A Nationals trophy. That's what they needed to be on top of the school. That was why when the glee club walked through the halls of McKinley High after their win in Chicago, the corridors were full of people wanting to celebrate their victory. The Cheerios were lined up and congratulated their fellow members and one even handed her pompoms to Rachel.
"Think of them as a present to your kids," she said beaming brightly. "Congratulations."
The true test came when the hockey team walked towards them, each of them holding slushie cups. The entire New Directions braced themselves for the cold shock that never came. Instead, confetti rained down upon them as the hockey teamed high fived all the football players and lifted Artie out of his wheelchair to carry him to the choir room.
When they got into the choir room, there was a huge banner across the room with "CONGRATULATIONS NEW DIRECTIONS!" written across and Will spotted the signature in the corner.
"It seems Sue has a heart after all," he murmured to himself before bringing out all the drinks to celebrate.
Once everyone was there, they had the trophy brought in and Will opened up the cabinet where they were going to store it. Shelby picked it up and then passed it to Rachel. Rachel kissed the side of it before passing it on to Puck and Finn who lifted it into the cabinet, where it would stay forever.
When Rachel and Puck went to bed that evening after they'd been to Edith's to congratulate her on her engagement to Alec, Rachel whispered something to Puck that made him smile like a kid on Christmas. "I'm ready."
oOoOo
When all the chaos died down, it was time for all the seniors to take their finals. There were no more celebratory parties and everyone went to each other's house to revise before their tests but soon enough all that was done and it was time for everyone to graduate.
Despite Nationals being over, Will called a meeting for the New Directions and there was only one word written on the white board. 'Goodbye'.
"Guys, it's the end of the year and that only means one thing," Will started, "It's time to say goodbye."
"Seniors, pick a song to say goodbye to us and everyone else pick a song to say goodbye to our seniors," Shelby said.
"For now though, I want everyone to follow us to the auditorium to have our sitting circle," Will finished and took Shelby's hand and led everyone to the auditorium.
"Seniors sit this side and everyone else over here," Shelby commanded pointing where she wanted to go and everyone sat accordingly.
"It's time we found out what our seniors have been secretly planning for their next year," Will said. "We know some of them but it's time for them all to be revealed."
"I'm going to NYADA," Brittany revealed smiling happily. "I didn't think I'd be able to graduate but with the help of my friends and my love girlfriend," Brittany paused to kiss Santana on her cheek, "My grades are high enough and I've been offered a place to the best dance school in New York."
"I'm also going to New York, but I'm going to NYU," Santana said. "I'm doing psychology and then I'm hopefully going to go into family law."
"I'll be in New York with the lovely ladies too," Kurt said, "and along with Britt, I'll be at NYADA but studying musical theatre instead."
"I'm doing the same as Kurt," Rachel revealed, "I'm looking forward to being in the city of my dreams with my best friends, fiancé and my kids."
"New York better watch out for us all," Puck added, "Cause I'll be there studying Business Management as my major and Music Technology as a minor at NYU. I want to be able to produce music as well as make it. I think that this is gonna be good for me. You never know, I could be all your managers in the future." At this, everyone started to laugh which put the tears on hold.
The next person to say was Quinn, "I'm afraid I'm not going to New York so I'll miss all of my friends. I'm going to Yale studying drama and English."
After Quinn was Mercedes who was struggling to keep it all together after hearing where all her friends were going. She believed she was the only going to where she was. "Some record producer was at Nationals and has offered me a small record contract and I've been accepted to attend UCLA to study music so I'll be doing both part-time," she said.
At this, Sam willingly let his tears start to fall at the idea of his girlfriend being across the country to him and him not being able to be with her. Mercedes didn't know what to say to her boyfriend so she just wrapped her arms around him tightly as if to never let go.
"I got some great news while at Nationals too," Mike said, taking the spotlight from Mercedes and smiling down at Tina who was wrapped in his arms grinning brightly. "Someone from Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance spotted me and offered me a place."
"We'll be at UCLA too, won't we babe," Finn said and Carly nodded. "I'm going to study astrophysics and Carly is going to study sociology. So don't worry, 'Cedes, you're not going to be alone."
