Hello Readers! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (for those who celebrate it) and New Years! I apologize for the delay. My family found out my dog was sick on Christmas Eve, and we had to put her to sleep this past Saturday. I spent the last week with Sadie, trying to make sure she knew she was loved. I really didn't have a lot of time to write.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Love from
DARecruit

Chapter Two: New Beginnings

Rachel sat on one of two plush queen-sized beds in the hotel room, flipping through the onDemand movies on the TV while Shelby was in the shower. Rachel felt like it was midnight, but it was only a little after five thirty in the afternoon. The day had been long and her emotions were all over the place. She had cried for a good fifteen minutes in the conference room at Mr. Sawyer's office, and then had to face the screaming paparazzi for the first time since this whole thing happened. It wasn't what she was expecting. It wasn't glamorous or exciting; no, it was terrifying. All Rachel wanted to do was bury her head in her mother's shoulder and hide from all of the prying eyes. Luckily, her mother's bodyguards Tom and Josh were fully prepared for the onslaught and got mother and daughter safely into the car within minutes. Then she had cried some more once they got to their suite. Her mother had cuddled with her until Rachel fell asleep. She had woken up thirty minutes ago just as her mom was getting ready to shower and had been told she'd be next.

"Alright little girl, your turn," Shelby said, plopping down on the bed next to Rachel and patting the girl's leg.

"I was trying to find something for us to watch," said Rachel, curling herself up next to her mother and breathing in the coconut scent from her shampoo.

"You can do that again after you shower. And I'll order some room service for us," Shelby said, kissing Rachel's forehead. This was the happiest she had ever felt, and she never wanted this feeling to end.

"Will you order us a white pizza? And french-fries?" Rachel asked, snuggling closer. She smiled when Shelby began running her fingers through Rachel's hair. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant the world to Rachel. It was comforting for her.

"I sure will. Now you really need to go shower," Shelby said, sitting up and helping Rachel up as well. She propelled Rachel towards the bathroom with a soft pat to her bottom.

Rachel couldn't help but smile as she walked off to go take a shower. It felt like she had been living with her mother her whole life. They fit each other so well.

Shelby watched her daughter flit off to the bathroom with a smile on her face. Her heart was almost overflowing with love for her baby girl. And she was finally hers. It was a dream come true…Shelby just hoped she never woke from it.

Mother and daughter sat on the bed, laughing hysterically at a Friends episode, their dinner plates long forgotten at the small dining table. "Mom?" said Rachel when the episode and their laughter had ended.

Shelby's heart fluttered. It happened every time Rachel called her "mom" or "mommy". She knew for a fact she would never get tired of hearing her baby say it. "Hmm?"

"What happens now?" Rachel asked.

So far, her mother had only ever talked about signing the papers and coming to get her. They hadn't gone into further details. Rachel couldn't handle it at the time. But now that the papers were signed and Rachel was officially Shelby's, she wanted to know what was going to happen. Would she have to move away from Lima? It wouldn't be that big of a deal, would it? It's not like Rachel had any friends here. She was in clubs at school, but she was picked on mercilessly every single day. It was pure hell. But Lima was the only thing Rachel had ever known. On the other hand…her mother lived in New York. It was Rachel's dream to make it on Broadway…perhaps she could make that dream come true sooner than she originally planned.

"Well…I guess we'll figure things out together. I need to take you back to New York with me for a week or two, but I want us to look at a few houses here before we leave. I've already picked a few out, but I want your opinion," Shelby said.

"We're…you're moving here?" Rachel asked, blinking quickly a few times.

"Of course we are, silly! This is your home. I want to make things as easy on you as possible, and I don't think uprooting you and moving you to New York is the best option," said Shelby, smiling.

"But what about Broadway? And your career?" Rachel asked, her brow furrowing.

"Oh baby," Shelby said, pulling Rachel onto her lap, "Broadway will go on without me. Nothing is more important than you."

Rachel bit her lip and thought about what her mom was telling her. Her fathers had never told her that. They were both workaholics. She knew their jobs were important to them. They never neglected Rachel or left her alone, but they would rather talk to each other about their jobs than talk to Rachel about her interests. Or, they'd try talking to Rachel about their days, but Rachel wasn't any more interested in their day than they were hers.

"No one's ever…ever told me that before," Rachel said so softly that Shelby had to lean in close to hear her.

Shelby's heart almost broke. She wanted to take away all of Rachel's pain. She was so grateful that she had her child with her now. She would spend the rest of her life making sure Rachel was happy.

