CHAPTER 3 - DUTY CALLS - Part 1
Finn pulls the pillow over his head as Queen's 'You're My Best Friend' blares from the bedside table for the fourth consecutive time. "UGH Rach! Don't you know it's still too damn early?" He grunts out loud to nobody.
It's also extra frustrating to be pulled out of the incredible dream he was having – a dream that's now slipping from his mind's eye and back into the far recesses of his subconscious with every passing second. The little shards of images and sensations are fading fast. Vanilla and was it watermelon maybe? Silk and polka dots and a golden heart. He can't piece it together now, he can only still feel the warmth and the sense of peace from the dream but he can't recall for the life of him what it was about.
The room goes quiet for about 15 seconds before the silence is broken once again.'In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl, I'm happy at home, you're my best friend.'
Blindly grabbing the phone, he rolls over onto his other side and sinks his head back into his pillow.
"Mornin' Rach, I'm up. Not like I had a choice." Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he braces for her bright sunny morning disposition – something he's never possessed and still doesn't understand how or why she does, even after all these years.
"Finny! It's about time! Gosh I've been trying to call you for nearly twenty minutes now. I was worried you'd forgotten and overslept! Are you sure you're up?"
He rolls onto his back yawning and stares up at the ceiling, willing his heavy eyelids to stay open. "Yup."
"So you're not still laying in bed under the covers in your red and black checkered boxers trying to keep your eyes open?"
He lifts the covers to check. "No. They're the green striped ones with the yellow rubber ducks."
She giggles. "Oh okay, I stand corrected... Now GET UP sleepy head! Shoo yourself into the shower right now mister, I'll be over in twenty minutes. And you'd better be presentable by the time I arrive. We have too much to do today."
...FRFRF...
Upon arriving at Finn and Santana's condo, she lets herself in with her spare key. With a quick inspection and noting the absence of a certain 6'3" gentle giant, she realizes he must still be in the shower and goes straight to the kitchen to start the coffee. (He likes hers better than his own anyway and always has.)
She's halfway through cooking a pan of scrambled eggs as the toast pops when a smooth husky voice is suddenly vibrating in her ear. "Aww babe, you're cooking for me?"
Rachel jumps, startled at his sudden closeness and turns to smack him in the chest for scaring her half to death. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"You know you love it... and good to know I still have my stealth moves." He winks at her as he pours his coffee and then reaches around her for the sugar bowl in the cabinet above the stove. "Thanks for making breakfast, short stuff. What are you having?"
"Unlike you, I woke up early and was properly prepared to start the day, therefore I've already eaten. But I just knew I could either feed you now or be forced to stop somewhere along the way, inevitably making us late for the appointment. So chow down buddy, this is all you get til lunchtime."
"Yeah you're prob'ly right. Thanks for this.. And for the coffee – mmm sublime as always."
"Well thank you, Finny, and you're very welcome. Of course, as I've said repeatedly, all you need to do is learn to properly measure both water and coffee. Then yours would taste just as good."
"Nah. Yours is just better somehow."
She giggles and shakes her head. "Okay if you say so. Is San still in bed?"
Finn suddenly realizes he hasn't seen his fiancée this morning, and now that he's thinking about it, she wasn't in bed when he woke up either. Maybe he should be concerned that he's just now realizing this, but he figures he'll put a pin in that thought.
"Uhh.. no... she's um... OH, yeah said something about hot yoga? Whatever the hell that is."
"Oh! That's right I told her about the new studio that just opened! Hot yoga is the same as regular yoga, just in a hot sauna type environment. I went a few weeks ago and it was AMAZING. That instructor Dani, she really works you hard... she has a very hands-on approach with her students too, which I personally appreciate. I like when an instructor is very involved. She really helped me stretch the kinks out of my aching hamstrings, gluts and pectorals. It was probably the sweatiest I've ever been in a yoga class, but it was so worth it!"
Thoughts of sweaty chicks in skimpy work-out gear stretching each other's muscles make Finn consider taking up yoga for just a fleeting moment, but then he puts a pin in THAT when he notes the time of day he'd have to attend. Hard PASS.
...FRFRF...
"So Madame Sylvester, how many guests did you say can be seated in the largest banquet hall?"
"Well aren't you just sprinkled with fairy dust? No need for formalities Thumbelina, call me Madame S. Maximum seating capacity according to Manhattan Fire Code is up to 1000, but for weddings, most clients find 650-750 is much more comfortable, depending on your entertainment requirements."
