A/N: Set a few months after the events of DS. Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mamas out there!

"Want some?" Kurt Hummel offered a perfectly cut-up apple to his best friend, who seemed to be on a whole 'nother planet right now. He waved the ziplock in front of Rachel Berry's face in an enticing manner. "My mommy gave me extra to share with you."

Kurt frowned after a few seconds of not receiving a response and set the bag back down on the table in resignation. He glanced over the left side of his shoulder, and then the right, trying to follow Rachel's line of sight. Coming up short, he turned his attention back to his friend who hasn't paid any attention to him whatsoever throughout the lunch period. Losing patience, he kicked her slightly underneath the table. "Rachie!"

"Ouch! Kurt!" Rachel blinked into focus then scowled at the boy. "What'd you do that for?"

"You weren't paying attention to me!" Kurt couldn't help the pout that formed on his face. Rachel's been somewhat distant all week and he was starting to worry a little that it was because of something he did. "Are you mad at me or something?"

"What?" Rachel asked in total confusion. "No, I'm not. Why would I be? Are you mad at me?"

"I dunno," Kurt shrugged, chewing and swallowing back the apple he just popped in his mouth. "You've been sorta weird all week. Are you okay?"

Rachel sighed a bit in frustration as she dropped her head down the table, resting her chin on her folded arms. "I'm okay," she said lamely, not even trying a little bit convincing.

"What is it, Rachie?" Kurt asked, concern in his eyes and in his voice. "Is it Noah? Is he picking on you again?"

Rachel shook her head but the crestfallen look all over her face didn't diminish. "No, it's not him. He's still being nice to me, and even though he still won't call me his friend, I know I'm his."

"Then what's the matter?" Kurt prodded, wondering if Rachel knew that he couldn't read her mind.

Rachel blew out her cheeks then puffed out a loaded breath through her lips in a purely dramatic fashion. "I've just been thinking," she pouted softly. "About Mother's Day."

"Oh yeah, that's on Sunday," Kurt replied, lighting up at the topic. His mom was his favorite, and he loved celebrating her. "We're making cards in art class tomorrow. You can make your mom one too this year."

Rachel sighed. "I know."

"What's wrong? Do you not want to make your mom a card? You love Miss Shelby."

"No that's not it," Rachel replied truthfully. In fact, she's been looking forward to finally being able to take part in the tradition. In the past, she dreaded Mother's Day. She didn't have one to celebrate. She and her daddies always awkwardly avoided bringing it up or talking about it. They pretty much just ignored it. Last year, in order to avoid the pitying looks or prodding questions, she decided to just make a card and gave it to her Grandma Anne in Columbus instead. It was easier that way.

But this year, she finally had a mom. Santa brought her one for Christmas, which she later learned actually meant that her dad and daddy found her for her. Shelby was their surrogate, they explained. She held her in her tummy and kept her safe and protected her until she was ready to be born. Then, Shelby gave her to her daddies to stay with until she was older and they were ready to be all be together again.

And in Rachel's opinion, Shelby Corcoran was worth the wait. She was even better than Rachel could have ever asked for. Her mommy was nice and pretty and warm. She made her laugh hard and smile big, and always gave her the best random hugs and kisses. But her favorite part about her was that she could sing. They sang and danced together all the time. They both loved music. They both loved Broadway. Rachel felt like the luckiest girl in the world because she got a mom who loved the same things that she did and loved her just as much. She couldn't be happier. Now her family was complete.

But she also felt nervous sometimes. Sometimes around her mom, she didn't know how to act or what to do. She had spent eight years without a maternal figure in her life. And sometimes it confused her. Like now with Mother's Day coming up. Was she supposed to get her mom a gift? Did she want a card? What would she like?

And she really just wanted to do something extra special because it was their first one together. She didn't want to mess it up.

"Rachie, you're doing it again," Kurt leaned over and tapped her shoulder cautiously.

"Oh sorry," Rachel apologized, breaking out of her reverie. She had been racking her brain all week trying to figure out what to do for her mom but anything she thought of felt like it wasn't good enough. She lifted her head and sat up straighter. "Kurt? What do you do for your mommy on Mother's Day?"

"Hmm," Kurt pondered for a moment as he slid the ziplock bag over the girl. "Well I give her the card we make. And then my dad and I always go shopping together to get her a gift. Last year, we got her these pretty shoes that I picked out. She wears them when they go on date nights. Then we always eat all my mommy's favorite foods for dinner."

