Second Chances, Strippers & Stars

by K.I.DofXstream

The dream of a second chance, the dream that life crushed and the dream to shine brightest. Everyone has dreams and this is the story of three dreams that come together. Some will be achieved, some will change completely & some will fade away but at least they'll be together?

21. Drunk, Drained & Date

I know I didn't manage to get this out within one month, however I'm only a few days over so for me that is a win and I'll take it.

I am awfully sorry about the delay though, unfortunately my grandfather's health is really declining and doing so rapidly, my Nan, mother, father and little brother are all struggling with it, as am I so as you can imagine emotions are high and a lot is going on. On top of that my own health is still very much up in the air and going through the wringer what with one thing and another.

September is always a hectic month for me anyway as my father, mother and brother all have their birthday in it and this year it's even worse as both my parents turn fifty and my brother is twenty one. Oh it's all fun and games here I tell you lol.

As always, I can't thank you all enough for your amazing reviews, they truly do mean more to me than I can every convey and I always take them on board with each chapter I write. Nothing makes all the hours of hard work more worthwhile than reading what you lovely people have to say.

I always try to make each chapter the very best I can for you all and hopefully never let you down, this chapter is going to be a little more fun based and I hope you all enjoy that as I think there has been enough drama to earn a little reprieve lol.

Thank you so much or all of the love and support not only where the fic is concerned but also with the kind wishes and prayers to do with my personal life, they mean ever so much and always warm my heart truly. Also thank you to anyone who ever helps me out and informs me of something I maybe get wrong with the English/American differences. I have been across the pond a few times but apparently there are still things that I miss, so I appreciate the help and also apologise for anything's I get wrong.

I think that however is enough of me for once so here is the next chapter!

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Chapter 21

"Drunk, Drained & Date"

As a mother and now, begrudgingly a grandmother too, Dolly was all too aware that no noise at all, nine times out of ten, meant something bad was happening. Considering the fact that the blonde had left her daughter and grandchild, both with her temper, alone was now starting to not seem like such a good idea after all.

'I hear one crash and I swear neither of them will want to see their next birthdays.' The blonde silently threatens as the thoughts of either of the hot headed brunettes picking up anything that wasn't nailed down and using it as a missile wasn't far out of the realm of possibility.

The older woman nervously rolls her thumbs in circles around each other as her other fingers are interlocked together, sat neatly on her lap as she sits waiting impatiently in the living room for some kind of indication as to what was happening upstairs.

The blonde's green eyes glance across the room to her son and youngest granddaughter on the floor still examining old photo's that held memories captured from her family's life. Some of the photos held memories that were far too painful for Dolly to return to, some were far too happy for her to relive and some, some she couldn't face for sheer embarrassment reasons.

Glancing to the clock on the wall opposite her Dolly sighs realising she needed to take some of her medication, for someone who had always nagged her children about the importance of doing as the doctor's say and taking care of yourself she was somewhat of a hypocrite when it came to herself.

Realising she wouldn't be missed for a few moments, Dolly rises from her seat to head into the kitchen, smiling as she passes a napping Lucas in his pop up crib in the living room. 'Bum up in the air just like his father.' The grandmother remarks silently to herself with a chuckle as she thinks back to all those times she's find Grant asleep face down in the crib with his bum up high and knees tucked up underneath him.

It didn't matter how many times herself or Albert would turn him over or try to get him to stop he would always find his way back like it again. 'How they can sleep like that when it looks so uncomfortable I have no idea.' The blonde's inner voice continues with a chuckle as she strides towards her kitchen but hears the sound of footsteps descending the stairs and so decides her pills could wait a few moments longer.

Both Shelby and Lexi were emotionally drained after their conversation but at the same time they both felt a thousand times lighter and like a real step forward had been taken in their relationship as mother and daughter. They still, without a doubt, had a long way to go but just knowing a wall had been broken down between them was a invigorating feeling to say the least.

Looking to her eldest daughter, who looked as tired as Shelby felt, the mother reaches between them and gently squeezes the teens hand, the action making Lexi's eyes flicker up to meet the green ones of her mother.

"You okay?" Shelby asks softly as she gives her child a reassuring smile which to her surprise Lexi returns, accompanied with the teenage shrug of her shoulders on top of course. The mother was more than aware that Lexi had been through a tornado of emotions lately, the last few hours just the tip of the iceberg.

"I'd be better if I had a strong drink." Lexi answers with a smirk, something inside her brown eyes once again sparkling after having been dimmed for what the mother now knew was a long time, far too long.

"Yeah? Strongest drink you'll be tasting is a marshmallow filled hot chocolate." Shelby quips back with a raise of her eyebrow, the fact that Lexi was joking told her concerned parent that if nothing else the teen was more relaxed than she had been before.

Lexi playfully pouts, her long eyelashes fluttering in a childlike way which for a split second transports Shelby back to when her daughter was that cheeky toddler who often used those very eyes and eyelashes to her advantage with her.

"Me on the other hand, I shall be enjoying a strong drink as soon as possible." The older brunette chuckles out with a wink as she turns to head back into the living room area and reassure the rest of the family that a murder hadn't been committed.

The sixteen year old rolls her eyes with a huff and shakes her head in joking annoyance at her mother's comment.

"Come on, they say it's good for shock and stress and if anyone has been shocked and stressed lately..." Lexi attempts to plead her case in the way that only teenagers seemed to be able to do.

"It's your mother." Dolly interrupts, finishing off the teens statement as she appears, seemingly out of the shadows and gives Lexi's heart a sudden shock of adrenaline.

Clutching at her chest with one hand and clenching a fist with the other, ready to attack in that natural fight or flight response Lexi levels her grandmother with an unpleased look. Had that really been necessary?

'G-mama is a ninja apparently as well, let's add that to her superhero powers list.' The tall brunette teenager mentally sasses as she slowly feels her heartbeat returning to a somewhat normal rate.

'Nice to see cookie acting more her own age and joking around for once, she's a teenager this is what she should be doing not acting like a thirty year old with a mortgage and divorce on her plate.' The older blonde of the three surmises within the confines of her mind as her eyebrow cocks up into place while both Shelby and Lexi settle down from her shock arrival into the conversation.

"Thank you mom." Shelby replies emphasising the 'Mom' to point out to Lexi that Dolly was in fact on her side something she adds too by sticking her tongue out to the teen as well, which makes Lexi break character and chuckle in response.

'It's nice to actually feel normal, well kind of normal again.' Lexi tells herself as the ease between mother and daughter doesn't go un noticed by the teenager, thankful that they could joke around like this after such an intense and serious conversation moments before.

"Besides I don't share my alcohol cookie, especially with my teenage granddaughter." The grandmother quips, her arm wrapping around Lexi's waist and pulling her close for a moment before playfully shoving her in the direction of the living room.

"Now get that backside into that living room and let your sister know that you aren't in some kind of fist fight with your mother which will end in a murder that she will have to use all of her acting ability to help cover up, only to have a break down years later and reveal the whole ordeal on some kind of chat show. Possibly Oprah." Dolly adds, repeating her youngest granddaughter's very words which leaves both Lexi and Shelby for a moment speechless.

'I swear I have no idea where that girl gets it from.' Shelby mentally laughs, she could just hear Rachel saying it all now in her head, that girl was something else sometimes.

"Yeah Rachel needs to lay of the late night dramas." Lexi quips before doing as she was told and walks into the living room, for the first time in a long time a truly genuine smile across her features.

Rachel barely allows her sister to get a single foot into the living room before she pounces forward with wide eyes of concern which start to instantly assess her sibling for any kind of injuries or damage.

'Here we go.' Lexi mentally chuckles out to herself as she prepares herself for the interrogation that her little sister was about to put her through, not that she blamed her she'd be doing the exact same thing if she was in her shoes, well maybe not exactly but for the most part the same.

"What happened Lexi? Are you okay? Is mom? Please tell me you didn't hit her..." Rachel questions her sister in rapid succession which was only going to grow faster with each one that left her lungs.

Lexi's face deadpans at her younger sisters final statement and shakes her head slowly in disbelief, who did her sister think she was? Jeez.

"No Rachel I did not hit mom, what is wrong with you? The way you act I'm some uncontrollable violent lunatic." Lexi answers in defence of herself with a huff, her words causing Rachel to sink back down slightly beside her.

"Well, I don't know Lexi you were so angry and you do have a history of lashing out when in an argument." Rachel retorts, her confidence in her words draining by the second and she quickly gulps as the hurt behind her sister's eyes registers in her over working mind.

"Maybe me accusing you of possibly hitting our mother was slightly over the line, I apologise Lexi but I was just worried." The fourteen year old adds with a sigh of regret of having even thought her sister capable of that let alone having actually said it.

"It's fine Rach, I know you didn't mean it like that. No one got hurt okay, I promise you. Besides me punching Lara was completely different, that bitch had it coming and so much besides." Lexi assures her sister as she sees the genuine regret register in her younger sisters face.

"Me and mom are good, we actually talked and well things aren't perfect but I feel a lot better for it. I'll explain everything about me and the club to you later yeah? For now let's just, be normal if we can manage it." The older brunette suggests with a smile, her arm wrapping around her worrying sibling's shoulder and pulls her in close for a hug which in all honesty Lexi probably needed more than Rachel.

Holding her shorter self in close to her sister Rachel lets out a long breath that she hadn't been aware she'd been with holding. 'Thank you Barbra, the thought of my mother and sister in some kind of a feud, well I don't think I would be able to survive.' The smaller brunette silently says her thanks for the turn of events and for once is happy to wait to find everything else out.

Shelby returns into the living room alone as Dolly has made some excuse so she could go and take her medication, the mother was tired from everything but at the same time beyond relieved to at least be back on speaking terms with her eldest and hopefully helped quiet down some of the poor girls fears.

With a sigh the mother pulls her hair back from her face and smiles reassuringly towards Rachel who has now sat back down on the floor to help Grant put back the pictures they had been looking through as a distraction from everything else going on.

"Shouldn't you be getting yourself ready to go out with the girls?" Rachel inquires with a raised eyebrow as she puts a picture of Shelby as a child with her father to the side, she knew she should ask but the teen just wanted a piece of her grandfather to keep, she'd never meet him but at least this way it was almost like he was with her.

'Ah yeah, the girl's.' Shelby mentally sighs at the thought, she wasn't exactly sure that going out after everything would be a good idea or that she had the energy levels, especially the ones she would need to keep up with the likes of Helena and April.

Noticing her mother's hesitation at the question Rachel's brown eyes flicker across the room to her older sister, who meets her gaze and nods in acknowledgement at whatever silent conversation the two siblings were now having.

"You are going aren't you?" Lexi asks pointedly, more as a demand than a question, her eyebrow cocking the same as Rachel's as both arms fold neatly across her chest, something to tell her mother she meant business.

With both of her daughters now sending a clear message with both the look in their eyes and their stances Shelby is fully aware she truly didn't have a choice over this at all. 'I'm actually being bullied by my two teenage daughters, what the hell has happened to you Shelby? 'Coach' Corcoran would never let this happen.' The mother's inner voice points out within the confines of the stressed out woman's mind.

"Well, I don't know after everything that's happened it just doesn't feel right, I mean would you two be okay if I left?" Shelby asks knowing deep down her protests were going to fall on deaf and stubborn ears, a trait in both her girls she was responsible for.

