I&#x27;m going Back to the Start

F2F || Home Sweet Home

Just seeing if you’re still drinking it the gross way.

[He furrowed his eyebrows at her then rubbed her back. Looking back his parents, he shrugged his shoulders.]

It’s pretty much our apartment since she spends most of her time there. But, technically, yes, it’s just my apartment.

Of course I am, what makes you think I’m going to stop drinking something the way I like it? You’re crazy, you know that?

[Resting her head on his shoulder, Rachel listened to Brody talk]

You both know what he’s like, I’m sure, can you imagine him sharing his closet space with anyone? He has more clothes and shoes than I do.

F2F || Home Sweet Home

[He rolled his eyes before grabbing her tea and taking a small sip from it. After he gave it back to her, he put his hand on her knee and grinned.]

That’s a great idea, babe!

[Brody looked over at his parents, glad that his mom at least liked Rachel so far. He knew his dad would need to warm up to her before he decided if he liked her or not.]

I’d love it if you guys came out and visited. Our apartment has a spare bedroom that you can sleep in.

Hey!

[She nudged him gently, knowing that he wasn’t a fan of the way she drank tea. At Brody’s comment she almost spat out her tea but started coughing instead. Did he knew she had her friends moving her into his apartment while they were here? He’d been trying for so long to get her to move in and she’d been saying no.]

His apartment, I know he thinks I should move in with him, but Brody has his own place at the moment.

F2F || Home Sweet Home

No pictures, mom!

[He laughed then left the two women alone, going into the living room to see his dad. They chatted until his mom came in with a big cup of hot cocoa for him. He grabbed Rachel’s hand and pulled her next to him in the big chair he was sitting in.]

She showed you the naked baby pictures, didn’t she?

Careful!

[Rachel laughed as he pulled her down, trying not to spill her tea over either of them. Getting comfortable she shook her head]

Actually you mom and I were talking about New York and about our shows. I told her they should come and see us both perform sometime.

F2F || Home Sweet Home

Yes, mom probably has a big cup of hot chocolate waiting for you.

[He stood up and led her downstairs, immediately being greeted by his mom.]

No questions, mom. We need something warm to drink first.

Tea sounds better.

[Smiling at the sight of his mom, Rachel slipped from his side and moved towards her, taking her hand and walking with her towards the kitchen]

You can ask all the questions you want to, as long as you show me all of Brody’s baby pictures.

#para: hsh

F2F || Home Sweet Home

I just don’t want you to feel out of place here.

[He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.]

I’ll feel more relaxed after you’re done making fun of me when mom shows you all my baby pictures.

[Shifting a little he let her head rest upon hi shoulder, her arms linking through one of his]

I think we have other things to do first.

[Pulling back he stood up]

Like get a hot drink.

#para 8

F2F || Home Sweet Home

It’s a joke, baby.

[He moved her over to the bed and sat with her.]

Hey, are you okay? We can go back to New York if you’re too freaked out.

[Rachel looked at him with a frown]

Brody I’m fine, why would you think that I want to go back to new York?

[Watched him for a moment, raising an eyebrow]

Maybe we’ll both feel more relaxed when we get unpacked, cleaned up and have something warm to drink.

#para: hsh

F2F || Home Sweet Home

You said I would pay for it, so I’m asking if you would spank me.

[He put an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.]

They were my favorite band when I was younger.

I don’t think that... why... would you want me to?

[Rachel looked around his room, trying to see if she could find some insite into the man in her life.]

Really? Ace of Base... that.. that surprises me.

#para: hsh

F2F || Home Sweet Home

Would you spank me?

[He chuckled.]

I had a couple girlfriends in high school. I wasn’t fighting girls off though.

[He led her into the house, giving her a tour of the house. The last room was his and he scratched the back of his neck.]

Don’t make fun of me for the Ace of Base posters.

What.. why are you asking me that?

[Rachel let out a gentle snort]

Of course you weren’t.

[Looking around. She listened to him as he walked her around the house, her eyes lingering on pictures of him.

Ace of base?

#p: hsh #ooc: I'm back

F2F || Home Sweet Home

You better not, I would make you pay for it if you did.

[She looked up at the large tree, a smile playing on her face.]

I bet it wasn’t just homework you’d done up there, I’m sure there were plenty of hearts you’d broken too.

[Rachel wasn’t stupid or blind, Brody was handsome, had always been and probably had had many girls on his coat tails wanting to be with him when he was younger.]

