Shelby half-listened as Rachel waxed poetically about the great attributes of Bernadette Peters to Beth as the five-month old baby played on a blanket; she would stop the girl in her long-winded lecture if she didn't find it so amusing. School would be starting back in a couple of weeks, and Shelby was already feeling the pressure of a lack of time to create new routines and vocal arrangements for Vocal Adrenaline. She sketched out a few ideas, wondering about who she would pick to replace Jesse as the lead male solo, when she was interrupted by an agitated Rachel.

"She smells bad."

Shelby choked back a laugh as Rachel shoved Beth into her face, and she cuddled Beth close to her chest as she walked back to the nursery. Beth was just becoming aware of her dirty diaper, and Shelby could see the beginnings of a desperate cry threatening to emerge from Beth's tiny lungs.

"It's okay, baby girl," Shelby cooed, laying Beth out on the changing table and immediately unfastening the sodden diaper. "In just a minute, you'll be all clean again, and you won't have to cry at all. That's right. Nothing to be upset about."

"You're really good with her."

Shelby paused; Rachel was standing in the doorway, watching, a wistful expression on her face. This was one part of their relationship that they avoided at all costs because it was a source of pain for both of them. Shelby regretted missing out on so much of Rachel's life, but if she hadn't made that decision, if she hadn't been a surrogate mother all those years ago, Rachel wouldn't exist. It was hard to figure out what she wished she had done differently at times. Rachel normally tip-toed around Shelby's feelings on the subject, but she seemed to have forgotten about her usual reticence.

"Well, I sort of got the hang of it," Shelby replied as she fastened Beth's diaper closed. "All right, baby girl, time for a nap."

Rachel waited at the door while Shelby placed Beth in the crib and turned out the light. Sighing, Shelby tucked some of her hair behind her ears and stretched before deciding to put her hair into a ponytail.

"I've always regretted having to give you up." Shelby didn't look at Rachel, preferring to keep her focus on what she needed to say without allowing any emotion to stop her. "I wish I had fought to be allowed to see you or something. But, I've never regretted giving you to your dads. I had you for them; I just never expected to fall in love with you while I was pregnant with you. When I adopted Beth…. She isn't your replacement, honey."

Rachel hugged Shelby a second later, and Shelby didn't respond for a moment, still unused to Rachel's random bursts of affectionate gestures. She relaxed into the embrace, though, and she smiled slightly.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" Rachel looked up at Shelby, her arms still wrapped around the older woman.

Shelby raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

"Finn's taking me out on a date. We haven't seen each other much since he's been training with the football team. But, you didn't answer my question."

"Will mentioned having dinner." Shelby bit her lip, taking a step back from Rachel. "Does it bother you that I'm dating one of your teachers?"

Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "It's a little weird, but I want you to be happy. And, I like him. He's a nice man."

"He is," Shelby murmured, her lips quirking upwards at the memory of the very hot make-out session they had a couple of nights ago while Beth slept peacefully in her nursery. "I just wanted to make sure."

"Do you think he could be the one?"

At that question, Shelby let out a peal of laughter, shaking her head. Rachel pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I didn't think that was a question that warranted laughter," Rachel muttered.

"I forget that you're young, baby girl, that's all." Shelby took a deep breath and hiccupped. "Damn it. I hate when that happens. Anyway, as to your question: I don't know. I haven't dated anyone in a very long time, and I like him. Other than that, it's just going to take time. It's not like either of us in a rush to the altar. He's divorced, and, well, I'm me."

When Shelby hiccupped again, Rachel smiled. "Do you need a glass of water or something?"

"Water would be nice."

"Coming right up."

Shelby waited, holding her breath until she was red in the face, and when she let it out, she hiccupped yet again. Rachel then reappeared and handed her the glass of cool water; Shelby took it and drank it slowly, keeping her breathing even in the hopes that she wouldn't choke.

She lowered the glass. "Thanks."

"No problem." Rachel stood there for a moment before saying, "I have to go. Finn is supposed to pick me up at my house, and I have to get ready."

"Go ahead." Shelby smiled. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah. I'll call you tonight when I get home."

"Actually, I might not be able to talk." Shelby flushed a little. "How about tomorrow?"

Rachel nodded her head. "Okay. Have fun tonight!"

Shelby shook her head and waved Rachel off. "I will, baby girl."

She waited until the front door closed, and she wandered into her bedroom to pick out her outfit for that night. One of the girls from Vocal Adrenaline had turned out to be a dependable babysitter, and she was supposed to show up at Shelby's house in a couple of hours, about fifteen minutes before Will was going to pick her up in the new car he had bought. She hated to admit that she was excited about seeing his new vehicle, and she felt a little sad that his old car had broken down for the last time the week before. Taking her hair down from her ponytail, she headed to her bathroom; she only had a few hours to look amazing, and she ignored the butterflies that erupted in her stomach when she thought of Will.