So, in case some of you haven't noticed, my stories were deleted. Not by me but some unknown person. I do not have any of my stories backed up on my computer (a stupid mistake on my part but who would have thought this would have happened?). I was just going to pick each story up where they were left off, however, for any new readers that wouldn't have made sense for them. Leaving me to rewrite each one. It's gonna take some time, so please be patient.
Obviously none of the stories will be exactly the same but close in some ways.
I know I haven't been updating lately but I've been back in the hospital a couple times, as well as being sick, plus having to deal with a personal crisis. I am coming back to writing though.
:)
Ten weeks into the school year and the excitement of starting Junior year had worn off. Summer had been, for the most part, the best summer break so far. Rachel and Puck were still dating, having surviving a 75 hour breakup in early August just a few weeks before school started, and were just two months away from celebrating their one year anniversary. Rachel and Puck were completely different people but Rachel figured that's why they were the perfect couple. There was always something new for them to do and learn about each other. Puck was able to get Rachel to relax occasionally and Rachel got Puck to start taking school a little more seriously. Now he was sticking around for more than just lunch and study hall.
Ava's summer had been fairly nice, especially after she met Sam Evans a week and a half after summer break started. The two danced around dating for awhile until one drunken night when Ava poured her heart out to Sam regarding Shelby's departure the night of regionals, just a month earlier. Sam and Ava slept together following Ava's tearful story, leaving Ava pregnant. Sophomore year, during Quinn's pregnancy and following the birth of her and Finn's daughter, Beth, Ava had been given the title of head Cheerio by Sue. After announcing her pregnancy the week before cheer practice started up again, Ava stepped down and handed in her uniform, feeling that continuing in the activity was putting her baby's life at risk. Of course this was said in front of Quinn, leaving the blonde fuming at the remark.
It was the middle of November and Sectionals were only two weeks away. Rachel typically wasn't so nervous and had been looking forward to their second sectionals rodeo, however, just the day before Will had announced that Sue had been ordered by Principal Figgins to attend the out of district competition with Will, Miss Pillsbury, and New Directions. Rachel was sure the cheerleading coach was up to something and was secretly working on a new set list using the assignments Will had given over the last few weeks to have as back up.
"Are you sure Santana and Brittany have no idea what Sue has planned?" Rachel asked once again, pulling into a parking space in the parking lot of McKinley High School.
"No and seeing as Santana and Brittany haven't talked to Quinn since she was given her Head Cheerio status back, there's no way of knowing if Quinn knows anything." Ava answered, wiggling herself out of the front passenger seat. "
"Can't we just have one competition where there isn't any drama?" Rachel growled. "First our set list gets handed out to our opponents, then our mother tells us she wants a family, that doesn't include us."
"I wish I could say this year will be different but with Sue going, we all know things aren't going to be so easy."
"Quinn better hope for her sake that she has no part in anything Sue may have planned or Finn will be a single father." Rachel gave the empty threat.
Ava gave a small reply and closed her door, reminding Rachel to pop the trunk of the car so they could get their backpacks. Leaving their glee duffel bags in the trunk, the lid was closed once more and the two headed into the school. Sam was at his locker, talking to Finn and Puck about their game that was the past Saturday, when he saw the girls walking in. Knowing Quinn would be pissed if he was around the Berry girls, Finn quickly said goodbye and hurried off.
"Hey baby." Sam kissed Ava's cheek, rubbing her swollen belly. "Three more days."
"I can't wait." Ava grinned, thinking about finding out the sex of their baby. "You're still coming, right Rach?"
"Of course!" Rachel said from her spot in Puck's arms.
"What about you, uncle Noah?" Sam smirked.
"Don't worry, I rearranged my job cleaning the Morris' indoor pool so I could be there." Puck said, patting Ava's belly.
"Great. Ava and I also want to know if you guys want to go out for lunch afterwards?"
"Yeah." Rachel nodded after Puck did. "We'd love too."
"Awesome." Ava beamed with excitement. "I'm gonna go get something to eat from the cafeteria before class starts, Rach want me to bring you anything?"
"I'm...Busy." Rachel replied, to wrapped up in Puck's mouth to give a decent reply.
"Come on, babe." Sam said, wrapping an arm around Ava's waist.
"I love you." Rachel said into Puck's mouth.
"I love you too." Puck said, pushing Rachel gently into the set of lockers.
"Miss Berry and Mr. Puckerman, I suggest you find something else to do with your time whilst waiting for classes to start." Figgins said, walking to the front doors to greet members of the school board. Normally he didn't mind PDA but not when the school board was watching the halls.
