Truth Is

A/N: All Glee characters are the property of Fox/RIB. Any songs used are the property of the singers/songwriters. Thanks to everyone for reading, reviewing, following and/or making this story one of your favorites. I have enjoyed writing it and thanks again for coming along for the ride. As always, continuing honoring our beloved Cory Monteith and through him, Finn Hudson also.

Epilogue

Rachel was upstairs in her and Finn's bedroom, looking around for any items she may have missed while packing. Searching through Finn's t-shirt drawer, Rachel pulled out an old tattered light blue shirt. Lifting it out, Rachel smiled. She didn't know why Finn insisted on hanging onto this old, torn and faded shirt. But, every weekend, he would pull it out to wear around the house. After checking it for new holes, she folded it and placed it in their suitcase.

"Mommy?" Rachel heard her 6 year old son call out to her, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Yes, Henry?"

"Can I take my skateboard over to Granddad's and Mimi's? They have that really cool driveway with a lot of stuff to skateboard over."

Rachel reached over and rubbed his hair, smiling. "Sure, but make sure you pack your helmet, young man. I don't want to be called back here because..." Her son had already ran out of the door. Smiling again, she shook her head, turning to zip her luggage, placing it by the door with the others.

Henry Daniel Hudson was the perfect mix of her and Finn. He had his father's height, hair and eyes. He had Rachel's nose, olive skin and lips. He had been born a month premature and he and Rachel were up many a night together while he was having trouble breathing with his tiny immature lungs. She and Finn had spent many nights anxiously watching the monitor he was attached to that alarmed when his oxygen level dropped too low. Then they had to place him on oxygen while they took turns napping.

He had to be given frequent small feedings the first weeks he was home, also because of his underdeveloped digestive system. Rachel had to breastfeed him every hour or so for awhile. And they just bonded, a bond that was still very strong. He loved and admired his Daddy but he was a Mama's Boy, according to their family and friends.

Rachel walked down the hall to their daughter's room. Taylor Carole Hudson was busy trying to pack every doll she owned into her lavender rolling duffel bag. "Taylor? What are you doing, baby?" Rachel laughed as she went over to sit on the side of her daughter's bed.

"Mommy, they won't fit. I wanna take Ari and Melissa and Mollie and...and I can't make them fit," she said, frustrated. She then turned and looked up at Rachel with her big amber eyes. "Can you help me, Mommy?"

Rachel chuckled. "Taylor, why don't you just pick 3 of your very favorites and then Mommy will help you pack them. Then we can put their clothes and accessories in there, too. Okay?"

"But Mommy, I can't choose," Taylor responded, stumping her foot. "I don't want to leave them all by they self here for a whole year! They'll miss me!"

Rachel reached down and picked her daughter up and pulled her onto her lap. "Taylor honey, first of all, Mommy and Daddy will only be gone for a week. And I'm sure the other dolls will be just fine while you are over Granddad and Mimi's house. Okay?"

"Okay," answered Taylor, looking down, "but which one do I take? Help me, Mommy," she pleaded. Rachel smiled as she randomly picked out 3 dolls and then helped her daughter finish packing her doll bag. She then walked over to her closet and finished packing her outfits for the week, finally zipping the bag up.

As they headed toward her small Land Rover hatchback, Rachel's phone rang. Helping the kids into the backseats, she answered. "Hello, Finn."

"Rach, are you headed this way?"

"Yeah, baby. Just loaded the kids up and pulling out of the garage now," she said and backed out of the driveway, closing the garage as she headed down the street.

"Oh, caught you in time. I meant to pack my Tarheel t-shirt. Can you run back upstairs and..."

"Already on it, honey. Got it. You finished with your meeting?" Rachel asked, turning onto highway toward Finn's club.

"Just about. They are stretching their legs and hopefully, in a few minutes, will sign this damn contract so I can get out of here. I can't wait to get you alone, Mrs. Hudson."

"I can't wait either. Well, gotta get off this phone. I see a lot of traffic ahead."

"Okay, babe," said Finn. "Be careful and I'll see you in a few. Love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

Meanwhile, at the club...

"...listen. I've told you, Finn is happily married. He has been married to his high school sweetheart now for 8 years. He doesn't see you that way. He hasn't seen any other woman that way for years and years. Only his wife. Only his Rachel. Get that through your thick skull, Linda."

"But Puck, he is extra nice to me. I've seen it. He looks at me with those light brown eyes and those dimples! I know he is married but is he happily married?"

"What have I told you, woman? He is very happily married. He and his wife are sickening so in love," Puck continued, becoming frustrated with the conversation.

"But," objected his new bartender, "You should see how extra nice he is to me."

