting for the results to come in, hoping that it was just a coincidence that her period was late.
The pregnancy test beeped, and Rachel looked at it.
A positive sign.
Crap.
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