Thank you to the two people who reviewed! I know people don't read these kinds of stories anymore, so the fact that two people are makes it worth it to continue! Also, I never thought of this before, but let's just pretend that Ellen is live, even though I know it isn't. Haha.

The sounds of the commercials on the screen were ringing in Shelby's ears. It was Friday afternoon, and she had taken the second half of the day off upon hearing of Rachel's appearance on Ellen. She wanted to be home to watch her daughter's television talk show debut with full attention. Her youngest daughter was still at her Broadway daycare studio, and was to be picked up once the show ended.

The show came back on, and Ellen announced that Rachel was going to be singing "My Man" from Funny Girl. Shelby turned the volume on the television up almost involuntarily as Rachel's face appeared on the screen. She was standing behind a microphone stand, full orchestra in the background.

Shelby was so eager to hear her daughter sing for the first time in a long time. Rachel's voice was like a drug to her. She couldn't get enough of it, and it made her so proud, even though she knew she didn't exactly have a right to be. As Rachel said on the show, the only thing Shelby had ever really given to help with her success was genetics. Of course, there was that time she helped Rachel with her audition (which happened to be the last time she had seen her daughter), but it's nothing compared to all the younger girl had accomplished for herself.

God, the last time she saw her daughter…there aren't enough words to describe the happiness. Rachel seemed to be ecstatic to see her, despite all that had happened in the past. She just looked at Shelby with such child-like adoration, and even initiated both hugs that occurred that day. Shelby puts up such a hard exterior (she had to as a national champion Glee club coach), but nothing makes her melt more than her eldest daughter's affection. She can say the same about Beth's, but something about Rachel's was different because it was so limited. She could count on one hand the number of times she's gotten to hold her daughter in the past nineteen, almost twenty, years of her lifetime: each were sacred.

The sound of the song beginning ripped Shelby abruptly away from her racing thoughts. Rachel began to sing and the former coach stared, mesmerized. Her baby girl was so talented. Before she knew it, she felt a pool of tears well up and spill out from her eyes. The high notes sent chills all down her body, and the song ended far sooner than Shelby would have liked it to. It was a rare occasion for Shelby Corcoran to shed a tear, but she found herself sitting on the couch, face buried in her hands. She was sobbing, as a flood of emotions from her past came back to her. They always seemed to find her. There would never be an escape.

This was the last straw. Nineteen years was long enough. This was the year she was going to finally reconnect with her daughter the way she always dreamed she would. She had beat around the bush for too long, perhaps confusing Rachel more than anything. What kind of coward walks away from their daughter after actively trying to get her back? Even worse, Rachel's acceptance into NYADA was the deciding point in Shelby's decision to move back to NYC and start up her business in the first place; yet, over a year had passed and she had seen her daughter one time. Things were going to change.

Standing from the couch, she wiped her eyes and made her way over to her cell phone to call the only person who knew anything about her situation: Cassandra July. Cassie had been an old friend from when she lived in NYC before; the only difference is that she had made it onto Broadway. Shelby had not. Of course, Cassie's Broadway career ended soon after it started, but it was fate that she would later become Rachel's professor in college.

Shelby made sure Cassie looked out for Rachel, from getting away from Brody to helping her make it to the big stage. She was not fond of the dance teacher's harsh treatment towards Rachel to get her where she needed to be, but she knew if roles were reversed she would be the same way. The two women were so similar in their teaching methods because they knew first hand how to create a star. Shelby had to admit that the teacher-student relationship made her jealous. She wanted to be the one to see Rachel three times a week. She wanted to train Rachel and praise her and help her make it big. Regardless, she knew she couldn't complain and was grateful for her best friend.

She hit Cassie's name in the recent calls section of her phone and waited, praying her friend would pick up. Luckily, she did on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Cassie…please tell me you were watching."

There was a pause. "I was...you okay?"

Shelby thought for a moment. "I think so," she began. "I'm more shocked than anything. I don't know what to think. I never even dreamed of coming up in the conversation, and the things she said…I have to see her, Cas. I can't keep avoiding her. Even if it's selfish and she doesn't need me, or want me in her life, I have to talk to her." At this point, she was choking back tears.

"I know," Cassandra soothed. "Did you hear what she said about you? I don't think she'd turn you away, or oppose to a relationship. Being her professor I know first hand that she DOES need you. Maybe not the way Beth needs you, but you can still be her mom."

Shelby sniffed, and wiped away her now falling tears. "How?"

"How what?"

"How do I make it happen? I don't even have the girl's phone number, and she deleted her Facebook once she started making it big. There is literally no way of contacting her unless I showed up to one of your dance classes that she's in."

Cassie thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to get the two together without it interfering with her dance class. Not that she would mind it if it were the only way, but Shelby had a lot to say to Rachel as it was without having to explain the whole 'Cassandra July is my best friend and she's been my spy since you've been at NYADA to make sure you're okay' ordeal. Then the idea hit her.

"Get a sitter for Beth, we're seeing Funny Girl tomorrow night. I have an idea."

Let me know what you think! Sorry for so much drabble on Shelby's thoughts! Honestly her head is a scary place sometimes. I feel so bad for her, even though she's done crappy things. I still love her! Please review and let me know what you think, and what you want to happen.