"We could go make sure no one is misusing one of the empty classrooms?" Puck slyly whispered into Rachel's ear, causing a low moan to escape from her mouth. "I thought so, come on."
Twenty minutes later the bell rang alerting students that there was 10 minutes until the school day started. Rachel and Puck walked out of the room, Rachel straightening her hair down with her hands. Puck kissed Rachel as she linked her fingers in his.
"You're becoming a regular bad-ass. Perhaps I should call you Puckette."
Rachel giggled and fixed her lip gloss before they started walking to Rachel's first class of the day. The loudspeaker clicked on as the two began climbing the stairs.
"Rachel and Ava Berry to the main office, please. Rachel and Ava Berry to the main office please. Thank you."
"I'll walk you down." Puck said.
"It's alright, I'll see you later." Rachel brushed him off.
"You sure?"
"Yeah." She nodded and kissed his lips one last time.
Rachel sighed and turned around, descending the stairs. It had been awhile since she found herself in the office and wondered what she could possibly be in trouble for. Ava caught up with Rachel as she came out of the girl's bathroom.
"What did you do this time?" They asked one another at the same time.
"The only thing I can think of is telling my math teacher off for making a rude Streisand joke." Rachel said, then turned to her twin. "You?"
"We'll I did lie last week and told the secretary I had a doctors appointment, when really I went out to lunch with Sam."
Ava pushed open the large glass door and went up to the secretary's desk. Her and Rachel were instructed to go into a small conference room next to the principal's office to wait.
"This is different." Ava said, dropping her bag on the floor next to a chair, sitting down with Rachel next to her.
"Yeah. I wonder what's going on."
After waiting over five minutes, both girls were becoming annoyed. Rachel was getting ready to go out and ask what was taking so long, when they saw a shadow behind the frosted window and the door knob twisted. It was about 30 seconds of hearing muffled voices before door finally opened. The secretary poked her head in and said the principal would be ready to see them shortly. A total of 18 minutes of waiting and the door opened again. The secretary Motioned them out of the room and Rachel shot Ava a confused look when they saw Figgins leaving the office with a cart loaded up with his personal things. They were walked to the office and the secretary blocked their view.
"The Berry twins are here." She said before looking at the twins. "The principal will see you now."
"Principal?" Rachel whispered to Ava.
Ava shrugged and walked past Rachel to go into the office.
"Shelby?" Ava gasped.
"What the hell?" Rachel responded, quietly to seeing her biological mother behind the desk.
"Have a seat." Shelby said, pointing to the chairs in front of the desk.
"I think I'll stand." Rachel replied, not sure if she could even walk to the chairs that were just a few short feet away.
"Me too." Ava said, pulling her sweater closed around her midsection, though it did little to hide her nearly 20 week belly.
"Alright." Shelby said, standing up. She walked around her desk and stood by the two chairs and sat down on the edge of her desk. "I'm sure you're wondering what I am doing here, in Figgins' office no less." Neither girl answered but then again Shelby didn't need a reply to know she was right. "As it turns out the school board felt Mr. Figgins wasn't going his job in running this school. The board has received countless reports of constant bullying from parents and students and after several failed attempts to straighten things out, I was called in and asked to take his position."
"Have you even ever been a principal before?" Rachel asked, raising a brow. "Do you even know what you are doing?"
"Several of the board members are aware of my ability to keep students in line and that I don't tolerate bullying, skipping school, lying, or any other funny business." Shelby answered. "They're willing to give me a chance."
"Well then I guess all there is to say is, welcome to McKinley and good luck." Ava said, trying to keep her emotions in check and preserve the same show face that her mother and sister were wearing.
What Ava didn't know was Shelby could see right through her. The way Ava had her arms folded and running her hands up and down her arms like she was cold, was the same thing Shelby did when she was overly nervous. Eventually she had learned how to control it but it was clear that Ava had yet to learn that skill.
"Thank you, Ava. I appreciate it." Shelby warmly smiled. "Look, I know this is a shock but I wanted to be the one to tell you about my new job here. It's going to be awkward at first, however, we are all adults and can make this work."
"Right." Rachel said. "But we really should get to class, we're already late as it is."
"Of course." Shelby nodded and started looking around for some hall passes. "I'm sorry, I just got this office and haven't had time to organize things."
"It's fine, we'll just get one from the secretary." Ava said.
"Okay." Shelby said, putting down a stack of detention slips. "Well, um, h-have a good day."
