Beth

"Forehand!"

"Backhand!"

"That's it, good! Now volley!" screamed Coach Randle as she instructed Beth in her morning workouts. The problem was that Beth wasn't paying attention and completely missed a rather easy tennis shot.

"What's going on with you today?" asked her coach as she threw her hands up in frustration.

"Nothing" said Beth shrugging, "I'm just a little unfocused" she said as she walked back to the center of the tennis court to try the exercise again.

"You think?" replied Coach Randle sarcastically.

Beth fought hard not to roll her eyes as she got into her tennis stance to try the exercise over.

Coach Randle served up each shot and when it came time to volley Beth was right there hitting the ball at the right moment. Teacher and student volleyed back and forth until Coach Randle lobbed the tennis ball in the air forcing Beth to run backwards to get it. Her mind was set and she was about to swing her racket with a ferocious return when something caught her eye. Although she turned her attention back to the lob, it was enough of a distraction to have her miss the ball entirely and give her coach the point.

"Fuck!" screamed Beth at the top of her lungs in annoyance.

She huffed out angrily as she glanced at her coach who was shaking her head. "What are you doing here?" she huffed out irritably as she stormed over towards the opening of the fence.

"Mom said you'd be here and I wanted to see you practice" said Quinn softly.

Beth huffed in annoyance, "these practices are normally closed."

Quinn looked away sadly as Beth was instantly filled with guilt. She was being harsh and at the moment it was really unwarranted, "Look I'm sorry, I just get into the zone when I practice and I've had a lot on my plate lately" responded Beth.

Quinn nodded in understanding, "I was hoping after you practiced that we could grab breakfast and go and talk".

"I have school."

"I know, but I've cleared it with mom…she's okay with you missing a day" Quinn replied.

Beth looked over towards her coach, whom was looking at her phone at the moment "okay…but I really need to finish practice or my coach is going to blow a gasket soon."

A smile broke onto Quinn's face as she whispered 'okay' and rushed to go sit on the risers that were on the side of the tennis court. Beth changed her racket and apologized for the interruption and her distraction once again. As practice resumed, an abundance of emotions seemed to attack Beth at once knowing that Quinn was watching her every move. Instead of letting them get the best of her she poured everything into making the correct decisions and moves and hitting the hell out of the racket with all her might. She ended up improving by a thousand percent and the smile on her coach's face let her know that.

"You have what it takes to make a professional career out of this if you want" said her coach once practice was over and they were meeting at the net.

"You say that all the time coach" said Beth as she blushed.

"That's because it's the truth" replied Coach Randle. "You have the killer serve, the brains, and the brawn's to make a name for yourself in women's tennis; but your biggest flaw is your mental game. When you're not totally focus, you do the most damage to yourself and honestly when you've lost against me or your opponents, it's because your mind in heart weren't in it. My advice…hash out whatever it is that causes you to falter in that part of your game" said Coach Randle as she glanced over at Quinn quickly then back at Beth. "I'll see you tomorrow" she said as she began picking up the numerous amounts of tennis balls that littered the court.

Beth sighed before going to her tennis bag and packing up. She put her jacket on and slung the bag on her back as she made her way over to Quinn who was waiting by the opening of the fence.

"Ready to go" asked Quinn quietly.

Beth nodded as they made their way over to Quinn's rental car.

The ride over to the diner was deathly quiet and Quinn was so thankful when their waitress came over to take their drink orders, breaking the silence that was becoming too much of a norm between biological mother and daughter.

"Sooo, you look really good out there" Quinn said after she placed her order in of ice tea, pancakes, and bacon.

"Thanks" replied Beth quietly before they were placed in another round of awkward silence.

"Are you dating anyone?" asked Quinn.

"Not really, I go on dates every now and then but I'm more focused on tennis…but you know that already" replied Beth.

"I'm trying here" sighed Quinn in frustration, "you could at least try too."

"The fact that I'm sitting here Quinn, is me trying" said Beth angrily, "you obviously have something to tell me so just do it."

They stared at one another for a few seconds before Quinn broke eye contact and fought back tears.