"Oh okay," Rachel nodded her head. She opened the baggie then pulled out an apple, taking an experimental nibble since her two bottom teeth feel loose. Those all sounded like good ideas to her, but she didn't have that much money to buy her mom anything super nice. She could check her piggy bank, but her daddy always told her that was for her to save and to only use it for emergencies. Maybe if her teeth fell out between now and Sunday, she could put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy. Last time, she got a whole twenty bucks for one.

"Why don't you ask your dad Hiram and daddy LeRoy for help?" Kurt asked in an obvious tone, not really understanding what Rachel was so hung up about.

Rachel's shoulders drooped subconsciously and a slight frown pulled at her lips. She's thought about that too, but she didn't really know how to. The weird way they acted around Mother's Day in the past was a deterrent for her. And she also didn't want to hurt their feelings by making a big deal out of it. She knew that her mom and her daddies got along. They all spend time together. Even recently over spring break, they all went to South Carolina to spend a few days at the beach. It was the most fun she's had ever. But sometimes she couldn't help feel guilty about wanting to be with her mom or asking to spend time with her while she was with her dads. They always let her, but she sometimes she noticed that it made them sad.

"I might," Rachel finally shrugged her shoulders noncommittally. "I just want to make sure that I do something really, really nice for her. I want to show her how much I love her."

Kurt nodded seriously in understanding. He got that. "I'll help! What are some things your mommy likes? Maybe you could get them for her? We can also ask Ms. Pillsbury if we can stay inside and make something during recess tomorrow. Don't worry, we'll think of something for your mom, Rachie," he offered, determined to help problem-solve with the girl.

Rachel brightened up significantly at the suggestion and flashed Kurt one of her best megawatt smiles. Ever since she went to work with her mom at Carmel for the very first time last week, she's been using all and every opportunity she could to perfect her show face. Her mom was teaching it to her show choir team, and Rachel wanted to be as good as the students on Vocal Adrenaline. She needed to practice too for when she was a big star on Broadway.

"Thanks, Kurtie! I'll tell you what I've been thinking about," she said excitedly. Maybe with Kurt's help, she could put something worthy together for her mommy. She could always count on her best friend.

After prepping her second and final load of laundry in the dryer, Shelby wiped her forehead with her sleeve and exhaled slowly. She was exhausted. It was almost nine o'clock in the evening and she had just finished an entire day filled with errands and chores, cleaning and organizing. Before, she only had to fix and sort things out for herself. Life was more manageable then. Now that she had an eight-year-old, she had to do everything for two and then some. And although it was initially a rough adjustment, she wouldn't change any of it or trade a second of it for anything in the world.

Having her daughter back in her life was more than she'd ever dreamed of. She felt ridiculous now every time she thought about how she doubted wanting to be Rachel's mom when the girl's fathers first offered over the Holidays. Taking advantage of her second chance with her baby was, without question, the best thing she's ever done. Rachel brought a constant stream of joy and happiness into her life, even if her little girl was always skirting the edge of trouble. She just had so much energy and curiosity.

Shelby actually thought she'd have trouble accomplishing everything on her to-do list since Rachel was in her care this weekend. The last time she spent the day doing chores, the little diva threw a temper tantrum about Shelby being too busy and not paying attention to her. While she'd love nothing more than to spend any and every free time she had hanging out with her daughter, she struggled to explain how life couldn't always be about fun. It was really the first time she had to put her foot down with the girl and discipline her. She didn't know if it was more uncomfortable for her or for Rachel, but it had to be done. They had been in an amazing honeymoon period and she had cherished taking the time to get to know her daughter, but she also knew that it wasn't going to last forever. She wanted to be Rachel's mom, not just a friendly woman who indulged her every whim. She had to set boundaries. She needed to step up. She did, and she's never felt more like a parent. Since then, she's slowly started to redefine her relationship with her kid. They were still learning and adjusting, but she finally felt like they were on the right track to finding their way as mother and daughter, to finding their way as a family.

After setting a timer on her cell phone, she decided to check on the girl and get her ready for bedtime. Rachel had been uncharacteristically quiet and reserved the entire day. Apart from meal times and the break Shelby took earlier this afternoon to watch Moana for the sixth time with her kid, Rachel had mostly kept herself preoccupied. Shelby had taken advantage of the model behavior, and left the angel to her own devices. She and Rachel had finally finished re-painting and setting up her bedroom the last weekend she had her over, and she figured that the girl was simply enjoying her own space now. Over the past few months, whenever Rachel had stayed with her, they'd been sleeping together in her bed and Shelby would be lying if she said she wasn't going to miss that. But she also knew that it would be better in the long-run for her to start getting Rachel acclimated to her own bedroom. It was a good thing. It meant progress on both their ends.

