I do not own Glee or any of the original characters, It all belongs to RIB and Fox. Any characters you don't recognise are my own creations.

Apologies for the long wait, I hope this chapter is worth it.

Belated happy holidays!

R&R please.

Chapter 35

Shelby holds her coffee close to her chest as she leans against the counter in her father's kitchen. It feels weird to be back in her childhood home, and it feels even weirder for her to be waiting for her daughter to arrive here. Looking around, Shelby notes to herself that the place hasn't changed. It's still exactly the same as it was when she was a child. She sighs. This place is full of memories, yet being here feels so strange. She wonders what her mother will think about her being here. Would it piss her off? Is it bad that she's okay with that?

"She's not here yet?" Shelby looks across at her father as he leans against the doorframe. Shelby shakes her head,

"no," she murmurs softly. "Is Cass asleep?"

"Yeah, she's out cold," Paul replies. "Sprawled out like always." He smiles, and accepts the mug of coffee his daughter holds out to him. "Is there a chance that Santana went somewhere else?" he questions softly.

"No," Shelby shakes her head, "no. She's most definitely on her way here, I just know it," Shelby states softly. "I left a note of the address in case of an emergency. She isn't great with directions, though." Shelby smiles fondly for a moment, "she always needs Quinn if there's map reading involved." Paul studies his daughter, easily seeing the love on her features.

"I'm looking forward to meeting her," he murmurs, surprising Shelby.

"You are?"

"Yeah," Paul responds with a gentle smile. "She sounds like a character, and I know your sister is very fond of her...of all of your girls...both versions of them." Shelby nods, swallowing thickly. "Cassie is full of stories about them, and I love hearing them. I'm glad you're happy," Paul sincerely adds. "You look really good, Shelbs."

"So do you, daddy." They gaze at each other in silence for a few moments, and Shelby can see the regret in her father's eyes. "Why?" She doesn't need to clarify what she is asking, Paul is more than aware. He sighs softly and leans against the counter, only a few inches away from his daughter.

"Well," Paul searches for the right words, "it was surprising to hear about your career choice. It was even more surprising when we found out that you were taking your work home with you, and that it literally became your life," Paul murmurs, staring into his coffee. "I suppose you won't believe me if I tell you it doesn't bother me." He glances at Shelby, noticing her lack of reaction. "Your mother...she's...old fashioned, I guess. It's hard to go against your wife."

"But it's easy to go against your child?" Shelby interrupts, scoffing.

"Not at all," Paul replies soberly. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do," he murmurs. "But, I suppose I couldn't understand it either," Paul admits. "At least, not until recently. Not until I heard all of the fun stories from your sister. You're a parent, I get that now. It just took me a while," he explains. Shelby glances at her father, sighing softly. "I'm sorry, Shelby."

"And mom?" Paul looks away, regretfully. "I didn't think so," Shelby mutters.

"If she could see you right now, she'd understand it," Paul states, a small smile pulling at his lips. Shelby frowns in confusion, silently questioning her father. "You're wearing the same expression she would wear when you or your sister pulled a disappearing act on us," Paul explains, leaning forward to kiss Shelby's cheek. "Goodnight, sweetheart. I can't wait to meet your troublemaker." Shelby watches her father walk out of the kitchen and she smiles ever so slightly. It feels nice to hear that her father accepts her and her girls, even if she didn't need his approval, it's heartwarming to know she has it anyway. She wanders into the living room and grabs the throw cover from the back of the sofa, wrapping it around her as she makes her way out to the front porch. The cold night air makes her eyes water as she sits down on the step, her coffee rapidly cooling. Her stomach has been in knots since she heard that Santana had left the house. Her girl seems to think that, at eighteen years olds, she's fully grown. Shelby knows better, and it worries her very much that Santana just left without a second thought. Santana has always been very head strong.

Shelby watches as Santana quietly looks around her new bedroom, the girl clinging to Bugs so tightly that her knuckles glow white. Shelby doesn't speak, or even move, merely standing in the doorway and allowing Santana to get her bearings in her own time. The girl's silence doesn't worry her. Shelby knows that there's a big difference between being her a little self in the office, and being her little self outside in the real world, and in her new home. It'll take a little time for each of the girls to adjust. That's why Shelby had brought them here at different times. For this to work, they need to comfortable here without each other too.