Rachel again turns her gaze to her older sister as they both let out a huff of disappointment at their mother's rather pathetic attempt to get out of this.

"What in the world are you talking about Shelby?" Dolly's authoritative voice asks as the blonde again makes a perfect attention stealing entrance, something Rachel was starting to greatly admire.

'I wonder if G-mama will ever teach me how she does that? It could really come in handy in future years and situations.' The teenager surmises to herself as Shelby's shoulder lower knowing now with Dolly on her opposing side she was well and truly screwed.

"The girls will be here with me and Grant, they'll be fine besides going out and letting your hair down will do you the world of good. Up tight doesn't suit you darling." Dolly quips, a sparkle in her green eyes for a moment reminding both of her children of a time before their father's death when that glimmer would constantly be present.

Shelby levels her mother with a 'Thank you for that.' look before laughing it off knowing when she was defeated and decides to just give in and surrender to it, maybe Dolly was right and having some fun with her friends would be a good thing.

Before Shelby can verbally give in though Rachel lets out a squeal of delight as her eyes practically leaps into the screen of her phone.

'Oh my GOLD STARS! This isn't real, it's a joke, he mistyped?!' The smallest brunette frantically panics inside her brain as her body uses all its energy to jump up and down on the spot in pure excitement mixed with a good dose of fear.

Side eyeing her sister Lexi tentatively reaches out and grabs the fourteen year olds hand to try and get her out of what was a somewhat deep trance like state.

"Rach, RACH, Rachel!" Lexi calls for her sister's attention increasingly loudly as apparently Rachel has been struck suddenly deaf by the way she was completely ignoring her attempts. "RACHEL!" The older sister finally just screams it out, causing Shelby, Dolly and even Grant to recoil slightly, apparently Rachel wasn't the only one with a good set of lungs on her.

Thankfully for everyone's eardrums Rachel jolts back into reality and looks into Lexi's eyes with her own stargazed and wide, something Lexi hadn't seen since Rachel found out she was going to see Barbra in concert one year for her birthday. Lexi still had nightmares over that scream that pierced out of a young Rachel's lungs that day.

"Tweety, what is going on?" Dolly interjects as she gives her granddaughter a slightly amused but also bewildered look. "Are you okay, has something happened? The grandmother questions cautiously, her ears still ringing slightly, why did her daughter and grandchildren have to have such loud voices? She had no idea where they got them from.

Rachel's face was starting to turn red as she was practically fit to burst both Lexi and Shelby sharing a concerned but intrigued look, whatever it was Rachel was certainly excited to say the least.

'Oh, how do I explain this to them? I've never had to deal with something like this transpiring before.' The diva in training mentally panics before giving her family a sheepish smile, her tanned cheeks starting to flush red with embarrassment.

"It appears that well, I have been asked, uh well I've been asked out on a date." Rachel reveals cautiously, almost as shocked by the turn of events as her family. The diva's brown eyes though make sure to skirt around actually looking into anyone's eyes, her heart was pounding hard enough as it was she didn't need the extra stress of watching their reactions.

Shelby's eyes narrow at her youngest daughter's revelation, on the one hand she couldn't be happier for her little girl, she knew how much Rachel liked Jesse and the two truly did seem to have a strong connection but on the other hand this was her baby, did she really need any other reasoning to be freaking out?

"Jesse I presume?" Lexi asks knowingly, her stomach knotting slightly at the news a lot of her feelings very similar to those of Shelby who apparently was having a mental debate with herself as she was still silent but her green eyes were telling a different story.

"Of course Jesse, who else would be asking me out?" Rachel deadpans, the tone to her words making Lexi's heart hurt slightly, for all of Rachel's bravado and confidence deep down the star still had all of those normal teenage insecurities.

"Anyone with eyes." Dolly interjects, the reassuring comment earning a bright smile from her youngest granddaughter. "What exactly does this Jesse have planned?" The grandmother questions realising her daughter was still trying to figure out the best way to handle this.

"Oh, he said he has tickets to a play down at the local theatre tonight, we have both wanted to go to it since it opened and the reviews have been fairly strong considering it is just local theatre." Rachel explains honestly as Dolly bites on her bottom lip to stop from smirking.

'My little girl wants to go on a date, her first date, with Jesse? Oh dear god, no one warned me about this, what do I say, what do I do?' Shelby's mind frantically questions the out of answers mother as everyone around her continues to discuss the situation.

"It is okay isn't it mom?" Rachel asks cautiously realising Shelby was yet to speak once since she revealed what was happening, that wasn't a good sign in the young divas mind.

'Please dear Barbra don't let my mother say no, I truly don't think my heart could handle it. This may be my only chance to actually be asked out by anyone and it's Jesse, it couldn't be anyone better suited.' The fourteen year old silently pleads to her go to person as the palms of her hands start to become clammy.

Turning to her child Shelby finds herself just starring into those big brown eyes and wondering about all the times and moments she had missed of both of her children's lives, at least she would be here for this one.

"Well, as long as you want to go and you're back by a reasonable time, I guess it's fine." The mother answers, although each words for some reason is a strain for her to speak. As much as Shelby wanted to keep her little girls just that, little girls, she knew she couldn't and if Rachel was going to have a first date with anyone at least Shelby knew Jesse and could make him pay if he put one foot wrong.

Rachel's face lights up like a Christmas tree at her mother's decision, a small squeak escaping her huge smile as she again bounces up and down before crashing into Shelby's arms, full of gratitude and thanks.

"There are rules though Rachel, like I'm going to drive you both there and pick you up and you are to be home no later than nine, understand? I'll have to call Helena and explain why I can't go." The older brunette thinks allowed as everyone else around her just stares in her direction sternly.

Dolly instantly starts to shake her head at her daughters assertions but before a single word can leave the blonde's mouth Lexi pipes up leaving the grandmother both amused and slightly annoyed.

"Oh no, you aren't using this as an excuse mother." Lexi assures her normally in control mother. "You are still going out with the girl's and Rachel is going out with Jesse." The teen explains further, clearly not afraid to take full control of the situation.

'Yep, she's my granddaughter.' Dolly proudly tells herself as she watches from the sidelines, the look on Shelby's face beyond priceless for the mother to witness.

"She is right Shelby, I will drive Rachel and her young man to the theatre and pick them up when they call after it is finished, you can still go out and have some fun with your friends too." Dolly interjects helping her granddaughter out with a proud smirk dancing on her lips as Shelby's face falls in defeat yet again.

'So I am being double teamed by my mother and daughter, neither of which need any help in owning me anyway. Fantastic.' Shelby silently sasses as her shoulders shrug in acceptance to her fate, deep down knowing once she actually got out she would enjoy herself but it was more of the thought that anything else.

Rachel giddily looks down to her phone and starts to frantically tap away at the screen in acceptance of Jesse's invitation, at this moment in time the sheer joy of him asking and relief of actually being allowed to go keeping any worries at bay.

"Right, well I've been told, clearly." Shelby quips with a playful stern look at both her mother and eldest daughter who share the same smug expression on their faces.

'They are far too alike for my liking.' The mother mentally surmises as she just lets out a chuckle and turns her attention back to her youngest daughter who didn't look as though she had yet come up for air.

"I won't be leaving until after you and Jesse leave though and just because I'm not the one picking you up don't think you can stay out longer, I said nine and I meant it okay?" Shelby instructs sternly, her child's excited eyes making her want to melt but if being a mother of two teenagers had taught her anything so far it was being soft got you nowhere.

Rachel nods in instant agreement to whatever her mother was saying because in all truth Rachel wasn't hearing a word she was far too busy making plans up in her young head.

Thankfully Dolly strides forward and puts a reassuring arm around her youngest granddaughter, a subtle 'Don't worry about her' wink accompanying the blonde as she leads Rachel over to the sofa to sit down. As a grandmother it was only right she found out as much about this 'Jesse' character as she could before he arrived.

Shelby watches her mother with a warm feeling spreading across her heart, it was lovely to see that spark returning to the woman she had always looked up to and admired so much but since losing her father felt like she'd lost connection with.

"You really didn't think we'd let you get out of going out that easily did you?" Lexi suddenly quips as she joins Shelby's side and the mother and daughter share a knowing look and smirk with one another, at least for now most of the drama was dealt with.

After everything has been arranged for the night, times and who was going where with who Shelby, Lexi and Rachel end up back in Shelby's old childhood bedroom to get themselves ready. Lexi of course wasn't going anywhere but she wouldn't miss the opportunity to help her little sister get ready for her first date.

Now the adrenaline of everything was starting to wind down, Rachel was finding her nerves harder to contain and ignore. She was going on a date, an actual date and with Jesse St James of all people, how had that happened?

Stood behind her star to be sister doing Rachel's hair into loose curls the older brunette leans forward and stares at Rachel's reflection in the mirror in front of them both.

"Rachel, star seriously breathe." Lexi jokes as she watches her sister's attention return to the world of living and lets out a little chuckle. "What are you worrying about?" The sister asks knowingly as she stands up straight again to return to doing Rachel's hair.

With a heavy sigh the younger sibling bites on her bottom lip nervously, to say she felt stupid right now was an understatement to say the least.

'I should be bouncing off of the walls with excitement, well I am but by gold stars I'm terrified as well. I don't know how to behave on a date, what if I mess it up and Jesse no longer wants anything to do with me, not even as a friend?' Rachel's always over analysing mind ponders within the confines of her mind almost forgetting as talented as Lexi was she couldn't completely read her mind.

"I'm just, well I'm nervous Lex." Rachel reveals with a shrug of her shoulders as she shifts slightly in the chair that Dolly had occupied earlier, only now it had been moved in front of the dressing table mirror as a hairdressing chair.

"You say that like it's abnormal or a bad thing." Lexi replies with a scoff as she takes another section of her sister's brown locks and wraps it around the hair curlers. Rachel of course just levels the reflection of her sister with an un amused glare.

"Being nervous is good Rach, it means you care about this, it's natural everyone gets nervous." The sister surmises feeling for her baby sister as she could see the worry etched on her young face.

"Being violently sick all over your date when he arrives probably isn't as good though." Rachel retorts, her stomach truly doing back flips at the very thought of messing this up.

'Always with the drama.' Lexi mentally quips deciding to go easy on her sister in her time of worry and keep that comment to herself for once.

Shelby, who was sat on the bed behind her daughters, one hand holding a mirror, with eyeliner and mascara somehow entangled with in her fingers as her other hand uses the mascara brush to accomplish that always difficult task of applying length and volume to her lashes.

"You're not going to be sick Rachel, you're nervous now but the second he gets here you'll be fine." Shelby interjects as she attempts to not make fish faces into the mirror, something that was easier said than done when trying to put on makeup apparently.

Sinking slightly into the wicker chair, something the fourteen year old never did, Rachel just sighs as another round of butterflies flutter across her uneasy stomach.

"I just don't want to mess this up and end up not only losing a perspective boyfriend but end up losing my only friend in the crossfire." Rachel explains, her words making both her sister and mother pout in sympathy at the teens predicament.

'Oh what I couldn't give to be young again and think like that.' Shelby mentally chuckles to herself, much like Lexi deciding to give Rachel a break and keep her comments to herself considering how on edge the diva in training already was.

