A.N.: All characters belong to RIB. All mistakes are mine, this story is not beta'd. I appreciate every single review!

K.D.P.

CHAPTER 2

Monday wasn't Quinn's favorite day of the week but her English class after lunch was. When the bell rings she politely asked Rachel to stay behind, again.

The brunette walked up to her teacher's desk, "Miss Fabray, what can I do for you?" She couldn't imagine what she had done wrong, again.

"Miss Berry, I just wanted to inform you that I graded your assignment from last week and you almost have your A back. Congratulations."

"Thank you, I made myself refocus and apparently it worked. I have college to think about next year." Rachel was excited. Her parents were very loving and wanted nothing but the best for her, so she didn't want to disappoint them with bad grades.

Quinn knew her next question could come across as odd but she was genuinely interested so she decided to go for it. "How was your Saturday evening? Did you have fun?"

Rachel was surprised her teacher showed some interest. Unfortunately, her answer was not something to be excited about. "Well yeah… it was okay. Nothing special", she tried to laugh the embarrassment away. "Had some things on my mind." She mumbled.

"I hope it's nothing to do with school?"

"No no, school's better actually. The slushie showers have been reduced to twice a week. That's some serious improvement", she hoped it'd stay that way.

"I'm glad to hear that, I also hope you know that you can always come to me if something happens, right?"

"Yes I do know that, thank you for your concern."

Rachel eyed her curiously, and decided to ask what was on her mind anyway. "Miss Fabray, can I ask you something personal?"

That certainly caught Quinn's attention. "Yes please do".

Rachel shifted from one foot to the other, "I couldn't stop wondering if that little girl, who was with you at Breadstix, was your sister? You look so much alike, it's obvious you're related". She saw the obvious struggle written on her teacher's face, whether or not she should answer.

Quinn thought she should answer honestly, that Rachel wasn't the type to judge, unlike most people in this conservative town.

"That little girl is my daughter, Beth." And with that she could see the wheels in her student's head turning. Doing the math. So she decided to be honest with her. "I know what you're thinking. I had Beth when I was 16 years old."

Well, Rachel certainly didn't expect that.

"She seems like a lovely girl, she's very beautiful, Miss Fabray". She really meant it. "Just like her mother". Crap. That last part wasn't meant to come out.

Quinn felt a tingle shoot right up her spine due to the compliment. "Well thank you… Rachel." It didn't feel right for formalities after you've shared such a private detail of your life.

Rachel looked up and witnessed the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. She had a lot of other questions but didn't know if asking them would be appropriate.

Before they had a chance of continuing, the next class walked in.

"Bye Miss Fabray, pleasure talking to you" With one look in her teacher's eyes she was out the door, still embarrassed with her slip up.

The next couple of days Rachel kept thinking about how Beth looked just like her mother. Almost the same haircolor, those same hazel eyes… The teacher seemed to preoccupy her mind a lot lately. I should stop that. I wonder if I look like my mother.

It was something she often thought about, but especially now she seemed to long for contact with her biological mother.

She made her way downstairs, into the kitchen where her fathers were making dinner.

"Dad,daddy?"

"Yes honey?" They answered simultaneously. When Leroy noticed she didn't answer he turned around, searching her face for any clues. Rachel was not meeting his eyes, so he looked at his husband Hiram who nodded.

"Is something the matter sweetie?" Hiram asked with concern.

"I don't want you to freak out, it's not a big deal en please know that this doesn't mean I don't love you guys, I wouldn't trade you for anything and –" "Rachel, you're rambling. You haven't done that in a long time, which means it must be something important." Hiram replied.

LeRoy cut in, "Please know you can talk to us about anything, it's how we raised you isn't it?" When Rachel finally looked up she was met with so much concern in their eyes, it made her feel confident again.

"I've come to a point in my life I think I'm old enough to know who my mother is."

LeRoy and Hiram looked at each other, not with disappointment but with understanding.

"We understand honey, are you sure?" her daddy asked.