"I guess you know I'm expecting then" said Quinn quietly.

"Yeah I know…I overheard mom and dad talking about it this morning" replied Beth, "they didn't know I was around" she added as a look of betrayal crossed Quinn's still beautiful features.

"I wanted to tell you face to face" said Quinn emotionally after a moment, "but I'm beginning to believe that this was a big mistake."

"Why?" asked Beth nonchalantly.

"Because it's clear you're still pissed at me…even after all this time, you're still mad at me for giving you away and I'm just wondering when you're gonna let me off the hook? When will I get a chance to be forgiven for a decision I made, when I was sixteen? The same age you are now" said Quinn as she angrily wiped away a few tears and refusing to look at Beth.

Beth shook her head and sighed, they still didn't get it, especially Quinn. But if Beth were honest with herself, she knew she really hadn't talked to Quinn much in the last three years to help her get it. She just pushed it aside and moved on, but on rare occasions those feelings of hurt and betrayal came roaring back.

"I am a little upset that I was given away, but I get it Quinn. I know you don't think I do, but I do. I get it. I look at myself and I know that it's no way in the world I could give birth or raise a kid right now. I just wouldn't be able to do it, so the fact that you gave me life is not something I take for granted" said Beth strongly, forcing Quinn to look up at her. "Mercedes explained a lot of stuff to me. She told me about being in the room when I was born" smirked Beth. "She explained how you were put out by your father and how hard it was for you at school. About all the stuff y'all went through when the accident happened. She explained things to me that for whatever reason you and mom refuse to talk to me about. I should have been told this stuff by you Quinn…by mom. So yeah I'm still pissed. But not because you gave me up for adoption but the fact that both you and mom looked me in my face and lied about it to me when I was ten. That I found out the real deal from a drunken Noah, who, lo and behold is actually my biological dad" said Beth.

At the mention of Noah's name Beth noticed Quinn's face scrunch up in disgust.

Beth scoffed and shook her head, "there are so many reasons why I'm pissed. The fact that I can't say his name without you looking like you just saw someone barf up close and personal is one" said Beth as she ticked a finger, "the fact that you looked me in my face, eye to eye, and lied is another. When I needed clarification on everything, you just up and ran off with Kitty, with not so much as a goodbye, that still pisses me off. When I didn't want to talk to mom, because I needed to talk to you, I was given grief by everyone because of it. Mom felt guilty and bad and somehow that was my fault. Santana threatened to and I quote "beat my ass" if I kept hurting mom and somehow that turned into Beth being ungrateful for the blessings she has" said Beth as she was still ticking off her fingers. "And what none of you seem to get or understand is that when guys did all this, it made me feel rejected…once again. Being given up for adoption, even if it was for my own good, is still in a way saying that I wasn't wanted. No matter how you put it, in my heart it still feels that way" said Beth getting emotional, "and when I needed you Quinn to just explain it to me, to just talk to me, and you didn't show up. It felt like you were rejecting me all over again. When you roll your eyes at hearing Noah's name in any form, it feels like you're disgusted with me because like it or not, he's a part of me. I forgive you daily Quinn…daily, but even today, you didn't want to talk about any of this stuff…you wanted to tell me that you were having another baby" said Beth as she looked at Quinn's shocked face.

"Well congratufuckinglations! I'm sure you and Kitty will be awesome parents" said Beth as she got up from the table and stormed out of the diner.

Quinn felt as if she were glued to her seat as she watched Beth leave angrily and the reality of the situation had finally smacked her in the face.

Beth walked into her home a few hours lady, still upset.

"Bethany Noelle! Where have you been?" she heard her mom almost yell at her, "Quinn called hours ago and said you two had separated."

Beth took a big breath, "I took a walk mom. I needed to clear my head" responded Beth quietly.

Shelby noticed her teenage daughter's red, swollen eyes and decided to let it be.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked quietly.

"Nope, I just want to go and lay down" whispered Beth, "I have a headache."