"I'm going to miss every single one of you though," Carly said as her tears began to fall. "Specially my sister, Rachel and my best friend, Sugar. You've both helped me through this year. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Group hug!" Puck called and everyone, bar Artie, stood up and piled into a hug around Artie's chair and they all cried together because together they made it as National champions.
oOoOo
The next week, it was time for the performances. The first one was from the ones who weren't leaving. Artie sat in his chair and the others, Tina, Sugar, Blaine, Joe and Sam sat on stools. Will and Shelby sat at the side of them.
"Sam, Joe and Will (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
There are (places I'll remember)
Sam and Artie:
All my life, though some have changed
Sam, Joe and Will (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
Some for (ever not for better)
Blaine and Joe (with Artie):
Some have gone (and some remain)
Sam and Joe (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
All these (places have their moments)
Blaine and Sam:
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Blaine, Sam, and Artie (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
Some are (dead and some are living)
Sam, Artie and Will:
In my life I've loved them all
Blaine (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
But of (all these friends and lovers)
Artie, Sam and Joe:
There is no one compares with you
Sam and Joe (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
And these (memories lose their meaning)
Blaine, Artie and Will:
When I think of love as something new
Sam (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
Though I (know I'll never lose affection)
Blaine and Artie:
For people and things that went before
Sam, Tina and Sugar:
I know I'll often stop and think about them
Sam, Artie and Joe:
In my life, I love you more
Blaine and Will (with Tina, Sugar and Shelby):
Though I (know I'll never lose affection)
Blaine and Artie:
For people and things that went before
Joe, Tina and Sugar:
I know I'll often stop and think about them
Sam, Artie and Joe:
In my life I love you more
Artie, Blaine, Sam, Joe, Sugar, Tina, Shelby and Will:
In my life I love you more"
While they sang, they barely kept it together and the seniors were in a very similar position. Kurt, Mercedes, Quinn and Mike all rushed forward to their other halves that had just performed and hugged them tightly. All whispered words of comfort in their ears.
Shelby wiped the tear that started to fall and coughed slightly. "I believe it is time for the seniors' performance," she said her voice wavering a little.
The underclassmen moved their seats away and the seniors all took their places by the piano.
"Take care of this place," Puck began.
"And it'll take care of you," Finn finished before giving Puck a high five.
"Finn:
Uh!
Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha cha-cha-cha-cha-cha
Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha cha-cha-cha-cha-cha
Puck:
What! What! What! What!
Finn:
One, two
Finn:
One, two, three
Yaow!
Puck:
Ha! Hey! Uh! Hey!
Ha! Woo! Woo! Hey!
Finn:
Wake up kids
We've got the dreamers disease
Age 14 we got you down on your knees
So polite, you're busy still saying please
Puck:
Frienemies
Who when you're down
Ain't your friend
Every night
We smash their Mercedes-Benz
First we run
And then we laugh till we cry
Mercedes, Rachel and Carly:
But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light, (Finn and Puck: light)
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
One dance left
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
This world is gonna pull through
Puck with New Directions:
Don't give up
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got a reason to live
Puck with New Directions:
Can't forget
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
We only get what we give
Finn:
I'm coming home, baby
Puck:
You're the top
Finn and Puck:
Give it to me now
Finn (with New Directions):
(Four A.M) we ran a miracle mile
(We're flat broke)
Puck:
But hey we do it in style
Finn (with New Directions):
(The bad rich)
God's flying in for your trial
New Directions:
Oooh, oh no!
Finn (Carly):
But when the night is falling (falling)
You cannot, find a friend (Puck: friend) (find a friend)
You feel your tree is breaking
Finn and Carly:
Just then
Finn with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
One dance left
Finn and Mike with New Directions:
This world is gonna pull through
Mike with New Directions:
Don't give up
Finn and Mike with New Directions:
You've got a reason to live
Mike with New Directions:
Can't forget
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
We only get what we give
Finn:
Ow!
Puck with New Directions:
This whole damn world can fall apart
You'll be OK, follow your heart
You're in harm's way I'm right behind
Now say you're mine
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Mike with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got the music in you
Puck with New Directions:
One dance left
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
This world is gonna pull through
Puck with New Directions:
Don't give up
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
You've got a reason to live
Puck with New Directions:
Can't forget
Finn:
We only get what we give
Finn and Puck with New Directions:
Don't let go
Finn:
I feel the music in you
Don't Let go
Ohhhh!
Mercedes:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Finn:
Ohh!
