Chapter 18:
Rachel bolted upright, letting out a half sob and half scream as she did so. Her breathing was rapid and she couldn't think straight as tears streamed down her cheeks.
A scream escaped from her throat as two arms wrapped around her from behind. She thrashed against them, trying to free herself from whomever it was. The person holding her carefully turned her in their arms so that she was facing them. They began wiping her tears with their thumbs.
"It's okay. It's me." They whispered, stroking her cheek with their thumb. They reached over and clicked the lamp on, flooding the room with light.
Rachel squinted through her wet eyes and the blinding light to see Finn staring back at her in concern. Her face crumpled and she buried it in the hollow of his throat. "Finn..."
"Shh...it's alright. I'm here. Talk to me, what's wrong?" Finn asked gently rubbing her back.
"I thought it was all a dream. I had that dream again but this time you were dead and I woke up and I...I..." Rachel stammered through fresh tears.
"You thought everything that had happened wasn't real and that you really lost me." Finn finished for her. He ran a gentle hand over her head.
Rachel nodded against his shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Or worry you."
Finn pulled back and cupped her face in his large hands. "You never have to apologize for that. I've told you before to wake me when you have those dreams. You're never a burden to me."
Rachel sniffled and gave him a small smile. "I'm glad it was just a dream cause that means I'm still going to be Mrs. Finn Hudson."
Finn chuckled while he pulled her into his lap and held her close. "Damn straight. I'm never letting you go again. Now I have to stop in at work before the ceremony later."
"What? I thought you took today off?" Rachel pouted.
"I did." Finn laughed at her expression. "I just promised this little boy that I would give him his first drum lesson this morning."
Finn was working at a music store a couple blocks away as a drum teacher. It took some encouragement from Rachel but once he started he found that he really did love it. He could play the drums all day and get to teach aspiring drummers in the meantime. Sometimes he even gave free lessons to the less fortunate kids.
"Alright. It's only the one right?" Rachel asked.
"Yes and I will meet you at the venue at 3, okay?"
"Okay."
Rachel pulled her coat tighter around her as she balanced the garment bag on her right arm. The crisp autumn air causing a chill in her bones. They wanted to do a Christmas wedding since it's Finn's favorite time of year but they both agreed that it might be hard to get their families in Lima to New York with harsh weather, so they opted for a late fall wedding. They had decided to forego the usual tradition of not seeing the bride the night before the wedding because this wasn't their first attempt to walk down that aisle.
Rachel gave her wedding planner a bright smile as she walked into the church. "Mercedes! You've outdone yourself!" Rachel squealed taking in all the decorations.
Lining the aisles were bouquets with yellow, gold and purple flowers, leading up to a wedding arch lined with the same colored flowers. Tears filled Rachel's eyes and she quickly wiped at her face. There was white sashes strung along the backs of the pews.
"Well I had some help from Kurt but thank you." Mercedes said with a smile. "Now you need to go start getting ready. I'm not letting this wedding get stopped for anything this time. You two are going to get hitched today."
Rachel laughed. "Alright, I'm going." Rachel paused before exiting through another door and turned back to Mercedes who was studying her iPad for last minute changes. "Trust me, I don't plan on leaving this church without becoming Mrs. Finn Hudson."
Mercedes looked up and gave her a smile before Rachel disappeared around the corner.
The lights were dimmed as the bridal party started down the aisle. The bridal party consisted of Puck as the best man, Sam as one of the groomsmen and Mr. Schuester as his other groomsmen. Rachel's party consisted of Kurt as her man of honor, Quinn as one of her bridesmaids with Santana as her second bridesmaid.
Rachel glanced around the door to the service hall, trying to get a glimpse of Finn. They weren't able to get everyone from glee club to make it so having them perform during the service wasn't an option for them, unfortunately. The wedding march started up before Rachel was able to see him and she moved forward to stand in the doorway.
Finn turned to look down the aisle and Rachel noticed when the tears fell even from where she was standing. She was flanked by Hiram and LeRoy at that moment and she turned tear filled eyes to her fathers.
"Are you ready, princess?" Hiram asked her.
Rachel nodded and took their arms. "More than ready, daddy. This is the happiest day of my life."
They started down the aisle with Beth leading the way with rose petals. Rachel gave a bright smile as she made eye contact with Finn. He looked so handsome in his suit and she could see the tears racing down his cheeks.
Finn was shifting nervously at the front the altar. He was ready to just make her his bride. He watched as she slowly made her way down the aisle, her dads flanked her on either side. She was absolutely gorgeous in her white princess dress and the orange and yellow colors of her bouquet matched beautifully.
She made it to the altar and gave him a huge smile as her dads' gave Finn her hand and kissed her cheek. She stepped up beside Finn and squeezed his hands that held hers. He gave her a smile back as the preacher started the ceremony.
A couple hours later they were surrounded by their friends and family, who were dancing and celebrating with them. Finn had his arms wrapped around Rachel's waist from behind, her hands on top of his as her head rested against his chest and they swayed to the music. They were watching their friends dance and celebrate their life bond.
Finn's thumb began rubbing small circles against her hip bone as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You want to get out of here?"
Rachel craned her neck to look up at him and a smile filled her face. "I think they would notice of we just disappeared."
"Maybe. Maybe not." Finn smirked placing a quick kiss to her forehead. "Come on, let's take a walk."
"Fine. Only a short walk though." Rachel replied, looping her arm through Finn's.
They walked outside in the cool air for a few minutes before Finn put his suit jacket around Rachel. She smiled at him briefly but then looked back down. Finn immediately knew something was up.
"What's wrong?" Finn asked her gently.
"What? Nothing's wrong? Why would you think something's wrong?" Rachel asked looking up at him in bewilderment.
"You've been quiet since the ceremony ended. I know you, Rach. What's wrong?" Finn replied sincerely.
"I don't want to talk about it right now, Finn." Rachel said firmly.
Finn spun to face her. "Rachel, I'm your husband now. There's not supposed to be secrets between us."
"Please, Finn. I just want today to be perfect. I don't want this to ruin it. Please." Rachel begged, tears filling her eyes.
Finn's expression softened and he took her into his arms, kissing her forehead softly. "Baby, nothing you say could ruin this day for me. I finally got to make you my wife and I'm the happiest man on the planet right now. Whatever it is, just tell me now. We'll get through it together."
"I'm...I'm...I'm pregnant." Rachel stuttered.
Rachel felt Finn stiffen against her and her tears fell. Just married and she was already losing him. "I'm sorry, Finn. This wasn't my plan and I know we wanted to wait awhile and just..."
Finn was horrified at her reaction. "Rach, stop. I'm not angry or disappointed just shocked."
He gently took her by the shoulders and squeezed slightly. "I've always wanted to start a family with you. A beautiful little girl with your talent and personality with a sweet little boy with my love for music and sports. Like you though, I thought that we'd have more time. I'm shocked but I'm so excited to start this chapter with you."
"You're not mad?" Rachel sniffled.
"The only thing I'm mad about is that we didn't find out together." Finn replied kissing her forehead. "I'm going to have someone calling me dad in nine months. I've never been happier."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
AHHH! Only the Epilogue left. I have actual tears...