Chapter 3

The new room meant everything to Rachel. Shelby let Rachel go crazy on how she wanted her room to look like. She choose a queen size bed, yellow for the walls, and had some golden stars hung. She had the name Rachel in baby pink above her bed.

"I love it. I love everything about it! It's-it's me!" Rachel said. She threw herself on her bed. Shelby laughed at her dramatic daughter. "I'm glad you like it."

"Can I sleep here tonight?" Rachel asked.

"I don't see why not. It's yours." Shelby smiles.

"In my old house, my room was tiny, only white walls, and it was so dull. I never liked staying in there but you know it was best if I did." Rachel sat up. She sighed sadly.

Shelby sat next to her daughter. "Oh, honey.." She says wrapping her arms around Rachel. "This is yours to keep. This is yours to love."

"You promise?" Rachel asked resting her head on Shelby's chest.

"Pinky promise." Shelby says lifting up her pinky. It made Rachel giggle but she lifted up her pinky as well. "Go get up and take a shower. We have family to meet during dinner."

"Family?" Rachel had confusion written all over her face.

"My family. My mom, my dad, my two brothers , and an older sister, you're our nieces, and nephews.." Rachel looked away from her mom. Shelby smoothed Rachel's back. "Hey, what's the matter?"

"I-I..They're not going to like me." Rachel held back her tears. "My dad's never did.."

What in the world is her daughter talking about? Of course her family is going to like her. Rachel was wrong. "That's not true. My mom and dad know about you. They are wonderful people, wonderful grandparents. My sister and brothers are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Don't be nervous, okay? I won't leave you. You'll always be by my side."

"Okay." Rachel looks at her mom and nods her little head. "Can you help me pick out an outfit?" She asked.

"Of course I will." Shelby says hugging her daughter. "I'll see you downstairs." Shelby said patting her little girl's adorable cheeks.

Rachel stares at herself in the mirror. She was nervous, mostly scared. She has just met her mom. And her mom loves her to death. But she needs to get her mom's family to like her. She fears if she doesn't, her mom would no longer love her.
_

Juliet and Thomas Corcoran were the most happiest and wonderful people anyone's ever met. They're friendly and everyone in the neighborhood knows them. They're parents to four beautiful children, and seven grandchildren. They have a Sunday tradition where the two would lead a family dinner, fun, drinks, and games.

The Sunday tradition was never boring. They were both really excited to meet Rachel but also worried for Shelby after knowing the story. Shelby and Rachel were greeted by seven children. Shelby was hugged and tackled by all of them.

"Aunty Shelby!" They all screamed. "Woah my little rugrats!" She laughs and gives all seven hugs and kisses. After greeting her, they ran back into the playroom. Shelby noticed how timid Rachel. She was clingy, which she understood why. Her mom, Juliet came by to greet them.

"Is this Rachel? She looks so much like you, Shel!" Juliet said as she hugs Shelby. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's Granny." Shelby said kissing Rachel on the cheek.

"You're beautiful." Juliet smiles as she hesitates to hug Rachel who was wearing flats, a black low cut dress, with a light blue headband. She doesn't want to scare her away completely. "Thomas! Come and meet your new granddaughter!" Juliet yelled from the living room.

An older looking guy entered the living room. "Shel!" He says hugging his daughter and wrapping his arms around her. "It's so good to see you."

"Good to see you too dad." Shelby responds kissing his cheek.

"How are you? How's work?" Thomas asked concerned.

"Busy. It's not easy teaching those Vocal Adrenaline kids." Shelby said shaking her head. If anyone asked her if she loves her job, she'll say she does. She loves teaching at Carmel High School but sometimes coaching can be a little tough. She is never easy on her students.

Juliet clears her throat. "This is Rachel. Isn't she beautiful?" Juliet asked pulling the girl closer to her. Rachel didn't know what to do but smile.

Thomas gives Rachel a hug. "Look just like your mother." He paused and smiled. "Dinner's almost ready." He announced and left the three behind.

All Rachel kept thinking about if this is how it's going to be then she wished she didn't have to feel so awkward.

Rachel has met everyone. Her mom's family is so big she's afraid she won't be able to remember her names. She started testing herself if she can refresh her memory.

Let's see, there are Uncle Matt, and Uncle Bobby. They're mom's older brothers. There's Aunt Maria, and Aunt Lauren. Aunt Mary is Uncle Matt's wife and Aunt Lauren is Uncle Bobby's wife. Then there are her cousins. Uncle Matt and Aunt Maria have three children, five-year old Kelly, four -year old Aiden, and two-year old Isabelle. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Lauren have two children, six year old Michael, and three-year old Joshua. Let's not forget about mom's older sister Annie. She's married to Jonathan and they have twins! Two -year old fraternal twins Nathan and Madelyn. Did I forget anyone? No..Good. Rachel drifted away from her thoughts when her Uncle Bobby called out her name.

