Loud pounding on the dressing room door made Rachel jump. From the other side, she heard Quinn Fabrays voice, "Rachel, if you never come out, well never know if it fits."

Swinging the door open, Rachel sighed heavily. She placed her hands on her hips and said, "Ugh. This is Kurt and Blaines wedding all over again. I was so huge, I could barely fit into my dress."

"I cant believe Sam is making you get married now. Why not wait until after you get your hot bod back," Quinn circled her, studying every inch of her body.

"Thanks, Quinn," Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Not that you arent hot now," Quinn touched her belly.

"I agreed to marry Sam now. Its not about looks. Its about our love," she winced at her reflection in the mirror. "I just wish I had the looks to go with it."

"Then why dont you wait?" Quinn asked.

"Because I love Sam and we want to be together," Rachel said, turning from the mirror.

"You two have waited this long. Why not wait a little longer?"

"It just feels right," Rachel shrugged. She turned back to the mirror and stared at her reflection. "I like this one."

"It hides your bump a little," Quinn said. "Its pretty."

Rachel smiled, "Thanks Quinn. im going to change and we can get out of here." She went back into the dressing room, changed, and paid for the dress.

"So Im thinking we need to have a bachelorette party for you," Quinn said, climbing into the car.

"Thats not necessary," Rachel blushed. "No one will come. I called you because I knew you were about the only woman I could find on short notice to help me with last minute wedding plans. This is a small wedding. No need to make a big deal before."

"Rachel, given that this is your first real wedding, you deserve it," Quinn said. "Thank God this is your first. Remember when you and Finn nearly got married? What a joke that was."

"It wasnt a joke. We were in love," Rachel said defensively. She felt a longing for her late boyfriend. It seemed a lifetime away that she had stood before Finn in the hallway of the court house in a white dress.

"You were kids. It wasnt love. All of our stupid mistakes in high school werent love. Its a shame we didnt know that then. Could have spared ourselves a lot of heartbreak," Quinn rolled her eyes.

"I dont regret a minute with Finn. I would do it all over again even knowing... that it wouldnt last," Rachel replied.

"But hes gone and you love Sam now," Quinn reminded her.

Rachel blinked, staring out he car window at the perfect blue sky. "Yeah, I know," she said quietly.

Belle twirled in circles, her white dress flowing around her.

"You look so beautiful," Rachel smiled. "I think this dress is perfect for you."

"Thanks, mom," Belle gave another twirl. "Youre going to look beautiful in your dress too."

"Thanks," Rachel smiled. She grabbed Belles hand and pulled her close. "I know youre not happy about the baby, so I want to ask you how you feel about me and Sam getting married next week."

"Well, that makes me happy," Belle said.

"Whys that?"

"Because I love Sam," Belle shrugged. "Hes practically my third dad anyway, so its about time you got married."

Rachel chuckled, "Im happy you feel that way, because I do want us all to be a family."

"Even the baby?" Belle said bitterly.

"Especially the baby," Rachel placed her hand on her stomach. "He cant wait to see you, you know?"

"Well, I can wait to see him," Belle went to the mirror to look at her dress. It hurt Rachel to know that Belle was still bitter about the baby despite their efforts to tell her it would all be okay.

"Look at you!" Sam cried entering the room.

"Hi Sammy," Belle rushed over and hugged him. He scooped her up into his arms.

"You are going to make the most beautiful flower girl in the whole world," Sam said.

"Can I ask you a question?" Belle asked.

"You just did," Sam tickled her.

Belle chuckled, "When you and mom get married, should I call you dad?"

Sam and Rachel met eyes. She gave him half a smile. This was up to him, not her.

"You dont have to. You already have two people you call dad. It might get confusing if you call three people that," Sam said, looking back at Belle.

"But you will be my dad, right?" she said seriously.

"Yeah," Sam answered. "But you can still call me Sam if you want to."

"I can call you Sam and tell everyone youre my dad," Belle stated. She kissed his cheek. "I like that youll be my other dad."

"And I cant wait for you to be my daughter," Sam replied. "Thank you for being our flower girl. I like that youre a part of our wedding."

"Mom and I were going out for ice cream," Belle told him as he set her down. "Do you want to come with us?"

"I wish I could but I have essays I need to grade. Ive been avoiding them. Why dont you two go have some girl time?" Sam smiled.

"Okay. Can we go now?" she asked Rachel.

"As soon as you get changed," Rachel stood up and swayed a little. She shook her head and walked over to Sam. "Why dont we go wait while she gets changed." She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room.