Shelby nodded before pulling Beth's hand and walking over to the kitchen. She filled a glass full of water and pulled out two pain pills that were in the cabinet, "Have you eaten?" asked Shelby with concern.

"No, not really" replied Beth.

Shelby quickly made Beth a PB&J sandwich and gave it to Beth with a banana. Beth scoffed it down quickly and Shelby gave her the water and medicine. Before she left, Beth felt her mom wrap her in a tight hug and give her a kiss on the temple, "I love you now, forever, and always and nothings gonna change that" whispered Shelby.

"Me too mom, me too."

Beth yawned slightly as she stretched her limbs while waking up from a pretty deep slumber. Blinking her eyes several times so that her sight could get in focus she was surprised to see Quinn sitting at her desk across from her bed. She shouldn't have been surprised, but at last she was.

"What are you doing here?" asked Beth quietly as she sat up on her bed and Quinn came more into focus.

"You know this used to be my room when I lived here" replied Quinn quietly as she looked around, "when we first moved into this house it was only one level, but then we got two levels and I got the chance to pick this room."

"Mom told me the same thing when Brandon and I moved our rooms up here. He got Santana's old room and I got this one" replied Beth.

She watched Quinn nod, "I knew as soon as Brittany and I made out early on in my high school years that I was gay. I just knew it and a large part of me didn't want it to be true. I couldn't be into girls, not as a Fabray. There were standards and an image that had to be upheld. Being gay… it just wasn't something that could happen" said Quinn as she looked at Beth and shrugged.

Beth looked at Quinn and internally knew this wasn't the moment to say anything. For once she would just have to shut it and listen.

"When Puck and I hooked up, I was trying to wipe away any feelings about being in love with a girl. I thought that if I just mess around and kiss boys and date boys that eventually I would be normal. My self esteem was at an all time low and I knew it. I was using Puck and Finn for that matter to feel better about myself…and in his own way Puck was taking advantage of me as well" said Quinn.

"Once I knew for sure that I was pregnant with you, I realized how different my life would be from then on. I was scared and upset, but I knew without a shadow of doubt that I was going to have you. In fear of my parents finding out I lied to everyone. I lied about who was actually your dad; I tried to conceal my baby bump. I did everything I could to try and ignore what was coming down the pipe…I'd even convinced myself that because I was pregnant with you, I wasn't gay anymore. But then the shit hit the fan as they say and soon the both of us were homeless, moving from house to house, and I had no clue what I was going to do. Puck was still fooling around with anything with a skirt and trying to convince me at the same time how great a dad he would be. In my heart I was sure that you didn't deserve that Beth. You didn't deserve to not have a home; you didn't deserve to be raised as a Fabray, or a Puckerman for that matter. You deserved the best because you were perfect…you were my perfect thing and I understood even then that you were the best thing I would ever do in my life" shrugged Quinn, "so I made the difficult decision to give you up for adoption because you ought to have the best family and at the time that was something neither Puck nor me could give you" said Quinn emotionally. "Puck's mother couldn't stand me and my parents pretended as if I didn't exist once they threw us out. It was a bad situation and no matter how much I loved you Beth, I was aware that my love wouldn't be enough to give you everything you needed and more."

A moment of silence passed between them , while Beth watched Quinn seemed to try and gather her thoughts. This was the most she'd ever heard Quinn speak about any of this. It was almost as if she were baring her naked soul, baring her truth about everything for the first time ever. At the very least to Beth, whom was already moved by the genuineness that Quinn was using to tell her this stuff. It was the first time that Quinn had been open about any of it and she felt that brick wall crumbling down internally as she sat with rapt attention as Quinn spoke.

Tears streamed down Beth's face as Quinn recalled the moment of her birth and all the events that transpired that day. Quinn explained why she wanted Mercedes in the room with her and Beth learned that Quinn and Mercedes considered one another sisters well before it was made official. It was interesting but also endearing to hear things from Quinn's point of view...something Beth wanted all along.

She learned about how Shelby had come to adopt Beth and how hard that adoption was on Rachel initially. Beth made a mental note to have a talk with her older sister. If anyone in the Corcoran-Johnson family understood how she felt, it would definitely be Rachel.