"Rach honey, come on Jesse wouldn't have asked you if he wasn't as serious about this as you. If he has a cell in that brain of his, which I know he does, he will be just as nervous right now as you. Difference is Jesse will hide it from everyone." Shelby informs her worrying daughter, the very thought of having this conversation with her both a moment she was proud to be experiencing and also secretly having a heart attack over.

That seems to trigger something within Rachel as her brow furrows in deep concentration and she slowly nods in response to her mother's advice, the head movement earning a gentle reminder tap from Lexi for her to keep still.

"You're right mom, Jesse must really be taking this seriously if he has asked me and we have so much in common anyway, I don't see how we can't have a good time in the end." Rachel surmises in an attempt to verbally convince herself of what she was saying as much as anyone else.

"Exactly, now stop moving your head or I'm going to end up burning your ear off." Lexi hisses in annoyance as once again her little sister's head whips about like a bobble head on a dashboard, making curling her hair next to impossible.

Thankfully for Rachel's ear's sake Lexi is soon finished and allows Rachel to have a breather for a few minutes before the sister started on the fourteen year olds make up.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay here tonight on your own while me and Rachel go out Lexi?" Shelby asks, almost out of the blue, although the mother had been pondering the question in her head for nearly twenty plus minutes now.

After her conversation earlier with her eldest, Shelby didn't want Lexi to feel like she was again being left out or something. That was going to be a constant worry from now on for the mother but she wad determined to do whatever it took to make sure her child never felt that way again.

Turning to face her mother, the sixteen year old flashes a smile, a tired one but a smile all the same.

"Honestly, I'm looking forward to staying in. I've had my fair share of late nights out to last me a good while. Besides it'll be nice to have a chance to talk with uncle Grant, apologise for earlier." Lexi answers, the tired look in her brown eyes letting her mother know how genuine her comments were, the poor girl was both mentally and physically drained, not to mention emotionally.

Shelby's face starts to wash over with pride for her daughter, the way in which Lexi had handled everything blew the brunette away but at the same time it made her beyond proud of Lexi's resiliency, something she secretly hoped she could take some credit for.

Before the mother can respond verbally however Lexi reaches out and guides her thumb underneath Shelby's left eye with a chuckle making the older brunette jump slightly as she hadn't been expecting it.

"Relax, you just have an uneven eyeliner line, budge up and I'll sort it for you." The teen announces with a shake of her head at her mother's jump, her and Rachel really were scarily alike.

Shelby of course does as she's told, having an uneven eyeliner line just couldn't be allowed and Lexi was telling not asking.

"Can you blame me for being a little edgy, I have seen what you are capable of with a good punch?" Shelby jokes in reference to Lexi punching Lara damn near out of her shoes.

Lexi just laughs at her mother's answer but has to concede that the older woman was correct and she couldn't blame her for being a little jumpy, apparently Lexi had more of reputation than she gave herself credit for.

"Keep still or you'll end up with eyeliner burning your eyes and that's worse than any punch I can give out." Lexi instructs with a roll of her brown eyes, once again Shelby and Rachel proving to be freakily alike.

Shelby holds both hands up in defence and stays completely still as her daughter adjusts her make up for her, this was one of the things that the mother had cried herself to sleep dreaming about back in New York after the girls had been taken.

"She is serious, I happened to sneeze at a very unfortunate time ones and I could barely see out of my eye for nearly two days." Rachel interjects backing up her sister's warning as she starts her own make up for her date with Jesse.

The diva in training didn't wear a lot of make up on a day to day basis but thanks to having Lexi as a big sister the teen was well versed in how to apply it all the same, of course the smaller brunette much preferred Lexi doing her make up for her as she had much more confidence in Lexi's ability than her own.

Shelby has to bite the inside of her cheek at her youngest daughter's tale. 'How in the world did that end up happening?' The curious side to Shelby's mind silently ponders, either way it sounded painful and something the mother didn't want to experience herself.

"Lexi is amazing with anything artsy, one year she helped me transform into 'Grizabella' from 'Cats' for Halloween." Rachel proudly states as Lexi feels her cheeks suddenly start to become warm at the compliment, something her younger sibling can't help but point out.

"Are you blushing?!" Rachel blurts out in shock, blushing certainly wasn't Lexi's normal M.O and it catches the small diva completely by surprise.

Shelby looks to Lexi as the taller teenager instantly starts to shake her head in rebuttal of her younger siblings assertion. The mother's hands instantly reach up and cups her child's face, her thumbs and index fingers starting to pinch at Lexi's now rosy cheeks playfully.

"Aw is my baby girl blushing?" Shelby teases, she couldn't help herself it was just far too tempting not to get the normally unflappable sixteen year old going, in a way it was nice to see Lexi react in such a way.

Lexi shakes her head in annoyance at herself but laughs in a good hearted manner looking to Rachel in mock annoyance as Shelby's grip on her cheeks starts to become more uncomfortable as the grip increases.

"I do not blush, it's just hot in here from curling Rachel's hair." Lexi protests jokingly as she manages to pull her face free from Shelby's pinching fingers. All three of the brunette's play along and share a giggle with one another, how they had gone from this morning to this they'd never know but they were each thankful that they had.

By the time Jesse gets dropped off outside Dolly's house by his, always busy, tired, annoyed mother, Rachel is just about ready, at least she was done getting ready physically, emotionally maybe not so much.

Unfortunately for both Grant and Rachel, Grant makes sure that he is the first person to greet the brunette teenager as he comes to pick up his date.

'Poor kid has no clue what he is walking in to.' The protective big brother and now protective uncle mentally surmises with a broad grin across his face as his thick hand turns the handle of the front door and opens it up, ready and eager to greet his nieces date.

Jesse clearly hadn't been expecting Grant and his always confident and show ready smile drops from his features at the sight of the intimidating man now looming above him with a look of unhappiness across his face.

With his mouth suddenly feeling like he was chewing on cotton wool, the teenage lad uses all of his acting abilities to pull himself back together and give Grant one of his famous smiles, his hand extending at the same time but the unimpressed look inside Grant's eyes makes Jesse's stomach knot.

"Uh, is Rachel in?" Jesse asks hesitantly, his voice apparently breaking all over again as he can't help but squeak out his question when in the presence of this tower of a man. "I mean is she ready?" The teenager corrects making a show of trying to make his voice sound deeper.

Grant's nostrils flare in direction of his niece's date, his eyes starring directly into Jesse's as they refuse to blink even once. Letting out a slow, long breath the giant of a man cracks his knuckles loudly, one hand after the other before giving a slight grunt and opening the front door wider for Jesse to come in.

'Yeah, I may actually not leave this house again, Rachel is lucky she is worth it.' Jesse's worried mind silently surmises as he cautiously takes a step into the doorway. Grant makes no real move to give the teenage boy any more room, in fact the fit is so tight Jesse swears he can feel the man's breath run across the back of his neck.

"Ah waffle boy!" Lexi chirps with more joy in her voice than was really warranted considering everything the sixteen year old had been through in the past twenty four hours but just like Jesse, Lexi knew how to put on a show.

Already tense from his meeting with the tallest man the lead male of Vocal Adrenaline had ever seen, Jesse jumps at Lexi's greeting, making the tall brunette chuckle in the process and just glares at the sixteen year old in response.

"Sorry Jesse, I didn't mean to make you jump." Lexi taunts as she joins her uncle in the hallway, forming a sandwich with him either side of a flustered Jesse.

Grant, stood directly in front of the door like the wall he was, smirk at his eldest niece. 'This is too much fun, it's almost cruel, almost.' The older man mentally quips as he keeps his face neutral encase Jesse turned to look at him, he may not be an actor but he knew better than to break character.

"Although it's good you're nervous, you should be nervous very nervous." The older sister warns, her tone changing on a dime as her brown eyes beam into Jesse's blue ones, her lips upturning into an unsettling smirk.

Panic registers across the normally confidant teenager's handsome features as he takes a step back away from Lexi and feels his back hit something solid and gulps realising it was the ogre of a man from the door. 'Fantastic, I'm stuck between a 'Lurch' from the Addams Family, if he had been a heavy weight boxer and Rachel's older sister who I've seen nearly break someone's jaw and also happens to be scarily like her mother.' Jesse's inner voice groans at his predicament, to his credit though was still somehow keeping the brewing sweat from falling.

Almost as if someone had sent a guardian angel to the young lads rescue, the sound of heels clicking across the floor rings out before a strong hand, playfully swats at Lexi's arm for the sixteen year old to lay off her antics.

"Leave the boy alone you two, Jesse I presume? I'm Dolly, Rachel and Lexi's..." Dolly introduces herself before trailing off at the description of herself. The blonde can basically feel Lexi's smirk beaming bright behind her and mentally chuckles at it.

"G-mama." Dolly asserts with cool and collected confidence holding her hand out to the handsome teen, thankfully for Jesse guiding him away from the trap of Lexi and Grant who give each other a grin of satisfaction mixed with a sigh at their fun having been cut short.

Instantly Jesse's cheeks get a rush of colour again and he slips back into his normal confident persona, his hand taking Dolly's before bringing up to his lips to place a kiss on it.

"So lovely to meet you, I see now where Ms Corcoran got her beautiful green eyes." The suave teenager effortlessly replies with sickening smoothness that earns an eye roll from his audience of Lexi and Grant.

The older woman feels her face burst into a smile, one that both Lexi and Grant could see but they can't see the woman's grip suddenly tightens on Jesse's hand as she remains completely stoic in all other appearances before gritting her teeth together.

"Okay, lay it off lover boy. I've had a lot better than you, lay it on a lot more convincingly than that besides it's my granddaughter you should be complimenting." Dolly warns, her voice soft and hushed so only Jesse would be able to hear her and the gulp that slides down the teens throat is more than enough of an indication that he had heard her loud and clear.

"That's a good boy, now don't forget I'm going to be dropping you both off and picking you up from this little date and believe me as scary as my son is, I am a thousand times worse if you hurt my family. Understand?" The blonde woman asks discreetly before turning back around to Grant and Lexi fully once Jesse nods his answer.

"Good, now Rachel will be down any second. Would you like a drink before you leave Jesse?" Dolly asks sincerely nicely but in such contrast to the woman who had just given the fourteen year old a warning he wasn't about to forget anytime soon.

'And this is where Ms Corcoran got every ounce of 'Coach' Corcoran from.' Jesse concludes silently as he manages to pull himself together enough to politely shake his head and decline the offer. The way this was going someone would likely poison it as warning.

Hearing the knock at the front door and the sound of muffled voices from downstairs, Rachel knew that Jesse had arrived and was now waiting downstairs to leave. The small brunette's stomach was in a knot, just one big knot that was making her feel slightly queasy.

'I can't do this, I feel sick. Oh gold stars Lexi is down there and I'm sure giving Jesse a hard time about this, what if he can't handle it, decides I'm not worth it and leaves?' Rachel mentally panics, the worst case and normally most improbable of scenarios always being the first to run through her mind.

Watching from the side as her youngest internally attempts to give herself a mental breakdown, Shelby strides forward and runs her hand softly up and down Rachel's spine.

"Breathe Rachel, it's okay honey." Shelby attempts to assure her little girl, she sympathised for her though those first date nerves were something that if you were honest never got any easier to deal with, let alone when it's your first date period.

