You didn't really think that was the last chapter did you?

Enjoy X

ONE YEAR LATER

Finn was laid on the bed, his phone twirling between his fingers, in his own world. It had been a year since Rachel had disappeared and it had been tough without her. He had almost given up his offer at NYU in order to find Rachel, but Kurt and Carole had slapped some sense into him. He still thought about her, wondering what she was doing and where she was. A frightening thought had crossed Finn's head, at the time, at the prospect of her being dead, but he ruled that out, knowing Rachel would never do that, knowing her dreams would give her the push she needed. He heard the door open and Kurt and Rachel walked through, their arms looped and laughing at something, making Finn smile to himself. He swung his legs off the bed and headed out into the living room, seeing Chinese food containers being unpacked.

'I missed you' Rachel said, her arms swinging up round his neck, smiling. He chuckled

'I missed you too' Finn said, smiling, before leaning down and kissing her gently,making Kurt smile at the pair.

FLASHBACK

Finn was sat in the local New York coffee shop five minutes away from NYU. He was staring out of the window, watching people pass and taxis fly down the roads. He could never get used to the speed at which New Yorkers walked at. He sighed and took a sip of his coffee, before feeling a gush of wind hit the back of his neck, as the door opened. He pulled the collar on his jacket up and shivered. He looked at his watch and sighed, before getting to his feet. He grabbed his cup of coffe in his take out cup and spun round... bumping to into a young woman and spilling the contents down her shirt. The girl let out a strangled gasp as the coffee hit her shirt and her skin, while Finn started to panic.'

'Oh my god! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Oh god, I should've looked where I was going! I'm sorry... I'll... I'll buy you a new shirt or a coffee... Let me buy you a coffee!' He spluttered out, as he grabbed a handful of napkins and handed them to the girl, who wiped her shirt with them. Her brown hair was obscuring her face, so she didn't see Finn check her out.

'No, honestly it's fine! I'll just-' The girl cut herself off as she gazed at the man in front of her. She had been so focused the coffee stain, she hadn't noticed the voice what had spoken.

'Finn?'

'Rachel?' he questioned, his tone holding a range of emotions. Rachel, for once, didn't know what to do. She didn't know whether to run or stay. Her feet chose the latter.

'Finn! It's so good to see you!' she said, her acting ability coming full force to hide her nerves. She flung her arms round his neck and hugged him. Finn, however, didn't recipricate.

'Where the hell have you been for three months?' he said, as she pulled back from the hug. Rachel tensed and swallowed the lump in her throat.

'Can we not do this here?' she asked. Finn looked down at her and his eyes squinted before he sighed.

'Come with me' he said, grabbing Rachel's arm gently and pulling her from the coffee shop...

They entered Finn and Kurt's apartment twenty minutes alter. Finn was thankful Kurt wasn't home.

'Nice place' said Rachel, looking round at the apartment. Finn, however, wasn't in the mood for questions.

'Where have you been Rachel?' he asked, his tone sharp. Rachel sighed and sat down.

'I've been in Dayton' said Rachel, not meeting Finn's eyes. She heard him sigh and scoff lightly.

'Of course. Sarah would've covered for you!' he said, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. He looked at her, his hand falling to his side.

'I'm sorry, Finn... I knew that if I stayed there and something bad happened, then I wouldn't be able to stay in recovery. I had to leave, I'm sorry' Rachel said. Finn watched her, closely, looking for any signs of lying.

'Rach...'

'It's true, Finn. Would you rather have me in a coffin under the ground?' She asked. Finn sighed and shook his head.

'Of course I wouldn't. But... I've spent everyday of the past three months wondering where the hell you were! You could have been dead for I knew! You changed your mobile number too! It felt like you had just vanished without a doubt into thin air!' Finn's voice got louder with every word, making Rachel shrink even more under his stance.

'Finn, you're scaring me!' Rachel stuttered. Finn shook his head and pointed his at her.

'At this moment in time, I don't care! Three months wondering if you were dead, three months wondering if you were alive and moving on with your life! Then, you turn up out of the blue and expect me to be calm?!' he finished his rant by squatting down in front of her, his face showing his anger. Rachel was quiet. Finn took a few deep breaths and turned, getting to his feet and walking away from her.

'Finn? Finn, please look at me..' Rachel said, getting to her feet and walking over to him. She hestitantly put her hand on his shoulder, feeling him tense under her touch.

'Don't...'

