Chapter 24

It was two days before the school year was about to begin and the gang headed over to Rachel's for one last summer Bar-B-Que. Finn, Puck and Sam stood in front of the grill cooking up some burgers, along with some veggie patties for Rachel. Rachel and Mercedes walked out from the kitchen with bags of chips in their arms. They placed them down on the table next to where Kurt and Blaine were sitting. Rachel looked around to see her friends hanging out, together. Brittany sat across Artie's lap as Santana went on and on about how this year was gonna be a good one. Listening to her talk about their senior year made Rachel a little worried. She knew she only had one year left. Left here in Lima, with her friends. With Finn. She quickly wiped a tear from her eye as Finn walked up behind her wrapping his arm around her tiny waist.

"Hey Rach, you okay?" He looked down at her as she covered her face.

Rachel shook her head and smiled looking up at him, "Yea, I'm fine. Something smells good."

Finn smiled and looked over at the grill, "Yea, I'm super hungry. I may not be a good dancer, but Burt's taught me how to make a good burger. Veggie ones too."

Rachel laughed a little as she placed a hand on his chest, "Thanks babe."

Finn leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek, "I'm gonna go finish the food. Kiss you later."

With that he walked away as Rachel wanted to cry some more. She couldn't shake the feeling that this could be it. A year would go by so fast. And she wasn't sure what Finn wanted to do next.

They hung out at Rachel's house for the entire afternoon, eating, playing games, singing. It was just past sunset as they all sat around the patio in her backyard.

Blaine stood up while they were all talking clearing his throat to grab everyone's attention. "Can I just say that all of you have been a family to me. Such good friends. And you've accepted me. I just want to say thank you. What you've done for Kurt, I love him, so it means the world to me."

Everyone clapped and nodded as Rachel leaned over smiling resting her head on Finn's chest. "We love you Blaine Warbler."

He winked at her when Kurt jumped up interrupting, "ANDDDDDDDD BLAINE IS TRANSFERRING TO MCKINLEY."

Everyone started clapping and cheering. Rachel jumped out of Finn's arms and ran up to him giving him a hug. "I can't believe it. We'll have to get your song for Glee Club try outs ready. This is gonna be great."

Blaine started laughing as he hugged Rachel, "Thanks Rachel."

During the commotion, Puck grabbed some glasses handing one to everyone, "Alright I propose a toast. A toast to one of my favorite clubs at school. A toast to my friends. A toast to next year. We're gonna kick some ass. Seniors!"

Everyone clapped and cheered as they all rose their glasses and toasted to the beginning of their Senior Year.

Puck and Quinn stayed to help Rachel and Finn clean up what was left. After they finished the outside, Quinn and Rachel walked into the kitchen to do the dishes while the boys stretched across Rachel's couch to watch some sports. Puck looked over at Finn as he watched the re run of some old Hockey Game on. "Hey man, I just want to say that this is gonna be a good year."

Finn pulled his attention away from the TV. He nodded, "Yea, I think so too. We just gotta stay on top of our game with everything. Make the most out of what time we've got left."

Puck took a sip of his drink, "Yea we do. I mean, we got to of the most beautiful girls in school, we'll be Seniors in Glee and Football. Its gonna be good. You and me man."

He held out his fist as Finn did his for a fist bump.

Quinn turned around drying a plate in her hands, "Can you believe we're gonna be Seniors."

Rachel looked up from the running water and dishes at her, "I know. Its crazy to think about where we were two years ago."

Quinn smiled, "Well not too much has changed, I still hate your guts." She winked over at Rachel.

"Ha Ha Ha. Well that's a shame because I've grown to love yours."

Just then Puck came in to the kitchen walking up behind Quinn and wrapping his arms around, "Hey babe. You ready?"

Quinn smiled looking up at him, "Yea. Just about."

Rachel walked over grabbing the dish from her hand, "You guys go. Finn can help me finish."

Quinn hugged Rachel as did Puck and headed out the door. "Am I picking you up Monday or are you driving?"

Rachel thought about it for a second, "I'll let you know."

Quinn waved and they were both headed out the door. Rachel finished up in the kitchen and walked over to the living room. She stood leaning against the wall starring at a sleeping Finn. His arm was stretched over the seat, his head dangling back and his mouth slightly opened. She laughed alittle at how cute he looked. He must have been s tired. He'd cooked all day. Plus he'd helped set up tables and put them down. Her father came walking down the stairs calling her name as she quickly looked up at him, placing her finger over her mouth shushing him.

He looked over at the couch at Finn and nodded his head, as he walked over to her. "Just wanted to say goodnight my angel. Did you have fun today?"

Rachel smiled, "Yes, lots of fun. Thanks again, for letting us all be here."

Her father nodded, "You and your friends are always welcome, you know that." He looked down at Finn who was still asleep on the couch. "He worked hard today."

Rachel looked towards Finn, "He did. He was perfect."

Her father smiled, "Yea. Is he staying or was he due back home?"

Rachel "He didn't plan to stay, I'll just drive him. And he can come pick up his truck tomorrow."

He looked down at his watch, "Well he is more than welcome to stay here. I can call Carole?"

Rachel shook her head, "Thanks, but they're having family breakfast tomorrow before his first football practice."