"Rachel? Would you like some dessert?" Her Uncle Bobby asked.

"Yes please." Rachel made sure she had her manners all night.

"Rachie, can you please dress up with me?" Kelly asked her older cousin.

"Dress up? Ew! That's for girls!" Her cousin Michael cried.

"WE are girls stupid!" Kelly spits out her tongue at Michael.

"Michael! Kelly! That's enough from you two." Rachel watched as her Aunt Lauren raised her voice gently at the young children. "But I want Rachie to play action figures with me, Aunty Lauren!" Michael sighed heavily, upset about not getting his way.

Rachel glanced at her mom for help. Maybe she wouldn't need help this time. "I can play dress up and action figures. It's not a problem." Rachel smiles.

"Yah!" Michael cheers happily. Rachel was glad she solved a problem herself. Her Aunt Annie smiles at Rachel. "So, Rachel? How's school going? You're fourteen, so you're a freshmen?" She asked.

"Yes Au-Ann-" Annie figured the girl was stuttering. She realized the girl didn't know what to call her. "Please call me Aunt Annie." Annie says. Rachel nods. "I'm fourteen. I'm a freshman and school is okay. I have a boyfriend." She says.

Kelly looks at her mom, Maria. "Can I have boyfriend?" She asked.

"No!" Maria says.

"Absolutely not." Matt agreed with his wife. Kelly shrugs her shoulder. "He makes me happy when my fathers.." Rachel blinked several times. This is supposed to be a happy family moment. Why was she ruining it for everyone? "I'm.. I need to use the bathroom."

"Upstairs to the left." Juliet announced where the bathroom was. Rachel nods and quickly left the room. "The poor angel." Juliet had her hands buried in her face. "Did you know?"

"No. Not until she showed up at my door." Shelby announced. "Okay, kids. Let's go play now!" Matt suggested knowing it was an appropriate time for adults to have a talk.

Shelby knew she promised not to leave her daughter's side but her cousins dragged her into the playroom. Shelby whispered in her ear saying it's okay., Instead, Shelby helped with the dishes. It was only her parents and Annie.

She and Annie have always been the closets. The sisters knew whenever when one was upset. Annie will never forget the time when she was there for Shelby. Shelby came to her door crying after giving up her daughter for adoption. No matter what happens, the Corcoran girls always have each other' s backs.

"So she showed up at your door?" Annie asked.

"Yes." Shelby said quietly. "I knew from the moment I looked at her."

"Shel princess, she ran away from her home. From abusive fathers. How horrible were those men?!" Thomas asked angrily.

"She ran away from home. That answers your question. I am so angry at them. Screw them for causing so much of my daughter's pain. Sometimes I feel like this is all my fault for giving Rachel up!' Shelby stopped doing the dishes before she broke any of her mother's favorite plates. "I should of kept her!" Shelby then collapsed and broke down in tears.

She was comforted by Juliet, then Annie, and then Thomas. "Ssh baby. 's not your fault. You weren't ready to be a mom." Juliet held her emotional daughter as she let go of her father and big sister.

"Mom..." Shelby sobbed into Juliet's arms. Juliet whispered encouraging words in Shelby's ear.

"I'm not letting go of Rachel ever again." She said in between her sobs.

Annie glanced at her dad, worried about her sister. Has she been bottling all this up? Shelby knows keeping everything inside of her is not the best thing to do. She has tried to stay strong for Rachel but she couldn't hold it in any longer.

The night has ended. Rachel and Shelby left. The ride home was silent. Shelby was looking straight at the rude. "Mom?" Rachel broke the silence. The truth? She was worried about her mom. She heard her mom sobbing from the other room.

She hasn't seen it but hearing her mom being so upset is like having your heart shattered into pieces. "I...I.."

"I love you Rachel. I want you to know that." Shelby suddenly spoke.

"I love you too. I know you love me." Rachel said quietly.

"I'm your mom. You're my daughter. That's the way it's going to be."

"Mom, I know." Rachel smiles. "I like your family. My cousins are cute, my grandparents are sweet, and my aunts and uncles are nice." She says. "Thank you for today."

"You're welcome, sweet-pea." Shelby pulled into the parking lot. At first she's confused since someone parked in front of their house.

The mother and daughter got out of the car. They were both frightened by the voice of two angry man. "Rachel Barbra Berry.." Rachel knew who the voice belonged too. She didn't d are to look back.

LeRoy and Hiram Berry.

I thought it be nice to add in Shelby's family! Rachel sure does have a lot of aunts, uncles, and cute little cousins! We'll see more of them in later chapters! But why are the Berry's there?! Read and review to find out more!