Rachel turns to look at Shelby, her brown eyes brimmed with fear which just melts the mother's heart inside her chest, why did her girl's have to be growing up so fast when all she wanted to do was keep them little and young forever?

"Hey come on, none of this now. Lexi spent forever on that make up and I don't think she'd be too happy with you going and ruining it within minutes." Shelby declares with a playful wink as she softly runs her thumb along Rachel's cheek.

"You are thinking about this too much Rach, you and Jesse have hung out before, why does this have to be any different than all those times?" The mother asks seriously as Rachel's brow furrows in deep thought of the woman's question.

"Well I guess it doesn't have to be." Rachel realises aloud as Shelby smiles to herself and places a tender kiss to the teens forehead, the only place she could do so and not mess up any of Lexi's make up skills.

"Exactly, now we should get down there before he wonders where you've gotten to." Shelby instructs, her own throat struggling to keep all of her emotions from showing, Rachel was nervous enough without the mother making things more difficult for her.

Rachel nods in agreement, flashing Shelby a bright smile before bracing herself a final time as she turns to check her reflection in the mirror and then with a final deep breath, flips her hair off of her shoulder, puts her head up straight, shoulders back, chest out and walks downstairs purposefully as if she was the most confident person on the planet.

'That's my girl.' Shelby mentally praises her youngest, knowing she herself needed to pull it together and follows behind her child who was about to embark on her first date. How the hell had this happened again?

Jesse was stood nervously in the hallway still, Grant and Lexi were apparently still taking great pleasure in not taking their eyes off of him for a second and causing the teenager to constantly have to wipe his brow.

Hearing footsteps coming down the stair case though makes all thoughts of Grant and Lexi fade into the distance for the teen as his blue eyes gaze up and meet with Rachel's chocolate brown ones, her wide smile upon noticing him making Jesse's heart flutter for a moment.

"You look amazing Rach." He states with conviction as he offers his hand to help the brunette down the final few stairs, something which causes Rachel's tanned cheeks to blush slightly.

'Oh boy, they are going to be sickeningly cute.' Lexi's inner voice informs the sixteen year old who was watching from the sidelines, her shoulder leant up against her Uncle like a resting post, both arms folded neatly over her chest and feet crossed at the ankle.

"You don't look so bad yourself Mr St James." Rachel returns the compliment as for the first time since receiving the invitation earlier the diva in trainings stomach starts to untie it's self from one huge tangle of nervous knotting.

Jesse runs his spare hand up through his slightly gelled brown locks, almost blushing himself from the compliment. 'Only she can make me act like this.' Jesse surmises silently as his normally show ready smile is replaced by a genuine one that was even brighter.

Shelby reaches the bottom of the stairs and her green eyes assess the teen lovebirds in front of her and she just soaks in the moment, swearing to herself that it was something she would never forget and always be grateful for being around to witness.

"We should probably get going or will won't have time to get the seats with the best advantage to see everything." Jesse explains to his date as he takes her hand into his own and squeezes it reassuringly, suddenly both fourteen year olds relaxing now in one another presence.

Rachel's eyes bug at Jesse's information and she quickly looks towards Dolly who holds her hand up in the diva's direction to indicate she had heard, understood and was already onto it as she turns to pick up her purse and keys from the side.

Shelby stands frozen for a second, her green eyes just admiring her beautiful child who was too quickly transforming into a young woman right in front of her, although the teacher wouldn't have it any other way, at least she was able to be there to witness it happening and god willing be able to help and guide the girl through it.

With a step forward Shelby reaches out for her youngest and pulls her into a tight squeeze of an embrace, somehow managing to keep her building emotions locked away, for now.

"Now you two have a nice time but I want you back at nine, no later okay? I'm serious and I have plenty of inside people to snitch if you don't obey." Shelby warns playfully although the glimmer in her green eyes lets both Rachel and Jesse know she was indeed deadly serious.

Rachel pulls herself in close for a moment, savouring the now familiar warmth of her mother before taking half a step back and looking deeply into Shelby's eyes, that although different in colour, only in colour though, reminded her so much of those of her big sister, maybe it was that look of love, who knows?

"I promise mama." Rachel replies in a warm voice, the smile on her lips as she gazes at her parent making all of the worrying the older woman would undoubtedly do that evening worth it already.

Calling Shelby 'Mama' was something the younger daughter was doing more and more regularly as time went on and Shelby would be lying if she said it didn't completely melt her heart each and every time she heard it, just like when either of her girls called her 'mom'. They were words that for so long the brunette teacher had been certain she would never have the privilege of hearing from either of her girl's lips again or in Rachel's case ever.

Feeling that stinging sensation of overwhelming tears filling her green eyes, Shelby sucks in a deep breath and mentally urges herself to keep it together for a few moments longer as she lets out a soft chuckle and nods in encouragement.

"Right, well off you go then and I'll see you later." Shelby instructs kindly before her eyes narrow in on Jesse like a guided laser beam on a rifle.

"Jesse." She calls for the attention of the male lead of Vocal Adrenaline with a slightly sharper tone with an accompanying look that said more than the mother's words ever could. "Take care of my baby." The choir coach orders warningly before she guides the two teenagers to the front door and sees them off with a wave from the door step.

As Dolly's car pulls out of the driveway and heads down the street, Shelby's green eyes can no longer contain her tears and with a wobbling chin a few drops slowly descend her face as she all of a sudden feels an arm wrap around her waist and head lean on her shoulder.

"It's okay to be emotional, she's your baby but it's not okay to mess up that make up that I spent forever doing for you." Lexi declares in fake annoyance as Shelby shakes her head with a chuckle and gives her eldest a playful shove back into the house.

"Oh shut it you." Shelby quips back with a wink as Grant hands his little sister a tissue with a fake sympathetic look across his face.

"It's alright Shelby, she's going on a date not going to war." Grant mocks with a fake sniffle, earning a hard slap to his shoulders, one from Shelby and one from Lexi who he instantly levels with a look of betrayal.

"What? It's okay for me to poke fun but she's still my mom and she's emotional, I have to have her back when someone else does it, even you." Lexi explains in a matter of fact voice as she nods along to her own words earning a look of confusion from her uncle.

"Thank you baby." Shelby says giving Lexi's cheek a peck before sticking her tongue out at her brother, he was so outnumbered here he had no idea and as his little sister the brunette couldn't be happier about that.

Grant just watches his niece and sister with a shake of his head, his hand reaching up and running across his very short shaved hair in confusion of what had just happened. 'Women.' He mentally sasses, he may not understand what had just happened completely be he knew better than to say that out loud at anytime let alone now.

Pulling into the parking lot at the side of the theatre Dolly looks behind her to the two young teenagers who hadn't stopped talking among themselves the entire journey, it was actually heart warming to see if a little hard on your ears, god could they both talk, probably why they got on so well.

Only realising that they had arrived when her grandmother lets out a purposeful cough, Rachel looks to Dolly with an appreciative smile and leans forward to kiss her cheek as Jesse exits the car and walks around to open the door for his date.

"Thank you for this G-Mama, we really appreciate it." Rachel declares as she pulls back ready to exit the car but is stopped in her place as Dolly's hand reaches out and pats her granddaughter's knee.

"You're more than welcome Tweety, listen though okay I know your mother said no later than nine but luckily for you I have more of a heart." Dolly jokes with a roll of her green eyes which breaks Rachel's confused look into a smile in return.

"You ring me when you are ready alright? Just don't push your luck because I have a heart but I'm no push over either." Dolly explains further making sure to remind the fourteen year old not to take any liberties with this good deed the grandmother was offering her.

'This is a trap isn't it? She can't be genuine right now, can she?' Rachel silently ponders to herself before deciding that the blonde woman could be trusted, although was also reminded not to take advantage at the same time.

Leaning forward again the small brunette wraps both of her arms around both Dolly's headrest and neck, giving her a soft squeeze of appreciation, fully aware that Dolly was taking a chance for doing this for her.

"Thank you so much G-Mama but what if mom finds out, won't you be in serious trouble with her for breaking her confidence and going against her wishes?" Rachel questions nervously, she wanted to be able to stay out longer with Jesse of course but certainly didn't want to get Dolly into trouble in the process.

Dolly smiles warmly at her grandchild, extremely proud that she had the foresight to think about the repercussions of this not only for herself but also for Dolly too, she was a good kid indeed.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about that Tweety, I know how to deal with your mother let me assure you. Now you and Jesse boy go and have a nice time alright?" The older woman assures before nodding her head in the direction of the awaiting teenage boy who had just opened the car door for her granddaughter.

Rachel beams widely and nods in response of her grandmother to give her thanks as she takes Jesse's hand and steps out of the car with a renewed sense of excitement about the evening, not that she really needed anymore.

After waving their goodbyes to the grandmother Jesse takes hold of Rachel's hand in his own and pulls the small diva closer to him, their eyes instantly becoming intertwined in a love struck gaze as Rachel balances up onto her tip toes and places a gentle kiss to her date's lips.

"Shall we?" Jesse asks with a grin as he gestures with his arm towards the entrance of the theatre, his other hand gently squeezing Rachel's hand reassuringly.

"We shall." Rachel answers firmly as she lets out a chuckle and the pair head off for the start of their first official date together, hopefully if for once everything went as the small brunette envisioned, the first of many.

"Right well I'm going to go and get my boy in the bath then, have a nice time sissy." Grant declares as he leans down and pecks her cheek before going to get Lucas who was now awake and playing happily in his pop up crib in the living room area, apparently all you needed to get his attention was some spoons and a plastic container, who knew?

"Sissy?" Lexi questions with a raised eyebrow in her mother's direction once Grant had disappeared upstairs with his son to go and get him ready for bed as time was going by much faster than it had been earlier that day that was for sure.

Shelby just knowingly shakes her head and laughs as she stands up herself and walks through to the kitchen to grab her bag before the girls arrived, truly relieved that after everything earlier that day they were able to at least for now put it to one side and joke about with each other, it was certainly refreshing from all of the shouting a drama.

"Shut it Lexi." The older brunette warns with a chuckle as she strides off leaving Lexi in the living room alone but the teen instead of staying seated heads into the hallway to check her appearance in the hallway mirror.

'Jeez I look as tired as I feel, good job I'm not going anywhere tonight, I'd give everyone a hell of a shock.' The teen surmises realising that everything she had been through recently had well and truly taken its toll on her, especially now that she was able to stop pretending to be fine and for the most part just let it out.

Of course it has to be at this exact moment that there is a out of the blue knock at the front door, the noise making Lexi jump nearly six feet into the air in pure shock. 'Okay maybe I am still a little bit on edge though.' The teen surmises mentally as she turns around to open the door and not smack whoever was behind it for nearly giving her a premature death.

The sixteen year olds stomach twists as her brown eyes notice the culprits of the loud and shocking knock on the door were none other than April and Helena.

'Well this isn't going to be awkward at all.' The tall brunette mentally sasses as she paints a smile onto her features, readies herself and turns the handle to the front door to let them in.

Both Helena and April felt just as awkward as the sixteen year old as she greets them with a smile and tries to act as though nothing had happened between the three of them that was causing April's shakes and Helena's dry mouth as they all avoid eye contact with one another.

"Hey kiddo." April greets with a twisted stomach as she notices how tired and drained the teenager looked, not that she blamed the brunette after everything she had been through.

