Chapter 2:

After rubbing smooth circles on Rachel's back and comforting her with encouraging words Finn felt she has slowly calmed down. She picked her head up from his lap. She was tired of crying. She was done. Finn was confused when he saw Rachel grabbing suitcases and throwing clothes onto her bed.

Finn quickly sat up. "What are you doing?" He asked observing Rachel.

"Running away." Rachel replied. "I'm not staying here anymore!"

"Rachel-there are better ways to solve this. Tell someone." Finn says trying not to get frustrated with Rachel about doing the wrong thing.

"So my dad's can hit me more? Abuse me? So they can make me cry myself to sleep every night? I'm not telling anyone. I'm running away!" She said folding clothes and putting them in her suitcase.

Finn closed his eyes. He wished he can stop his girlfriend. His heart has never stopped hurting from the minute he found out. Why didn't he know any sooner? Why did she have to hide a secret from him? He could of rescued her. He could of told his mother the situation going on with Rachel and the Berry's. They've could f done something, anything.

Instead he saw himself as a failure. Rachel was running away from her problems. It's something he never wanted to see her do. "I asked about was who my mother is-like I always do. You know what they told me?" She asked. Finn shook his head. "My mother doesn't love me. She never wanted me. She said I was a mistake. And I told my father's it's a mistake to be living with them!' She was yelling.

She was angry.

"They pushed me and hit me seven times. It's not the first time they've done this." She was now crying hysterically. "Please, I beg of you not to tell anyone.." She said not facing her boyfriend.

"But Rachel-" Finn cleared his throat. "You live next door to me. Your dads are going to wonder where you are..."

Rachel wiped her tears and shook her head. "Do you love me?" She asked sobbing.

"What? Yes of course I do!" Finn cried getting up. He gently placed his hand on Rachel's arms.

"You'd do anything for me?" She asked.

"Rachel I-"

"Take me to this address." Rachel took out a piece of paper from her pocket. She tracked down her mother. The name and the address before Finn got to her house. "Take me."

Finn took the paper and read the address. He sighed. He knows this isn't the right thing to do. He grabs his car keys. "When you're ready." He gave Rachel time.

She finished packing. She carefully made sure her dads were fast asleep. The two of them sneaked out of the house. Finn started his SUV and drove two thirty in the morning


She ran away two days ago. She said her goodbye to Finn and thanked him for everything. She promised it isn't a break up. She hopes he can still see her without any of the parents knowing. She remembers everything.

She and Finn arrived at the address after a four hour drive. It was cold. She was shivering and waiting for the right moment. Her boyfriend didn't drive away until she rang that doorbell. When she ran the bell, it was like looking at her older self in the future. Standing in front of her, the woman had the same eyes, the same brunette hair, and the nose.

The woman being her mother. Rachel can tell the older woman is speechless herself. She tries to stop herself from choking up. "I'm so-s-sorry for showing up at your door this late. I'm..I'm you're..."

"My daughter.." Rachel saw the woman mouthing those two meaningful words. "I'm Rachel Berry. I'm your daughter." It wasn't Rachel who started to cry. It was her mom. Shelby Corcoran. For sixteen years she wondered who her daughter is, what she's like, if she sings, if she dance, and if she looks like her. For sixteen years she has always regretted giving Rachel up.

Now she's here. "H-Ho-honey, what..What are you doing here?" Shelby asked. She could of think of something completely different to say, out of all things. Why did she ask such a question? She should sound happy for being reunited.

"I said I was sorry." Rachel couldn't stay strong. She broke down into tears. "I'm cold. I have nowhere to go." She said crying. Shelby nods and allows Rachel inside her home.

That night has changed the lives for the both of them. Rachel told her the very next morning the whole story, including her dads. Shelby's heart crushed into million pieces.

Shelby has been aware of everything going on in Rachel's life. She knows she's a vegan, has a boyfriend, and only one mother figure. "You're not going to tell my dad's right? They're my past. I'm done with them." Rachel said as she and Shelby drinks tea together in front of the fireplace. Shelby puts her cup down and touches Rachel's hand for comfort. "Running away from your problems isn't the best thing to do. I wish you would tell someone."

"My boyfriend knows. I'm pretty sure he told Carole because I haven't been home for two days. It's not like my dad's care.." Rachel sighs heavily. "I'm with you now."

"I know you're with me, honey..but we still need to figure this out."

"Figure what out? I'm happy now." Rachel confessed closing her eyes. "Please don't make me go back." Rachel cries. Shelby puts a hand on her heart. Her poor fragile daughter is confessing all her feelings after living a horrible life.

Here, Shelby thought her daughter had two loving fathers. The fathers who gave her everything and love. That's what the Berry's promised Shelby on her birthday. They'll take care of her, give her love, and shelter.

They gave Rachel none of that. Shelby has all the anger in the world towards LeRoy and Hiram Berry. "I can't make any promises." Shelby quietly responds.

"Mommy..." Rachel begs and pleads. Shelby was never ready to be called 'Mommy' and she admitted her daughter was so adorable calling her that for the first very time.