"Finn is nice to all of his employees. That's just how he is. He's a nice man but it gets him in trouble sometime. Like now. Like you. And, I'm telling you. You don't want to cross that line. He is married to this tiny little brunette that will chew you up and spit your ass out! And if he or his wife picks up on just a hint that you got your eyes on him in that way, you will get fired, Linda."

"I've seen his wife's picture. He has it on his desk in his office. She's kinda cute, I guess, but that nose of hers..."

"Are you deaf? Or just stupid! Look, if you want to keep your job you will stay away from Finn Hudson. I don't know what it is about you women and Hudson. Even at his age, he still attracts the ladies like flies. But he is married to a woman he has loved since he was 16 years old. And believe me, you don't want to ruffle her feathers." Puck then looked the young woman directly in her eyes. " . nobody, I mean nobody comes between those two. Believe me, many have tried but he is very happy, very much in love with her. He has 2 kids with her. Finn doesn't see you that way, okay? Now chill."

"Does he like blondes? I noticed that a lot of the waitresses are blonde," totally ignoring Puck's warnings.

"Yeah, but I hired you and he will fire your ass if you even hint that you are after him. If his wife catches wind of this, she will have you fired. I've told you. She is a little firecracker and will go off on your stupid ass."

Pulling into the parking lot of the club, Rachel parked and then helped her kids out of the car. Taylor was being extra clingy so Rachel picked her up and carried her into the club.

"Look, Mommy," said Henry, pointing up to the club's sign. "That's Taylor's name. My Daddy named this place after her." Rachel laughed because he said that every time they visited the club.

"He sure did, Henry."

"Mommy, I want to see Daddy," whined Taylor. Rachel pulled her in closer to her. Just like Henry was closer to Rachel, Taylor was a complete Daddy's girl. She has had problems with separation anxiety ever since she was able to walk. She knew her parents would have to call them later just so Taylor could hear Finn's voice. Then she and Finn would have to call the kids tonight so that Finn could sing to Taylor at bedtime. Not just tonight but every night that they were away from her. It never failed.

Walking in to the club, Rachel noticed Puckerman standing behind the bar talking with a female bartender that Rachel hadn't seen before. She could hear the tail end of their conversation... "So, Linda. Don't even go there. I don't care what you may think of him, Finn Hudson is way off limits..."

Puck then looked up and saw Rachel coming through the door. "Hi, Rachel." said Puck, smiling at her. He then gave Linda a warning glance.

"Hi, Puckerman. Who's this?" Rachel asked, pointing at the new girl.

"This is Linda Clemmons. She is our new bartender since Thomas transferred to Raleigh. Linda, this is Rachel, Rachel Hudson. Finn's wife." Linda smiled at Rachel, shaking her offered hand.

"Nice to meet the lucky woman that got her hooks in Finn. He is so handsome," said Linda, smiling down at Rachel. "Rachel, am I correct?"

Rachel pulled her hand back and frowned at the bold woman. Puck just shook his head, knowing that Linda wouldn't be around very long. "Well," said Rachel, "I agree that my husband is very handsome. But Linda, am I correct?" Linda nodded, slowly. "Well Linda, I prefer to be called Mrs. Hudson by persons I'm not familiar with, if you don't mind." She then smiled briefly towards the young woman with her frown quickly returning.

"Anyway," Rachel continued, turning toward a nervous Puck. "Puckerman, I'm here to pick up Finn. After we drop the kids off, we are off to celebrate our 8th anniversary, wedding anniversary. So, Puckerman, he will be indisposed until next Monday." Rachel then fake-laughed towards Linda. "So, is he still in his meeting?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Puck, nervously. "Look, Linda. Go in the back and ask Fred to show you how to do the liquor inventory." He then watched her walk into the back, swinging her hips. Shaking his head, he turned to meet Rachel's cold gaze. "Uh, Finn shouldn't be much longer."

"Uncle Puck!" greeted Henry.

"Hello, my man," answered Puck to his godson. "How's it hanging, Hank?"

"Pretty low, pretty low." said Henry, climbing up onto one of the bar stool. "Can I get a stiff one?"

"Whatta it be, Hank? Scotch or gin?"

"Feeling like a gin, with 2 ice cubes, please." Puck laughed as he poured Henry a Sprite. Rachel crossed her arms, rolling her eyes at Puck.

"Puckerman, stop corrupting my son. I knew we should have picked someone else as his godfather. You better be glad you are married to Santana to taper down your madness."

"Oh Rachel, calm down. I know who has t'd you off. Don't worry, I'll take care of her," he whispered.

Rachel felt someone tugging on her shorts. Looking down, she saw her daughter looking up at her with sad eyes. "What is it, Taylor," Rachel asked, picking her daughter up and placing her on her hip.

