Here it ends. Thank you for all the support and reviews. I loved to hear your ideas and thoughts on what was happening in the story. I have a new story that is in the process, but I don't know when or if I am going to upload it. Thank you for taking the time to read my stories and such. It means so much to me. All of you are the best for sticking with me no matter what. So here is the last chapter. Let me know if you are interested in the new story.
November 25th, 2016
It was a month before Palmer and Penelope's fourth birthday. They were getting bigger and thriving just like their parents had imagined they would. Palmer was a mini Finn. He loved to play with his stuffed football, but he was the biggest mommy's boy that there could ever be. Penelope was a girly girl just like Rachel with the voice of an angel, but she had no kind of rhythm at all just like her father. She was a daddy's girl and loved all the attention that she could get.
Finn was sitting in the front row of the auditorium. He placed Penelope on one knee and Palmer on the other. He said, "Okay guys. Your old man needs to have a chat with you. This is a big deal for momma. You need to be good and quiet. I know it is going to be a long time to sit still and be quiet, but we need to do this for your momma. She is so excited and we have to do this for her. Can you do this for me? Maybe tomorrow I will take you out for ice cream if you are really good."
Palmer said, "We'll be good daddy. Mommy is going to sing!"
Finn chuckled. Penelope said, "Promise daddy. We want ice cream." Finn laughed and held them close. He loved being a dad and was so happy to be their dad. He couldn't believe that it was finally here. Rachel was in her first Broadway play and he was going to be in the first row just like he had promised her all those years ago. He had kept his promise even while she was going through NYADA and had plays that she was part of.
Rachel had graduated in three years, a year earlier than expected even with two children and a husband at home. She took her schooling very seriously, but she was always available to her children and Finn whenever they needed her. She was truly a woman of many talents, especially for being only 23 years old.
Finn looked over to see Puck carrying Beth and holding the hand of a VERY pregnant Quinn. Finn smiled and said, "Hey guys. You didn't have to come. Rach would have understood if you couldn't make it."
Quinn said, "Are you kidding me? I would have been here even if I had this guy an hour ago. There was no way I was going to miss opening night of Rach's first Broadway play. This is a big deal. Plus, Beth was looking forward to seeing Rach on stage."
Beth said, "Hi Uncle Finn!"
Finn smiled and said, "Hey Bethy."
Palmer and Penelope both exclaimed, "Uncle No No! Aunty Q!"
Finn said, "Shh… Lower your voices. Remember our deal?" Both of them held their little fingers up to their lips and nodded.
Puck laughed and said, "Bribing the kids, huh, Huddy?"
Finn chuckled and said, "You gotta do what you gotta do to get through a show alive with two three year olds. You don't know what it is like having two kids yet, but you will soon enough. Then you will learn the rules of the trade."
Carole, Burt, Kurt, Hiram and Leroy then made their way to the row. Finn smiled at all of them and said, "I'm so glad that all of you could make it. Rachel is going to be so happy to see you all. I can't believe we were able to keep it a surprise. Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night is going to be perfect."
Hiram said, "There is no way that we would ever miss this. I can't wait to see what she has been working on. I'm so proud of her. We are proud of you, too. Thank you for stepping up and being there for our baby girl."
"I wouldn't have missed anything from the last four years for anything. I have two of the most amazing kids in the world and my wife is amazing. I am one lucky man."
Carole had Penelope on her lap and Leroy had Palmer on his. Carole said, "You make me proud day, Finn. The work you do to protect the city and your family is outstanding. Then after all the letters and talking to so many people you finally got your father the honorable discharge that he deserved. He would be so proud of the man you have become."
"Thanks, mom. It was worth it all. All of it. I wouldn't change anything in my life from this moment on and what has happened before this."
The curtains were drawn and the music started to play. Finn looked over at Palmer and Penelope to remind them to be quiet. He chuckled when they looked at him with their little fingers pressed up to their lips. He nodded and smiled.
After the play was over Finn laughed when he saw that Palmer, Penelope, Beth and Quinn were all asleep. He took his children from Burt and Hiram where they had been passed to halfway through. He picked up the bouquet of flowers he had and made his way backstage to see his superstar wife. He couldn't have been much prouder than he was at this moment.
Finn knocked on Rachel's dressing room door. He smiled when he saw the tiny woman open the door. She looked beautiful. She said, "Oh baby. I'm so glad you were here." She chuckled and asked, "How far into it did they make it?"
Finn laughed and said, "They were out halfway through the first act. I owe them ice cream tomorrow for being quiet. I mean they slept, but they were quiet. They got me there."
Rachel got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "you are such a pushover daddy."
Finn handed her the flowers and said, "Get dressed. We need to get these two home and you have fans to see. I am just so proud of you, babe. You did amazing."
"Thanks, Finny. That is just because you were in the first row. Let's go. I want to get these two home."
Finn smiled down at her as she took Palmer in her arms along with her flowers. They walked out of the door to be met by their family and friends.
Rachel gasped and said, "Now the night is perfect. Knowing that all of you were here on my first night on stage makes it even better. I was excited before, but my heart broke thinking you wouldn't be here. I'm so glad all of you made it."
Puck innocently pecked her cheek and said, "Are you kidding me? Did you really think that we would miss the Broadway premiere of Rachel Hudson?"
Quinn said, "Yeah. Like I told your husband, I wasn't going to miss it. I didn't care if I was in labor I was going to see my best friend on stage where she belongs and has worked so hard to get. You deserve it all and so much more, Rach."
Rachel sniffled. "Thanks, guys."
Quinn bit her lip and said, "I may have missed the ending. I'm so sorry. Trevor is zapping me."
Rachel smiled. "That's okay, Q. Remember, I have been there before. I'm just glad you were here."
Leroy and Hiram came over to hug their daughter. They both told her how proud of her they were. They had always known she was a star and now New York knew it, too. It was as things were meant to be.
Carole came over and said, "You were amazing, Rachel. I never got Broadway, but I definitely enjoyed the show. It was great."
Rachel smiled. "Thank you, Carole. I really appreciate you coming to see me."
"It was our pleasure."
Kurt told her lastly, "I always knew you would make it big. I am so proud of you little diva. You showed New York that little Lima can bring great things."
Finn said, "Okay. Let's get going. We need to get these two to bed. It's past their bed time and then we can celebrate the Broadway wonder that is my wife." He leaned down and kissed Rachel on the lips.
The group walked out and made their way to the vehicles they had come in.
Rachel had never felt so much love as she did from all of her friends and family that night. She felt like a true superstar.
Rachel's stent on her first show only lasted five months. The only reason why she gave it up was to take the time off with Palmer and Penelope. Also to care for herself as their little family welcomed their third child, a girl. It seemed a little celebrating they had had changed things even more than they had expected that night. But the Hudsons philosophy was "Everything happens for a reason."
Finn and Rachel welcomed their daughter, Isabella Christine, exactly nine months from the day of Rachel's Broadway premiere and nine months and a day after Puck and Quinn welcomed their son, Trevor Wren Puckerman into the world.
Finn went on to become the police chief many years later after Arnold Flowers retired. He appointed Puck as assistant chief. The two of them worked together all those years.
Quinn became an elementary teacher and taught at the best school in New York.
Rachel went on to star in many Broadway plays. She did win her first Tony for the musical she starred in. She accepted it while she was heavily pregnant and the happiest she had ever been.