Epilogue
To everyone watching her, Rachel looked like a chicken with her head cut off, running this way and that way, yelling out instructions to everyone she passed. Those who knew her were amused. Everyone else was just scared.
"Andy! We need the red for that number, not the blue!" she bellowed at a passing stage hand. "The red!"
Puck chuckled when the hand scurried away, fearful look on his face. "Babe," he said, tugging gently on her arm. "Take a breath. If the stage hands revolt, you're not going to have anyone to help out."
She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "Noah, what good is a stage hand if he can't even tell red from blue? Seriously. This performance is going to be a mess!"
He chuckled at her dramatics. "It's going to be awesome."
"How can you say that?" She glared at him. "There's so much to do and if I have to run around double checking that it all gets done and they have to do it again because they did it wrong to begin with, then we're never going to be ready."
He pulled her in for a brief kiss, slipping her a little tongue before letting her go. "Relax," he told her. "We have a few more hours before the it starts and everything's under control. Why don't you go see how Madi's doing with Emma?"
She sighed, leaning against him. "I'm being a dictator again, aren't I?" He nodded and she sighed again. "I don't mean to, not really. But this thing is very important to me, Noah."
"I know, babe," he said softly. "Everyone knows how much this means to you. It means a lot to all of us too, which is why everyone is going to bring their A game and everything's going to be perfect. You'll see. It'll just help if, you know, you stop yelling at people."
She laughed, sagging against him. "Fine. You're right. I'm going to go check in on Madi, I'll be back."
He grinned, brushing his lips lightly against hers again. "Take your time."
As she wove her way through the flurry of activity backstage, she kept her eyes open for the flash of red hair. She spotted Emma in the audience, sitting alone in the front row.
Well, almost alone.
Rachel grinned as her daughter squealed when she saw her. Madison Puckerman was six months old and the perfect combination of Rachel and Puck. She had Rachel's dark hair and Puck's hazel eyes. And Christopher's little nose, and Rachel had no idea how that happened. When Christopher had been born she and Jason had been baffled because the little boy's nose, though tiny and adorable, resembled neither of them and apparently her daughter had inherited that from her brother.
She took her squirming daughter from Emma, who said she had some things to do but would be back tonight for the performance. She hugged her daughter close to her and listened as she babbled and cooed. She felt so blessed to have her daughter in her life, her daughter and Noah. It had been a rough road, with more than a few bumps along the way, but they'd stuck it out and she was happier than she'd ever been.
She missed Christopher. Of course she did. She thought of him every day and sometimes it still hurt so much it felt like it happened yesterday. But Noah had been nothing but supportive, and her friends and family had all been there for her and slowly, thinking of her lost child made her smile instead of cry. Madison only enhanced that. She found herself talking about Christopher more and more now, comparing his milestones to Madison's. They were very different individuals and Rachel found it amusing to watch Madison develop very differently than Christopher had.
Madison had been a very high maintenance infant, always needing to be held, crying into all hours of the night. As easy of a baby as Christopher had been, Madison had been that difficult. The experience had been exhausting, to say the least, especially on top of the emotions of it all, and Rachel was glad Noah had been there for everything. He'd surprised her with a house during her sixth month and all of their friends had helped with the renovations and decorating. The best part was that it was in Chicago. Noah's boss had recommended him to a friend in the construction business in Chicago and he had been hired as a site manager instantly, his salary ample enough to provide for his family. Matt and Mike had again offered Rachel a position in their studio and this time she accepted, heading the new singing department they had added. She had gotten involved in the local theater programs and made some connections and that was the foundation for her big idea, her biggest project to date.
Thespians Against Leukemia had been her baby, her other child. She had started planning it when she was pregnant with Madison and had had to put it on hold after her daughter was born. She waited, patiently putting in whatever work for it she could, and when her daughter was a little older, she was able to dive back into it. She had contacted several rising Chicago theater stars, some of her old Broadway friends from New York and of course, the glee kids. Tickets were sold and all proceeds were going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They had rented a huge Chicago theater for the show, and last she had heard, they were almost sold out.
Holding Madison in her arms, and thinking about all the good the money could do, she was so happy she might cry.