Rachel and Ava left Shelby's office without another word and after leaving with their passes in hand, they headed to their first hour classes. Neither one had any idea what to say and ended up just going to their classes, giving each other a short goodbye. Rachel sat in her History class, half following along to the group reading she was suppose to be doing. She got through History and three more classes before it was finally her lunch. Puck was waiting for Rachel outside her classroom door and instantly noticed something was wrong with his girlfriend.
"Babe?" Puck asked, brushing his hand across Rachel's cheek. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Rachel shook her head.
Puck knew there was something bothering Rachel but also knew Rachel wasn't going to say a thing until she was ready too. Sam and Ava were already in the lunchroom and had gotten their food and were now sitting down to eat. Rachel gave a small wave to her sister and Sam. She leaned back into Puck as they stood in line to get their own lunches. playing with the promise ring on Puck's left hand ring finger.
"What is it?" Puck pushed, hating when Rachel got this way.
"My mom." Rachel whispered. "She's back."
"What? That's great." Puck smiled, knowing how much Rachel wanted Shelby to be her mom.
"No. It's not." Rachel shook her head and turned to face him.
"Why?"
"She didn't say anything about being my mom. It was all about her being the principal. She came back for a job and not for us. I mean, she didn't even break the slightest bit to having the daughters she gave up and abandoned, standing right in front of her. She was Coach Corcoran."
"Maybe she's just hesitant to bring up that topic, knowing she's hurt you badly in the past." Puck said, holding Rachel firmly against him. "Why don't you go and talk to her? She could be waiting for you two to come to her."
"Because!" Rachel exclaimed, becoming angry. In the whole situation involving Shelby, Rachel tried to keep it all inside and not let anyone see how hard it was for her to deal with. Suddenly, Rachel was being forced to revisit all those old feelings she worked so hard to protect. "I refuse to let myself or my sister be hurt by her again."
Shelby, who had decided to attend each lunch hour to see how the lunchroom monitors handled things, saw Rachel as she was passing through the serving area and went over to say hello, wanting to check and see how she was doing from their uncomfortable reunion. The closer she got, the more she realized the couple was having a conversation about her. The anger in Rachel's voice was seeing to be too much for the woman and knowing Rachel felt that she didn't care, killed Shelby.
"Rachel." Shelby said, making the girl turn and look at her.
"What do you want?" Rachel shortly asked, frustrated that Shelby may have over heard what she said.
"I couldn't help but catch some of what you two were talking about." Shelby started but Rachel, letting her ego get in the way, didn't want to hear anything that Shelby was about to say.
"There's nothing you can say Principal Corcoran." Rachel spat, moving away from Puck and folding her arms. "I know why you are here and it isn't for me or Ava."
"You're-"
"Don't try to deny it." Rachel interrupted. "You seemed to make that very clear this morning, it's all about the job."
"But Rachel-"
"Fuck you." Rachel sneered and stormed away with Puck fast on her heels.
Shelby rubbed her face slowly and as she dropped her hands, she came face to face with Ava. Hearing her sister yelling, Ava glanced up and had seen the two talking. Sam tried to make her sit back down but Ava wasn't having it. Unlike her encounter with Rachel, Shelby wasn't met with anger in Ava but with tears running down the girl's face.
"Ava, I was only trying to tell her that-"
"-Why here? Why now?" Ava asked, her voice shaking hard. "We were starting to move on and accept you backing out on your mission to becoming our mother. Then you just show up here, like everything is fine, like we would be fine?"
"Honey." Shelby sorrowfully frowned, reaching out to touch her daughter but Ava backed away.
"No." Ava shook her head and backed away, crashing into Sam. He held onto her and she turned into him.
"Come on, let's go find Rachel." Sam said, walking Ava away from her mother.
Rachel was angrily pacing the hallway with Puck standing by, having never seen Rachel this pissed. Ava wiped her tears away and walked over to her sister, grabbing her arms to force her to stop walking. Rachel's infuriated eyes quickly crumpled and she began to cry, clinging to her younger sister. Ava held on to Rachel, letting her get it all out. Both the twins had been at Carmel's auditorium when they discovered that Shelby was their mom and both were in attendance when Shelby said they should be grateful from afar. Both had held onto one another, trying not to cry as their mom sang Lady Gaga's Poker Face (with help from the twins) but it was Rachel who had sought their mom out at Regionals, hoping to get Shelby to change her mind. Ava thought it wasn't a good idea but Rachel was determined and didn't give up easily.