Quinn went on to talk about how hard it was to sign those adoption papers and hand Beth over to Shelby. Knowing that she'd made the right choice didn't provide Quinn with any solace and as time went on, she'd become more broken and filled with regret. Beth listened in shock as Quinn explained how she came up with some crazy scheme to get her back with Puck and how it failed tremendously. Quinn felt as if she'd lost her chance to be in Beth's life forever, but then the tragic accident happened and life completely changed for the both of them. Shelby stepped up and before Quinn could clear her head correctly, she was a product of adoption herself and they were being raised as sisters.

"Mom allowed me to be back in your life when she didn't have to" said Quinn, "she found it in her heart to forgive me and she finished raising me and she didn't have a problem raising us together" said Quinn quietly.

"Then why lie?" asked Beth barely above a whisper.

"She lied and I lied because I was scared. I lived in constant fear of you finding out the truth and hating me, so mom agreed to hold off until I was ready. We both agreed to sit down with you and explain everything when you turned fourteen but you found out the way you did…and when you looked at me with such hurt and treachery…I couldn't take it, so I ran" said Quinn as fat tears slipped out of her eyes.

"I've made a lot of mistakes with you Beth…a whole lot and I'm sorry for that" said Quinn as her voice shook slightly, "I never meant for you to feel rejected and not wanted" said Quinn as her face broke down, causing Beth to do the same. "When I see you Bethany, you're the best thing I've ever done in my entire life. I'm so proud of everything you do and the young lady you've become. It kills me that you think I don't love you or want you, cause nothing is farther from the truth" said Quinn as she wiped away tears. "I'm still pissed at Puck for how he went about telling you, and when I hear his name, the disgust isn't with you Beth…it's with his actions. He knew better and yet and still he did wrong. I'm pissed at him, not you. You've done nothing for me to be angry with, I just want you to forgive me" said Quinn quietly. "I really want to be a part of your life again, if you'll have me…a part of our lives" Quinn said as she placed her hand over her stomach.

Beth starred, not at Quinn's eyes, but at her belly. At one point in time, at the genesis of her life she was once in there. And she believed that Quinn looked down at her and rubbed her stomach sixteen years ago, much in the way she was doing at this very minute. Beth could see the love that was in Quinn's eyes and she could also see Quinn's own pain and regret.

She licked her dry lips and wiped at her tear stained cheeks as she thought long and hard, while looking at her biological mother.

Quinn was asking for them to start over, to give it another try. When she thought about her family and the stories she and Brandon heard as they grew up, it was nothing but stories about how much their family got to start over and try again. Mistakes happened and plenty regrets but as a unit they were still here.

She'd received what she'd been asking for and that was complete honesty from the person she wanted to hear it all from since the beginning. How could she not offer the olive branch? How could she not give Quinn, what she so desperately wanted? Beth was beginning to realize that what Quinn wanted is also what Beth wanted all along; a chance to get to know Quinn as more than her sister, but also as her mother. And she was sure Quinn wanted to really know her as her daughter and not just her sister. Beth was a pretty smart girl and she was aware this process would take time…moving on wasn't something that was gonna happen overnight, but at least she could try. It seemed as if Quinn was willing too.

"I'm ready" spoke Beth with a hoarse voice, causing Quinn to look up with her signature raised eyebrow.

Quinn matched her look and smirked, "I'm ready and willing if you are" she said.

Beth laughed as Quinn's face broke into a huge smile and she walked over and pulled her into the tightest hug she'd ever had from Quinn. Beth laid her head on Beth's shoulder and they held one another for a long time. Things could have been a lot different between the two of them if Quinn had kept her. Beth was sure her life would be much more difficult and she wouldn't have been living in the comfort she was now. For the first time, a small part of her was actually glad that Shelby Corcoran decided she wanted to adopt.