"Yes I'm sure. I've always wondered who she is and what she would be like, but recently I've had this need to know." she replied softly.

After dinner and doing the dishes they sat down in their living room, making themselves comfortable before addressing the subject.

Hiram took the lead. "Your mother's name is Shelby Corcoran." He paused, thinking of how he should phrase his words.

"We already told you when you were little that your mother didn't give you up because she didn't love you Rachel, it was because she was only 19 years old when she got pregnant. Do you remember, honey?"

"Yes dad, I understand… Do you know if she would want to speak with me?" Because I want to talk to her...

Her daddy answered this time, "Yes we do know actually. We didn't tell you because you never asked, but she lives here in Lima and we call each other a couple of times a year. Just to exchange stories and information." He gave her a few moments to process things. "Every time she asked if you had asked about her, but you never really asked so we didn't arrange anything. Would you like to meet her sometime in the near future?"

"I do, I'm just curious if we have any similarities."

Her dad knew he had to break the hard news but it had to be done. "Rachel, honey, there's one thing we need you to know before we contact her." Hiram said carefully.

Rachel looked at him in anticipation and nodded. She was beyond thrilled her biological mother wanted to meet her.

"We don't want you to face any surprises." Her daddy adds. "About 8 years ago, Shelby adopted a little girl" There it was.

The singer didn't know how to react at first. She gave me up but adopted someone else's child? What did this girl have that I didn't?

"Why? Why would she do that?" she asked with watered eyes.

"Sweetheart, please put this in some perspective. There's a big gap between the time she had to give you up and the time she found herself ready to have kids. That's ten years Rachel. Talk to her, let her explain" He pleaded.

Five whole silent minutes later Rachel found her voice again. "I understand…I still want to meet her, if that's alright with you."

Leroy put his hand lovingly on his husband's, "Of course. We were wondering when this day would arrive. We would never want to keep you from your roots Rachel".

The next day Rachel asked her fathers if it would be alright if she called Shelby herself, to ask if she would be up to meeting her. As expected her daddies were more than supportive.

Somewhat nervously, she dialed Shelby's number on her cell. After three rings someone picked up, but it wasn't the person she had expected.

"Hello?" A child's voice came through the speaker.

"Hello this is Rachel Berry speaking. I was wondering if I could talk to … your mother?" This is so weird.

Then she heard a loud "Sheeeeeeelby!" followed by "there's a woman on the phone, she wants to talk to you!"

A few seconds went by, but it felt like a lifetime to Rachel.

"Hello? Shelby speaking"

"Good evening Miss Corcoran, I'm Rachel Berry" She introduced herself formally. I can't say 'Hey mom, I'm your daughter', that would be a little bit too forward, wouldn't it.

"Rachel, what a pleasant surprise!" The woman clearly couldn't hide her joy and it made Rachel more confident. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm good, thank you for asking." And it went silent. She didn't often lose her words but this was an important moment.

"Can I help you with something?"

"I was wondering, if it's not too much to ask, and I really don't want to disturb your plans or take up all of your time, I'm just really nervous and –" " Rachel, honey, you're rambling". She could hear a smile in Shelby's voice and it made her smile too.

"I was wondering if we can meet some time, if that's alright with you." She held her breath, she didn't want to be rejected from her mother, again. That would be too painful.

"I thought I'd never hear from you. Of course I want to meet you! This is simply wonderful."

"Really? I don't want to impose Miss Corcoran." I don't want her to feel obligated.

"Yes dear, when are you free? I, myself, am free this Saturday. Is that a good time for you? Around 4 in the afternoon? You can stay for dinner…If you'd like."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you."

"I'm sorry but I have to go dear, I have to take Beth to singing class. I'll see you soon? Give LeRoy and Hiram my best."

"I will, see you soon" And with that, Rachel was overcome with happiness.

"Daaaaaaaad, daddy! She said yes!" She shouted through the house. Not a second later her bedroom door swung open, revealing her two dads who were probably eavesdropping and she was enveloped by two pairs of strong arms.