"I said fuck you to her. Why did I do that?" Rachel cried into Ava's hair.
"It's okay to be mad at her Rachel." Ava soothed. "And really, we don't need her. All we need is each other, we've gone this far."
"But you're gonna have the baby soon and things aren't going to be the same. We can't do this alone, great grandma isn't any help, not that being partially blind and deaf is her fault. Sam's super religious parents haven't forgiven you for getting pregnant and Puck's mom isn't any help. Ava how are we going to care for a baby or pay for anything? Neither one of us knows how to be a mom and we haven't had an example to go by. On top of all that, I'll preparing for getting into college." Rachel said, stepping away from her sister. It all began to hit her of the change that was about to come and she started to panic. "Ava, what are we going to do?"
Ava opened her mouth to say something but she wasn't sure what to say and closed her mouth. She was about to reply with an I'm not sure or I don't know but Shelby walked up to the pair.
"You're going to let me take care of both of you." The twins were shocked into complete silence and Shelby, glanced between the two. "Why didn't you tell me?" Shelby paused, shaking her head. Stupid question. She knew why they didn't say anything. "It doesn't matter. It's clear you girls need me and I am here this time. I promise I am here for good."
Rachel and Ava shared a look but nothing was said. Shelby sensed they were still reeling from her sudden announcement that she was taking them in and took a hold of Ava's hand, wrapping her other arm around Rachel's shoulders. Shelby led the girls to her office, asking the secretary to hold all calls and not to disturb her. Once in her office, Shelby shut the door, locking it. She turned around to find the girls standing nearly in the same spots they had been in earlier that day.
"Sit." Shelby said in a tone that the girls took to be serious and they did as they were told. Shelby walked around the desk, sitting down and taking a few deep breaths. "Okay. First things first, how long have you been living with your 87 year old great grandmother?"
"Um, since May." Rachel spoke up. "Our dads are on an extended business trip in South Africa, where they are helping in supervising the building of a school for the local children. They would have been home a month ago but there was a bad storm that set them back and they aren't expected to be home until after the new year. They didn't really want to stay gone that long but Ava and I support them doing good for people in need."
Shelby listened to Rachel carefully as the girl explained that their dads do love them and how they call every day to say goodnight to the twins. Rachel also explained how her Great Grandma's health was slowly deteriorating. Shelby glanced over at Ava, who was rubbing the arms of her chair, part of her nervous habit. Ava knows Shelby is going to have questions for her and she was right. As soon as she got the information from Rachel, she turned to Ava.
"How far along are you?"
"I'll be twenty weeks in a few days." Ava answered, expecting some sort of judgement on Shelby's behalf. Quinn's parents weren't happy when her pregnancy was uncovered but Shelby wasn't Judy or Russell Fabray. The judgement she was expecting, never came.
"And check ups?" Shelby asked.
"I've only been to three." Ava answered, telling Shelby about the ultrasound appointment on Friday but that was only to have an ultrasound and not to see her doctor.
"That needs to change, you should have been to at least five. Those appointments are very important for the sake of your and the baby's health." Shelby said, trying to sound like she was lecturing too hard. Sitting forward in her chair, Shelby thought for a few seconds and then looked back up at the girls. "Here's what I want to do, I want to call your dads."
"Shelby, please-"
"No, you can't-"
"Stop, right there." Shelby threw up a hand, stopping all protesting. "I want to call your dads and talk to them about the clause in our contract."
"Clause?" Rachel asked, both girls raising a brow or two. They were aware of the contract but knew nothing of a clause.
"It states that if your dads are unable to physically take care of you, I, if I so wished, could step in. If your dads agree that it would be best for me to take you in, then I'd meet with their lawyer and get my parental rights reinstated. Which I fully intended to do anyway." Shelby added to reassure the girls that she was serious. Getting up, Shelby walked over to the file cabinet and opened a large drawer, looking for their school files. Grabbing Rachel's, she sat back at her desk and searched for the numbers, feeling like there was no better time than the present to call the men.
"Hiram Berry." Hiram said over the speakerphone.
"Hi Hiram, it's Shelby Corcoran." Shelby said, clearing her throat. "Is Leroy there with you?"
"Um, yes. Give me one second." Hiram said, sounding taken back by Shelby's voice. "Shelby?"
"Yes."
"We're both right here." Leroy said. "How can we help you?"
"Uh, I've recently as of today, became the principal of McKinley High School and after speaking with the twins, they've told me that they are living with their great grandmother."
"Yes. They are with my grandmother because we are on a business trip." Leroy said.