"I love you, Rachel. So much. I would do anything for you, you know that?" Shelby said, kissing Rachel's head and holding her close to her. She rocked back and forth slightly and began to hum softly.

"I love you too, Mom," Rachel said, curled up protectively in her mom's arms. It was the best feeling in the world, if you asked her. "Will you sing to me?"

Open Arms * Open Arms * Open Arms

Shelby sat gently next to Rachel, not wanting to wake her just yet. She looked so young when she was sleeping. Shelby just wanted to watch her for a bit. They didn't need to rush today anyway.

Shelby had sung to Rachel last night and the girl was asleep by nine o'clock. It had been a long, emotional day for both mother and daughter. Shelby gently laid Rachel in bed and crawled in besides her. There were two beds in the suite, but Shelby didn't want to leave Rachel's side. She had spent fourteen years apart from her child; she didn't want to spend another minute away from her.

Gently stroking Rachel's cheek, Shelby began to sing softly.

Suddenly you're here
Suddenly it starts
Can two anxious hearts
Beat as one?
Yesterday I was alone
Today you are beside me
Something still unclear
Something not yet here
Has begun

Suddenly the world
Seems a different place
Somehow full of grace
Full of light

How was I to know that so much hope
Was held inside me?
What has past is gone
Now we journey on
Through the night

How was I to know at last
That happiness could come so fast?
Trusting me the way you do
I'm so afraid of failing you
Just a child who cannot know
That danger follows where I go
There are shadows everywhere
And memories I cannot share

Nevermore alone
Nevermore apart
You have warmed my heart
Like the sun

You have brought the gift of life
And love so long denied me
Suddenly I see
What I could not see
Something suddenly has begun

Rachel stirred, hearing her mother's beautiful voice singing to her. She nuzzled into the hand stroking her cheek and yawned, her eyes fluttering open.

"Good morning, sweetheart. I didn't mean to wake you," Shelby said, kissing her daughter's forehead. She brushed a lock of hair that had fallen over Rachel's face behind her ear. "Did you sleep well?"

"Mmmhmmm," Rachel hummed, stretching. "What time is it?"

"Just a little after nine-thirty. Do you want to shower?"

Rachel gasped as she sat up. "I'm normally up by seven at the latest," she said, throwing the covers off of herself.

"Whoa, slow down! Where's the fire?" Shelby quipped. She was going to have to try to break Rachel of her early rising it seemed. "There's no need to rush, sweetie. We are going to have lunch with the family, but not until noon. We don't need to leave here until quarter to eleven. So relax."

"F-family?" Rachel stammered. "Are they…what if…I…"

"Are you…do you not want to meet them today? They're all so excited to see you, and I wanted it to be a surprise for you today, but I didn't—Rachel, I'm sorry, I didn't think that it would scare you," Shelby said, her heat beating fast. She truly didn't think Rachel would have a problem meeting her family; the girl had taken to her so fast, it was like they had been together her whole life. But maybe she should tell her family to hold off for a while, give Rachel more time.

"No…I…I was just…shocked, for a minute. It's fine," Rachel stammered. She wasn't sure she was ready to meet Shelby's family…her family. But she could see it meant a great deal to her mother. And she did want to jump in and be a part of Shelby's life right away. And that meant meeting the family, didn't it? Only…what if they didn't like Rachel? Would her mother still keep her? Or would she send her away? Where would Rachel go then?

"Rachel, sweetie, you can say no if you really aren't ready. I won't be upset and everyone will understand. I love you, and they love you. But we can wait until you're ready," Shelby said, adjusting herself so she was propped against the headboard. She then pulled Rachel to her side and the girl immediately cuddled into her side.

"I…I want to meet them…it's just…Mom?" Rachel faltered, unsure of how to tell her mother her fears. She looked into her mom's eyes, feeling tears beginning to well in her own.

"What, baby? Talk to me, tell me what you're thinking," said Shelby, cupping Rachel's face between her hands and brushing a tear away with her thumb.

"What if they don't…like me?" Rachel said quietly, casting her eyes down. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes quickly.

"They will love you, baby. They already love you. It's impossible not to," Shelby said, holding her child close. She rubbed Rachel's back and rocked them both gently. "If you want to meet them today, we can. If you'd rather wait and spend some more time with just me, we can do that too."

"Would…where would we be having lunch with them?" Rachel asked.