As soon as she double checked Andy's costumes again.
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"Good evening. I'd like to welcome you all to the first ever Thespians Against Leukemia benefit. Thank you all so much for coming. Your support for this cause has been overwhelming and we're all so grateful for everything you've all done. Go ahead and give yourselves a hand," Rachel said enthusiastically, addressing the large audience in front of her.
"As many of you may know, I'm Rachel Berry and I'm going to be your host for the evening. My son, Christopher, died of leukemia last year. He wasn't even five years old." She paused to let the information sink in. "Every year, 137,260 people are affected with some form of leukemia. Some of those children will not survive. Some will have long painful battles with this disease. Some will be lucky enough to survive the fight, but will live with the aftereffects of their illness for the rest of their lives." She looked over the faces of the audience, all giving her their full attention. "Tonight we're going to try to change that. You've all already helped by buying your ticket to tonight's benefit. But please, don't stop there. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Association needs all the support it can get. There will be tables set up in the lobby if you choose to donate further. I urge you to please consider this. Also, there is a silent auction going on in the lobby all night so I encourage you to wander out there between numbers and place your bids. And to start off the show tonight, we're going to start off with one of Broadway's newest stars, fresh from her starring role in the smash hit of the season. Please give a warm welcome to Elena Harrison, singing Carrie Underwood's So Small."
As the lights went down and Elena took the stage, Rachel walked over and took her place in the wings. She watched Elena belt out the number and started as arms wound their way around her waist.
"You're doing awesome," Noah said in her ear.
She relaxed into his arms. "We really are sold out."
"I know. And it's all because of you. You've done a great job with all of this, babe."
"I had some help," she said, turning in his arms to grin at him. Looking him up and down she smiled. "I see Andy found the correct outfits."
"Everything's all set and ready to go. Relax. It's going smoothly."
She smiled at him again before heading back onstage as Elena finished her number. "Wasn't she wonderful?" she asked the audience, applauding the performer.
"Well, as any of you who have personal experience with leukemia or a similar disease, a support system is critical during those times, both for the patient and their family. I'd like to introduce some of my own support system this evening. My friends from high school, my glee club and our teacher, were pillars of strength and support during my son's illness and I don't know that they will ever fully comprehend what they did for me in that time. I'd like to bring a few of them out to sing for you now. Please welcome Quinn and Finn."
Her friends joined her onstage and she hugged them before taking her place in the wings with Noah again. A guitar started playing softly as the song began.
(Finn)
Mother
Do not cry for me
All of this
Is exactly how
It's supposed to be
(Quinn)
I'm right here
Can you hear my voice?
My life, my love, my Lord
My baby boy
(Finn)
As they nail me to this tree
Just know the Father waits for me
(Quinn)
God how can this be your will?
To have your son and my son killed?
(Finn)
Whatever happens
Whatever you see
Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me
This is not
Not the end
I am making all things new again
(Quinn)
I remember
When you were born
In that manger where I first held you
In my arms
So many miracles
And lives you've changed
And this world repays you how?
With all this pain
(Finn)
As they nail me to this tree
Just know the Father waits for me
(Quinn)
God how can this be your will?
To have your son and my son killed?
(Both)
Whatever happens
(Whatever happens)
Whatever you see
(I don't wanna see)
Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me
This is not
(Tell me it's not)
Not the end
I am making all things new again
(Finn)
Whatever happens
Whatever you see
Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me
This is not
Not the end
I am making all things new again
Rachel hugged her friends as she went back onstage again. Looking out into the audience she saw several people dabbing their eyes. "This year, 54, 020 people will die of leukemia and lymphoma," she said softly. "It doesn't have to be that way. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is funding research in new ways to fight, and someday, hopefully, cure this disease. Please keep that in mind as we take a break. Feel free to check out those auction items and donation tables in the lobby."