"I am aware, however, Rachel has said that your grandmother isn't in very good health."
"What?" Leroy said. This was news to him.
"She's sick daddy." Rachel spoke up. "Her hearing and eye sight, it's failing. She's been getting worse over the last several months. It's coming to the point where someone needs to be with her every moment of the day. Right now Emilia, Noah's great grandmother, has been going over to stay with her during the day while we are at school."
"I can't believe this." Leroy sighed. "When I talk to her she claims she is doing great."
"She doesn't want you to worry and we didn't want you to have to leave your job because of it." Rachel continued.
"Maybe we should come home." Hiram said to Leroy. "We left them with Rose so she could take care of them not the other way around."
"Daddies, you can't leave. What about the school?" Rachel said.
"Baby, I know you and your sister are very proud of our work and you have both been amazingly supportive in this time but you two are ultimately our first priority." Hiram said. "You shouldn't be taking on the stress of caring for Grandma Rose."
"Look, I was calling for this very reason." Shelby said. "There is the clause at the end of the contract. I'd be more than willing to have the girls move in with me, especially with Ava's condition, she needs someone who can help her stay on top of appointments and all that."
"Shit." Ava whispered to herself. Shelby caught it and tilted her head at Ava.
"Ava's condition? What's wrong? Is she there? Is she sick, maybe we should come home." Leroy rapidly asked.
"Ava is right here and I am guessing she has something to tell you." Shelby said, pushing the phone set closer to Ava. "Go on."
"Hi Daddies." Ava softly said.
"Hi, sweetheart. What's going on?" Hiram asked calmly, even though he was was worried for his daughter.
"Sam, he got-" Ava started but Shelby cleared her throat, shaking her head at the girl. "I'm kinda, well, pregnant."
"I'm sorry. Did you say you're pregnant?" Hiram said, not really asking her the question.
"I'm sorry." Ava said, beginning to cry. "I really am. I didn't mean for this to happen."
"We know you probably didn't mean it and we will discuss this later, you understand me young lady?" Leroy sternly said, offering very little sympathy for the girl.
"Yes, Sir." Ava nodded, accepting the tissue Shelby passed her.
"Shelby?" Leroy said.
"I'm here."
"Hiram and I need a few minutes to talk this out. Could we perhaps call you back?"
"Sure. Yes, of course. Take all the time you need." Shelby agreed.
"And we can call you back at this number?"
"Yup, this is the direct number to my office."
"Alright, we'll call you back."
Shelby hung up the phone after goodbyes were exchanged. She watched the two girls, holding hands and silently consoling each other. Past the girls Shelby noticed the two boys that were with the girls earlier had walked into the main office and were sitting at the chairs just outside of her office.
"They seem like nice boys." Shelby spoke out.
Ava and Rachel glanced up at their mom, then looked over their shoulders to see their boyfriends. Sam gave Ava a concerned smile and Ava gave him a slight nod. Puck was busy on his phone and Rachel frowned but her own phone began to ring and Rachel grabbed it from her backpack.
"Hey." Rachel giggled, turning back around to look at Puck.
"How are things going?"
"Not as bad as I thought. We're waiting for my dads to callback but I'll explain the rest later. What are you two doing here?"
"Can we come in?" Sam asked, taking the phone away from Puck.
Rachel looked back at her mom and she didn't get the chance to ask when Shelby nodded. "Yeah, come in."
Shelby watched as Ava and Rachel stood up, giving their respective loves a kiss. Puck sat down on the chair, Rachel falling into his lap without help from Puck. Sam on the other hand, let his girl sit back down on her own but started to rub her shoulders. He leaned down and whispered into Ava's ears, asking her questions about what had happened after Shelby brought her and her sister down to the office. Ava nodded a couple times and other times she turned her head and whispered into his ear. A small smile crossed Shelby's face as Sam placed a hand on Ava's belly and rubbed loving circles around her belly. Her smile, however, faded looking over at Rachel and Puck, who were practically sucking each others faces off. She really didn't need two pregnant teens on her hands.
"Sectionals!" Shelby exclaimed, four sets of eyes turning to face her out burst. "That should be coming up, right?"
"Uh, yeah." Rachel replied, wiping her mouth. "In two weeks, actually."
"Rachel has the solo." Ava smiled proudly at her sister.
"Really? That's great!" Shelby said to Rachel.
"Yeah, I offered to let Ava have it because it'll probably be her only competition this season but she declined. Although it was probably a good move on her part, the judges are already going to notice her enlarged midsection, having her sing a solo would only throw it in their faces."