"Hey April, it's good to see you." Lexi replies honestly, her and the small blonde had formed a strong bond at the club and just knowing that April wasn't still within Spider's clutches was something the sixteen year old couldn't be more happy or relieved about.

April steps forward and leans up pulling the tall teen into a hug before pulling back and planting a kiss to her cheek, which she strokes her hand over to get rid of the residual lip gloss mark that is left behind from it.

"You too beautiful, always. Your mother hiding somewhere?" The feisty blonde asks knowingly as she sees herself through the familiar house. It may have been a fair few years but April remembered it fondly from those visits herself and Helena had joined their friend on back home.

Lexi didn't have a chance to answer before April's high heels frantically click away into the distance as the southern firecracker rushes off in search of the missing part of the threesome known as 'The Hair Bear Bunch'.

"Someone is eager I take it?" Lexi quips, her attention turning back to the English beauty who until now had remained silent to the side of everything else going on.

Helena shines the sixteen year old a wide grin, her pearly white teeth almost sparkling like in some toothpaste commercial. 'I can't believe she is even talking to me after everything, how doesn't she hate me?' The English beauty silently wonders, her own guilt of what she had allowed to transpire still eating away at her consciousness.

"That's 'Bubi Bear' for you, always on the go and looking for fun." Helena informs the teenager in dramatic flair as if it was common knowledge.

Lexi nods in agreement as she nervously folds her arms across her chest, subconsciously wanting to cover herself up after the state she'd been in one of the last times the business woman had been in her company. It made Lexi's stomach knot knowing that those crystal blue eyes had seen her like that, normally she wouldn't care but this was her mother's friend, one of her closest and dearest just to add to the awkwardness.

Sensing the sixteen year old uncomfortable demeanour, as well as sharing it, Helena reaches out and places a hand to Lexi's arm.

"Sweetheart, I just wanted to say how..." Helena starts to voice her apology to the young girl but the words die on her lips as Lexi's brown eyes look deeply into the older woman's blue ones.

"Please don't say you're sorry, what happened it wasn't your fault. You were trying to help me, I know that. I'm just sorry I put you in such an awkward situation, without knowing it granted, with my mom. You two are okay now though right?" Lexi asks, her urgency at needing to know she hadn't been a part of damaging such a close friendship evident in everything from her voice to her eyes.

'Seriously, he needs to come with a warning...' Helena mentally tells herself as the teenager pulls at her heart strings in a way no one really ever had before.

"We're fine, of course she wasn't exactly best pleased with me for seeing her daughter in that... manner and not informing her the instant I found out who you were." Helena concludes the obvious trying her best to make light of the very serious and awkward situation that even now made the brunette's heart start to pound.

Lexi raises her eyebrow in a sarcastic 'no kidding' manner as her arms return back to her sides, the tension between the two thankfully starting to melt away somewhat.

"We talked though and I explained however stupid my method, I was indeed actually trying to help in the best way I knew how. However don't think I'll be telling her about her daughter's amazing legs any time soon though." Helena jokes with a sweet chuckle which meets her sparkling blue eyes as they again connect with Lexi's chocolate brown ones.

'Okay, now my heart is pounding again, why?' Lexi's inner voice panics, something about this woman with the English accent, so prim and proper, making the sixteen year olds stomach knot and cheeks want to flush with red.

A long silent, pulsating beat lingers between the two brunettes as they just gaze into the others eyes, any words either of them wanted to say falling silent in the moment.

"Alright honey bunnies, we have the straggling party girl so let's hit the road." April suddenly declares loudly as she drags a giggling Shelby behind her with a deceiving strength the blonde possessed.

A jolt runs through Lexi and Helena, forcing both of them to inwardly jump at the interruption and have to cover it up in some way. Helena just lets out a giggle, naughty and in deep contrast to her normal proper little accent and Lexi just shakes her head with a roll of her eyes at her mother and her friend's antics.

Shelby somehow manages to apply the brakes to the small blonde's momentum and free her hand from her friend's tight grip, her head shaking in amusement at April's enthusiasm.

"What is the rush April, seriously? It may not be the city that never sleeps but I think it will still suffice. Besides Grant is our lift and he is still seeing to his son." The brunette teacher declares with wide eyes at April's eagerness before turning to Lexi who hands her mother the woman's jacket.

"It's just I want to get going before we run in to..." April's explanation is interrupted by a throaty cough, one that makes the petite blonde shiver in her place, she'd recognise that cough anywhere.

Standing in the now open doorway to the house was none other than a smirking Dolly Corcoran, of course neither Helena or April needed to turn around to know that. The older woman's green eyes narrow in on the situation as everything falls silent upon her arrival and interruption of the southern accents musings.

'Shoot! Of course she had to walk in on me saying that, of course.' April's inner voice surmises in annoyance, Dolly Corcoran had always been a woman to be feared and just by the sound of her cough the smaller blonde knew nothing had changed in that regard.

"Oh April Rhodes, don't tell me you were planning to run off without saying hello to me?" Dolly questions knowingly, the joy in her voice evident to a squirming Helena who was attempting not to be seen, amused Shelby and in her element Lexi.

Painting one the widest smile possible April spins around on the balls of her feet, the trick very hard to pull off in the size heels the small blonde was wearing but if dancing had given her one extra skill it was amazing balance and grace.

"Of course not Dolly, why would I want to miss out on our hilarious back and forth for? I live for it." April sarcastically replies as she opens her arms up wide and throws them around Dolly knowing it would make the older blonde uncomfortable, two could play at this game.

Lexi watches the scene unfold in front of her and can't help but lean more in to her mother's side slightly, the movement letting Shelby know Lexi wanted to ask her something discreetly so she positions her ear towards her daughter's lips.

"Are they always like this?" Lexi inquires with a chuckle rising up through her voice as she continues to watch as April sways Dolly from side to side dramatically in an almost bear hug like position.

'G-mama looks like she's either going to burst out laughing or throw April into next month.' Lexi ponders in the confines of her mind as with both her arms pinned to her side by April's deceiving strength Dolly's green eyes damn near pop out of her skull in annoyance.

"Believe it or not they've actually gotten better over the years." Shelby answers truthfully, April and Dolly had always shared a unique love-hate kind of relationship but beneath it all was great admiration and even love for one another, they were just extreme opposites.

Realising she was most likely, well and truly, pushing her luck April releases her grip and takes a step back from her capture with the biggest of grins proudly displayed upon her face. Dolly narrows her eyes in on the feisty blonde and holds her finger out in her direction in a telling off manner.

"You April Rhodes, you are... very lucky that I actually quite like you." Dolly declares with a oft chuckle as she rolls her eyes at the smaller woman's antics, it was nice to see she hadn't lost that spark that made her so special.

"Like? Huh, you love me and you know it." April retorts with a playful huff before flicking her lightly curled locks over her shoulder as she skilfully avoids a swift swat of Dolly's hand that is aimed for the blonde's arm.

Grant then arrives at the bottom of the stairs with a chuckle at the scene in front of him, he knew both April and Helena from their trips back with Shelby during their days in New York. The tall mans eyes lock in on the small blonde for an extra moment as a flash of the past washes over him just for a second.

Spotting the tall, handsome brother of one of her dearest friends after so many years April for a split second turns somewhat shy, something that doesn't go unnoticed by an always eagle eyed Lexi whose eyebrow expertly cocks up in response.

"Nice to see you again April." Grant greets with a warm smile as he places the baby monitor to the side having thankfully gotten Lucas settled upstairs with some toys before bed, which the dad would hopefully put him down to when he got back from dropping the girls off.

April's blue eyes meet Grant's with a twinkle as her cheeks redden but thankfully for the small blondes it's something Grant doesn't pick up on. 'He hasn't changed at all.' The inner voice of April's mind declares almost in a swoon. 'Still has that wedding band though, she never has deserved him.' The blondes inner voice points out silently before realising she was yet to respond to his greeting.

"You too Grant, you look well although I notice that hair is getting shorter and shorter." The feisty, small package of a firecracker quips with a wide smile as she absentmindedly fiddles with the hem of her short denim skirt, which on her wasn't really all that short.

"You're a sight for sore eyes yourself short stuff." Grant jokes sweetly as his eyes gaze into April's and make the blonde's heart start to rapidly pound against her skinny chest cavity, so much so April was sure the imprint of her heartbeat could be seen like in a cartoon.

Grant finds himself thinking to himself over those visits the petite blonde had shared with Helena and Shelby all those years ago and their long, deep conversations about everything and anything. April knew things about Grant and more importantly his marriage that even his own family were in the dark over.

'That was a long time ago now Grant, you and Sharon have a child now and you love her, you always have.' The inner voice of the tall short haired, handsome man basically shouts within the confines of his mind realising he was allowing old emotions that still confused him to get the better of him.

"Don't think I don't see you trying to blend in with my wallpaper Helena." Dolly suddenly calls out as her green eyes notice the tall, slim brunette trying to edge her way out of the house and her clutches.

Helena, much like April before her, lets out a slow sigh and looks to the mother of one of her best friends with a knowing smile. Dolly always gave the women hassle but it was done with love none the less.

"It's nice to see you Dolly, you're looking as radiant as ever." Helena creeps moving forward and planting a greeting kiss to each of Dolly's cheeks as the older woman gives her a soft, side hug.

"Nice to see you haven't lose that English charm Ms Rawlins." Dolly replies with a wink as Shelby turns her attention back to Lexi knowing her friends and her mother could be like this for hours if she let them.

"Right, be good for G-mama and your uncle Grant alright? If you need me I'll have my phone on me all night. I shouldn't be back too late and..." Shelby starts to go though her rundown of motherly information and reassertions before Lexi holds her hand up to indicate her mother to come up for air.

"Mom, seriously chill out. I'm sixteen years old, I have lived alone before with just Rachel, this... a night at my G-Mama's house with my uncle and baby cousin, I think I can just about handle it." The sixteen year old sarcastically points out with raised eyebrows to add to her point.

'Always with being the smartass this one.' Shelby's inner motherly voice points out with a groan knowing deep down she was being over the top but she was still learning and this was all new for her. 'Hell, I've just sent my youngest out on her first date, excuse me if I just wanted to baby my other daughter a little.' The brunette continues to inwardly rant.

"I'll be fine, you just go out and relax a little yeah? God knows I've put you through enough stress in the past twenty four hours to earn at least a few hours of fun with your friends." Lexi surmises unable to help her inner guilt of what she had put her mother through come out in her words.

Shelby pouts a little at the gesture from her daughter's words and reaches up with her left hand, slowly just stroking Lexi's cheek before giving her a reassuring wink to try and communicate that the sixteen year old had nothing to feel guilty about, very aware saying it out loud would probably just fall on deaf ears.

Spotting the mother and daughter moment was starting to get far too mushy considering they were about to head out for some fun, April takes a step forward and places both hands either side of her teacher friend guiding her towards the front door.

"Kiddo here is right 'Hair Bear', now let's go before your mother has 'Square Bear' wanting to join a nunnery." The small blonde jokes as she gives Lexi an air kiss and wink goodbye, which Lexi returns with a laugh and wave of her own.

"Have fun." Lexi calls out as the three friends make their escape and pile into Grant's truck, something the sixteen year old was sure her uncle would end up regretting as he pulls out of the driveway with April basically hanging out of the window waving goodbye.