Finn leans into Rachel's ear, turning his face away from the event hall coordinator to whisper, "Wow, do you really need this big of a hall Rach? Seems a little extreme, considering you barely know 100 people well enough to want to invite them to this shindig... who the hell is gonna fill a hall this size?"
"Jesse's side, apparently. He already has a large family, but his parents also have so many business and charitable foundation contacts, and he himself has a rather extensive list started... I'm constantly getting revised information from Janelle. They started at 350... I think the latest headcount was 435."
Finn's eyes grow wide as his head bobs forward. "Holy crap Rach! Are you sure this is the way you want your wedding to be? It sounds more like a Broadway after-party or a fundraiser event."
"It's fine Finn. Really. Jesse has been sweet enough to relinquish full control to me and anything I want; this is the least concession I can make for him and his family."
"Well, you're not s'posed to be marrying his family."
"I know, but in a way I sort of am. And even if I'll feel a bit lost at sea in this ocean of strangers, it's part of the compromise of marriage." Finn eyes her skeptically as she explains. "Besides, that's why your job is so important, after all... You'll be there to keep me grounded if I start to lose it, won't you Finn?"
His expression softens at the last thing she says. "You know I will – and I take that job very seriously. Okay, Bite-size. If you're good then I'm good. But uh, who the hell is paying for this Roman Colosseum?"
She excitedly claps her hands, "I have his daddy's platinum card," she replies with a twinkle.
He sniffs back a chuckle. "Of course you do. Well kid, let's see what kinda damage we can do with it then, shall we?"
She beams brightly at him then turns to the woman in the silver sequined tracksuit sitting across the desk in front of them, currently doing curls with 5lb dumbbells. "Yes Madame S, we think Ballroom A will be simply divine!"
"Fabulous! And will you and your Gigantor fiancé there be paying by cash, credit, or magic beans? If it's the latter, the exit is that way."
They glance at each other with slack jaws then in unison respond "She's not my fiancée." – "He's not my fiancé."
"We're just best friends, Finn you see is my Best Friend of Honor, we've known each other since childhood and–"
"Simply fascinating! Couldn't care less, time is money. Card please."
Rachel obliges, handing over the little plastic card as Madame Sue excuses herself to go print the contract. Finn pulls Rachel aside while they wait for her to return.
"Well, no way in hell am I booking this place. A, too expensive, B, that lady scares me. More than a little. Who puts sequins on a tracksuit anyway? It's weird."
"Well, our next stop is Deity Events in Brooklyn, which I think is better suited to you and Santana anyway. I know the location isn't quite as ideal but from the research I've done, I think you're going to really like it."
"Nobody knows me better, so I trust you Rach. Can't wait to see it."
After nearly four hours traveling to other potential venues, Finn decides Rachel was right, Deity was the best fit. He decides he'll speak to Santana first then return the next day with a deposit.
"So what's next on the master plan? Please say food."
"No, that's next week – and that's assuming I have at least a ballpark estimate of an accurate headcount."
"No, I meant for us today, for my stomach, like now."
"You're unbelievable. You just had an everything bagel deluxe turkey sandwich between the last two stops."
"That was like, hours ago Rach. I'm a big guy and we've been walking a lot, burning calories." He pouts and raises his hands in prayer as they continue walking at their New Yorkers in a hurry pace down the block.
"Oh, fine! You can be such a baby sometimes, but how can I deny that face." He fist pumps in the air a couple times in a show of victory. "How about that cute little bistro we passed a few blocks down? We can eat al fresco since it's such a lovely day."
Her concession earns her a kiss on the cheek as he casually slings an arm around her shoulders and they make their way along the crowded sidewalk. "Whatever you say, half-pint. I just need a real meal with MEAT and not your usual rabbit food. I won't survive 'til dinner otherwise," he says with his signature lopsided grin.
...FRFRF...
"So Rach tell me again why you're okay with this like, super-sized super ridiculously HUGE wedding event? Ever since I can remember, any time we ever talked about this stuff you said you wanted a small private affair. Close friends and family. Not a huge spectacle."
She stabs her fork at her garden salad before answering. "Well that's true, but like I said before Finn, this is part of the compromise of marriage. Yes it's still true, a smaller, more intimate wedding would be my personal preference, but a wedding isn't just about one person. It's a partnership, a give and take."
He listens carefully to her explanation and he knows what she's saying is perfectly logical – even if it sounds a bit rehearsed. Yet a nagging voice in his head says if this Jesse douche was really her perfect match, he wouldn't be expecting her to compromise on something she's been dreaming of her whole life. If they were really so compatible, he should be on the same page with her, wanting the same things she wants, or at the very least, giving her what she wants. That's how a man treats a woman properly in Finn's book.