Rachel felt as if the evening flew by. It was a whir of hosting duties, chasing everyone around backstage to get them where they needed to be and performing. The girls, including the Broadway and theater girls, put together a performance of Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up, and the guys did an acoustic performance of Simple Plan's Save You, which Rachel had to admit, went surprisingly well. One of the local stars from Chicago theater sang an acapella version of Phil Collins' You'll Be In My Heart, and all of the theater and Broadway performers gathered for a performance of Sheryl Crowe's I Shall Believe. Will and Puck had broken out their guitars for a performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow and had received a standing ovation from the audience. The night was almost over and Rachel couldn't believe how successful it had been so far. She stood behind the curtain as she waited for the music to start, smiling at those around her. The music cued and the curtain raised, revealing the group to the audience.
(Finn)
Goodbye to you my trusted friend
We've known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we've climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and ABC's
Skinned our hearts and skinned our knees
(Mercedes)
Goodbye my friend it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere
Think of me and I'll be there
(All)
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time
(Quinn)
Goodbye Papa please pray for me
I was the black sheep of the family
You tried to teach me right from wrong
Too much wine and too much song
Wonder how I got along
(Kurt)
Goodbye papa it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Little children everywhere
When you see them I'll be there
(All)
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone
(Rachel)
Goodbye Michelle my little one
You gave me love and helped me find the sun
And every time that I was down
You would always come around
And get my feet back on the ground
(Puck)
Goodbye Michelle it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With the flowers everywhere
I wish that we could both be there
(All)
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time
We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone
They took their bows and Rachel encouraged the crowd to place one more bid in the auction before the evening ended. She hurried backstage to change her outfit. Fifteen minutes later, she stood in a simple black dress, behind the curtain as she listened to Quinn talking to the crowd.
"We want to thank you all so much for coming out tonight and supporting such a wonderful cause," Quinn said. "You have all been so generous and made tonight a complete success. We're still tallying up all the donations, but at last count our total raised tonight for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was $26, 475. So thank you!" She paused and the crowd cheered. "We have one more special performance for you tonight and I'd like you to give her your full attention, because without her, none of us would be here tonight. She's put in so much hard work to help out this cause that's so dear to her heart. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Rachel back to the stage."
Rachel stepped through the open curtain and took her place in the center of the stage as the lights dimmed and soft music started. She kept her head down until she started singing, her voice clear and pure.
Dragon tales and the water is wide
Pirates sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
She held the note out and applause rained down on her as the crowd stood and clapped. She bowed briefly before gesturing all the other performers onto the stage with her. She took the microphone and spoke overtop of the noise.
"Thank you all for coming tonight and for your sincere generosity. I look forward to the day where we no longer have to watch our children battle this disease and you have all helped us take a step in that direction. Thank you!"
Noah grabbed her around the waist as they were exiting the stage, swinging her around and she threw her head back, laughing. "You did it, babe," he grinned. "You were awesome."
"We were all awesome," she said. "I can't believe we were able to do this. Over $25,000, that's amazing!"
"All because of you," he said, placing a swift kiss against her lips. "Because of you."
"And Christopher," she said softly.
"And Christopher," he agreed. "He'd be so proud of his mommy."
She smiled and he was struck in that moment with how beautiful she really was. "There's just one problem."
"What's that?" he asked.
"This took up so much of my time and now it's over, whatever am I going to do with myself now? I need a new project."
He grinned down at her. "I think I can take of that for you, Rach."
She looked at him innocently. "What? How?"
He grinned and stepped back, dropping down to one knee as he reached a hand into his coat pocket, pulling it out to produce a ring. "Marry me?" he asked simply.
Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him for a fraction of a second before screaming "Yes!" and launching herself at him. He caught her against his chest and slipped the ring on her finger as she beamed at him. He kissed her again, dipping her low, ignoring the wolf whistles of their friends. "What do you say, Rach?" he murmured when he let her up for air. "A wedding a big enough project for you?"
The End
AN: Thank you all SO MUCH for your kind words and encouragement during this fic. This, out of all my stories, was my baby. The idea has been there all along, even as I was writing my other stories. I would like to give a special thanks to Lil0 for the suggestion of a concert with the glee kids. I was struggling with a way to end the story, a way to bring it all full circle and close it out, and I thought that was the perfect way to do it.
The songs in this chapter (and there were many!) were All Things New Again by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, Seasons in the Sun the Westlife version, and Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) by the Dixie Chicks.