Thankfully for Rachel and Jesse things are a lot more relaxed, the play isn't overly long so after it ends the pair decide to walk the short distance to a small ice cream parlour that was always opened till eight of a weekend, especially when the theatre had something on as it bought more business being so close.

Sat tucked away together in the corner booth towards the back, Jesse can't help but admire his date as she carefully takes small scoops of her ice cream before bringing the tiny, plastic spoon to her mouth only to blow on it before placing it in her mouth.

'God she is adorable.' Jesse's mind says silently as his blue eyes watch this talented and sweet girl with such admiration and affection it almost took the teen off guard. Jesse wasn't used to emotions and feelings being at the forefront of his mind, his family weren't exactly close and he'd grown up using performing as a way of expressing how he felt and making connections.

Realising that eyes were watching her and Jesse's handsome features were up turned into a smirk makes Rachel lift her gaze and playfully swat at Jesse's arm across the table.

"Are you laughing at me Mr St James?" The fourteen year old asks knowingly, her voice filled with a giggle she was trying to hold back as Jesse is woken from his own thoughts.

"At you? Never." Jesse assures confidently but only garners a raised eyebrow from the diva across from him who had without a doubt stolen his heart in ways he'd never thought possible.

"Smooth, very smooth, too smooth." Rachel retorts as she licks her little plastic spoon clean and narrows her brown eyes in Jesse's direction, one elbow rested on the table as she uses her spoon as a pointer in the lead male singer of Vocal Adrenaline's direction.

"You were laughing at me and I would like to know what is so funny about me? Also just so you know it's awfully rude to laugh at your date. Not at all gentlemen behaviour." Rachel accuses with a smirk still lingering against her plump lips.

The playfulness of the conversation and overall night so far was something that the small brunette was beyond thankful for after everything that had taken place with Lexi the night before.

Jesse reaches across the table between the two of them and gently holds Rachel's spoon wielding hand, cupping it between both of his hands he brings it back down to the table in front of him and smiles brightly.

With Jesse's thumbs now drawing feather touch patterns across the back of her hand, Rachel's chest starts to be battered from the fourteen year old thudding heart. 'Gold Stars, how does he just know what to do to me to make me melt?' Rachel's inner voice questions within the confines of her mind.

"I was laughing because you are so cute, too cute actually." Jesse reveals, his blue eyes fluttering up and connecting with Rachel's concentrating gaze.

"You have no idea you do it I'm sure but every time you brought the spoon up to eat some ice cream you would blow on it as if it was hot." The handsome teen explains with great fondness at this little quirk he had noticed of the star to be.

Rachel slowly feels her heart wash over with warmth from Jesse's words, her cheeks of course slightly blush from embarrassment but mostly the fourteen year old was beyond touched by the, possibly most sweet thing anyone had ever said to her.

'Oh Barbra, he noticed that and found it cute. He wasn't laughing at me to be malicious, he was laughing from finding it endearing and sweet. I think for the first time in my life I may be lost for words.' Rachel tells herself as happy tears fill her brown eyes.

Noticing the glimmer within Rachel's eyes Jesse quickly sits up straighter and wakes somewhat from his dream like state, his hands gripping Rachel's a little bit tighter.

"Please don't cry, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I think it's cute, I think you're cute well actually I think you're extraordinary." The panicked teenage boy quickly attempts to explain himself, the thought of having upset the tiny diva sending the normally composed, suave fourteen year old into a near on melt down.

Rachel attempts to interrupt and let Jesse know that she wasn't crying from being upset or offended, that couldn't be further from the truth but Jesse was on a roll and nothing was about to stop what he had to say.

"You're so talented and strong willed, confident but boy do you have everything needed to back it up. You're not afraid to test me, challenge me when you think I'm wrong and as much as that drives me partly insane it also drives me wild and gives me such a needed reality check." The frantic teen continues now just in a full on ramble of his emotions.

"You make my heart rush Rachel, you make me a better person because you've shown me that as amazing as performing and being the ultimate best is, it's nothing if you don't have someone to care about and who cares about you. When I'm with you, I ... I just, it's even better than being on that stage and getting a standing ovation." Jesse reveals, the sincere tone to his words making Rachel's heart melt more and more with each passing second.

'If I wasn't crying before I am now.' Rachel mentally surmises as she can feel the warm tears slowly descending down her face, all of Lexi's hard work on her makeup likely being ruined.

"You make my entire life better Rachel and I don't ever want to lose you. I know right now I sound like some cheap, cheesy romance novel you pick up at the airport for something to read on a long haul flight but I truly mean every word Rachel." Jesse declares, both hands firmly gripping around Rachel's hand as his blue eyes look directly into Rachel's brown ones.

"I love you." He adds in a whisper as his hand reaches up slowly and with his thumb, delicately strokes away the falling tears.

'BARBRA INCAPSULATED IN SOLID GOLD, SHINING IN THE NIGHTS SKY, HE LOVES ME?!' Rachel mentally screams in pure shock, aside from family no one had ever, ever declared their love for the star to be and certainly never in such a emotional and convincing way.

Having laid his heart bare for the brunette, Jesse takes a moment to look down at their hands, one of his gently holding hers as what he had just blurted out slowly starts to sink into the fourteen year old and although terrifying to lay himself and how he feels on the line like that he didn't regret it, not even slightly.

"You don't have to say anything back, I know I have come at you with this completely out of the dark..." Jesse attempts to assure his date that there was no pressure for her to reciprocate his declaration when suddenly Rachel is sat beside him, a hand on his chest, the other to his face, turning his gaze to look at her properly.

"Jesse, you know how you said I challenge you?" Rachel questions with a smile softly brushing over her features, the only answer Jesse is able to muster being a subtle nod of his head as Rachel's thumb traces over his cheek.

"Well good because right now I am challenging you now to stop talking and just listen. Do you think you can manage that Mr St James?" The brunette questions her date with an unfamiliar strength and confidence that normally only entered Rachel's body when on the stage or in an environment to do with her performing.

Once again all Jesse can muster in response is a faint nod in Rachel's direction, his blue eyes fixated on the beautiful teenage in front of him, her hand on his chest no doubt able to feel each hard thud of his heart which she was causing.

Taking a silent moment to attempt to mentally and emotionally prepare herself for the words she was about to allow to fall from both her heart and lips, Rachel just stares deeply into the blue orbs of her date.

"I, Rachel Barbra Berry love you too Jesse St James, I truly do, with all my heart. Yes it may be corny, puppy love and every other cliché known to man but it doesn't make it any less true." Rachel reveals with a watery smile, leaning up and planting a deep kiss onto Jesse's lips which were breaking into a smile from the brunette's revelation.

Leaning their foreheads together while still staring into one another's eyes, Jesse places his hands either side of Rachel's beaming, beautiful face.

"I guess you're 'Jesse's girl' now then ahey?" The confident teen quips with a grin which Rachel meets with a playful scoff and raised eyebrow.

"Pfft, don't you believe it if anything you are Rachel's guy." The small brunette corrects with a chuckle as Jesse wraps both his arms lovingly around the fourteen year olds shoulders and pulls her in close, having never felt quite so content in his life.

Once coming back from dropping off his sister and her two friends, Grant goes upstairs and happily puts a tired out Lucas to bed. Just watching the little, innocent bundle of perfection in peaceful slumber made the tough, strong, mans man's heart melt.

"You have no idea how easy you've got it little man." The father whispers out to his sleeping child just admiring all those little features that were unique to his son.

"No worries or commitments, no pressure, no one else's life, happiness and welfare in your hands." He continues, a large, strong hand delicately stroking back some stray hairs that were standing on end upon Lucas' head.

Lucas, like earlier, was laid on his stomach, knees tucked up beneath his stomach with his head turned to the side, bum happily in the air as his little face every so often quirks into little half smirks and raised eyebrows.

Grant's attention is stolen away for a moment as his phone flashes from another message being received from his wife. They had been married for twenty years, teenage sweethearts the perfect couple who now with Lucas have everything you could ever wish for or want.

Just thinking of other people's perception of his life makes the tall man mentally scoff. 'If only they knew the truth.' He surmises to himself as his eyes read over the message with his stomach knotting as he does so.

'You can't ignore me forever Grant, we need to sort this out. I know I have messed up but please, let's not throw everything we have away because of it. I love you. Sharon xx'

The message brings stinging tears to the gentle giants eyes, if only this was the first time his wife had messed up, if only they hadn't been through this exact situation too many times to count. It had been different before Lucas was born, Sharon had only been hurting Grant but now she was messing with their sons happiness and completely disregarding it, that was something the father knew he couldn't and wouldn't be able to stand for.

Roughly wiping at his tired eyes with the back of his hand, the short shaved brunette ignores his wife's message and simply puts his phone back into his jeans pocket and focuses back on the most important thing in his life, his son.

"No matter what happens, you'll always be the most important thing in my entire life and probably the only thing I'll ever get right. You ever need anything, you just have to ask okay?" Grant continues his speech in the quiet room just embracing the tender moment as inner worries run through the father's mind.

With so much having gone on with his sister lately Grant decided to keep his own troubles to himself, it wasn't fair to pile that on top of everything Shelby had going on as it was. Admiring his son though just makes the reflecting man truly thankful for the little miracle that had been quite the long fight to finally create and bring to life.

Grant takes in a deep breath and savours the moment for a few seconds before the father leans down and places a sweet kiss to his child's head, his hand gently rubbing down the little boys back in a soothing manner as he pulls back.

"Good night son, sleep well and have good dreams." Grant whispers out softly before he makes sure the sleeping boy is tucked up warmly and securely before taking in a deep breath and turning around to head back downstairs.

Across town in the third bar of the night Shelby, April and Helena were all well and truly on their way to being three sheets to the wind, if not already there and adding a fourth and fifth sheet to that wind.

Shelby was sat up on a bar stool around a tall silver round table which was over flowing with empty glasses from the groups previous drinks of their stay in the bar so far.

'Ugh, I hate to admit it but mom was right, this has actually done me the world of good.' The teacher's somewhat reluctant to admit it brain informs Shelby as she sucks on a straw that was attempting to find every last scrap of the alcohol within her glass.

The brunette's hair was straightened and down, being at her mom's meant she didn't exactly have everything she normally would when getting ready for a night out, which in all honesty hadn't actually happened in a long time.

Just happily swaying in her seat to the music that filed the bar, Shelby's green eyes can't help but glance across the people all out enjoying themselves as for once she was herself. How her life had done such a huge turn around in what was a short amount of time, the mother would probably never truly understand but she would forever be thankful for none the less.

'To think before I found my girls my life was all about the next Vocal Adrenaline rehearsal or competition, grading papers and keeping myself at arm's length from anyone who might just be able to break through my armour and see the mess I was inside.' Shelby's mental monologue reminds the brunette with such joy that now things were beyond different from that, not necessarily always easy but a lot more worthwhile.

Sat opposite the contemplating choir coach with her long brown, naturally loose curled hair pulled back into a high quiff pony tail, Helena was perched up on one of the bar stools also, her long legs against the floor making sure she didn't fall completely on her face.

"Where's 'Bubi Bear'? Oh, sweet Jesus don't tell me we've lost her already Shelby?" Helena struggles out as the alcohol take effect on the English beauties ability to speak coherently and makes every word need deep concentration to actually get out.