But that brings him around to thoughts of his own wedding planning and his fiancée's apparent lack of interest thereof. It makes him wonder why Santana's disinterest feels so weird too... but then another pin is put in that subject.
"Don't get me wrong, I just wanna be sure you're not forcing yourself to do things just to make him happy, that you are really honestly comfortable with all of this compromise – which, I gotta be honest Rach, if this is how it is just to GET to the married part, what else are you gonna be compromising later, after the fact, when it's too late to just walk away? Sorry babe, I'm just looking out for your best interests, that's all."
Rachel is quiet for a moment, taking in everything Finn just said. She's studying his eyes and she knows he's speaking from a place of genuine love and friendship, of concern for her.
"No, no need to apologize, I understand Finn.. and you're very sweet to be so concerned. I know you're just looking out for me. But I promise, if I wasn't comfortable with this I'd be speaking to Jesse. And surely, you would know whether I was really uncomfortable or not. You read me like an open book most of the time."
He pulls a full dimpled grin and grabs her hand, lifting it up to examine her arm. He runs his calloused thumbs over her wrist and explains "That's just 'cause you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeve all the time... but I learned how to understand Rachel-speak a long time ago... I think I'm pretty much fluent in that language by now. So maybe you're right. You couldn't hide your unhappiness from me if you tried. I just hope you don't try, 'cause you know you can always talk to me about anything."
She smiles, a few tears collecting in the corners of her eyes, and places a small warm hand on his cheek. "I know I can, but it's nice to hear the reminder. And you know you can still talk to me about anything as well... And Finn, just so you know, that will never change, whether I'm married or not. You'll always be my person and I'll always be here for you."
He wraps her in a bear hug and rests his chin on top of her head. "I know Bite-size. And I love you for that. Just... I want you to be happy. That's all that matters."
As they continue to hold one another in a tight embrace, she says "And that's all I've ever wanted for you, too. You are happy aren't you, Finn?"
Honestly? He's starting to wonder if maybe he should put a pin in that.
"Sure I am. I just enjoyed a great meal in my favorite city with my favorite girl. What's there not to be happy about?"
She blushes and beams her megawatt smile. "You know that wasn't what I meant, Finny."
He tilts her chin up and gazes into her coffee-colored eyes. "I'm happy, Rach. So... where to next?"
"Hmm. How about the print shop? I was looking at some really elegant invitations online, but I need to feel the stationary in my hands to know if it will meet Jesse's expectations."
Finn exhales a little roughly as they resume walking. "Why doesn't Jesse just go with you then if he has these kinds of expectations that need to be met?"
"Finn... you know he's busy. Spring Awakening is taking up all his time in pre-production, and it won't be long until I'm expected at rehearsals, so I'd really like to get as much of this–"
He lets out an exasperated breath. "Okay okay, Rach I know. I get it. His family is a giant pain in the ass, but I get it."
"I just want things to be perfect. And I want them to love me."
"Rachel, how can they not? Because if they don't already then there's something wrong with these people."
"Well yes, they do, I suppose.. At least I hope so anyway. Jesse claims they do. I just don't want to make any poor choices that will disappoint them. They'll be my in-laws and I want to make them happy too."
"Stop people-pleasing your way through your own wedding, Rach. Seriously. I won't let you. I can deal with you making compromises for the guy you're marrying, but.. You're starting to sound like high school Rachel, all insecure and stuff. And no way will I let you feel like that for your own wedding. I'll deal with his parents myself if that's what I have to–"
"No! Finn, don't be ridiculous. And I'm not people-pleasing. I just care what they think. They're becoming my family. And they ARE paying for most of this extravaganza, so..."
"Right, an extravaganza they want but I know for a fact that YOU don't."
"Stop Finn..please? Look, I know you never say it and it's probably to protect my feelings, but I am well aware that Jesse isn't your favorite person."
"What was your first clue?"
"You're funny. That would be from the first night you met him and told me he was a douche and called him St Jackass."
"Did I say that to you?"
"Yes. You were quite inebriated at the time, but yes."
"Oh yeah.. I sorta remember that now. Glee bonfire at the lake. Well hell Rach, that was like, junior year. And I'm sorry, but I stand by that – he is kind of a douche."
She's looking at him with narrowed eyes like she has x-ray vision. "Do you even know what a douche actually is, Finnegan?"
Huh. "Come to think of it, no I guess I don't, actually. Never really thought about it before."
