So, after finishing Chapter 5, I realized that there was still quite a length of time in the storyline from where we last see Finn to the day they say he died. Probably about a week. So with this chapter, I've decided to kind of fill that gap even more. Onto the Finchel goodness.
Chapter 6:
Rachel slowly removed herself from Finn's lap, trying not to wake the sleeping giant. She made her way to the kitchen where she found Carole sitting at the island, staring into a glass of water. "Mind if I join you?"
"No, sweetheart. Have a seat." Carole replied with a small smile. "Is Finn asleep?"
"Yeah, he fell asleep about halfway through Funny Girl." Rachel responded, grabbing herself a glass of water before sitting across from her at the island. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to make some sense of a couple things." Carole explained.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Rachel asked taking a drink of the water. "I can be a good listener when I need to be."
"Mmm. I'm just not sure why it took almost a week for the hospital to inform me about Finn's accident." Carole started.
"Wait, what!" Rachel exclaimed before clapping a hand over her mouth. "Why did they wait so long?"
"I never really thought to ask, I was more worried about Finn when they told me." Carole explained drinking some of her own water.
Finn woke to the sound of the tv looping the title screen for Funny Girl and he immediately wondered where Rachel ran off to. He heard voices coming from the kitchen but didn't think anything of it until he heard what he knew was Rachel's voice, raise an octave. Finn was now concerned so he grabbed his crutches leaning against the wall and carefully got off of the comfy chair to move towards the kitchen.
Finn caught the tail end of his mom's statement as he nudged the door open. "What's going on?"
"Finn! You shouldn't be up. You should be resting, especially with that leg." Rachel said gently, moving towards him.
Finn waved off her concern and looked at his mom. "What were you two talking about?"
Rachel sighed and helped him to a stool before she decided to speak. "She was just telling me that it took the hospital almost a week before they informed her of your accident."
"Wait, I was unconscious for almost a week and no one was told?" Finn said in shock, glad he was sitting down.
Carole nodded, watching her son intently. "I'm not sure exactly why it took them so long but as soon as I got to the hospital and I saw you, that's when I informed Kurt. It took them about a day to get back to Lima so I only knew for about forty-eight hours before you woke up. I promise, honey, I'm going to get to the bottom of why it took so long."
"That doesn't make any sense. I had my ID in my wallet, which they found." Finn said picking at the countertop.
"I know it's confusing Finn, it is for us too. Let's not worry about that right now. You're home and that's what matters to me." Carole replied getting off her stool to hug Finn.
Finn nodded, solemnly. His mind was running with a million questions. "Rach, can you get me some water? I'm a little thirsty."
Rachel nodded while keeping an eye on him. She knew he was also wondering why it had taken so long. She filled a glass quickly and handed it to him. She could tell that he wasn't really concentrating on what was going on around him. She placed a hand on his back and rubbed gentle circles against his shoulder blades as he took a drink.
"Are you hungry, sweetheart? I made some spaghetti a little while ago." Carole asked him.
"I could eat." Finn nodded, distractedly.
Carole moved to the fridge to make him a plate as Rachel leaned down and kissed his cheek before whispering in his ear. "Don't worry. Like you said we'll figure everything out, right?"
Finn nodded giving her his signature half smile that he reserved only for her. He took her hand into his own and interlocked their fingers, giving her a light squeeze.
Rachel's phone started to ring and she pulled it out of her pocket before letting out a groan.
"Who is it, Rach?" Finn asked her gently.
"It's the Funny Girl producer." She sighed.
"Well, you should answer it. At least talk to them." Finn replied as he released her hand when his mom set the steaming plate in front of him. She placed some fresh Parmesan cheese next to it. "Thanks mom."
Rachel stepped out of the room to take the call and took a breath before answering. "Hello?"
"Rachel, hi. I know your in Ohio for a bit but I wanted to discuss with you on when you would be back in New York to start rehearsals." Rupert, the producer started.
Rachel decided to step out on the front porch so she wouldn't be interrupted. She took a seat on the bench before replying. "That's actually something I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to thank you for choosing me for the role of Fanny but I think you should give it someone else. I don't think I'm going to be returning to New York, at least not for awhile."
"Rachel, what are you talking about? You've worked so hard to get this role." Rupert replied.
"I know but I can't leave right now."
"Well when do you think you might be returning, we can postpone the show until then." Rupert tried to compromise.
Rachel sighed and rubbed at her eyes. "I don't want you to have to do that. It could be close to a year before I return."
"Why so long?"
"My ex-fiance was involved in a car accident and he is still recovering..." Rachel started before Rupert interrupted.
"The accident was that severe? That you need to be gone for almost a year?" Rupert said in shock.
"No, I just...he's studying to be a teacher and I would never ask him to give that up just so I can be happy, not when he's finally decided what he wants to do. I can't be happy in New York unless he's with me, so until then...I'm staying here with him. I'm not sure if I'll ever end up going back." Rachel replied. "But I wanted to thank you for the opportunity and making me realize that my dream there did come true. I got the part of Fanny, even if it was only for a little while."
"Hmm. I not sure I entirely understand your decision on this but I do hope you'll audition for another one of my shows in the future." Rupert replied with a sigh.
"We'll see. Thank you for your time." Rachel said before hanging up the phone. She set the phone on the cushion beside her and let out a deep sigh. She just hoped she made the right decision. She knew she did when it came to Finn and he would support her decision but it still felt like a chapter of her life was ending in a big way.
She wasn't sure how long she was sitting there, when the front door opened. She looked up and saw Finn hobbling his way toward her. The light flickered on overhead and she knew Carole must turned it on. He smiled at her as he carefully sat down beside her. She smiled back a little sadly and took his hand, interlocking their fingers.
"How'd the phone call go?" Finn asked her gently. He was trying to get her to look up at him.
Rachel let out a big sigh and squeezed his hand before replying. "I made my decision about Fanny."
"What did you decide?" Finn replied lifting her chin with his index finger so he could see her eyes.
"I gave it up. I told him that I wasn't sure when I would be returning to New York or if I ever would. He understood in the end." Rachel said softly.
"You gave up your dream role? For me?" Finn asked, astonished.
"I realize that my dream there did come true. I got the part of Fanny, even if it was only for a short while." Rachel replied, looking down at her lap again. "Finn, I would never ask you to give up your studies to be a teacher, just like you would never ask me to give up Broadway. You begged me before sending me to New York to surrender...and I did for awhile. I've surrendered and now it's time for you to do the same."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
So that was Chapter 6! What do we think of Rachel's decision! Realistic? Also, do you think that Finn's going to end up putting is foot in his mouth, like he usually does when it comes to Rachel? Or will they prevail this time? As always please review and tell me what you think so far. I love reading them all and it helps me steer this storyline into a way that I feel could have actually happened.