Chapter 14:
It had been a few days since their date and Rachel was laying in his bed, scrolling on her laptop. Finn was sitting at his desk, trying to catch up on some schoolwork that he was falling behind in.
Finn was in the middle of writing an equation down when Rachel's phone started to ring. He looked up and watched her as she looked at the caller Id. She frowned and brought the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
Finn watched her throughout the phone call, trying to gauge what the conversation was about. Rachel hung up a few minutes later, stunned and Finn moved to her side. "Who was that?"
"Rupert, the director for Funny Girl. He was letting me know that they agreed to postpone the show until I return to New York." Rachel replied in shock.
"That's great, babe!" Finn exclaimed. "You still get to do your dream role."
"Yeah." Rachel said quietly.
"What's wrong? I thought you would be happy." Finn asked her. He took her hands into his and caressed the back of them with his thumbs.
"I've told you that I don't want to leave you. They could be waiting forever." Rachel explained.
"What do you mean?" Finn asked confused.
"I don't want to return to New York unless your with me. I can't go through that kind of separation again." Rachel explained, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't even know if going to New York is something you would want."
Finn reached up to cup her cheek in his hand. "I know that being separated from you all this time has been rough for me as well. You never gave my heart back when you left that day in the auditorium. I only felt it start beating again the day I woke up and saw you sitting next to my hospital bed. I love you, Rach. More than words can explain and I would follow you anywhere because you are my life. You are endgame for me, babe."
Rachel's tears fell and she squeezed the hand that still held hers. "You would really go to New York for me?"
"I will do whatever makes you happy. If you want me with you in New York, then I will be there." Finn replied giving her a half smile.
Rachel threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. "I love you so much!"
"I love you too, baby." Finn smiled, kissing her head lovingly. "You want to help me with my school work?"
Rachel laughed. "No way. I have enough to deal with when it comes to rehearsals."
"Doesn't look like your doing much rehearsing, over there on MySpace." Finn teased.
"That was before I found out that they were putting the production on hold for their star and that her amazing boyfriend would be coming back with her to New York." Rachel replied cheekily.
"I am pretty amazing, aren't I?" Finn responded with a grin.
Rachel pecked his lips gently and whispered. "The best."
Finn had started researching schools to continue his education in New York. He found a couple good options and found a few apartments for rent nearby. The best part was that they were close to theatre where Rachel would perform as well. He smiled to himself and looked over his shoulder at Rachel, who was supposed to be watching Funny Girl for 'research' as she put it.
She had fallen asleep on her right arm and had an earbud in her left ear, so she wouldn't disturb him. The movie was clearly still playing on her laptop. He chuckled to himself and moved towards her. He closed the laptop lid and gently tugged the earbud from her ear before covering her with his blanket to let her sleep. She needed it. He turned out the lights, leaving the soft glow of his desk lamp before heading upstairs to get something to eat.
Rachel woke hours later and looked around the mostly dark room for Finn. She frowned when she didn't see him and moved to get up. Her neck was killing her from the position she slept in and she groaned as she sat up. She pulled on one of Finn's T-shirts and made her way up the stairs.
She found Finn in the living room with Burt watching a football game. She smiled to herself before making her presence known.
"Hey, baby. How did you sleep?" Finn asked her with a smile. He gestured for her to sit in his lap and she gratefully accepted.
"It would have been better if I hadn't woken up with such a crick in my neck." Rachel replied rubbing at the back of her neck.
Finn gently turned her in his lap so her back was to him and started to massage her neck carefully causing Rachel to let out a little moan of appreciation. Burt chuckled and dismissed himself to the kitchen. Finn had told him all about his plan to follow Rachel back to New York. He leaned down and gently kissed her neck. "Is that any better?"
"Much. Thank you so much." Rachel said, turning in his arms to place a sweet kiss to his cheek.
"Are you hungry?" Finn asked her.
Rachel shook her head and rested it on his chest. "I just want to lie in your arms for awhile."
Finn smiled and kissed her head softly. "Anything you want, baby."
She lay on his chest, just breathing in his scent and listening to his voice as he cheered at the game on tv. She smiled, thinking this is what her life will be like forever. In between shows and rehearsals, she could cuddle up with Finn on their couch and just watch whatever. As long as he was there.