"Well, I will leave that to you and Mr. Google to sort out later in the privacy of your own home, then perhaps you'll find alternative adjectives to insult people with going forward. I guess also, I'd just appreciate knowing that you won't silently be thinking of me as Mrs Douche, or Mrs St Jackass in the future. I mean, Santana isn't always the warmest person and she constantly calls me a Hobbit or Dwarf – the Grogu thing was new and maybe even kind of cute – but you know, I don't make up ridiculous names about her."
"Hey, hey... first of all I'd NEVER think that of you Rachel. Never. And secondly, yeah.. You're right. Tana needs to quit calling you names, but y'know, it's kinda what she does to everyone – me included – so it's not just you. But if it hurts your feelings I'll get her to stop."
"Don't worry about it Finn, I'm fine. I don't want you to stir up trouble at home either. So just let that sleeping beast lie... but also, I do sort of wish you'd get to know Jesse better. Ooo! Maybe the two of you can go tux shopping together?"
"Tux shopping? Uh... isn't he gonna have someone like a fancy designer make him a custom tux?"
"Sure he is – but I was referring to your tux. You could invite him along, maybe, I don't know, have a 'bro lunch' date, isn't that what Noah would call it?"
Finn burst out laughing. "Ahhh yeah, I guess he would. Um. Shi–uure. Fine if it'd make you happy... ugh... yeah okay. I guess I could do that."
He figures that must have been the right answer since it earned him a sweet kiss on the cheek and a big hug. GREAT! Tux shopping with the super douche! Can't wait!
...FRFRF...
The next day finds Finn and Rachel headed to Beistial Bliss Bakery. Rachel had scrunched her nose at the name of the establishment, feeling it sounded a bit suggestive and dare she think, even downright lewd, but it had been highly recommended by her future in-laws, so she went ahead and booked the cake tasting session.
She was quite pleasantly surprised when they'd arrived to find the most charming and delightful bake shop she's ever been to.
"I must say, Chef Beiste, your little shop is simply divine! I'm so impressed with all these specialty cakes. And your flavor profiles are so wonderful, you must have quite the palate! All of these delectable samples you've prepared for us today have been just scrumptious; I simply don't know how we're going to choose!"
"Please, sweetheart, call me Shannon. And thanks very much. Grandma Beiste's recipes sure help, but I must be doin' somethin' right too, seein' as your fiancé there has cleaned his plate of all six of his tasting slices in record time!"
Finn's mouthful of cake renders his attempted response inaudible, so Rachel places her hand on his forearm and clarifies with a sunny smile, "Finn, not with your mouthful please. Shannon, this isn't my fiancé. We're best friends – in fact, we're each other's Best Friend of Honor to be precise – in spite of his rather poor table manners. As you can see, he certainly isn't shy about his love of desserts; his mother and I lovingly refer to him as Captain Sweet Tooth. This is the appointment he's MOST been looking forward to all week!"
Shannon narrows her eyes skeptically. "Really? Not your fiancé? Huh... funny, I woulda pegged you two as lovebirds from three football fields away. My apologies. Gotta say, you make a cute couple though."
Finn and Rachel both blush and laugh awkwardly as Rachel attempts to steer the conversation back to the point.
"Yes well, umm.. I think I personally enjoyed the lemon crumb torte with the vegan strawberry cream cheese frosting the most. The blackberry compote filling was also incredibly sophisticated and would pair well with the lemon sponge also. But I'd bet my life that Finn's favorite was the triple chocolate truffle, with the strawberry supreme as his runner up."
Finn sips his water and finishes swallowing the last of his cake. "You know me too well, Bite-Size," he beams a full dimpled grin, revealing bits of chocolate stuck to his front teeth. Rachel immediately grabs a napkin and tries to clean it off. "Thanks Ross... did you get it all? I think I still taste chocolate."
"It looks like it, but you should go floss anyway."
Shannon caught the name switch-up and couldn't resist probing. "Is that some kind of Ross and Rachel in-joke, like a FRIENDS tv show reference?"
Rachel couldn't help her giggles. "Oh! No, but it's funny you'd ask – I get this question quite often – but no. Finny used to call me his little 'ray of sunshine' when we were much younger. He eventually whittled it down to the acronym R-O-S-S because he was too lazy to write it all out when we passed notes in class back in middle school."
Finn nodded in agreement and winked at her. "But Rach, y'know it wasn't purely about laziness, it was faster too. Remember how Miss Crachet used to give us the stink eye all the time, just waiting to bust us? She used to read confiscated notes out loud to the class, so I had to be quick to not get caught!"
Rachel's musical laughter at the trip down memory lane filled the little pastry shop and made Finn's heart swell.