"At your Nana and PopPop's. They don't live too far from here. It'll take us about forty minutes to get there. I have the car service coming to pick us up. But sweetie, I really can cancel it all if you want me to," Shelby said.

"N-no, I want to go," said Rachel.

"Are you sure? Rachel, look at me," said Shelby, hooking her finger under Rachel's chin and forcing her to look up. "I don't want you saying yes just to please me. I promise I won't be mad if you want it to be us for a bit."

"I'm sure. I promise, Mom," Rachel replied, earning a kiss from Shelby. She held onto her mother and soaked up the attention. She never got this many hugs and cuddles from her fathers, ever. She could really get used to this.

Open Arms * Open Arms * Open Arms

Shelby looked over at her daughter for the one-thousandth time since they got in the car thirty minutes ago. Rachel kept reassuring her mother that she was positive she wanted to go through with meeting the family today, but Shelby now had reservations. Last night she had been so excited to surprise Rachel with the news that she'd be meeting her family, but now, after Rachel told her her fears, Shelby just wasn't sure. She knew her parents, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews would love Rachel—there was no doubt in her mind about that—but after everything Rachel had been through this past month, she just wanted to make sure not to upset Rachel anymore than she already was. Shelby knew her girl was confused and hurting—all the crying she had done in the past two days was proof of that. But Rachel was also thriving under all the love Shelby was giving her. She knew the rest of the family would do the same.

"Mom?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Will you tell me about my cousins again?" Rachel asked.

Her mom had already told her the names of all seven of her cousins—it was a lot for Rachel, who didn't have any cousins on either of her fathers' sides. There was JJ—he was Rachel's oldest cousin at seventeen. Lexi, his sister, was a few months older than Rachel. Then there was Haley who had just turned sixteen. Rachel also had four younger cousins: Michael, Luke, and identical twins Robbie and Tyler, (twelve, ten, and seven, respectively).

"Do you think JJ, Lexi, and Haley will like me?"

"The four of you will be best of friends, baby," Shelby replied, rubbing Rachel's knee.

"I don't really have many friends," said Rachel softly. Or any, she added ruefully to herself.

"Don't worry, Rach. You guys will hit it off, I promise," Shelby said.

"How do you know?" Rachel asked, unsure.

"Mother's intuition, dear," said Shelby, tapping her temple and winking at her daughter.

Before Rachel knew it, the car was pulling into a long driveway with a two-car garage at the end. A basketball hoop was attached to the roof, and it looked like all of Rachel's cousins were shooting hoops. The oldest boy, who Rachel knew was JJ, picked up a small boy cousin so the boy could dunk the basketball. The boy squealed in delight and JJ swung the boy around twice before setting him back on his feet and ruffling his hair. A few adults were milling around in the backyard, laughing and talking. They all stopped when the car pulled up. Rachel could feel her heart beginning to beat rapidly as her mother opened the door and climbed out. A moment later her own door was opened and Shelby offered her her hand.

"Come on, sweetie. It'll be okay," Shelby said comfortingly, pulling Rachel out of the car and into her arms for a quick hug. When she released the girl, she wasn't surprised that her family had gathered around, whispering excitedly.

Shelby's older brother Ben helped the driver get the suitcases out of the trunk and passed them off to oldest brother John Jr., or Jack as he liked to be called, and John Sr. "Hey everyone," Shelby greeted, hugging her mother Diane before turning to her older sister.

"Everyone, this is my Rachel," Shelby beamed, putting a comforting hand on Rachel's shoulder. She squeezed gently and moved her daughter so she was standing in front of her. "Rachel, this is your family."

Rachel was a bit overwhelmed at everyone gathered around her and her mother, but they were all smiling warmly at her and looked nice enough. She tried to listen to everyone's names as she was being passed from adult to adult, hugs and kisses given freely.

Being introduced to the cousins didn't involved nearly as many hugs, but was still overwhelming, mainly because Rachel wanted them to like her from the start. She wasn't exactly good at making friends, especially with those her age. She was hoping since they were her cousins, it would be easier to make them like her…but she wasn't sure at all.

The three little boy cousins, Luke, Tyler, and Robbie bounced around Rachel and asked her if she liked trucks, sports, and X-Men. Rachel wasn't a fan of trucks, she knew very little about sports, and X-Men? What was that?

"Aw, you have to watch with us! We have all of them! Cartoons and real movies!" Robbie, one of the seven-year-old twins, said. "We can go watch now, if you want!"