'Finn, I was scared! I thought I was going to lose my Dad and I could feel the resolve slipping and the temptation scratching it's way to the surface. I just had to leave! I was scared and i didn't want to put you through the pain, of watching me suffer, again! You have to believe me, Finn. If I thought I was strong enough, I would've stayed, I promise!' Rachel sobbed. Finn slowly turned round, watching as she sat on the edge of the coffee table and sobbed into her hands. His feet moved at their own accord and he was son squatting in front of Rachel again, this time his hands on her knees.

'I know you weer scared and I'm sorry for shouting, but Rach... Why didn't you contact me after your Dad got better? My mom informed me of any updates' Finn added, when he saw Rachel's eyebrows furrow.

'Oh...' she sighed, before answering his earlier question 'the reason I didn't contact you after he got better, was because I thought you would be moving on with your life... And you wouldn't need me anymore. I put you through hell with the drinking and treatment and I knew that I had put you through hell against with disappearing without a word... So, I thought you'd be better of without me...'

'What the hell made you think I'd be better off without you?' Finn questioned, his anger from earlier gone. Rachel looked at him and shrugged her shoulders.

'Guess I was tired of hurting you all the time' she whispered, staring at him. She sniffled and wiped her tears with her sleeve of her jumper.

'All I need in my life... Is you. No more running away! We deal with this together, me and you against everything!' Finn said, after a few minutes of silence. Rachel looked at him and scoffed lightly.

'Why are you been like this?' she whispered. Finn smiled his half smile, half smirk while his hand ran up her arm and cupped the back of her neck, making her tense slightly.

'Because I never stopped loving you' he said, not giving Rachel chance to respond as he pulled her to him and their lips met in a fierce kiss. Rachel gripped his forearm, as he pulled her from table to her feet. His other hand wrapped round her waist and pulled her to him, Rachel's arms locking behind his neck. He walked her backwards to the sofa, gently lowering her onto it, pulling away as the need for air became too much.

'Should we be doing this?' Rachel whispered. Finn smiled gently and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.

'We have a lot to talk about, but for least a few hours, I just want to enjoy the feeling of you being back in my arms' Finn said, making Rachel smile and nod.

'Okay... Then we'll talk?' she asked. Finn nodded.

'Then we'll talk' he repeated, smiling, before he kissed her again, climbing on top of her and covering her body with his...

END OF FLASHBACK

'FINN!' Kurt screamed, jolting Finn from his memory.

'Sorry, what's wrong?' he said, his arm tightening round Rachel, making her frown, slightly.

'Yeah, I just need a word with Rach a minute' he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the bedroom. He sat her down on the bed, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her gently. Rachel repsonded but pulled back, before she forgot her question.

'Finn?' she questioned.

'Remember the day you came back? When we were lying in bed? I promised you something' Finn said. Rachel smiled.

'I know... You promised me forever' Rachel said. Finn smiled and knelt in front of her.

'The day you left... You left something behind' he reached over into the drawer besides their bed and pulled out a ring box, making Rachel gasp.

'Is that?' she didn't need to finish the question, as he snapped open the box and revealed her ring inside.

'I found it under you bed, the day you left. I couldn't bear myself to part with it...' he said, pulling it out and examining it.

'Are you asking me something, Finn?' Rachel questioned, her smile spreading across her face, mirroring Finn's.

'I think I am'

'Then what is it?' she asked, her tongue peeking through her teeth.

'How about we wrap this drama up and end it on a sparkling note? Finn suggested, making Rachel giggle. He lifted her left hand and smiled. 'What do you say? Fancy becoming Mrs Hudson?' he asked. Rachel couldn't stop the giggle pouring from her mouth. When she eventually got them under control, she transformed her face, becoming serious.

'Isn't there normally a question?' she asked smirking. Finn sighed and pretended to be annoyed, before smiling.

'Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?' he asked

'Of course I will!' Rachel squealed, watching as Finn slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hotly. She let out a surprised squeal as he pushed back down on the bed, laughter spilling from her mouth as his hands ghosted up and down her ribcage, tickling her...

Later that night, Rachel lay in bed, staring at Finn. She couldn't help but feel emotional at how far they had come. Throughout everything, Finn was the strong one and he always caught her if she fell. She knew she would have set backs and possibly have relapses and urges, but she had Finn and a future to consider. And if it was down it her, she wouldn't let anything stop her. She was Rachel Berry...

And she was gonna be star!

The End! Hope you all enjoed reading this as much as I have loved writing it! Thankyou for the reviews and follows! Check out my other Finchel stories if you haven't already! :D

See you all soon! 3

R&R X