A/N: I'm very sad to have to bring this story to an end. But Finn and Rachel have come a long way in their journey.
I want to thank every one that has read, favorited, reviewed, author alerted, story alerted, or anything at all. I appreciate all of the feedback and I'm glad that you all have enjoyed the story.
There's lots of time jumps in this chapter, but there was a lot that needed to be covered. I think I got it somewhat mostly chronologically correct, but bear with me.
Here's the epilogue.
One year later.
"I, Rachel Berry, take you Finn Hudson, to be my lawfully wedded husband, through better or worse, for richer or poorer, until death do us part," Rachel said, taking Finn's hand and sliding his wedding ring on.
"And do you, Finn, take Rachel to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the pastor asked.
"I do," he smiled.
"You may now kiss the bride," he commanded.
Finn kissed Rachel softly, cherishing this moment.
"I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Finn Hudson!"
The crowd, consisting of all their family and friends, clapped and cheered. Kurt stood next to Finn, with Caroline in his arms, and next to him were Sam, Puck, Mike, Artie, and Blaine, and Quinn stood next to Rachel with Beth in her arms, and Mercedes, Tina, Brittany, and Santana next to her.
It was another Glee wedding, but this time, everyone that should have been there was, and there wasn't a thing in the world that could have made Finn and Rachel happier.
"Finn's always loved Rachel," Kurt said, speaking at their reception since he was Finn's best man, "Ever since the moment he first laid eyes on those leg warmers of hers, it was love."
The crowd laughed, including Rachel.
"I could tell that he cared about her, as he would steal glances, and stare at her all the time. I was so glad when they finally got together, so I wouldn't have to pester him anymore to ASK HER OUT ALREADY!"
Quinn came up next, as she was Rachel's maid of honor.
"In high school, we all do stupid things. I shouldn't have dated Finn again, knowing how much he loved Rachel. I did it for selfish reasons because I was a bitch then," she laughed.
"But I knew that they would have to find each other again, they were just destined to be together like that," she said, looking at them adoringly.
Finn had been dreading the first dance with Rachel, but he knew she wouldn't care how awful he was.
Faithfully began playing as their first song.
"So, I'm guessing this is officially our song now, huh?" she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Well, it only speaks the truth," he admitted.
"Oh girl, you stand by me…" he sang to her.
"I'm forever yours, faithfully…" she finished.
He smiled, twirling her around the dance floor.
"I must say, that your dance moves have slightly improved over the past several years," she laughed.
"Well, Mrs. Hudson, I couldn't fall on my ass at our wedding, now could I?" he questioned.
"No," she chuckled.
He smiled kissing the top of her head.
"I love you so much," she said, looking at him adoringly.
"I love you too, and I always will," he replied.
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly.
I'm forever yours… faithfully…
Six Months Later
"It's been three years, mom," he said, looking at his mother's tombstone.
Caroline Hudson Hummel
Beloved Wife and Mother
"I miss you, every day. Caroline reminds me a lot of you. You would love her so much. She's two now, can you believe that? She also takes after Rachel. She's already gotten her first microphone, it's pink with rhinestones of course, and she loves Barbra Streisand. When Rachel explained that her middle name was after Barbra Streisand, Caroline got really excited," he paused, laughing, "She was like 'Mommy, you named me after Barbwa!'"
He paused, placing a bouquet of peach roses on her grave.
"I'm sorry that you're not here to see all of this. To see what I've become. I'm going to go to college and figure something out. I know it's late in my life, but it's never too late to start over, I guess. Rachel's going to go back to New York in a few years, but she'll have to wait until after the new baby's born. Oh yeah, mom, we're having another baby. Caroline's so excited about being a big sister. Rachel thinks it's a boy, so we're going to name him Christopher after dad. I think he would have liked that…" he trailed off.
He stopped a minute, taking in a deep breath before he continued.