"Robbie, maybe Rachel can watch that with you another time. Today we are having a cook-out, remember?" Diane said, scooping the boy into her arms so he would stop trying to jump into Rachel's. She could tell the girl was overwhelmed, so she wanted to do her best to make her feel at ease. The Corcoran bunch could be a lot to handle, after all.

Rachel smiled shyly at her grandmother, grateful for the bit of help. She thought Robbie was sweet, with his freckled face, wavy brown hair, and big green eyes. He waved back at her when Nana walked towards the house with him, calling after the two other little boys for them to follow.

"Well let's not stand around here all day! Jack, Ben, would you mind taking the girls' suitcases to the guest rooms? Your mother will tell you where to put them," John told his two boys.

"Sure, Pop," Jack replied, shoving his brother playfully as they both went to reach for the same suitcase. "Get your own. I've got this one."

"Kids, go wash up; your grandmother will get her slipper if she sees any of you trying to eat with those dirty hands!" John told the children, laughing as they all groaned good-naturally.

Rachel watched as most of her family went off towards the house, leaving her, her mother, and her aunt standing there alone.

"Rachel, it's so good to finally meet you, sweetheart. Your mom has been so excited since she found out she was getting custody of you. She hasn't shut up…Granted, she hardly ever shuts up—"

"Lauren!" Shelby scolded, shoving her older sister. "Your Aunt LuLu is right about me being excited, but don't listen to anything else she tells you. It's not true!" Shelby said, turning to her daughter and throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, let's go eat! I'm starving!"

Rachel spent lunch laughing and answering any questions thrown at her, but mostly she listened to stories everyone was telling her. Uncle Jack told a story of a time when he and Uncle Ben had been in the basement playing with their BB guns (which they weren't supposed to be playing with in the house) while their parents were out. The boys had set up target practice with some of their army men on some boxes they had found. Everything was going great, until Ben hit the box instead of the army men. They heard breaking and rushed to open the box, only to find their mother's good China inside. They had tried to hide the evidence, but when their mother got home, she knew immediately that something was wrong from their eagerness to help her with anything around the house.

"I mean, really, who keeps their good plates in random boxes in the basement?" Ben asked, giving his mother a look.

"I put them in there because we had to get a new China cabinet, which you and your brother also broke, remember?" Nana replied, glaring at her son.

"I just remember you wagging your slipper at us and not being able to sit for a week!" Jack finished, shivering dramatically. The rest of the family burst into laughter.

Rachel chuckled along with everyone else, but gave her grandmother a nervous glance. This was the third or fourth time someone mentioned her grandmother's slipper. Apparently it was well known among her children and grandchildren. She just hoped she'd never become acquainted with it.

The kids sat around and listened to a few more stories before the younger boys and JJ went off to play basketball again and Nana and Aunt Sarah started clearing the plates from the table.

"Want help, Mom?" Shelby asked to be polite, but secretly hoped her mother turned her down. She hadn't gotten to spend any time with her family recently due to her show schedule. She smiled when her mother just waved her offer aside and told her to stay put.

"Suck up," Jack said, leaning across the table so only his sister could hear him.

"Rachel, would you—um—do you want to go hangout in the house with me and Haley?" Lexi asked a bit nervously. She knew Rachel was her cousin, but this was the first time any of them were meeting her. Rachel actually reminded Lexi a lot of her Aunt Shelby. It was amazing how much she was like her aunt when Shelby didn't raise Rachel. Shelby was Lexi's favorite aunt, so Lexi had a feeling her and Rachel would become close as well.

Rachel looked to her mother for permission. "Go on, sweetie," Shelby said, smiling warmly at her child. Rachel returned it and then got up to follow her two girl cousins into the house.

Haley and Lexi began to give Rachel a tour of the house, but as soon as they hit the living room, Rachel had begged them to stop. It was a long, rectangular room painted a pretty light blue. A dark blue sofa sat in the middle of the room, against the wall where two windows faced out towards the driveway. Two recliners sat to the left of the sofa in the two corners of the far wall with old, battered side tables between them. Handmade doilies sat on each with plain wooden lamps with large cream shades. A battered coffee table sat in front of the sofa, and all the furniture faced the thirty-six inch flat screen TV. On the other side of the room was a rocking chair, and next to that was a beautiful upright piano. It had caught Rachel's attention as soon as they entered the room. It was a rich cherry red wood with beautifully carved rosettes adorning the legs.