"Thank you, Rachel." Ava said, in a tone that warned her sister that she was becoming slightly rude.
"Right. Sorry." Rachel blushed, trying to work on how she talked to people.
The bell rang, ending lunch and Shelby sent the boys to their next class. "As soon as we are finished speaking with your dads, you'll both be sent back to class for the rest of the day, as well."
"Yes ma'am." Rachel said and Ava just nodded.
After a little more waiting, Shelby's phone rang and she picked up the receiver, making sure it was Hiram and Leroy before putting it on speaker. Pushing a button on the phone base, Shelby placed the phone in the cradle to allow the girls to hear what the Berry men had to say.
"Shelby, Hiram and I have decided to stay here in Africa to finish up the job."
"Okay." Shelby nodded.
"We called Rose and spoke with her, she has been thinking about moving to a Florida retirement home for the past few years and now that you are willing to take the girls in, she is going to head down south over the next few weeks. We'll have our lawyer contact you with the next steps to restore your parental rights and when we return to Lima, the three of us will sit down and discuss living and custody arrangements." Hiram continued.
"Thank you so much, you don't know how thrilled I am about this." Shelby smiled at the phone.
"No, thank you." Hiram said. "We know how the girls feel about this school being built and we would feel horribly disappointed if we let them down. Plus, this will give the three of you a chance to reconnect and get to know each other."
"Unfortunately, we need need to let you go so we can get ready for a dinner with some partners, who are helping with the build. Rose is expecting you either today or tomorrow to retrieve the girls' things and what not. If you need anything just give us a call."
"I will." Shelby replied. "Have a good evening."
"You too."
"Bye Daddies." The girls chimed in.
"Bye girls, we love you."
"Love you too."
After the phone was hung up, Shelby pulled out the hall passes that had been found and opened up a program on her computer to find out which classes the girls were suppose to be in now that the new class hour had started. Writing Rachel's pass first, Shelby handed her the slip.
"Here's your pass to Accounting." Shelby said, and glanced back to her computer. "And Ava, you are going to..."
"Shit." Ava whispered to herself. Ava had a different lunch from Rachel, Sam, and Puck and would sometimes hang out with them during their lunch and go to her French class late. Shelby stared at the computer, then narrowed her eyes at Ava, who chuckled nervously.
"So wait, you can access our classes?" Rachel asked, leaning forward a bit to see the screen.
"Yes, why?" Shelby wondered.
"Is there anyway you can change our schedules so that Ava and I have at least one class together?" Rachel begged.
"Uh, no." Shelby shook her head. "You're classes are staying the way they are." Shelby then glanced back over at Ava, who had hoped Shelby forgot about her not being in the right class earlier. "So Miss Ava, care to explain?"
"Funny story." Ava offered an innocent smile.
"One I am sure I won't find any humor in at all." Shelby said. "I strongly encourage you to attend all your classes on time, everyday unless given permission. That goes for both of you, do I make myself clear?"
"Very." Ava nodded rapidly.
"Good. Have a good rest of your day and come down here after you finish with glee." Shelby said, tossing the pass she was filling out for Ava in the trash, seeing as it was currently her real lunch hour. As she walked past the trash can, Shelby went to the door and unlocked it.
"Thanks, mom." Rachel lowered her voice at the last word.
The tears Shelby was holding in since being told she could take the girls, filled her eyes and Shelby closed the small distance between her and Rachel, giving the girl a hug. Rachel held on, soaking in Shelby's perfume and the way the mom was very gently rocking them back and forth. Rachel's own sniffles, separated the two and Shelby used her sleeve to dry Rachel's face.
"We'll work this out, okay?" Shelby assured Rachel, brushing the girl's new bangs from her face. Rachel nodded with a smile and leaned in for one last hug before heading off to her class.
"I'm not in trouble for the whole lunch thing, right? I mean technically I was going to go to my French class and the bell hadn't rung to signal it's start. I was still within the passing period and didn't go to French, only because you made me go down to your office." Ava said, plastering a cocky grin on her face. "And seeing as you didn't have permission to take over parental responsibility until after, I should be cleared of punishments by you."
"We're going on technicalities?" Shelby raised a brow. "Fine. I may have not technically been allowed to be your mother at the time of the event in question, however, I was your principal."
Ava's smug look faded and appeared on Shelby's face. "I think I am just gonna go to my class now."
"Mom: one, Twins: zero." Shelby smiled. Ava rolled her eyes and Shelby laughed, pulling Ava to her.