She made her way up to the second floor and knocked on the halfway closed door before easing herself in. "Hey bug, you ready to go to bed?"

Rachel was sitting at her desk intensely preoccupied with her current task. She was chewing on her bottom lip lightly and swinging her legs distractedly. Totally fixated, she didn't even realize when her mom walked in.

"Watcha doin, kiddo?" Shelby tried again. Before she had a chance to peek over her shoulder, Rachel hastily shuffled some papers together and whipped around, surprising Shelby with the abrupt and sudden movements.

"Hi mom!" Rachel said breathlessly, standing up and pulling her mother over to her bed. "Yes, I'm ready. Look, I even changed into my pajamas already."

Shelby quirked her eyebrows together curiously at the shifty behavior, but decided to let it go. Rachel was perfect the whole day, and she wanted to give the kid the benefit of the doubt as a reward. "I see that, bug. Thanks for not waiting for me to ask you to."

Bedtime was always trying for the both of them. Mainly in part because Shelby possessed the inability to say no every time the girl was in her vicinity. The first time Rachel stayed overnight with her, her sly kid had somehow convinced her to sing through the entire Wicked Original Broadway Recording, not once, but three times before she finally mustered up the courage to call it a night. She had learned that lesson the hard way dealing with an overly-exhausted and grumpy Rachel the next morning.

"I didn't brush my teeth yet though," Rachel said. "I tried to but I couldn't reach the toothpaste up in the cabinet, and you always tell me not to get up on the counter."

"Oh I'm sorry about that Rach," Shelby apologized, making a mental note to do a better job of making things more accessible for the small child. "Let me see your mouth, baby. Does it hurt at all?"

Rachel perched herself on the bed then turned around to open her mouth wide to the mother, displaying two missing bottom teeth. "Nope," the little girl shook her head, popping the P.

"Okay good," Shelby patted her knee. "Just let me know if it does. I know you said last week that they felt loose, but Kurt accidentally hit you while you were on the monkey bars?"

Rachel's eyes flared at the question. "Mhmm, it was an accident!"

"I know, Rach. I never said it wasn't," Shelby said skeptically, taken aback by the forceful exclamation. She looked over the little girl curiously who avoided her gaze almost instantly. "What's going on bug? You've been a little off today. Is everything okay?"

"I'm okay," the girl replied, a little too quickly for the mother's liking. "I'm just so tired," she added, yawning on cue.

"Alright, are you sure?" Shelby double-checked.

"I'm okay, I promise," Rachel nodded then beamed her a perfectly constructed show face. "Are you okay, mommy?"

Shelby chuckled at the retort. "I'm great, Rach. I just want to make sure that you are. You've just been so quiet today and I miss your beautiful voice... and your contagious laugh," she said with a coy grin then snaked her arm to tickle the girl's side.

Rachel squealed and tried to move away in response. Too slow for her mother's unforgiving hands, she let out excited giggles and wholehearted peals of laughter that automatically melted away Shelby's qualms.

"M-om! Mommy, stop. Stop!"

"I don't know if I can, bug. The tickle monster can only stop if she gets a big kiss and an even bigger hug from her Rachie."

Giggling even harder, Rachel jumped up on the bed then launched herself into Shelby's arms and peppered sloppy kisses all over her face over and over again, despite her mom's half-hearted attempts to move away.

"Okay kiddo, you win," Shelby yielded, scooping up the girl completely. Rachel squealed again in delight and wrapped her arms and legs around her mother to secure herself.

"Where are we going!?"

"To go brush your teeth," Shelby replied, walking them over to Rachel's bathroom down the hall. "And I figured I'd carry my baby since she's sooo tired," she teased.

Shelby winked playfully as she set Rachel on the bathroom counter then proceeded to brush her teeth for her. The little girl grinned wide, showing the few and remaining baby teeth she had left as they were brushed. After she was done, she rinsed her mouth out with water and waited for her mom to finish brushing her own teeth.

"There ya go, princess," Shelby said, tapping Rachel's nose in satisfaction once she was done. "Now, we're ready for bed."

