What Could Have Been

Chapter 12

                Finn POV

I feel in my pocket. There. The ring.

Here we go.

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We walk out of the building and out onto the street, then head towards the restaurant. I reach down and grab Rach's hand, locking my fingers through hers.

"Do you remember the last time we were in the city together, Finny?" She asks me, laying her head on my arm, because she's too small to lay it on my shoulder.

"Of course I do, Rach. I had Puck and Sam and Artie sing for you. I told you it was a work date,"

"Even though I knew it wasn't" She interjects, and I smile.

"Yes. Even though you knew it wasn't. And you said that you were with Jesse." I say and look down at her.

"Ugh. Don't remind me of that creep."

"Anyway, you said you were with Jesse, and then you and I had 'The Kiss of the Century' on that stage, which actually turned out to be..."

"'The Kiss That Missed.'" We say together, and then laugh.

We walk in silence for a couple minutes, and then Rachel turns to me and says. "Finny?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I know we took a break for a long time, but this week has made me realize somethings."

"Me too, Rach."

"Like what?"

"We're here."

"Oh, Finn!" She pulls her hand out of mine and her head off my arm. She covers her mouth with her hands. "This is that place that I met Patti LuPone! Our work date! Oh, you shouldn't have. Don't you remember how hard this place was to get into?" She reaches up and kisses me on the cheek.

"Ms. Berry." I say reaching out my hand. "We should go inside. We have reservations."

"Well, what are we waiting for, Mr. Hudson? Let's go!"

Rachel POV

We step inside the restaurant, and order our food. We make small talk until our food comes out.

"Finn?" I ask.

"Hmm?" Finn half asks-half grunts- as he eats his pasta.

"What I was trying to say out there, was that I realized somethings. I realized that I love you. I always have. I always will. You're the one for me." He pulls away from his pasta and looks into my eyes. Then he reaches across the table and takes my hands in his.

"Rachel. I love you, too. More than you could ever know. Really. I mean it. Now. Let me pay, and I will take you to an extra surprise that I arranged this evening."

We finish eating and Finn pays and we walk out onto the street.

"Cover your eyes, Rach." Finn says as he and I hail a taxi and get in. "I'm taking you somewhere special."

About a half an hour later the taxi stops, and Finn pays.

"Thanks, Joseph!" Finn says, getting out of the taxi.

"Finny, wasn't that expensive?"

"Nothing is too expensive for you, Rachel. Plus. Joseph owed me a favor. Alright, uncover your eyes."

I do, and I find that we are at......

A bowling alley?

"Finn? This...doesn't make any sense. Why are we here?"

"Remember? Our first non-official date. We kissed? Went bowling? You hit a strike!"

Now I remember. That was an amazing night.

"Yes, of course I remember. But, we're a little dressed up, don't you think?"

"No, no, you look great. Let's head in."

The bowling alley's not too full, so it's pretty easy to get shoes and a lane and balls. Finn goes up and talks to the manager and hands him what looks like a twenty dollar bill. Must just be a tip.

We start bowling, and Finn is letting me win. There's not much talking though. Then, a song comes on. Man, I love this song. I remember when Finn and I sang it together.

I know it's late.

I know you're weary.

I know your plans

Don't include me.

The song continues and Finn turns around to look at me.

"Remember when we sang this one at Mr. Schue's wedding? Well, the first try, at least." I say.

"Yep. And I want this to be one of the songs that is played at ours."

"What do you mean?" I ask, as he grabs my shoulders.

"Rachel, you're the love of my life. But you're more than that. Without you, I'd be nothing. That's not what I want to be. You pushed me to be my best, and to stand for what I believe in. One time, a very wise man, and by that I mean Burt, told me that I just need to go for it. That's what he and my mom did. Live every single day as if it is your last, because you never truly know when your last day is. I once said to you that you are a beacon of light guiding me through the darkness. But, God. You're so much more than that. I love you, Rach. And love is a scary, scary thing. Feel the fear, and do it anyway. So, that's what I'm going to do. You might not have been my first love, but I sure as hell wamt you to be my last. "

Deep in my soul.

I've been so lonely.

All of my hopes

Have faded away.

And I've longed for love,

Like everyone else does.

I know I'll keep searching

After today.

"So, Rachel Barbra Berry," Finn says, slowly sliding down onto one knee. "Will you make my life forever whole, and marry me?" He pulls a ring out of his pocket.

Oh my god. Is this really happening? Everyone in the bowling alley is staring.

We've got tonight

Who needs tomorrow?

We've got tonight, babe

Why don't we stay?

"I love you." I say. "I love you, so much. So, so much."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes. I'd be proud to be Mrs. Rachel Hudson."

Everyone cheered, and Finn picked me up and spun me around, like a scene from a cliche Romance movie. After that, Finn put me down and slid the ring onto my finger.

"I love you Rach."

"I love you too, Finn."

Finn pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts to dial a number.

"Oh! Are you calling your mom and Burt to tell them the great news?"

"No, someone else."

"Mr. Schue?"

"Nope. Christopher."

"It's a long story." Finn says, chuckling. But, my fiancee tells me anyway.