"What are you thinking about?" Finn whispered softly in her ear. She looked up at him and smiled.
"About our future." Rachel replied softly. "I love just being here with you like this, it doesn't matter what we're watching. I could spend forever doing this... but only with you."
Finn smiled and kissed her passionately before pulling back to look into her eyes. "I feel the exact same way but I don't want to rush this. We were almost married once before and I don't want to rush things this time. I know we are forever."
Rachel nodded and placed her head back on his chest. "I know that too and I'm in no hurry. I know we are meant to be but we were so young before. I don't think we were ready then."
Finn nodded. "You think we're ready now?"
"Well no, not right now. Maybe in a year or so, when you finish college. All I know right now, is that being apart from you this past year has been absolutely terrible. I don't want to spend another night without you next to me." Rachel explained.
"Wouldn't that be rushing things? Sleeping together?" Finn asked with a smile.
"I'm not saying we would have sex, Finn. I'm just tired of being lonely, you know?" Rachel replied, looking down at her lap.
Finn tipped her chin back up, not wanting her to feel ashamed of how she felt. "I know what you mean. I've been lonely too and I was only joking. You want me to move in with you?"
"Well yeah, I mean unless you don't want to." Rachel replied.
"Of course I want to, Rach. I want to spend every waking minute with you. I have a year of heartache to make up for and I promise that I will make up for it." Finn promised her, placing a lingering kiss to her forehead.
Finn decided to take Rachel on one last romantic date in Lima before they headed to New York. He made reservations at Breadstix for seven-thirty and planned a special surprise for her after. He told her to be ready to go by seven and she did not disappoint. She decided to not have Kurt help her this time and Finn was practically drooling at her choice.
She was dressed in a tight black mini skirt paired with a fire engine red halter top and her Finn necklace. He smiled at that touch, he loved seeing his name at the hollow of her throat. Her makeup was light and natural, he loved her with no makeup but didn't complain when she wore it. He took her hand and gave her his biggest smile as he kissed her cheek.
"You are stunning, as always." He whispered against her skin.
Rachel shivered and blushed at his words. "We're going to be late if you keep complimenting me like that."
Finn smirked. "You're right. There's plenty of time for that later."
He took her hand into his and she interlocked their fingers with a smile. "I just think our hands fit together better like that."
Finn chuckled. "If you insist."
He led her out to the car and helped her in before shutting her door and running around to the drivers' side. He started the car and took her hand, gently kissing the back of it. "Are you ready for our last date in Lima?"
Rachel smiled at him. "Only if that means there will be more dates in New York."
"Oh definitely. I'm looking forward to taking you to new places in New York." Finn said pulling into Breadstix. "Unfortunately, Breadstix is the best Lima has to offer but I have a surprise planned for after."
"Finn..."
"Just let me show you how special you are, okay?" Finn begged.
"Okay..." Rachel replied hesitantly. "Just don't go overboard please? I just want it to be us tonight."
"I promise. This is just for us tonight." Finn said sincerely. He opened his door and came around to help Rachel out. She smiled as she took his hand and stepped out.
"I don't know why Quinn ever let you go." Rachel said out of nowhere.
"What?" Finn asked her in confusion.
"You're perfect." He opened his mouth to interrupt and Rachel carried on. "I mean I saw firsthand how she treated you and I don't get it. You're sweet and kind. You're always thinking of others besides yourself and you love with your whole heart. That's what I love about you. You accept anyone regardless of their background. I mean I was a loser and you wanted me."
"You were never a loser. If everyone else didn't see how amazing you are, then that's on them." Finn cut in with tears in his eyes. "No body has ever said anything like that to me before."
"It's the truth. You're absolutely amazing and I love that I get to call you mine." Rachel replied with a shrug. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."
Finn pulled her into a hug and kissed her head. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me too. I love you so much."
"I love you too. Come on, we're going to be late." Rachel said with a smile. Finn took her hand and led her to the door.
They had a lovely dinner filled with laughter and reminiscing before heading back to the car.
"Finn, you really don't have to do anything else. I'm happy just spending the rest of the evening with you." Rachel said buckling up.