April was already in a state, dancing away on the dance floor, her blonde locks every now and then appearing in between the mass of people she was without doubt squashed between.

Both Shelby and Helena had tried their best to stop April from hitting that self destruct button but also knew at the same time she was a grown woman and as hard as they tried she was going to make her own decisions at the end of the day. All the friends could do was be there for the troubled blonde and make sure she didn't wind up in any serious trouble.

"She's in that mass of strobe lights and sweaty bodies somewhere." Shelby explains, an out stretched finger pointing somewhat in the direction she was meaning.

"We should never have come out drinking, we know what she's like and how much she struggles." The concerned brunette teacher surmises with a guilty sigh.

Helena hiccups slightly in her seat as she takes another sip from her vodka and coke before placing the glass, carefully, onto the table in front of her, again a task which uses up all of her concentration.

"I know 'Hair Bear' but she was going to do this if we were with her or not. I know it's not right but I think she needs this blow off, Spider has messed with her head Shelby, like really messed with her." Helena explains, her own worries coming through in her tone.

"He is such a bastard, I wish I hit him more now." Shelby slurs out meaning every word, god she'd love nothing more than to really give that slime ball everything he deserved not just for what he put her baby through but also one of her best friends who was vulnerable enough as it was o start off with.

Helena can't help but let out a chuckle at her friends words as the memory of her 'Mama Bear' mode friends lashing out on the smug features of Spider and nearly knocking him into the past decade washes across the English beauties mind.

"Sorry, I know it's not funny but well... it kind of is because you floored him Shelby." Helena jokes nearly snorting as she struggles to breathe through her need to laugh at the memory.

Shaking her head in an attempt to regain her composure, Helena licks her bottom lip and sits up straighter in the chair, her face fighting a smirk as best as she could considering the alcohol that was currently coursing through her bloodstream.

"No, no seriously though Shelby, we will help April, I... I promise you. I, I know a great clinic she can go to, I was on the phone to them last night asking about when they could have her come in. They're fantastic Shelby, they'll help her I swear to you." The proper, together business woman side of Helena assures the concerned brunette opposite her as she reaches out and pats her hand.

Shelby's heart warms at Helena's gesture, it was one of the reasons she loved the English beauty so much and always would. Helena had all the money in the world, everything you could ask for in that respect but she wasn't selfish with it, not by a long shot, no Helena was probably the most generous person that Shelby had ever known in her life, especially when it comes to the people she cares about.

"You're a beautiful person 'Square Bear'." Shelby slurs out, her hand drunkenly slapping against Helena's perfect cheekbone in appreciation of the brunette's offer to their short blonde friend.

Helena blows a very unsophisticated raspberry in response to that assertion and pushes the strong left hand of her friend away from her face with a scoff. Of course though a stubborn Shelby wasn't about to have that and pushes her hand back into place, her brow furrowing in seriousness and slight annoyance at Helena.

"Hey no, listen to me you." Shelby orders in drunken authority, her green eyes narrowing in on Helena's blue ones facing her in defiance of her friends words.

"You are a beautiful person, you are Helena seriously, no listen to me, listen." Shelby orders repetitively as her own drunken state starts to take effect.

A smirk rises upon Helena's thin lips, feeling very much like a naughty child right now as she gets a lecture from her dearest friend who was very much in the same state she was. 'Why are moments like this always so damn funny?' The English brunette silently ponders in a moment of clarity within her own mind.

"Are you, are you listening to me?" Shelby questions seriously, well as seriously as she can muster as her hand moves to cup Helena's chin securely s the blue eyed woman couldn't escape what the choir coach had to say to her.

Helena just nods in response to Shelby's question as the grip the green eyed brunette had on her chin, well more mouth, left the taller brunette unable to do much else.

"Good, now you are a beautiful person Helena, you always have been since I first met you. I love you for that, for your heart and kindness, that and you always make me laugh." Shelby declares with a chuckle as she reaches around Helena's neck with both arms and pulls her in close, the action nearly sending the pair of them crashing to the floor.

Suddenly rapid clicks of high heels becomes louder as April rushes across to her two friends and jumps up, like an excited puppy, her hands on a shoulder of each of the brunette's to hold herself up.

"Hey no fair, group hugs need 'Bubi Bear'." The blonde firecracker states as both Helena and Shelby get the shock of their lives and instantly each pull the final member of their group into the warm embrace.

The bond that the three women shared with one another was something that couldn't really be explained. No matter what happened among them, to them or how much time past without them being around one another the loyalty and love they share never diminished.

"I love you guys." April exclaims with teary eyes and an emotion thick voice, her southern accent almost becoming lost from the tears she was near to letting fall. With a thin arm around each of the brunette's necks, April pulls them in close, basically to her chest and lay a kiss to each of their heads to add to her statement.

"We love you too 'Bubi Bear' but you're kind of suffocating us with your tits!" Helena declares in a muffled manner for self explanatory reasons as her face continues to be pressed down into the blondes bosom. The brunette's blue eyes look out at her fellow captive across from her in the same predicament and rolls her eyes.

Realising she was in avertedly killing the two people she was professing to love, the petite woman pulls back with a gasp, her face instantly flashing over with remorse, her tears now filling her crystal blue eyes for a completely different reason.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry. Are you okay?" April slurs out as she reaches for Helena's face first and cups it in between her hands trying to examine her for injuries.

"I'm fine April, I'm fine. Your boobs are as comfortable as ever." The English brunette jokes in reply as her small friend gasps in fake offended shock and playfully slaps at the tall, slim woman's arm, nearly sending Helena off of the stool in the process.

Watching the scene from her seat across the table, now free from April's clutches, Shelby smiles fondly at the scene in front of her. How she had survived this long without this two women, her best friends, in her life the choir coach would never know. All she knew now was she never wanted to have to cope without them again, they were a team, a unit, a family.

Looking to the time on the clock in the living room, Dolly narrows her eyes slightly as she was yet to hear from Rachel and it was nearing on midnight. 'You have five minutes young Tweety bird, I warned you not to push your luck with this.' The grandmother's inner voice warns her youngest granddaughter as the minutes tick by.

Thankfully for her granddaughter's sake Rachel picks that moment to send her grandmother a text and ask to be picked up, wisely enough for her she also includes a well worded and rather lengthy apology, explaining that time had just flown by without her noticing.

With a chuckle to herself the blonde pushes herself up from her seat and looks around for her car keys so she could go and collect the teens before Shelby caught them out with their little plan.

Lexi was sat in one of the opposite armchairs, half watching some film that happened to be on at this time of night on a Sunday. Her brown eyes glance towards Dolly as a slight smirk graces across her lips realising what had finally happened.

"Rachel's realised what the time is then?" The teen asks knowingly as she flashes her grandmother a grin which Dolly meets with a raising of her eyebrow and pointed look.

Before Dolly can answer Lexi's question, Grant bounces down the stairs, his own keys giggling in his hand as he pokes his head into the room with a chuckle.

"Shelby just called, she needs picking up. Well, all three of them do so I'm going to go get them, drop Helena and April off and then bring the drunk back here." The older brother explains before noticing that his mother was obviously about to set out to get Rachel as well so he turns his attention to his niece and flashes her a glance to gather her attention.

"You don't mind looking after Lucas for me do you? He shouldn't be any bother, he's fast asleep and the monitor will let you know if that changes." The uncle asks as he slips his jacket on and hands his mother her coat, the nights still chilly at this time of year.

'Wait what?' Lexi silently panics, her brown eyes growing wide with fear as she realises she was about to be alone with a baby.

"Me? I ... I wouldn't know what to do, what if something happens? What if he cries?" Lexi questions in growing terror, her body jumping up from her seat as the colour instantly drains from her features and the teens heartbeat rapidly increases inside her chest.

Grant was already halfway out of the front door at this point though and just waves his arm dismissively in the brunette's general direction.

"You'll be fine, he shouldn't be a bother and if he does wake up it's either because he wants some reassurance or he needs a change." Grant assures the sixteen year old, in all honesty not truly registering just how frantic his niece was about this.

"No wait!" Lexi calls after the disappearing man, her heart now lodged within her throat as the blood rushes to her head from getting up so fast.

Quickly realising that Dolly had yet to leave, the teen quickly redirects her pleads towards her instead and makes a grab for the blonde's arm in desperation.

"G-Mama, you can't go and leave me here alone, with him. What if, I do something... I'm not good with kids. I have no idea what to do, please." Lexi desperately pleads, her voice trembling as she speaks but much like her son before her Dolly was barely listening as she was more focused on getting out of the front door.

"You'll be absolutely fine Lexi, calm down. I have to go now or your mother will come home and realise I let Rachel stay out beyond her nine O'clock curfew and if that happens my life won't be worth living. Now, don't worry we won't be long and Lucas is asleep anyway." Dolly instructs firmly, her hand expertly guiding Lexi's back to her side before she taps the teen's slightly flushed cheek.

"You'll be a natural anyway cookie, it's in your eyes." The grandmother assures before patting at her granddaughter's cheek a final time and then quickly, before Lexi can even blink, making her escape out to her car her own mind worrying what would happen if she didn't get Rachel home before Shelby.

Watching in horror as both of her lifelines disappear into the night leaving her completely alone, Lexi lets out a long gasp, her heart suddenly feeling as though it was trapped inside a vice of some kind. 'Shit, fuck, shit on a stick, holy crap, mother of god.' Lexi's inner voice panics rapidly as the brunette is left standing in the hallway on her own.

"Oh god, I can't do this." Lexi mutters to herself, her hand reaching up for her silver locket for some kind of comfort, as her eyes shut in an attempt to calm herself back down, a feat that was turning out to be next to impossible.

Pacing down the hallway the tall brunette starts to try and think of reasons that this might actually end up turning out okay. It was nothing but a desperate attempt to calm herself but at this point it was all the panicking sixteen year old had.

"He is asleep Lexi, asleep. He can't hurt you when he is asleep, just breathe." Lexi instructs herself out loud, saying it silently just wasn't going to cut it this time.

Of course the very instant the sentence leaves the brunette's lips fate intervenes and one loud cry echoes out through the baby monitor inside the living room, the noise sending a jolt straight down Lexi's spine and a bolt of fear to her heart.

As the realisation of her luck sinks into the sixteen year old consciousness, Lexi shakes her head in disbelief and fights with emotional tears that all of a sudden creep up on her brown eyes.

"Oh of course he wakes up, couldn't give me just one break this weekend no?" Lexi pleads, her head hanging back and looking up to the ceiling in defeat as Lucas' cries only grow louder with each passing second, apparently a good set of lungs ran in the family not just with Shelby's children.

Shaking from head to toe, the brunette grips at her locket even tighter with her right hand as her legs freeze in place at the bottom of the stairs.

"I can't do this, I can't. I don't know what to do, what if I screw it up? What if I hurt him or make him worse? No, no I should just leave me him, he'll be fine." Lexi debates with herself verbally as what the teen wanted to do and what she had confidence in being able to do start a fight among themselves.

Slowly the tall teenager sinks down to be sat on the stairs, her head bowing as Lucas' cries only become more distressed and pierce through Lexi's conflicted heart and head, so much so all she can think to do is lift her hands up to her ears in an attempt to block it all out as a few stray tears slowly roll down her cheeks.

