I was shocked when I saw her. She was no longer the vibrant eight-year-old that I knew. She was frail, pale and her eyes had no spark. I walked over to her making sure to make my presence known. Her eyes seemed to gloss over like she was trying distance herself from the moment. I quickly glanced at the social worker who gave me a nod. I smile at Santana, then crouch down to get on her level.

"San, do you recognize me?" The social worker had told me that at first, she didn't seem to know me, not to be offended. I had changed so much in little ways since I last saw her. There have been always dark circles under my eyes, and they were red and irritated. My hair had grown longer and my face seemed like it had aged too much.

"You are my Mom." She replied, her voice hard causing me to wince

"Yeah, I'm your Mom," I responded. She looks up at me and takes a step back.

"Are you going to hurt me?" Her words were soft, but they packed a punch. I could feel my heart break as I shook my head.

"I would never hurt you." I whispered. She scanned my face over and over until she took a step forward.

"Are you Puck, Blaine and Rachel's mommy?" She questioned slowly. It was like she was double checking. Trying to make me prove I was their Mom.

"Yes," I responded.

"What age are we?" She gave me a sharp look. It was like she was expecting me to fail.

"You're ten, Noah is 11, and Rachel and Blaine, who are twins are 6." I answered. Although I couldn't help but feel hurt, I understood why she was grilling me. She glances over at the social worker who gives her a small smile, almost like telling her she was safe. She took another step forward. This time she wrapped her tiny arms around me.

"Mom, I want to see them. Can I?" San questioned me and as much as I wanted to say yes, I didn't have much of a choice.

"I don't have a choice in that San." I responded. As much as I wanted to give her them. Let them hug and celebrate their freedom. I couldn't. It was up to their social workers.

"Okay." San backed out of the hug, with her eyes gazed down to the floor.

"San, please look at me." I demanded, making sure to keep my voice soft. She slowly moved her head up to make eye contact with me.

"Do you want to play a game?" I asked and her eyes widen.

"A board game." She asked, her eyes swiftly glancing at the pile of board games on a shelf in the office. I looked at the clock. We had around 1 hour and 45 minutes left. We could play a board game in that time.

"Which one would you like to play?" I answered.

"My favorite is Candyland." She responded. I grabbed Candyland off the shelf and with San's help we quickly set up. The game. We were about halfway through the game when she started to open up a bit.

"Blaine used to try to eat the cards, and sometimes even the little pieces. Whenever one of us was gone we'd play until they came back. So, when Blaine wasn't taken away, we had to make sure he didn't eat any of it." Santana explained. She said it like it was so casual.

"What did she mean by taken away?" I wondered, but I decided to ask a simple question. I wasn't going to push her too far.

"Why did Blaine try to eat them?" I asked and she looked around the room.

"He always really hungry," San stated. It took me a minute to recover.

"So, is purple your favorite color?" I wondered as I made a gesture to her small purple Candyland piece. She nodded as she rolled the dice again. I asked her a few more trivia questions like what her favorite book was and her favorite non board game. In conclusion, her favorite book is unknown, she hadn't read a real book in a while. Her favorite non board game is hide and seek. Sooner than I wanted the meeting was over. I managed to get a hug from her before I left, and I made sure to remind her that I love her. Next, I was off to Noah's meeting. I could already feel myself getting tired and I was only in one meeting of four.

"Keep it together, you can just grab a coffee on the way to the home. You haven't seen them, any of them in two years. Tiredness is something you can cope with. I made it to the group home and walked inside. After being checked for any weapons, I was let into a room with Noah. Who looked nothing liked I remembered. His dark brown eyes were hard and cold, his arms were crossed and his hair was cut into a mohawk.

"Noah, do you remember me?" I asked as I sat down at the table across from him.

"Of course I do." He replied. I gave him a smile that would hopefully alleviate some of the tension.

"You left us with him. Blaine and Rachel barely remember you, San and I do. She always believed that you didn't mean to, but I watched you leave." His words punched me harder than any punch would and he cut me off before I could try to speak.

"I know you are trying to get custody of us, and I want that. I want to be with my siblings again, but you will never be my mom again." I took a deep breath.

"I trusted that man with my life and with my kids. He had never hurt me or you guys before. I left you temporarily to help care for my dying sister. If I could change that I would. You guys would be on that plane with me. I've been searching for two years. I never gave up." I explained. His glare became harder. Then, he shot up from his chair and went to actually punch me. I felt scared at first. But I saw the tears in his eyes as he backed away. He walked back to his seat.

"I don't think I can handle any more of you today." He stated.

"I'm not leaving you, not until I have to. Then, I'll come back." I declared. We sat there in silence until it was time to go. He stood up and looked at me one last time.

"I got by Puck." He explained as he walked out of the room. I could feel the hot tears burning the back to my eyes, and I waited until I knew he was far enough away not to hear me. The tears slipped over.

"I tried so hard Noah. I know you're hurt, but I promise I won't leave you again." I wept like a small child until I couldn't get anymore to run down my cheeks. I got up from the seat and wiped my eyes.

"You can do this Shelby. Only two more to go." It took a little more coaxing to get myself more confident to go into Blaine's appointment.

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