Rachel held her arms out to be carried and Shelby willingly obliged. Her little girl was growing so much every day, and though she loved watching Rachel grow more into her confidence, talents, and intelligence, she also wished that she could somehow freeze time or buy more of it with her daughter. She had already missed so much in the past eight years, and soon Rachel would be nearing an age where she was going to want to be more independent and didn't need to be cared for like this.

"Thanks mommy," Rachel said, planting a soft kiss on Shelby's cheek as they walked back into her room.

"You're very welcome, sweetheart," the mother replied, settling her down on her bed and tucking her in. "I'll be up a little longer, so just let me know if you need anything and you can always—"

"Wait, mom!" Rachel gasped, far too dramatically, and shot back up. "I forgot Raffie downstairs! I brought him to watch a movie with us earlier. I need to—I can't sleep without him!"

Shelby nodded in understanding about the girl's concern over her beloved stuffed giraffe that she's had since she was a baby. Shelby didn't know whether or not Rachel realized that she was the one that actually got it for her before she was born, but she loved the thought that something from her was able to give her daughter comfort even though they were apart.

"I know, baby, I know," Shelby said seriously, pushing the girl gently back down the bed. "You rest. I'll go get him and bring him up for you."

Rachel hesitated briefly but decided to trust her mother, scooting back under her covers. "Okay, mommy," she said sleepily, another yawn falling from her lips. "Thank you. I love you."

"And I love you."

"To the moon?"

"And back," Shelby promised.

More time would be nice. But for now, she'd take these moments with her daughter.

The next day, Shelby flipped away from the bright morning sunlight basking on her face when she felt the right side of the bed dip slightly. "Morning, baby… what time is it?" She murmured, lifting the covers.

Rachel happily crawled in and snuggled up closer to her mom, smiling when the woman wrapped an arm around her. "It's only seven, but I couldn't sleep anymore because I have a surprise for you!"

"A surprise? Is that so?" Shelby yawned, not fully awake yet. She pulled Rachel in even closer, savoring the cuddles and drinking in the child's warmth. "What is it, bug?"

"Well you have to wake up first," Rachel giggled as she drew her fingers up to peel her mom's already closed again eyes open. "So you can see!"

"Okay, okay," Shelby relented then opened up her emerald green eyes as wide as she could get them and tried not to blink. "I'm up, I'm awake. See."

Rachel laughed even harder and shook her head. Her mommy was so silly. She scooted away for a second and grabbed an envelope she left on the bedside table. She turned back to face Shelby who was now sitting halfway up on her elbow, wearing a curious expression.

"Happy Mother's Day, mom!" Rachel greeted, positively beaming when she handed her mother the card. "I made this for you!"

"What?" Shelby asked in sincere shock and confusion. She had been so preoccupied recently that she had completely forgotten about the holiday. Truthfully, it's been years since a Mother's Day has been on her radar. Her own mom passed away while she was in college and her little sister didn't have any children of her own. And since she gave Rachel away, she never had a reason to celebrate.

"Aw Rach," she said, swallowing back the lump forming in her throat and blinking back the tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. "Thank you so much, baby."

"Open it, mom," Rachel urged, unable to contain her excitement.

As Shelby pulled out the card, blue and silver glitter fell onto the bed. She turned it over to see Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! written neatly on the front in gold marker with gold star stickers lining the border.

"Because gold stars are our thing," Rachel explained, pointing her finger to one of the stickers.

Her heart feeling like it could burst, Shelby opened the inside of the card to find a picture of two girl stick figures, one big one and one small one, standing on top of a rocket with I love you to the moon and back written in silver marker underneath it.

"Mommy? Do you like it?" Rachel asked nervously after the silence that followed while her mom continued to examine the card, turning it over and over in her hands. "I'm sorry if you don't I—"

"It's perfect, baby," Shelby blurted out then pulled her daughter in for a crushing hug. "I love it. I love it so much. I love you so much. Thank you, sweetheart. It's amazing."

Rachel groaned when Shelby squeezed tighter. "Mom I c-can't breathe."

"Oh I'm sorry Rach," the mother apologized, wiping her eyes quickly after releasing her grip.

"It's okay," Rachel said then grabbed the woman's arm, pulling her out bed. "Come on mom, I have more surprises for you downstairs! And breakfast!

"You do?" Shelby asked questioningly as she rose to her feet. "Baby how did you—"

"I didn't touch the stove, promise," Rachel said, reading the woman's mind. "Dad and daddy did! They're here too!"