Arriving where she had dropped the teenagers off earlier in the evening, Dolly instantly narrows her green eyes in on the couple who were cutely curled up against one another to the side, clearly trying to use one another to fight off the cold.

"Rachel, get your backside over here and in to this car. Your mother is being picked up as we speak and if I don't want to face your mother's wrath over this, believe me Tweety, neither do you. Now get a move on!" Dolly instructs firmly as she reaches across and opens up the passenger's side car door.

'Gold stars, that would not be good!' Rachel's inner voice informs the now on edge fourteen year old as she spins around and damn near head butts her date in an attempt to give him a farewell kiss.

"I'm sorry Jesse, I have to go because if my mother finds out I have been out this late, against her wishes then..." The tiny diva hurries out in an attempt to explain what was going on but is cut off with the soft feel of Jesse's lips again connecting with her own, catching her completely off guard and making her go silent.

"Rachel, it's fine you don't have to explain anything, my mom is already here and waiting for me, you go. Just text me later and tell me what happens." Jesse assures his now on edge date as he guides her over to the open car door and practically buckles her in before she realises what is happening.

Rachel presses a hand against the window and waves with a warm smile in Jesse's direction as he waves her off as well. 'He is too sweet.' The teenager mentally swoons as her stomach continues to bubble over from the wonderful experience she had on her first date.

Dolly pulls out of the parking lot like she was in hot pursuit of someone who owed her money, both of her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as the looming threat of Shelby finding out what she had allowed Rachel to do grows ever closer.

Looking to her granddaughter Dolly rolls her eyes slightly 'Trust Rachel to be off in a world of her own while I'm here panicking. Oh, at least Tweety had a good time I suppose.' The blonde mentally surmises, it was worth facing a pissed off Shelby if it meant her grandchild got to have the date she deserved.

Back at the house Lucas was now in a terrible state and as hard as Lexi was trying to convince herself otherwise the teenager knew she had to pull it together and actually go and see with him no matter how terrified she was to do so.

With a final squeeze of her locket, that right now was her only comfort, the brunette pulls herself up to her feet and heads upstairs quickly finding the crying little guy, he was stood up against the sides of his pop up crib with, tears rolling down his little face, his big brown eyes looking up at Lexi desperately.

'Okay, you can do this Lexi, you don't have any choice, he needs you.' Lexi instructs herself silently before taking in a deep breath and venturing forward on trembling legs that felt as if they could collapse at any second.

The closer the teenager gets to the upset little boy, the more desperate he became for her to pick him up and holds both of his arms up at her to indicate so, accompanied with a loud cry to make sure she fully understood what was wanted, his little knees bending slightly as he bounces in frustration.

With a twisted stomach, tentatively Lexi bends down and places her hands under Lucas' arms pulling the crying child into her body and at first holds him like he might break at any sudden movement. The little lad wasn't having any of that though and instantly curls his head up against the teen's shoulder and chest trying to get as close o her as he could manage.

"Alright, shush, it's okay I've got you." Lexi soothes as best as she can, one arm slipping under his bottom and the other wrapping around his back as the upset feller's cries slowly start to diminish.

"You want your mommy?" She asks with her own sympathetic pout, her brown eyes looking down and meeting with Lucas' watery ones as he gazes up at her. "Yeah, me too." The teenager concludes as her heart continues to thud inside her chest.

Instinct thankfully starts to take over though and the sixteen year old gently paces back and forth inside the bedroom, her arms softly bouncing the baby as she rubs soothing circles around his back.

Lucas doesn't take too long to start to simmer down, his cries fading into nothing but the odd whimper as his hand grips at one of Shelby's old night shirts, that Dolly had provided her with after her shower realising none of the brunette's had any nightwear with them, so he can strain his head and look up at her with the biggest brown eyes you could imagine.

"See, nothing to worry about ahey? You just wanted some love huh? So you didn't feel alone?" Lexi realises out loud, knowing that feeling all too well herself. Lucas's little face slowly upturns into a little grin the more Lexi speaks.

"If I didn't know better I would have sworn you planned this, you've been trying to get to me all day." Lexi realises with narrow eyes in on her cousin who as if he understands lets out a chuckle and slaps his hand against the sixteen year olds chest, confirming Lexi's suspicions but earning a laugh from the brunette in the process.

"Touché little dude, touché." Lexi quips in respect as she rhythmically starts to pat Lucas's back and decides to take him downstairs until his daddy returned with her mommy who she knew would likely be very drunk.

It's nearly five minutes later that an out of breath Dolly and gushing Rachel burst in through the front door, thankfully and to the blonde's great relief before Shelby and Grant.

"Then we decided we would go and look at the stars, there is this bench outside of the theatre that was perfect, I never knew Jesse knew so much about astronomy." Rachel continues to retell her night to a completely distracted Dolly, who was far too busy looking out for the young girl's mother to take any notice.

'Please shut up Rachel, I love you but this isn't exactly appropriate right now.' The grandmother mentally grimaces as she attempts to catch her breath and guide her talkative grandchild upstairs.

"Yes, yes Rachel that is wonderful darling but you need to get upstairs, strip, brush your teeth and get into some of your mother's old clothes I have left out for you to sleep so your mother doesn't catch on when she gets in." Dolly instructs with a struggle to get a word in edge wise.

Rachel looks into her grandmother's green eyes and slowly it starts to sink in for the fourteen year old who then rushes upstairs as fast as humanly possible knowing her life wouldn't be worth living if Shelby caught them out on this.

With a shake of her head, the blonde reaches up and presses her hand through her hair as she attempts to catch her breath, she was getting far too old for all of this sneaking about and lying. Was still kind of fun though and certainly helped the older woman feel alive again.

Realising the time, Dolly heads upstairs knowing she needed to take some of her medication before bed as waiting for Rachel to get in contact the grandmother had let that completely slip from her mind.

Lucas by now was fast asleep in Lexi's arms as they are sat on the sofa and the teen had decided to keep quiet upon Dolly and Rachel returning as the last thing she wanted to do was wake the little guy up again, he looked so peaceful, the sixteen year old found herself getting lost just watching him.

Not long after the return of Rachel and Dolly, the front door opens up again, this time the people walking through it make a lot more noise.

"Where are they Grant? Where are my beautiful babies?" Shelby slurs as her brother practically carries the drunken brunette into their mother's home, one heel was in her hand and the other was still attached to her foot, all be it barely.

"They're inside Shelby, I've already told you that.." Grant answers with a roll of his eyes, this hadn't been the first time in his life he'd brought a drunk Shelby back home, although before they would normally be doing it while trying not to get caught so this made a nice change.

"I want my babies Grant." Shelby repeats with a pout, one arm wrapped around her brother's neck as she basically hangs off of his side, her hair all over the place from a good night out with the girls. They'd dropped Helena and April back at the English beauty's before coming back to Dolly's.

Grant just nods along to Shelby's words knowing better than to try and engage her in conversation when she was like this, although it was nice to see the brunette more relaxed and happier than he had seen her in years.

Rachel bounces down the stairs, now dressed for bed and looking the part of the good girl who came home when she was told.

"Is she drunk?" The fourteen year old asks with wide eyes, seeing Shelby, the normally together mother and strict 'Coach Corcoran', like this certainly something new for the woman's youngest daughter.

Shelby practically squeals as her blurry vision brings her beautiful daughter into focus and she leaps forward, both arms wrapping around the smaller brunette for a tight squeeze of a hug.

"Baby!" The mother greets with joy as she places sloppy kisses to Rachel's head making the teen squirm slightly as she struggles to breath while in the embrace which was quickly turning into a suffocation.

"It's my baby, baby Grant, look!" Shelby exclaims to her brother as if he had no idea who the girl was.

"Did you have a nice time on your date honey?" The mother asks leaning into look at Rachel top the point they were practically nose to nose, no matter how far back Rachel was leaning.

"Yes mama, it was lovely." Rachel answers, her wide eyes looking towards her uncle for some kind of help with this situation but Grant was finding this far too amusing to stop laughing let alone actually be of any help.

"Don't think we need to ask if you've had a good time tonight ahey mom?" Lexi declares as she walks in from the living room with Lucas in her arms.

"Look, it's my big baby!" Shelby squeals out to anyone listening as she leaps forward to her eldest, who thankfully manages to pass Lucas to his father before Shelby crashes into her in a tight embrace.

Looking at her eldest, with one arm still around Rachel, dragging the fourteen year old with her, Shelby kisses Lexi's cheek and then grips her chin before presenting her squished up face towards Grant.

"Isn't she beautiful? Both my girls, my babies, they're stunning." Shelby informs her older brother before swaying from side to side and holding her finger up to her lips in a 'shush' manner as her green eyes realise that Lucas was curled up asleep in Grant's arms.

"Shush, shush the baby is sleeping." Shelby instructs both of her girls, who were already silent but that was beside the point.

Lexi and Rachel share a look before they each wrap an arm around one side of their mother's waist and head towards the stairs, leaving Shelby wondering what was happening and looking behind her at Grant who for some reason she didn't understand was getting further and further away.

"Alright drunky, let's go and get you in bed to sleep or you won't be going to work at all tomorrow, as it is you'll be fighting the mother of all hangovers." Lexi declares as along with Rachel, the sisters guide their mother upstairs and into her old bedroom, placing her on the bed before she falls flat on her face.

Before either girl could make their escape however Shelby uses her strength to her advantage and tugs both of her daughter's down to join her on the bed an arm wrapped around each of their necks as she pulls them close to her side.

"Sleepy time girlie's." Shelby informs the teenagers either side of her, earning a groan from each brunette but they knew they were trapped so instead of fighting it just try their best to get as comfortable as possible in the situation they were now in.

"Night mom." Lexi chirps out giving Rachel the same look that her younger sister was now giving her, one of sympathy for being in this situation.

"Yeah night mama." Rachel adds reaching across her mother's waist and taking hold of her older sister's hand before closing her brown eyes, something that Lexi copies realising this was where they were sleeping tonight if they liked it or not.

"Night night my beautiful babies, mommy loves you." Shelby slurs out with her eyes closed and her breathing starting to even out as the mix of finally relaxing and alcohol sends the older brunette into the land of slumber.

Across the hall in the bathroom Dolly was leant up against the sink looking at her gaunt looking reflection, a mountain of different pills in front of her as she prepares to take all of her medication before calling it a night herself.

"Mom, I'm going to call it night myself..." Grant calls out, poking his head around the slightly open door to the bathroom to inform his mother but is stopped dead seeing the amount of pills out on the sink in front of the blonde.

A questioning and worried look flashes across Grant's face, his features turning into concern as it starts to sink in that something was seriously wrong with his mother.

"You can't say anything to Shelby Grant, I mean it, she's been through enough lately. Promise me Grant, promise me." Dolly pleads, her green eyes locking in on Grant's as the fear of this being revealed to either of her children, let alone both, sends the grandmother's blood cold.

---

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this fic, I write this for you so I truly hope, as always, that you enjoy it. If you are kind enough to also take the time to leave me a review and let me know what you thought and so on than an even bigger thank you to you lovely people as well, you guys keep me going more than you know.

As always I will try my best to get the next chapter up within the month, I do try my best every month, although I'm sure sometimes it probably doesn't seem that way. Thank you so much for sticking with me though, it's truly amazing of you all and I appreciate it hugely.

Until next time stay safe, happy and well ;;'x