"I need to do this. I want to show you what I see through my eyes." Finn replied, starting the car and pulling out of the lot.
"So where are we going?" Rachel asked curiously.
"Uh uh. It's a surprise for a reason, Rach." Finn smirked giving her hand a gentle kiss to the back of it.
He pulled into McKinley's parking lot and Rachel raised an eyebrow at him. He laughed and opened his car door. Rachel followed suit in confusion.
"I promise you're going to love this." Finn said, seeing the look on her face as he took her hand. He led her through the door to the auditorium and made her sit in the front row as he disappeared into the wings of the stage.
Rachel was seriously confused, what was he doing? Why did he bring her to the high school auditorium? She didn't have to wait long for her answer, Finn came back out with some of the band students and was carrying a microphone.
"I know I said that I wanted to show you how I see you...and I will, but first I had some things to say." Finn started, speaking into the microphone. "You're incredible. You've come so far in just this last year and I couldn't be prouder of you. I know us not being together has been hard and you've done your best in dealing with that. Being away from you has taught me some things as well, like how to appreciate the little things about you. My favorite is your megawatt smile you save just for me and how even when you're not trying, you manage to take my breath away."
Rachel had tears in her eyes as he continued. "I love the cute little pout you make at me when you really want something, usually it's cuddles. Your singing is what I missed the most. You have the most incredible voice and I want the world to know it. So I've put together a little something to show you our journey."
A video began playing behind Finn as the band started up. Finn smiled at her before he began singing along with the video playing. It was every moment they had made since the moment they met.
The day that I met you
The world had just spit me out
On my way to the bottom
Sure I'd never be found
Then you saw me for me
Made me believe in myself
On the day that I met you
It all turned around
You said close your eyes
Don't look down
Fall in me and I'll catch you, darlin
We'll dance in the street like nobody's watching
It's just you and me and the song on repeat in my head
Playing over and over
I'm drunk on your voice, high on the moment
I'd fall for you twice if that's what you wanted
I'd give you my life from now til forever
I'm falling in love with you
Over and over again
Finn moved towards center stage and kept his eyes on Rachel, who was highly emotional at the display.
Until I had met you
There was no sun in my sky
No mirrors for monsters
No love in sight
Then you walked down those stairs
And I knew my heart wasn't mine
On the day that I met you
My whole world came alive
You said close your eyes
I got you now
Fall into me and I'll catch you, darlin
We'll dance in the street like nobody's watching
It's just you and me and the song on repeat in my head
Playing over and over
I'm drunk on your voice, high on the moment
I'd fall for you twice, if that's what you wanted
I'd give you my life from now til forever
I'm falling in love with you
Over and over again
I'm falling in love with you
I'm falling in love with you
I'm falling in love with you over and over
Fall into me and I'll catch you, darlin
Let's dance in the street like nobody's watching
It's just you and me and the song on repeat in my head
Playing over and over
I'm drunk on your voice, high on the moment
I'd fall for you twice, if that's what you wanted
I'd give you my life from now til forever
I'm falling in love with you
Over and over again
Fall into me and I'll catch you, darlin
Let's dance in the street like nobody's watching
It's just you and me and the song on repeat in our heads
Finn finished the last note as the video of their memories came to an end and a video of himself filled the screen. He made his way to Rachel's side as the video played.
"Hey Rach. I know you're probably overwhelmed right now with everything I planned but you have to know that I have always seen you as special even when you didn't. I've been here, being your biggest supporter. You are going to be amazing in New York and I can't wait to be right there beside you watching you blossom. Your my best friend and the love of my life, Rach. I'm going to love you forever."
Rachel was freely crying as she stood and embraced Finn when he was close enough. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I love you so much."
"I love you too, baby. You really liked it?" Finn asked her, holding her tightly in his arms.
"I love it. Thank you. I can't wait to start our journey in New York together." Rachel replied.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
The song in this chapter is Fall Into Me by Forrest Blakk. I was listening to it for this chapter and it really set the mood for me. We will be taking this journey to New York. There will be more drama awaiting them there (of course there is, this is Glee). Stay tuned for the journey. As always please, review and let me know what you though of this chapter. Until next time, 'Losers.'