Friday seemed to go by at an excruciatingly slow pace for Rachel. She'd told Kurt and he was over the moon for her. Kurt always understands me. Finn on the other hand, didn't seem to understand why meeting her birth mom was such a big deal. He kept trying to change the subject. Rachel felt disappointed, but maybe I'm being overdramatic.

When lunch came around, she headed to the auditorium. She entered the room, expecting to be alone but found a certain blonde teacher already seated, with her feet dangling over the edge of the stage.

"Hi Miss Fabray, I didn't expect someone being here this time of day" but it's a lovely surprise, she thought.

"Miss Berry, I was expecting you. You once said I should stay whenever you were singing so here I am." Quinn smiled warmly at her student.

"I didn't think you'd take up my offer" Rachel said astonished. When she saw Quinn's smile falter she realized how her words came across. "No no, that's a good thing. I really appreciate you being here." Great, Finn doesn't pay any attention to me and now I scare away the one person who wanted to listen.

Quinn didn't know which way she should take Rachel's reaction.

"Is something the matter, Rachel?" Her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

"What? No no, it's just… It's nothing" Rachel hoped her teacher would let it slide. She really didn't want to think about Finn and his ways of belittling everything she was excited about.

"Every time I see you it's like something's on your mind." She didn't want to pry but she wanted the girl to open up.

"Just some stupid stuff you wouldn't want to hear about"Rachel looked down at her shoes, she felt like she'd be a burden if she'd talk about it.

"I do want to hear about it, take a seat Rachel" Quinn patted the space next to her and Rachel complied. She tried to leave a respectable amount of space between them.

They both took out their lunch and made some small talk, not addressing the reason why Rachel was a little distressed.

The brunette found herself enjoying the conversation with Miss Fabray a lot, it was the first time she really liked talking to a teacher. And for the first time, Quinn found herself enjoying a conversation with a student. It was more fun than spending lunch in the teacher's lounge, discussing cleaning products with Emma or teaching strategies with Will, or the latest triumphs of Coach Sylvester. Can you imagine me addressing her with 'Sue'?

"So you want to be on Broadway some day?" Rachel nodded, expecting that her teacher would laugh at her just like most people do, just like Finn does…

"That's great! I've heard you sing, getting accepted in a college with an excellent drama and music department will be a piece of cake" Quinn gushed.

"You really think that?" She looked down at her hands, she was fumbling with the hem of her skirt.

Quinn followed her line of sight. She has really nice legs. She also blushed when Rachel looked at her again.

"With such a great voice it's probably written in stone that you're going to be a successful singer."

She's so nice. All the time actually, Rachel thought.

"And by the way, I love Broadway. I'll probably be the first one in line to buy a ticket for your show." Rachel laughed at that. It was nice to hear.

"You're too nice"

"Why? You must have others telling you you're amazing twenty-four-seven."

At that Rachel looked her right in the eyes, mouth agape. "Th-that your voice is amazing, I mean" Quinn replied, trying to limit the damage. She didn't know where to look at the moment.

"Thank you Miss Fabray" Rachel put her hand on top of her teacher's. Her intention was a brief reassuring contact, but the moment their hands touched a tingle spread through her whole body. Quinn looked up and Rachel got lost in her eyes. She's so beautiful. How can someone be this pretty? Her eyes are so golden, there's not a hair out of place, her jawline is perfectly sculptured and her lips… She realized what she was doing, retracted her hand and stood up abruptly. I can't believe this is happening.

Quinn was still entranced with the feelings she had been experiencing, that she barely registered the student talking.

"I- I have to go. Promised Kurt I'd meet him before class" She murmured an excuse and she knew Miss Fabray knew it was a lie.

"Oh okay, I hope you're feeling a little bit better now", Quinn didn't understand what came over her. Push it down, Quinn.

She watched Rachel's retreating form. She didn't admit it to herself but she was mostly watching Rachel's tan legs walk away.