"I love you," Sam said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "I cant wait for you to be my wife next week." He kissed her gently.

"I feel the exact same way," she said softly. "Well finally be a family."

"And then we can start our own family," he said, touching her stomach. "As long as you arent over being pregnant by then."

"Actually I think itd be a welcome change to be able to keep one of the babies I give birth to," she smiled. "You really mean that though? Youd want to start a family?"

"Of course. The feeling grows stronger every time I see you and wish he was ours," Sam kissed her again. "Im ready for this. All of it. No regrets, right?"

Something nagging at the back of her mind made her hesitate before she looked into his loving eyes and smiled, "Not for a moment." She met his lips once more.

"Cant this wait? Ice cream is waiting," Belle shuffled into the room.

Breaking apart, Sam and Rachel giggled. "All right, all right, lets go." She grabbed her sweater and returned to Sams side again. "Well finish later," she whispered before kissing his cheek and heading toward the door. She was looking forward to spending time with her daughter.

Rachel and Belle reached the street and began walking toward the nearest subway. They hopped on a train and made their way for the closest ice cream shop.

His gentle features. His kind brown eyes. His loving half smile. His picture stared up at her like a knife in her heart.

Why had things worked out this way? Why had Finn died leaving her behind? Why had they not gotten married and started a life together? What would have been different now if they had gotten married then?

"I miss you so much," she whispered, tracing the frozen features in the picture.

Rachel was about to get married in a week. She needed to focus her thoughts on Sam but regrets about Finn kept clouding her thoughts.

"If you were here, you would know just what to say to make me feel better," Rachel told the picture. "I know we were too young and I knew we were right not to get married. Am I right to have the same doubts now? I dont know what Im doing."

A long silence followed. In her mind, Rachel could hear Finns voice. She knew hed tell him to follow her heart. She was a strong, smart woman and she knew how to make the right choices.

A knock came on the bedroom door. Kurt popped his head in and said, "Hey, lady. Are you ready for your party?" He frowned, noticing the sad expression on her face. He sat down next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder. "Whats wrong?"

"I just miss him," she said, not taking her eyes off of Finns picture.

"Sometimes I really miss him too," Kurt said.

"It just makes me wonder if Im not meant for this," she said sadly. "The first man I loved died. The second one fell in love with my best friend. What if things dont work out with Sam? Ive been pregnant twice and neither child is mine. Its like I keep getting teased with things that normal people get to have and I dont get my dreams. I had to give up Funny girl. Everything gets taken from me." Tears formed in her eyes.

"Honey, thats not how it works," Kurt pulled her close to him, giving her a hug. "You offered to be our surrogate this time. I know Belle wasnt planned but look at what a blessing she has been. She is your child. As for relationships, it just wasnt meant to be."

"Maybe Sam isnt either," she mumbled.

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Kurt smiled, "I know Sams right for you. Look at how much hes been there for you. Most guys would have left a long time ago. It takes a special person to love you, Rachel Berry. And I know Sam loves you."

"I know he does," she said looking into his soft eyes. "Just dont tell him Ive been having doubts." She leaned his head on his shoulders.

"I wouldnt. Thats up to you, not me," Kurt patted her thigh. "Now come in, theres people here to see you."

"Are you hanging out with us or with the guys?" Rachel said, as Kurt grabbed her hands and pulled her off the bed.

"I know Im your leading lady at the big event next week but is it weird if I show up to your bachelorette party?" he asked.

She giggled, "Kurt, everyone in glee club knew you took sides with the girls in every chance you had."

"Touché" Kurt said, taking her arm in his. "Theyre probably going to go out and drink beer anyway, and Id much rather support a glass of wine in my hand."

"This is why you are my best friend," she said.

"Have a good time," Sam greeted her with a kiss when she entered the room.

"Sure you dont want to hang out with us?" Blaine asked Kurt.

"No, thanks, but enjoy yourself, okay?" Kurt kissed his cheek. He turned to the room, where Mike Chang, Ryder Lynn, Jake and Noah Puckerman, and Artie Abrams were, "its nice to see you guys again. We dont do this enough."

"Well, if Sam had real friends here, we wouldnt be needed," Jake Puckerman said.

"I do have friends," Sam said. "But when I thought about who I wanted to celebrate this night with, it was the people Im closest to. My colleagues dont exactly qualify for that."

"Thats what happens when you hang around teachers," Artie said. "Theyd rather grade papers than have a good time."

"Or were all just hopelessly stuck in the past. Clinging to our high school friends," Blaine smiled. "We really are so happy you guys could make it out."