"I love you mom," he finally said, placing his hand on her tombstone and then walking back to his car where Rachel and Caroline waited on him.
"Are you okay, baby?" Rachel asked, giving him a hug.
"Yeah, I am," he smiled, taking her hand, "I'll always be okay as long as I have you."
She smiled and squeezed his hand.
Several months later
"Push, Rachel, push!" the doctor screamed.
Rachel was squeezing the hell out of Finn's hand.
"This should have been easier the second time," she huffed, glaring at him.
"I know, baby. I'm sorry," he grimaced as she squeezed harder.
"I see his head," the doctor pointed out.
"Come on, baby," Finn said, kissing her hand.
Rachel pushed again, and there he was.
"It's a boy," the doctor announced.
He was screaming loudly, and Rachel finally released her grip on Finn's hand, breathing out a sigh of relief.
"Christopher," she said, looking at Finn and smiling.
Finn nodded, watching the doctors clean him up. He went over to cut the umbilical cord and then brought him over to Rachel.
"Caroline's going to adore him," Rachel smiled, looking at her son.
Finn nodded, sitting in the chair next to Rachel's bed.
"I know I said this about Caroline, but he's beautiful," Finn said, "And I don't think I could love anyone more than I love my family."
Rachel merely smiled and took Finn's hand.
Five Years Later
Finn stood in front of his friends and family.
Rachel, Caroline, Christopher, Quinn, Puck, Mercedes, Sam, Puck, Artie, Brittany, Santana, Mike, Tina, Kurt, Blaine Mr. and Mrs. Schue, they were all there—again.
"I know five years ago, I was standing on this stage singing Faithfully to my beautiful wife, and proposing to her, and now here we all are to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. It feels like five years is a long time, and it is when I wasn't with Rachel. It felt like an eternity. But now, five years doesn't seem long enough. It feels like I've been with Rachel, that we've been a family, for a lot longer than five years," Finn said, looking at Rachel, Caroline, and Christopher.
"I love you so much, baby," he began, "You're the most wonderful mother to our two children, you're an excellent singer, and you're the best damn Elphaba I've ever seen on Broadway."
Rachel blushed, laughing.
"I'm glad that Kurt was brave enough to call you. I'm glad that you came back and saved me from myself. I'm grateful for everything you've ever done for me, Rach. And I can never repay you. So, all I have to say is, I love you, here's to another five years and many more, and this song is for you…" he finished.
Rachel hadn't expected Finn to sing to her—again, but she should have known he would have something up his sleeve.
The soft piano melody started and she already felt the tears coming to her eyes.
Oh, why you look so sad? Don't be ashamed to cry When the night falls on you I'll stand by you So if you're mad, get mad Hey, what you got to hide? When you're standing at the crossroads I'll stand by you And when... I'll stand by you I'll stand by you I'll stand by you
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
Don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
The last note of the song rang throughout the building and Rachel walked up to the stage, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you so much," she whispered.
"I love you so much too," he replied.
He picked her up and kissed her softly.
Everyone in the room began to applaud.
Finn sat in their bedroom, typing on a laptop.
I've realized in my life in the time that I've spent with and without Rachel, that there are several things I needed to learn.
Sometimes, you can't do it all alone. You need someone to guide you and stand by you. And someday, you will repay them, even if you don't think so. You will show them love and compassion, and you will never leave them.
You don't realize how much you need this person until they're out of your life, if even for a short time. But if things are meant to be, and you really love each other, you'll find each other again.
Love is a journey.
It doesn't always start out as rainbows and sunshine, but when you find the person that will stand by you, you'll always get your happy ending.
He looked at Rachel, tucking Caroline and Christopher into their beds. She kissed each of them on the forehead and then headed into their bedroom, crawling under the covers next to him. She kissed him softly and then turned off the lamp on her side of the bed.
I love you, Rachel, and I'll stand by you until the end of time.
FIN.
A/N: I hope you're crying happy tears like me.
Thank you again for reading.
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