"I want my Daddy. Where's my Daddy?"

"He is upstairs talking to some people. He'll be down in a minute, honey. You want Uncle Puck to give you something to drink?" Taylor shook her head 'no' and laid her head on her mother's shoulder. Just then, she heard Finn coming downstairs with two middle-aged gentlemen smiling back at him.

After he escorted them out he came over to his family and Puck. Kissing Rachel on the lips, he then kissed Taylor on the forehead before she reached up for him. He gathered her in his arms as she laid her head on his shoulder. "What's wrong, Tay Tay? You miss Daddy?"

"Yes," she said, placing her thumb in her mouth.

"Hey, Henry," said Finn, bending down to kiss his son on the forehead.

"Hi, Daddy. Uncle Puck gave me a shot of gin," exclaimed Henry. Puck rolled his eyes, sshing him.

"Puck..." said Finn. "What have I told you? That's why Rachel doesn't like for him to come around here, man. He's gonna go straight to his grandparents to tell them the exact same thing."

"Awe, I'll explain it. Anyway, did they sign?" Finn nodded. "Yes!" Puck declared. He then slapped hands with Rachel. Those two guys represented a huge architecture firm that signed to have their convention and meetings at Finn's club for the next 24 months.

Over the past 8 years, Finn had expanded Taylor's to two more clubs in Raleigh and Concord, near Charlotte, NC. He was now CEO making Puck COO of all the clubs. They had hired managers for all three clubs so that Finn and Puck could have more of a family life now that they were both married and had kids. They had closed the deal on a new club in Asheville, NC and construction was to start in September. All clubs were doing extremely well.

Rachel had made full partner at her Dad's firm two years ago, making her take fewer and fewer cases and basically becoming the lead attorney for their biggest cases. She had taken time off to have Henry and Taylor but was back at work full time.

After Finn gave Puck his final instructions, they headed to the downtown restaurant they were meeting the Berrys at. They would have lunch with them, hand the kids off to them to keep for the week and then head out for their annual honeymoon trip.

X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X

"So, baby," said Finn as he and Rachel headed toward their rented house on Manteo Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. "Ready for a week of loving and taking care of your husband's needs?"

Rachel laughed. "How is that any different from the last 8 years, Finn Hudson?"

He reached over and grabbed her hand, pulling it into his lap. "Baby, have I told you how much I love you lately? How much you have made my life so wonderful and exciting?"

"Hmmm," said Rachel, putting her finger under her chin, pretending to think about her answer, "not today, I don't think." They both laughed. Finn then looked over at his wife and felt an overwhelming need to kiss her, kiss her until he took her breath like she did his everytime he looked at her, even after all these years.

He pulled into the next rest area, parking the SUV. He then pulled Rachel over into his lap and kissed her passionately as they made out in the parking space. After a while, Rachel slid back into her seat, her head spinning from his kisses and touches. She pulled down her mirror to quickly brush her hair and then smiled over at Finn. He then winked at her, pulling back onto the highway.

Rachel leaned over to punch in the next playlist on her phone as a familiar song came through the speakers. Finn began singing as they headed toward the Outer Banks:

Finn:

*"When life leaves you high and dry
I'll be at your door tonight if you need help, if you need help
I'll shut down the city lights,
I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe to make you well, to make you well"

Rachel laughed as she took over the next verse:

"When enemies are at your door I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help
Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering to make you well, to make you well"

"Give me reasons to believe that you would do the same for me"

Then Finn joined her for the chorus:

"And I would do it for you, for you
Baby I'm not moving on
I'll love you long after you're gone
For you, for you
You will never sleep alone
I'll love you long after you go
And long after you're gone gone gone"

Finn:

"When you fall like a statue
I'm gon' be there to catch you
Put you on your feet, you on your feet
And if your well is empty
Not a thing will prevent me
Tell me what you need, what do you need"

"I surrender honestly
You've always done the same for me"

Both:

"So I would do it for you, for you
Baby I'm not moving on
I'll love you long after you're gone
For you, for you
You would never sleep alone
I'll love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone gone gone"

Rachel:

"You're my back bone, you're my cornerstone
You're my crutch when my legs stop moving
You're my headstart, you're my rugged heart
You're the pulse that I've always needed

Both:

"Like a drum baby don't stop beating
Like a drum baby don't stop beating
Like a drum baby don't stop beating
Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you
And long after you're gone gone gone
I love you long after you're gone gone gone"

After ending the song, Rachel leaned over and kissed Finn on the cheek, with him smiling over at her and they continued driving toward their well-earned week together.

The End

*Gone, Gone, Gone sung by Phillip Phillips*