"Either way, its good to have our glee boys back," Rachel waved. "See you guys later."

She set off toward the subway with Kurt. "Cant you tell me where we are going?" Rachel asked.

"No, that wouldnt be fun," Lurt said.

It seemed like it took them forever but they finally reached their destination. "Why are we at NYADA?" Rachel asked.

"I called in a favor with your former dance teacher," Kurt said. "I told her we were celebrating your wedding shower but we needed a place for the party."

"NYADA?" Rachel asked.

"If were going to do a party, were going to do it the Rachel Berry way," Tina Cohen-Chang popped out from behind a door. "We needed a place to sing karaoke, amd dance, and when we go home we can watch musicals."

"Ms. July said we could use her space," Marley Rose appeared behind Tina.

"She said shes proud of how far youve come and its the least she can do to rent her studio to us," Kurt took her hands in his. "This studio was where you were first challenged in New York. Youve been challenged greatly since then. So were here to celebrate a victory... Cassie just said we have to have our asses out of here by eleven," Kurt concluded.

"After that we can safely return to your apartment for a sleepover. Blaine offered to keep Sam and the guys for the night," Santana concluded.

"And Belle?" Rachel asked.

"Im here," Belle appeared behind Santana.

"Thats why were keeping this PG," Kurt said. "Blaine and I dont have the strength to leave Belle with a babysitter."

"And youre preggers so you cant drink or anything anyway," Santana made a gagging motion. "So were keeping it pretty old lady-ish, which is right up your alley, Berry."

Tears formed in Rachels eyes, "That is the sweetest thing you guys could do for me. Im so lucky to have all of you in my life."

Kurt pulled her into a hug. "I love you, lady."

"I love you too," Rachel said.

Kurt kissed her cheek and then said, "Will you do me the honor of singing. The first diet with me?"

"I would love to," Rachel smiled.

Her heart pounded against her rib cage as she walked down the hallway toward him. Hands clenched tightly over the bouquet of flowers, she couldnt take her eyes off his happy expression.

She stopped in front of him and he said, "Wow. Rachel, you just - you look-"

"You do too," she replied. "Ready to go in there?"

"Just hang on a second. I want to take a second to remember this -us," he admired her appearance. Her white dress and matching shoes. Her hair tied back against a veil. Finn smiled, "Well, Mrs. Berry Hudson, everyones waiting."

As they turned a corner, she was arm in arm with Blaine. Her heart was still pounding because she was so sure that he would ask for her hand in marriage.

"Can I ask you a question? he turned to face her, grabbing both of her hands in his.

Trying to steady her breath, she nodded, "of course." This was it. Her perfect birthday present.

"I love you, Rachel. You know that, right?" Blaine said.

"More than anything," Rachel said. She could barely hold herself together. "And yes, I love you more than anything. Yes, I want to be with you my whole life. Yes. Yes."

Blaines face fell, "No... I wasnt..." He blushed, "I dont want to marry you... not now. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to take a carriage ride through Central Park with me. I love you and I want to make your birthday special."

She turned on her heel and began walking away, feeling so ashamed to think that he didnt feel the same way after putting her whole heart into loving again after Finn...

And as she walked with her head down, she ran into someone. Sam. Pulling her into a tight embrace he said, "Im sorry, I know weve been together a while but this just doesnt feel right. I want to marry you someday but youre still broken sometimes. Being around Blaine with you is still awkward and dont think I havent noticed the times you still get upset about Finn."

"But you cant be jealous of that. Finns g-gone." She cried.

"I just worry about your ability to love when youre still so broken over him and Blaine," Sam said. "We just need more time. Im sorry. I came here tonight to ask for your hand but I cant."

And thats when Finn and Blaine walked up and stood next to him. "Im sorry," Finn said. "I dont belong here."

"Im sorry," Blaine said, "I love someone else."

Sam gave her a sad smile, "Youre just not ready."

Sam, Blaine, and Finn all faded from view.

"No! No!"

"Rach? Rachel!" Sams voice broke through her hazy mind. His soft hands stroked her hair.

Her eyes opened and found his, "Sam," she breathed. Reaching up, she ran her fingertips along his jawline. "Youre real. Youre here."

Sam smirked, "uh yeah, where else would I be?"

"I dont know," she whispered.

"Bad dream?" he asked.

She nodded. Attempting to sit up, she reached for Sam. He pulled her into his embrace. "Its over now."

"Its not," she said quietly. The fact was that Finn was dead. Blaine had broken her heart for Kurt. Sam had once told her that they werent ready for marriage.

What if she still wasnt ready?