A Change of Heart: Shelby Corcoran a Tony award Broadway winner actress is living her dream. Everything in her life is perfect until she hears the unexpected news about a young couple's tragic death from a horrible car crash. This leads to seeing her daughter for the first time in eight years after giving the little girl up for adoption. Will Shelby learn to raise a stubborn/mature Rachel and fall in love with her? Will Rachel accept the news about who Shelby is? Will they have a change of heart?
Chapter 1:
The curtains closed as Shelby Corcoran finished her first week of being Elphaba in Wicked. She's more than grateful to follow her dreams. It's where she wants to be.
She's finally living in the big city that never sleeps and is a Broadway star with three Tony awards and two nominations. She can say life is pretty much amazing. She loves what she's doing. She's doing everything for her fans and her family who supports her no matter what.
She comes back to her dressing room where she's met by her long time high school boyfriend Anthony Lawrence. She smiles after seeing the vase of roses along with chocolates.
"You did wonderful up there." Anthony says. He wraps his arms around Shelby. "Thank you. You didn't have to do all of this." Shelby says kissing Anthony.
"Stop. You deserve it." Anthony says stroking Shelby's shoulders. "It's Friday night. It's the weekend. And you don't have any shows. I was thinking maybe-"
Shelby smiles. "Stay home and be warm? I just want a lazy weekend." Shelby rests her head on Anthony's shoulders.
"I guess we could." Anthony responds. He didn't say anything else. He lets Shelby relax and smiles suspiciously. He had tons of exciting things happening for him and Shelby.
He would leave it as a surprise. "Why are you smiling?" Shelby asked looking up at her boyfriend.
"Cause you're beautiful and truly talented." Anthony says. Shelby smiles back and closes her eyes for a few seconds. It felt nice for her to just sit and do nothing. It isn't everyday where she can be like this with a busy schedule.
The two young couple are interrupted by James Litrell, Shelby's manager. Shelby can tell by the look of James's is that something is wrong. "James? Is everything okay?" Shelby asked. She quickly stands up with James by her side.
"Shelby please sits down." James says. Shelby slowly nods and sits back down.
James isn't sure how to do this. He hates breaking news to people but it has to be done. He takes a deep breath. "Shelby? You're an amazing person. Everyone out there loves you-" He was cut off. He can tell that Shelby is worrying, and panicking. What could go wrong? Did nobody like her? Did she not do a good job? Will she be fired? She thought her fans love her... She felt a few tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry James if I didn't do such a good job as Elphaba ..I understand-" James stares at Shelby. This is not what he came for. "Woah, Shel.." He calms her down. "That isn't what I came here for." He says. Shelby nods. Anthony continues to stroke her back with comfort.
"I came here because there's something serious I need to tell you." James began. "Do you remember what happened eight years ago?" He asked seriously.
Anthony glances at Shelby. He knows where this is going. "Eight years ago I was pregnant..a surrogate to a gay couple. Why are you even asking me?" Shelby asked still crying.
"Because the little girl you gave up for adoption is crying hysterically. Her fathers, LeRoy, and Hiram Berry were killed tragically and instantly in a car accident. She has no family members since no one supported them. She has a babysitter but she's only a minor. That's where you show up." James explains. "I know you signed a contract saying you aren't able to contact her until she's eighteen. But with a death happening, you are the only person who can take care of her. Do you think you can do this? Be an actress and take care of a young girl who's coping with the death of her father's?" James asked.
Shelby froze. Everything is coming down to her. She never imagined this would happen. "What's her name?" Shelby asked
"Rachel. Rachel Barbra Berry." James responds with a half smile. He tells Shelby about how Rachel is in the state of denial according to her babysitter. She doesn't want to go to the funeral. He also says that she'll be at her apartment first thing in the morning.
And that's when Shelby's life begins to change. Learning to become a mother to a little girl she gave up for adoption eight years ago. Will Shelby learn to love her? Will Rachel learn to love her?
I'm sorry this chapter is so short but I hope you like it! Please let me know what you think and you will meet Rachel in the next chapter!