Before she could reply, Rachel yanked her arm and led them down the stairs and into the kitchen in lightning speed. They walked in to the sight of Hiram cooking pancakes over the stove and LeRoy setting up the table. There was an artfully arranged bouquet of sunflowers, white daisies, and purple asters, all of her favorite flowers on the counter next to a small pile of different shaped gifts.

"There she is!" LeRoy greeted the woman first, crossing the room to give her an affectionate hug. "Good morning to our favorite mom."

Immensely shocked by the entire scene, Shelby only brought her arms up to accept the embrace and shot Hiram a look of pure confusion in response.

"We let ourselves in and kinda took over your kitchen. Hope you don't mind," Hiram explained with a fond smile. "Happy Mother's Day!"

"I—I don't even know what to say," Shelby laughed breathlessly. "Thank you I—"

"It was all Rach's idea," LeRoy said, giving credit where credit was due and ruffled his daughter's hair. "Isn't that right, princess?"

"Yes!" Rachel said proudly. "But dad and daddy helped me cook and pick out presents. Are you surprised mom?"

"I am so surprised, baby," Shelby said truthfully, her entire body filling up with gratitude and happiness. "Thank you guys so much. I mean it. This is such a lovely surprise. I just, I can't… this is..."

"It's nothing, Shel. It's your day. It's the least we could do. Rach, how about you help your daddy finish setting up the table?" Hiram suggested, picking up on Shelby's need to collect herself for a second.

"Okay! And then can we do presents? I want to give mommy my gift?" Rachel asked, bouncing excitedly on her feet.

"Yes," Hiram chuckled. "Then we'll do presents and then we'll eat. Go on and help daddy. His forks look a little crooked," he winked to a sound of disapproval from his husband.

Shelby smiled gratefully as she perched herself on the bar stool. She was so overwhelmed. In the best possible way. "Rachel's idea?"

Hiram glanced at his daughter and husband preoccupied at the table and lowered his voice. "Tried to scam the tooth fairy for money to get you Mother's Day gifts. She and Kurt found a way to pull out her teeth. Purposefully."

"No she did not," Shelby's mouth fell open in shock.

Hiram fought back a laugh, thoroughly amused by their little girl. "She owned up to it the next morning when she asked us to take her to the mall to get you a present. She um…" he paused, smiling sadly. "She said she was a little scared to ask us for help because she didn't want to hurt our feelings or make us feel like she was replacing us with you. But we uh… had a long talk and assured her that we do not feel that way and the she never has to feel like she's choosing one over or the other and that we are truly happy for you both. You've been.. this is the happiest she's ever been, Shel. And that's.. it's because of you."

Shelby shook her head, the tears spilling down her cheeks flinging at different directions. "No," she said, taking Hiram's hand into her own. "It's also because of you and LeRoy and what you've given us. It's both of you too."

"We're done!" Rachel flounced up to the kitchen island, missing how the two parents quickly wiped away all evidence of their emotional conversation. "Dad can I give mommy my present now?"

"Sure, Rach," Hiram acquiesced then offered Shelby a napkin.

"You didn't have to buy me anything, bug," Shelby said after blowing her nose. "I already love your card."

"I didn't buy it," Rachel said, handing a light-weight bag to the woman. "When I asked dad and daddy what to get you, they both said it should be something that comes from the heart and maybe something that is meaningful. And this means a lot to me, but I want you to have it, mom."

Intrigued, Shelby stuck her hand in the bag and pushed through the decorative gift tissue before feeling something plush with her fingers and pulling out her daughter's cherished stuffed animal. "Raffie?" She asked, shocked again for the millionth time that morning. "You're giving me Raffie, Rach? But he.. you can't sleep without him."

"I'll be okay! Now he can stay with you. I want you to have him, mom. So it'll be like we're still together whenever I'm with dad and daddy," Rachel rambled, hoping that it was a worthy enough gift. "And he can keep you company when you miss me. I don't want you to sleep here alone. I even wrote down instructions for you on how to take care of him. That's what I was doing last night before bed."

Setting the incredible present down, Shelby enveloped her thoughtful and lovely and wonderful baby girl up in a fierce hug. "Thank you, sweetheart. This is the best gift I've ever received. I will take such good care of him for you."

"I know you will," Rachel said, smiling widely. "Happy Mother's Day, mommy.