Rachel stepped towards the piano slowly. She had always wanted a piano when she was little, but her fathers had told her no. She looked back to her cousins, noticing they were watching her carefully. "Can I…am I allowed to touch it?" she asked.

"Go ahead," Haley said as she shrugged her shoulders, not quite sure what was so special about the piano that had Rachel looking like it was magic or something. The piano was PopPop's; it had been his father's. He played it sometimes at night for everyone. No one else knew how to play it, except Shelby, and she was hardly ever here anymore. PopPop hadn't played in a long time.

Rachel didn't need to be told twice. She quickly went over to sit at the bench and touched the keys lightly. She quickly played the scale to make sure it was in tune. It sounded perfect! She looked back at her cousins and gave them a broad smile.

"You can play?" Lexi asked, awestruck. She had always wanted to learn, but her older brother had made fun of her when they were little for liking the piano. She had never bothered to ask her parents after that.

"I had lessons for a few years," Rachel said, looking back at the piano adoringly.

"Play something for us!" said Lexi excitedly.

Rachel thought for a moment before she began to play. And then she started to sing.

On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me

Rachel was in her element. She loved to sing. Her problems never seemed so big when she was singing. She put everything into it. She let go…she was free.

Lexi's mouth dropped open when she heard her cousin begin to sing. Rachel could even give Aunt Shel a run for her money, and that was saying something! She looked over at Haley and smiled. She could tell the older girl felt the same way she was. It was giving her goose bumps it was so good!

Haley stood in shock for a moment. She hadn't expected Rachel to start singing, but damn the girl was good! Shaking herself, she quickly went to get the rest of her family. They needed to hear this!

In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever

"Hey guys, come quick! You need to see this!" Haley yelled as soon as she was back with the rest of the family. The adults looked at her questioningly.

"Is everything alright, Hale?" Lauren asked her daughter. The girl was flushed and urging them to come with her.

"You have to see…Rachel," Haley panted. "Come on! BOYS!" she called to her cousins.

The family quickly followed Haley into the house and then the living room. They could hear someone playing the piano and singing, but it didn't really hit them until they made their way completely into the living room. Rachel was sitting at the piano, playing a Les Misérables song, and singing beautifully. It was absolutely…stunning.

I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known

I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own

Rachel finished to a round of applause that she wasn't expecting. She was so engrossed in the music that she hadn't even realized anyone was watching her. She smiled broadly when her entire family stared back at her.

Shelby had tears in her eyes as she listened to her baby singing. She was truly an angel. Her angel. As soon as Rachel stood from the bench, Shelby had her baby in her arms. "I love you, Rach," she whispered into her daughter's hair.

"Love you too, Mom," Rachel whispered back, soaking in her mother's love.

Later that night, after all the cousins and aunts and uncles left, Shelby sat on the edge of the queen-sized bed in Shelby's old bedroom. It had since been converted into a guest bedroom, as had Lauren's old bedroom next door. Rachel was staying in here while Shelby was staying in the other room. It was eleven at night and Shelby was waiting for Rachel to come back from the bathroom so she could tuck her in.

"Hey sweetie," Shelby said when Rachel came back into the room in pajamas. "Did you have fun today?"

"Yeah, it was good," Rachel said as she came over to the bed, grabbing her lion, Henry, from her suitcase on the way. She hadn't slept with him last night because she had fallen asleep to her mother's singing, but normally she never slept without him. He was her security blanket, so to speak. She had had him since she was a baby. He made her feel safe. She crawled into bed and tucked him in her left arm, against her chest so that his mane tickled her chin.

Shelby smiled at her daughter. She looked so much younger when she was sleepy and cuddling with her stuffed animal. "What's his name?" she asked, pulling the covers around Rachel.

"Henry," Rachel said sleepily, pulling him even closer and running her fingers through his mane.

"You know, I bought that for you when I was still pregnant with you. I slept with him for two whole months before you were born so that he would smell like me. I wanted you to have something to remember me by," Shelby said softly.

"Really?" Rachel asked, her eyes wide. Her fathers had never told her that. And she had had Henry so long, she never even thought about where he came from. He was just always there.

"Really," Shelby smiled, leaning down to kiss Rachel's forehead.

"I like how you smell…it's nice," Rachel mumbled, her eyes beginning to flutter.

"Thank you, sweetie. I love you," Shelby said, stroking Rachel's hair.

"You too, Mom," said Rachel, sighing deeply. "Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"He doesn't smell like you anymore," said Rachel, her face scrunching up in a pout. She looked just like a toddler right now. Shelby chuckled softly to herself.