Finn and Mercedes (New Directions):
Fly high (Don't let go)
High (Don't give up)
What's real (Don't let go)
Can't die
Finn:
You only get what you give (Don't Give up)
Mercedes:
You only get what you give
Oh yeah!
Finn with New Directions:
Health insurance rip off lying
FDA big bankers buying
Fake computer crashes dining
Mike with New Directions:
Cloning while they're multiplying
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson
Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson
You're all fakes
Puck with New Directions:
Run to your mansions
Come around
Finn and Mercedes with New Directions:
We'll kick you down yeah!
Finn with New Directions:
Don't let go
You got the music in you
Don't give up (Mercedes: Ooooohh)
New Directions:
You got the music in you
You got the music in you"
At the end of the performance, everyone was in floods of tears and ran forwards to hug each other tightly as if it was the last time they could ever do it.
oOoOo
Graduation was finally here and no one could deny the fact that they were leaving. Quinn had to leave only a week after Graduations as she had to go to a summer school for her course and Carly, Finn and Mercedes still had to find an apartment in LA. They had decided to get one together so that Mercedes wasn't alone and had friends. Sam had also replaced Finn in Burt's shop to get more money so he could visit Mercedes as much as he could.
NYADA had assigned an apartment for Rachel and the babies to stay in that was close enough to the nanny centre and to the school. They had also let Puck share with her as it would be unfair to not let the father stay, they just needed proof that he was still in education. Santana and Brittany were staying in the same block in an apartment across the hall and Kurt was rooming with someone called Caspar in the apartment next door to Santana and Brittany. Caspar was studying at NYADA too.
The actual graduation ceremony was full of crying. Mrs Pillsbury-Howell handed out all of the diplomas while Puck and Finn sang, played guitar and drummed. Emma had finally apologised to Shelby and Will and her OCD was under control and she and Shelby had actually become quite good friends.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the graduation class of 2012!" Figgins cried and everyone on the stage threw their caps into the air and all the couples shared kisses and the ones that weren't in relationships just hugged their friends in celebration.
oOoOo
The time building up to their departure was stressful and emotional and Rachel didn't know if she had ever cried so much. Leaving her parents behind was something that she was terrified of. She really didn't want to leave Beth behind either and the little girl would always cry when Rachel went over. Shelby promised that Beth would still see Rachel many times during the year but Beth wouldn't accept it.
"Qwinn has left and now Rachie and Noah are," she would sob and it broke everyone's hearts to see her that upset. "I won't see Ava or Levi."
"I'll call you up all of the time," Rachel promised the final time she saw her sister before she left for New York. "I'll bring you as many gifts back as I can. I'm not leaving you for ever."
The next morning, Hiram, Leroy, Edith, Sarah and Alec saw Rachel, Puck and the babies off to the airport and they were met there by Santana, Brittany, Kurt and all their parents. Mercedes, Finn and Carly were also there to fly out to LA. Rachel and Carly were in bits as they were going to be further apart but they were strong and knew that they would see each other often. Blaine and Sam were also there to see of Kurt and Mercedes. There were tears all around.
"We'll be back before you know it," Rachel promised wiping away her own tears and she hugged her dads for the last time. "I love you both."
Puck hugged his mom, sister and soon-to-be stepfather as well as his soon-to-be fathers-in-law before taking Rachel's hand and pushing the pram and the group split off into different groups. The parents started to walk away, Sam and Blaine tried to comfort each other as best they could and the eight of them, plus Ava and Levi, walked through to their planes to start the next adventure of their lives: University.
As Rachel sat on the plane with a sleeping Ava on her lap she paused to think about the year that she'd just had. It sure wasn't what she had expected it to be; it was so much better.
So there you have it guys. The completed story. I have loved every moment writing it, even when I got writer's block. I would have preferred it to have been uploaded sooner but exams and life have just gotten in the way but hey ho, that's life.
I cannot believe the amount of reviews, favourites or follows I've got from this. I know I say that every few chapters but it seriously means a lot that people actually read and enjoy my work. It's amazing.
I've had a few requests for a sequel but I don't know if I will or not. I'll need at least 15 maybe 20 requests before I fully consider doing it. I will be back at college soon and more work will have to be competed. I am tempted to work on a different story for a while before I think about returning to this set of events.
Thank you so much to everyone, it really has been amazing.
I love you all so much! Emss xxx.