forever fades away

chapter 9

“So how was your flight?” Isabel asked, turning in her seat to face her brother. His plane had landed a couple of hours ago, but she was so busy trying to get everything packed that she didn’t have time to talk to him about much of anything. 

“It was good, I guess.” Finn knew that his sister was acting weird. So was his brother-in-law, for that matter. Every time Finn looked in the mirror at Alex, he saw a smirk cross Alex’s face before he turned back to the road. 

“What’s going on?” 

“Going on? Finn, what are you talking about? There is absolutely nothing going on.” Isabel smiled brightly at her brother. She knew trying to keep a secret while he was face-to-face with her was going to be a challenge, but she needed to keep it up for just a few more minutes until they reached their destination. 

“Finn just relax. You must be tired, hungry?” Alex tried to turn Finn's  attention away from Isabel. He knew finn and in knowing him, he knew that he could crack Isabel within minutes. 

“I’m fine, I’m relaxed, but I know you guys are keeping something from me.” 

“So Finn, how’s the game going?” Isabel had to bite back her laugh. She was glad to have Alex with her as a distraction, but she knew that Finn  would hold out for only so long. 

“It’s going good. I’m just getting tired of traveling so much. Sometimes I wish I could just let it go and have a real life.” finn said somewhat sadly. He was thinking back to his conversation with Michael the night before. He often wondered what his life would have been like had he not let rachel go. There were so many what if’s in his life, but he loved his job and that would have to be enough, he thought. 

Isabel’s ears perked up at that revelation. Sure, finn had often said that, but there was something in the way he said it. It was as if he were longing for something he never knew he wanted. Isabel knew for certain that things would work out, one way or another…at least she hoped. 

“We’re here!” Alex shouted out as he pulled the car to a stop. Isabel quickly jumped out, finn jumping out shortly behind her. “Damn Iz, how much shit did you pack? I mean we are camping not vacationing in the Bahamas.” finn ribbed his sister for her need to always pack more than necessary. Something about never knowing when an emergency would arise. 

“Shut up Finn! Or I’ll make you carry all my stuff!” 

“Please do so because then I won’t have to carry it alone.” Alex said, coming to stand next to them at the back of the car. 

“Alex Charles Whitman, do you want to sleep alone tonight?” Isabel placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. Both Alex and finn knew she meant business and would have no problem with leaving him out of the tent to fend for himself. 

“No dear, I would be more than happy to carry all your shit… I mean, stuff to the campsite.” Alex said, grabbing one of Isabel’s bags. He slung it over his shoulder while grabbing another heavy ass bag in his hands and walking into the designated wooded area a few feet away where Maria and Michael were sitting by the fire. 

“Ah, the joys of being married.” finn quipped lightly as he pulled out his bag and tent and made his way over to everyone with Isabel trailing behind him. 

“I officially hate the wilderness!” rachel said as she made her way to the clearing where Maria and Michael were, but when she got closer she realized they were not alone. Isabel and Alex were there. 

“So, you guys finally…No fucking way…” Rachel stopped dead in her tracks because once Isabel stepped off to the side she noticed someone behind her pitching a tent. She had to be wrong, she knew it. There was no way it was him. 

Finn had already placed his things on the ground and was getting his tent ready to set up. Then he heard an all too familiar voice, one he hadn’t heard in quite some time. That didn’t matter though, he would have recognized it anywhere. He turned around slowly and locked eyes with 
the last person he expected to see on this trip home. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” 

Well Finn and Rachel have seen each other how do you think it will go? Will one of them try to leave or both? Will they just ignore each other the whole trip or try and talk it out?