"Well I'd agree that Finny pegged you just right; you do seem like a perfect little ray of sunshine, and he's just as cute as a two-tailed baby opossum sucking on a heffer's teet." Chef leans in a little closer to Rachel in a rather loud whisper to ask "Are you really sure he's NOT your fiance?"
Once again Rachel is turning a slight shade of crimson, and wondering to herself why everyone keeps making this assumption. Finn senses her discomfort and comes to the rescue to again redirect the conversation.
"Yeah, Rach uhh, you were really spot on about the triple chocolate. I mean, the only thing that could make it any better is some peanut butter frosting – not that it isn't totally awesome just the way it is."
"But Finny, peanut butter disagrees with you, so it wouldn't be a very prudent choice. In fact, I specifically asked her to avoid any cake presentations with peanut butter to spare your suffering later. I still think you need to be retested for peanut allergies..."
"Aw babe, you know I got a new prescription. And the doc said it was a sensitivity which is different from an allergy. I don't have to avoid it altogether... anyway, isn't it always you saying how moderation is key?"
"Yes, well I was referring more to your alcohol and pizza and wings intake, but certainly it applies to your penchant for sweets as well."
"Hey! Are you implying I drink too much? Because Rach, I promise I've been doing better, only a beer with dinner, y'know, unless we go out to a club or something, but even then..."
"Finn, no of course I do not think you drink too much! And yes, I'm well aware you've cut back. I just worry about your health, that's all."
"I know you do, and I love that you care so much. And hey, I've even been trying some more vegan stuff when I go out. I forgot to tell you, a couple weeks ago I got that spinach souffle thingy you recommended at Jarrod's Veggie Hut. Babe you were SO right, that was all kinds of awesome!"
"You did really, you went to Jarrods? I'm so proud of you Finny!" She plants a sweet kiss on his cheek. "See, I told you, vegan dishes don't all taste like cardboard... you just don't like tofu, that's all. You should have called me to meet you though, I would've loved to see your face when you tried the souffle."
Finn reaches out and tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Well you had that thing at the theater that day and I knew you'd be busy, so..."
Chef Shannon liens her chin against her hand, elbows planted firm on the table, waiting and watching the exchange like a spectator at a tennis match. If these two weren't just a match made for one another then she's a baboon's great grandmother. She's seen her share of couples in love and surely feels qualified to recognize it when she sees it. She just wonders how long it'll take for them to figure it out... and kinda hopes she still gets the cake order for THEIR wedding.
"Alright pumpkins, I'd love to sit here and listen to you two go back and forth all day, honest I would because you're really entertaining and more adorable than my Uncle Pete's blind three legged mule on a picnic with a goat. Heck you're so gosh darn sweet together I could just bake you up in a pie. But I have another couple coming in about fifteen minutes. So do you two crazy kids need more time to sort of flavors? You said you were ordering for two separate weddings, right?"
"Uhh.. yeah, my wedding is first, a week before Rach's. I think Tana would like the Mexican hot chocolate torte, and for sure I love this triple chocolate... and YES Rach before you say it can't be all chocolate, I'll add the uh... hey Rach, you liked the coconut one too right?"
"Yes, that was in my top 3 as well!"
"Perfect. Yeah, the coconut with maybe just a vanilla buttercream is on the list."
"Okay and how many guests are you expecting?"
"Uh, 100-150 maybe?"
"And you want the traditional tiers? Round or square?"
"Yeah traditional... square is pretty cool, isn't it Rach?"
"It fits you..., and Tana. Yes I'd go with square – oh! But you could also do the middle tier as a round. You know, change it up a little."
"Yeah that could be cool... or those topsy-turvy cakes, y'know the ones that look crooked."
"Those are more appropriate for say, your groom's cake. Why don't you get a groom's cake in your beloved chocoholics dream, and have it be the crooked cake. You could even add a red velvet in there. You know what Finn, I think I'll just make your groom's cake."
"Rach you're too busy for tha–"
"Nonsense! I want to do it for you. I'm never too busy for you!"
"Okay you two... I really have to get ready for my next appointment. How about this? Take my card, it has the website address and you can take some time to decide exactly what you want, then place the order through the website. If I have any questions or you need to go over more details with me, I'll call and maybe we'll set a follow up appointment if needed. Sound fair?"
Rachel feels a slight flush spread across her cheeks. She's normally much more focused than this and is internally shaming herself for letting things spin out of control with Finn during this meeting. "Yes Shannon.. Sorry we sort of got.. Distracted. We seem to have a tendency to get off topic sometimes. Apologies to your next appointment in case we've made you late."
"Nonsense. I can't imagine being this entertained again any time soon.. You two kids have a great day."
...FRFRF...