"Hold on, I'll fix that," she said, gently disentangling Henry from Rachel. She went quickly into her room two doors down and grabbed out her perfume bottle. Holding Henry in her right hand, she spritzed him a few times with the vanilla scent.

"Here, sweetheart. Now he smells like me," Shelby said as she joined Rachel again. She tucked Henry back into Rachel's arm and readjusted the covers some, smoothing them over Rachel's body. "Goodnight, baby. I love you," Shelby whispered, kissing Rachel again. The girl had already fallen asleep.

Shelby quietly made her way out the door, shutting it gently. She then went towards her bedroom to get ready for bed herself.

Shelby woke from a dead sleep. She opened her eyes groggily, trying to adjust to the darkness. What time was it? She immediately became alert when she heard her daughter crying out. That is what must have woken her. She jumped out of bed and ran towards her baby.

"Rachel? Rachel? What's wrong?" Shelby asked as soon as she opened the door. As she got closer to the bed, she saw Rachel kicking some. She was clearly having a bad dream. She sat down besides Rachel and gently reached for her shoulder, shaking her gently.

"Wake up, baby. You're having a bad dream."

Rachel woke with a start. She could feel cold sweat running down her face. She sat up quickly and looked around, trying to figure out where she was. Someone touched her and she screamed.

"Shhh! Rachel, it's just me! It's Mommy," Shelby said soothingly, moving so she could wrap her arms around her scared daughter. "Everything is ok. You're safe. Mommy's got you."

"Mom…Mommy, don't let Nana get me!" Rachel cried, burying her face in her mother's shoulder. "She has her slipper. Don't let her get me!"

Shelby knew her daughter was frightened, but she had a hard time not laughing. All the stories they were telling earlier about her mother's dreaded slipper must have made an impression on her girl.

"Shh, Nana isn't going to get you. You're safe," Shelby cooed. Rachel let her mother cuddle her while her crying subsided.

Shelby maneuvered herself so that she was laying propped up against the pillows and Rachel was almost on top of her, her cheek against Shelby's chest. She rubbed Rachel's back all the way to her bottom, patting her gently like you would a baby to get her to settle down.

Rachel calmed down considerably as her mother held her. Her head was resting on her mother's chest so she could hear her mom's heartbeat. The steady beating of her heart coupled with the gentle pats to Rachel's bottom made Rachel feel safe and loved.

"Mom?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Will you stay with me?"

"Of course I will, sweetie. Are you feeling a little better now?" Shelby asked, kissing Rachel's head.

"Mmmhmm," Rachel hummed, sighing contently. Shelby smiled.

"I'm glad, honey. Let's get under the covers now, come on," Shelby said, scooting Rachel over so she could get more comfortable. She then pulled the covers over both of them and handed Rachel her lion. Rachel nestled Henry in her arms and moved closer to her mother. Shelby happily opened her arms and pulled Rachel against her, spooning her. "Let's get some sleep."

"Mom?" Rachel asked a moment later.

"Mmm?" Shelby mumbled, barely awake.

"Would Nana really use her slipper on me?" Rachel asked. She had been worrying about it earlier, and she really needed to know the answer if she hoped to sleep without any more nightmares.

Shelby shook her sleep off yet again so she could answer her daughter. "No, sweetheart. She won't use her slipper on you. She always threatened to use it on us as kids, but it's just a joke," Shelby explained.

"But Uncle Jack said that him and Uncle Ben couldn't sit for a week after Nana's slipper," Rachel said.

"Uncle Jack was exaggerating. Nana spanked him and Uncle Ben for breaking her China. Like I said, sweetie, it's just a joke. There's no need to be afraid," Shelby said, pulling Rachel closer to her.

"But Mom—"

"Hush, Rachel. It's time for bed. No more worrying, ok? We can talk about it tomorrow if you want," Shelby said, reaching down to pat Rachel's bottom. It seemed to calm her earlier, and she needed her to go to sleep so Shelby could go back to sleep as well.

Shelby continued to pat Rachel's bottom until she heard her breathing even out. Thank God, Shelby thought to herself before drifting off herself.


Author's Note: The song I used is "Suddenly" from the movie Les Mis, made especially for the movie. Currently I have a HUGE obsession with the opera, and have been listening to nothing but Les Mis! It's a beautiful song, and I thought it fit well with Shelby and Rachel. The second song Rachel sings is "On My Own", again, from Les Mis (told you I was obsessed).