Shelby woke up a few hours later. She looked at the clock. 10:29. She sighed and slipped out of bed. She walked into the kitchen and looked in the cabinets. She decided to make some pancakes for dinner. She started to make them and turned around when she heard a noise behind her. Rachel was standing on the other side of the room. There was a fresh stream of tears on her face. Shelby quickly crossed the room to hold her. She wrapped her in an embrace.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Shelby asked.
"I, I woke up,a-and you weren't there. I got scared. I thought you had left me," Rachel said, sniffling.
"Oh, sweetie. I told you, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you. I just thought that you would be hungry so I decided to make some pancakes for dinner," Shelby said turning to look at the pancake burning in the frying pan.
"I'm not hungry," Rachel answered. Shelby nodded.
"Ok, sweetie. I'll go turn off the stove," she said, walking to the stove and turning the knob to the off position. She dumped the burnt pancake in the trash can and put the frying pan in the dishwasher. She dumped the rest of the pancake batter that she had made in the trash as well and then she turned back to Rachel who was now sitting on the floor. She walked over to her and took her hand. She pulled her up gently and Rachel clung to her waist. Shelby wrapped her arms around her daughter and rubbed her back gently. "Honey, I'm not going anywhere," she said reassuringly. Rachel just clung to her and cried some more. "What do you need from me?" Shelby asked helplessly.
"I don't want you to leave me,ever," Rachel said.
"I won't sweetie, I won't. I will never, ever, leave your sight again," Shelby said holding Rachel closer. Rachel nodded and Shelby could tell that she had stopped crying. Shelby pulled away slighly so she could see Rachel's face. She wiped her tears and noticed then, that there were tears in her own eyes. She wiped her eyes and kissed Rachel's cheek gently. "How about we go back to bed? The glee kids are coming to see you tomorrow," Shelby stated.
Rachel shook her head," I only want Fin to come," she said quietly.
Shelby nodded," Ok darlin'," she said. Rachel sniffled and hugged Shelby again. Shelby rubbed her back, again, before slowly pulling her back to the bedroom. Rachel climbed into bed and laid down. Shelby tucked Rachel in and kissed her forehead. "I'm going to take a shower, sweetie. I will leave the bathroom door open,OK?" Shelby asked. Rachel nodded and watched her walk into her closset to pull out a fresh pair of pajamas. Shelby walked into the bathroom and turned to smile at Rachel. "See sweetie? I'm right her," she said reassuringly. Rachel nodded and turned away from Shelby. Shelby undressed and took a quick shower. She dried off and redressed in the tub and stepped out when she was done. She looked at Rachel who was looking back at her as she put her clothes in the hamper. "I'm still right here," she said reassuringly. She brushed her hair and teeth before climbing into bed next to Rachel. Rachel quickly snuggled up next to her. Rachel quickly drifted off to sleep and Shelby followed suit.
The next morning Shelby woke up and, startlingly realized that Rachel wasn't in her arms. She opened her eyes and looked around. Rachel wasn't in bed next to her. She quickly threw the sheets off of her and got out of bed. Then she realized that the bathroom door was open and the shower was running. "Rach, you ok in there?" Shelby asked.
"Yeah, mom. I'm fine," Rachel answered. Shelby sighed and took this opportunity to get dressed. When she finished she walked out of the closet and Rachel was just walking out of the bathroom. She ran over to Shelby. " I didn't see you," she said as she hugged her.
"Sorry,baby, I thought you would be in the shower for a few minutes more, so I got dressed," Shelby said apoligetically.
Rachel nodded," It's ok, I just got scared," she said. Shelby rubbed her back.
"Why aren't you in some jammies?" Shelby asked.
"I wanted to go ahead and change for when Finn gets here," Rachel answered, simply. Shelby nodded and pulled away.
"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Shelby asked her.
Rachel shook her head," No, mom. I just want Finn here," she said.
"He'll be here later," Shelby said. Rachel nodded and smiled at Shelby.
"You're the best, mom," she said. Shelby smiled back at her and gently put a hand on her shoulder.
"No, I'm really not," Shelby said sadly. It was Rachel's turn to comfort Shelby. She took her hand in hers and squeezed gently.
"Yes, mom. You really are. The past doesn't matter. What matters is right now, and right now you have not left my side. You have stayed right beside me through everything. And for that, you really are the best mom," Rachel said reassuringly.
Shelby laughed," Hey, I'm supposed to be the one comforting you right now," Shelby said jokingly, hugging Rachel close to her. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut and hugged Shelby back. Shelby pulled away when she heard a knock at the door. She walked to the door and opened it. There, stood the whole glee club. Rachel looked at them and her jaw dropped.
Will smiled," Surprise!" he said. Rachel stood, like a deer in headlights and then ran back to the bedroom. Will's face dropped and he looked at Shelby. Shelby quickly ran down the hallway after Rachel.