After several minutes of bonding, Quinn pulled away and began lifting her shirt. Beth eyes immediately found the small baby bump that Quinn was sporting and she instinctively placed her hand over the bump and rubbed it, causing Quinn to smile tentatively. She moved to the side and rubbed the tattoo that was on her rib cage and instructed Beth to look. Beth's eyes watered instantly as she read the simple words, 'My Little Lamb Bethany Noelle'.

"When?" asked Beth emotionally.

"I was like seventeen, still my favorite one I have" whispered Quinn.

Beth wrapped Quinn into another hug and laid her head back on her shoulder, "thanks" she whispered simply.

"For what?" questioned Quinn.

"For having me" came Beth's simple reply.

It was close to nine months later and Beth walked into the hospital room with a giant smile on her face.

Her eyes immediately connected with Quinn's and they both looked at one another adoringly. Kitty was almost smashed into Quinn as she held her from behind as Kitty was looking down at the baby that was swaddled and placed in Quinn's arms.

"Thanks for coming" Quinn said softly. She looked tired but extremely happy. Apparently giving birth takes a lot out of any mother to be and Beth was still trying to figure out how anyone would willingly go through that much.

"It's a boy" said Kitty with excitement.

"I know" laughed Beth, "mom and dad are telling any and everyone in the hallway."

Quinn chuckled and shook her head. She motioned Beth over as she looked down at the newest member of their family. Beth walked over eagerly and went on the right side of the bed so she could get a better view. Looking down she was met with the little person that technically was her baby brother. He was asleep but Beth was staring down at him and memorizing his features. She could tell that he actually looked a lot like Quinn. They had the same nose, eye shape and mouth and Beth had a feeling that the new baby would be hearing for the rest of his life how much he looked like his mother and his 'aunt'.

"He's beautiful" whispered Beth.

"I think so too" responded Kitty, "like his mother."

Beth watched Quinn flush damn near crimson and she couldn't believe how 'in love' Kitty and Quinn still were after all these years.

"We haven't named him yet" stated Quinn, "Kitty and I were thinking you'd like to do the honors."

"Seriously?" said Beth in shock.

"Yup" replied Kitty, "it's only right that you get to name your baby brother" she whispered.

Beth's eyes watered as well as Quinn's, "I'm honored" whispered Beth.

Quinn held her arms up as an indication for Beth to grab the small bundle of joy.

Beth gently cradled the newborn as he whimpered slightly before she settled him in her arms. She studied his face for awhile thinking of good baby names that she could name her nephew/brother. A sudden memory hit her, from when she was around eight years old and hanging out with Quinn one day. The conversation was clear as day and when she thought of the name, it seemed to fit the face she was looking down at.

"I have one" said Beth quietly, "but I don't know if you guys will like it."

"What is it?" asked Kitty as she laid a soft kiss on the side of Quinn's face.

Beth took a deep breath, "Linus…I always thought if Quinn had a son, she should name him Linus. Especially when I found out her real name was Lucy" said Beth skeptically.

Quinn giggled as Kitty looked to be deep in thought, "doesn't Linus mean like blonde hair or something in Greek?" asked Kitty.

"Yeah I think so" answered Quinn with a giant smile.

Kitty shook her head, "I like it. Not a lot of people have that name and I love the idea of having my own Linus and Lucy…so Linus James it is" said Kitty with a giant smile.

Beth let out a breath of relief as she looked down at the newly named boy, whom had just opened his eyes slightly. "Hey Linus" Beth cooed down at him. The smile that graced his face was her indication that she'd gotten it right. Beth looked up and briefly and smiled down at Quinn, who was looking at the both of them with watery eyes.

Beth hadn't ever seen Quinn look that complete and happy and the warmth that spread through Beth's body at the feeling was something she'd never forget for the rest of her life.

So thank you guys for the alerts, favs, and reviews. I've had small stories about the Corcoran-Johnson family flowing through my mind for months. All different types, time periods, and events, so I decided to write some of them down. The ones that seemed to stick in my mind the most. Some of you still have questions from the last story and I hope to answer them in this simple one-shot series. Please keep reviewing and all thoughts, opinions, and critiques are welcome. Thanks again guys!

Thegiftedone