Would you spank me?

[He kissed her cheek then felt his face turn red.]

I may have done some sexual things with girls up there.

[His mom yelled his name from the kitchen window and he tugged on Rachel’s shirt.]

Come on. I’ll give you a tour of the house.

Would I what?

[Rachel blushes and looks down a the ground Even now Brody can surprise her]

That doesn’t surprise me, I’m sure you were fighting the girls off.. or maybe not.

[Looking up she smiled, nodding her head and waved at Brody’s mom shyly.]

F2F || Home Sweet Home

I promise I won’t laugh at you. Our horses are really nice though, so you won’t fall off.

[He smiled down at her then took her around the back of the house. Pointing to the giant tree in the backyard, he showed her where his old treehouse was.]

I sure did. Well, my dad built it. I always did my homework up there when I was younger.

You better not, I would make you pay for it if you did.

[She looked up at the large tree, a smile playing on her face.]

I bet it wasn’t just homework you’d done up there, I’m sure there were plenty of hearts you’d broken too.

[Rachel wasn’t stupid or blind, Brody was handsome, had always been and probably had had many girls on his coat tails wanting to be with him when he was younger.]

F2F || Home Sweet Home

I’m sure you could find someone in town to take you to the airport.

[He knew she was kidding because she had been way too excited to come to Montana. The whole week she was talking about how great a weekend away was going to be. If he had to guess, he would say she had something planned but he couldn’t figure out just what it was.]

We can do all of that. Baby, my family trains riders. Whatever you don’t have, we have thousands of options to choose from. But all you really need is long pants and riding boots, and you already have the pants covered.

But then I would have to fly home alone and that’s not fun.

[Taking his hand she started walking with him towards the house, listening to him talk before looking up at him]

You just have to promise not to laugh if I make a fool of myself or fall off.

[As they walked towards the house, Rachel looked up at it, her eyes taking in the size and shape of the building, trying to imagine what it was like for Brody growing up here.]

Did you ever build a tree house or anything?

F2F || Home Sweet Home

[He pulled his phone out when she wasn’t looking and took a picture of her petting the horse. It was a moment that warmed his heart and he never wanted to forget it. Plus it just proved how adorable she really is.

When she looked back at him, Brody stuffed his hands in his pockets and raised an eyebrow at her. He sighed when she looked at the horse again then moved to stand next to her, his hand running across the horse’s neck.]

I’m positive. You would have left me by now if we weren’t going to be. Now, how about we go inside and relax? We can hit the horse trails after breakfast tomorrow morning.

[When he moved up behind her, Rachel leaned back against him and let her hand drop, turning her head to snuggle against his neck ever so slightly.]

I can’t leave you, I don’t know how to get back to the airport.

[She was teasing him of course, inside she was fit to burst because this weekend was going to be a surprise for him. While there were visiting his parents, Rachel’s friends were moving her things into Brody’s apartment. Something he didn’t know about, but had been asking her to do for months.]

A shower would be nice, something to drink and a chance to get to know your family a little better. Riding in the morning? I’ve never been on a horse before and I don’t think I have any suitable clothing.

F2F || Home Sweet Home

[He knew she was nervous but hopefully by the end of the weekend that would change. While his parents knew about some of the things he did in the past, they didn’t know much about the stuff between him and Rachel. But he didn’t want to hide her from his family anymore and this was his way of showing not only them that but her too.

Brody watched her as she took in the ranch, a small grin on his face. He squeezed her hand in return before leading her over to the fence that the horses were hanging out by. Grabbing some grass from the feeding bin, he handed it to her and showed her how to hand feed the horses.]

Our relationship was rocky for awhile. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew we were going to be okay.

[Letting his guide her hand to feed the horse, Rachel smiled as it took the feed from her hand and then she moved a little closer, gently running her hand across the animals neck, the smile never leaving her face. She’d always found horses beautiful but had never had the chance to touch one, let alone ride one.

Turning her head she looked back at him, eyes lifting to his for a moment before turning her attention back to the horse before her.]

You’re sure of that now? That we’re going to be okay?

#p: shs

F2F || Home Sweet Home

[It had been a hectic few months. He was working on songs for his album while doing four shows a week, plus he was trying to get her to finally move in. But she was crazy busy too so he wasn’t pushing it too hard. They finally had a free weekend and instead of moving her in, she suggested going to Montana so she could meet his family. Of course, Brody gave in and told his family that they’d be flying in for the weekend.