He kissed her forehead, "Alright well wish him luck and be careful if you take him. We'll see you in the morning. Sweet Dreams."

She closed her eyes hugging her dad, "Will do. Goodnight. Love you."

He made his way upstairs as Rachel walked over to Finn nuzzling herself in his chest. She brushed her hand over his forehead and down his cheek. She lied there for a bit when Finn's eyes opened a little. He wiped the drool from his mouth and looked down at Rachel as she smiled up at him. "Good morning sleepy head."

He yawned, "Hey. Wait its Morning."

He jumped a little as Rachel laughed. "No. It's a little past 10."

He sighed, "Oh okay. Wait did you clean up everything by yourself? I'm sorry Rach."

Rachel nodded her head, "Nonsense. You did so much today. And Quinn really helped a lot before they left. You need your rest, its the day before school, which means, Football practice. You have to be energized and ready to go."

He looked at her and noticed something wasn't right, "Rachel are you okay?"

Rachel had begun to tear up a little again and it was showing. She had remembered they only had one day left. "I'm fine."

She wiped the tears from her face and slightly turned in the opposite direction of Finn. He stood up and made his way in front of her kneeling on the floor. He grabbed his face in his hands and pushed away her hands, "Don't cry. Rachel, what's wrong?"

She laughed a little at herself and looked at him with puffy eyes and slightly red nose, "I'm sorry Finn. It's nothing.. it's just... School, its starting in one day. And, then we'll be seniors."

Finn smiled, "Babe that's a good thing. It's going to be a great year I promise."

Her smile faded a little as she thought about how much she was going to miss that smile, "That's just it Finn. Seniors, one year left of High School. One more year of us."

Finn was shocked, "One year. Rachel what are you talking about?"

Rachel looked up at him startled, he was angry. "Rachel Berry how dare you. How can you think that we'll only last one more year. Haven't you ever heard about the mailing system, or emails, or skype, and long distance relationships..."

He went on little more as Rachel sat wide eyed and a little scared. Finn was letting her have it. "Finn I'm sorry, it's just, I've made up my mind. I know what I want. I can't stay here."

Finn took a deep breath as he pushed away her bangs from her face, "I was hoping we could save this for a more romantic special occasion but I suppose you leave me with no choice."

She looked confused as he stood up and ran out the front door. Rachel sat in silence when a few seconds later he was back. He grabbed her arms and pulled her towards the doorway. He placed her tiny body right in position under the door frame facing the street. He kissed her forehead before grabbing both of her hands in his and looking down at her. "Finn, what are you doing?"

"Shhhh. Let me think. Okay." Finn cleared his throat.

"Why are we outside?" She looked around and back at Finn who was mumbling on about something.

Finn laughed looking around, this must have seemed crazy to her, "Well last year after Regionals, I brought you home and we shared a goodnight kiss in this very spot. So shhh, and listen...Rachel Barbara Berry, I Finn Hudson promise to give you the best year that any Senior girl would be lucky to have. I will be there at your first Play, because I know you will join the musical to help you get ready for NY. I will be there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's day, Birthday's and any other holiday you'll have me for. I promise you that we will fill your crazy calendar with tons of dates. I will sing any song with you in Glee. I will be there with you when we win Sectionals, and Regionals, and Nationals. I'll be there at Prom with you. I'll be there when we walk up on stage and grab our diplomas. And I promise that I will be sitting their on the plane with you ready to start a new journey and life together in New York. I'm pretty sure that city has enough room for the both of us. I promise to love you forever Rachel. It's you and me okay?"

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and a small frog in her throat, "You're... you're coming to New York with me? Really?"

Finn smiled at her, "Of course, I can't let my girl go to NYC al..."

Before he could finish Rachel had jumped in his arms and wrapped her legs around him. She pressed her forehead to his and looked him right in the eye before she smashed their lips together. He laughed a little at her excitement, and spun her around. He was just as excited too. He placed her down and proceeded to get on one knee...

"Finn? What are you doing?"

He grabbed a tiny box from his pocket and pulled out a tiny silver band, "I got this for you in New York actually. I was hoping to give it to you after our awesome date. But you kinda ran off. It was going to be a promise that we'd always be friends and I'd always be there for you, because I cared about you. And it still is. But its, more of a promise that I'll always be there for you and everything I just said okay."

Rachel was crying even more now as she smiled brightly at the tiny ring that Finn held in his hands. "Finn, I... its beautiful."

He smiled as he tipped it over slightly to show the inside, "I even got it engraved."

Rachel looked down at the ring that read, My star. My Best Friend. My Rachel.

Rachel grabbed her books and bag and began to head out the door. It was Monday. The first day of her Senior year. She kissed her dads goodbye as she headed out to her car. As she got in, she heard her phone beep, she looked down at the screen and smiled, she knew this was going to be a great year.

Finn: Good Morning, Happy first day of Senior Year. I love you.

Rachel: Meet you at my locker in 10. Love you too.

THE END

Thank you all so much for reading A SUMMER KIND OF WONDERFUL. I had a blast writing it. I really just had so much fun, so, even though I said I wasn't going to, I will be writing a sequel. YAY! GET READY FOR SOME FINCHEL SENIOR YEAR. Look out for it. I'll be posting the first chapter tomorrow.