When they landed in his home state, his parents were there to take them to their house. His mom went straight for Rachel and Brody couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He accepted the hug from his dad before his mom pushed him out of the way so she could hug him. It felt good to be home.

He held Rachel’s hand the entire way to his childhood home. The ranch didn’t look much different, just a few different horses and a couple more acres of land. His parents carried their bags in while he wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind and put his chin on top of her head.]

Well, what do you think?

[Rachel had been thankful they’d decided to fly to Brody’s hometown, she couldn’t imagine how long it would take for the two of them to drive there, plus it gave them a chance to relax before they arrived. If Rachel were being honest, she was more than a little worried about meeting Brody’s parents. She didn’t know what they knew about her, what they knew about their relationship or their past. Most of all she didn’t know if they knew what Brody had once done for a living. There were so many secrets in their relationship, secrets they’ve been able to overcome themselves but had others?

Somewhat surprised by the welcome from his mother, Rachel hugged her back, but hung back a little to allow the family reunion. Deciding not to fight with his parents when they took their bags, Rachel walked with Brody, glad to be able to stretch her legs.

The ranch hadn’t been what Rachel had expected, she was surprised as they drove up and she looked around, taking in everything. Spotting the horses she smiled, her fingers curling a little tighter around Brody’s hand]

This place is beautiful, why didn’t you tell me about this place?

#f2f #p: hsh

Out Tonight

He leaned into her hand, a goofy smile on his face. No one made him happier than she did and no matter what she decided, that was never going to change. “I can tell. They seem very restless.” He grabbed her hand after she put the spare key in her purse, giving it a squeeze. “I put on my best pair. I have a feeling you’re going to make me dance a lot tonight.” When they got out on the street, he swung their hands back and forth as he took in the city at night. “It’s a good night for dancing. We should make out in the alley by the club later. The weather is just right that we won’t freeze but you’ll want me really close.”

“We can make out when we get back here,” she said jokingly, poking him in the chest as she did, “I don’t need anyone taking pictures of us, especially as you get so carried away when we make out.” Waving down a cab, Rachel climbed in first, telling the driver where to take them, “You need to tell me when your opening night is so I can take that night off of work. I want to be there so I can yell and cheer the loudest and get to play the proud girlfriend.”

#p: ot

Out Tonight

It was a big question he was asking, so he wasn’t surprised when she hid her face in his neck. Brody wasn’t hurt because he expected this, her not giving him an answer right off the bat. When she asked if she could think about it, he cupped her cheeks and gave her the biggest kiss he could. “Take all the time you need. I know it’s a big question and I don’t want you to rush your decision.” Leaning in, he kissed her before getting back up. “Please don’t feel like you’re going to break my heart if you decide not to move in. For me, that’s the next step in our relationship but I get that you might not feel the same way.” He helped her up then wrapped his arms around her. “Come on, baby. We have people waiting on us.”

She would always be thankful for how understanding he was, Brody had become a wonderful man, he really had changed so much over the years. Saying nothing, Rachel leaned in a kissed him softly, her hand coming to rest against his cheek while her thumb dragged across his skin. With a gentle nod of her head she pulled back, a gentle smile playing on her lips, “We have people waiting on us and I have feet which want to dance.” She stood with him, picking up her purse and putting the spare key in it, at least it would make getting in tonight a little easier. “I hope you have your dancing shoes on.”

#p: ot

Out Tonight

When they got back to his apartment, Brody quickly grabbed the extra key from the counter and slipped it in his pocket. He smiled back at her, reaching out to cup her cheek. “I was seven in 1999, so bring on the juice boxes and apple slices!” As they went to leave, he grabbed her hand to stop her, pulling her back towards him. “Actually, before we go,” he trailed off, looking down at the ground. “I wanted to wait until later but I know you’re going to pass out when we’re in the cab back here. I need to do this when you’re not tired.” He cleared his throat then looked her in the eyes. “We’ve been doing pretty well, right? We haven’t been fighting or anything. It’s been good, fun even.” He took a step back, getting down on one knee as he reached into his pocket. “I love you, Rachel Berry, with all my heart. I love waking up next to you, coming home to you, making breakfast with you, making breakfast for you, sitting on the couch eating leftovers while you tell me about your day, and so much more. That’s why I want to ask you something.” Taking her hand, he turned it over to her palm was open then laid the key in it. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and move in with me?”