"It's mine?" Santana softly questions, breaking the silence. Shelby nods and smiles warmly,

"Yeah, honey. It's your bedroom. Red is your favourite colour, isn't it?"

"Uh huh," Santana nods, throwing her mama a shy smile. Shelby leans across the doorframe, watching Santana explore her new bedroom, giggling when the inquisitive girl even lifts her pillows to look underneath them. "Where's your room?" Santana suddenly asks.

"I'll show you," Shelby replies kindly, holding out her hand for Santana to take. She's thrilled when Santana slips her into hers. It would have been no big deal for Santana to show signs of trust at the office, but it's a special moment for Shelby to have it happen here. "You doing okay, sweetheart?" Shelby softly questions as she leads Santana out of the bedroom.

"Yes, mama," Santana murmurs, her wide, dark eyes soaking in every detail of the house. "Where's Brittany and Quinn?"

"They're with aunt Holly so that you can get settled in peacefully," Shelby responds, pushing her bedroom door open. "So, this is my bedroom and you can always come in here if you need me," Shelby tells her. "I mean it, whenever you need me, you can come and get me, okay?" Santana nods. "And this bed is more than big enough if you need to sleep in here with me sometimes."

"I can?" Santana turns her wide eyes to her mama in awe.

"Absolutely," Shelby nods. "Anytime you need to, you are more than welcome to sleep in here. This is your home," she adds kindly. Santana seems to ponder this for a moment, before shrugging.

"Can I go play in my room?" she asks, and Shelby is relieved. She wants more than anything for the girls to settle here and feel like it is their home, too.

"Of course you can," Shelby grins. "I'm gonna go bring your things inside from the car, and then I'll make us some lunch."

"Okay." Santana pulls her hand from Shelby and rushes out of the room, obviously deeming it much more important to play with her toys. Shelby makes her way downstairs to the garage, and smiles softly. The girls are still a lot quieter than they usually are, but that's to be expected. This is much more intimate than their sessions. This is the beginning of their life as a proper family. She wanders into the garage and pulls open the trunk to the escalade, grabbing the first box she sees. Shelby carries it into the living room and places it on the floor before going back for another one. It doesn't take her long to bring all of them inside, but she decides to have lunch before she takes them up to Santana's bedroom. She grins. It's nice to refer to the spare bedrooms as the rooms of her girls.

"Santana?" Shelby stands at the bottom of the stairs and waits for Santana's response, frowning when she doesn't get one. She rolls her eyes, Santana getting too involved in her games and not hearing her is nothing new. Shelby climbs the stairs and walks into Santana's room. No Santana. A quick sweep of the bedrooms and the bathroom tells Shelby that Santana is not up here and she looks out of her bedroom window, spotting Santana in the backyard. Moving quickly, Shelby heads downstairs and opens the back door. "Santana, come here right now," Shelby states firmly, pointing to the space in front of her.

"Hi, mama," Santana chirps, grinning crookedly at her as she skips over.

"Come inside," Shelby states calmly. "Sit down." Santana frowns in confusion, but does as her mama says. "Alright," Shelby begins, joining Santana at the kitchen table. "You're not in trouble this time, because we haven't gone over the rules, but I do not want you leaving this house without me," Shelby tells her. "I especially don't want you unlocking the door, okay?"

"It was just the backyard," Santana tells her with a pout.

"I know, baby, but you still left the house and I didn't know about it," Shelby responds. "That can't happen, Santana. You can play in the yard, but you have to ask me first. Mama needs to know where you are." She expects some sort of tantrum, but Santana nods.

"Okay, mama." Shelby smiles,

"okay. Thank you. No more disappearing, okay? Promise me," Shelby prompts.

"I promise not to disappear, mama," Santana tells her with sincerity.

"Good girl."

Shelby is brought out of her thoughts when she hears a car approaching, and she immediately recognises it as Santana's. Pushing her cold coffee aside, Shelby stands up and wraps the blanket further around her body. She watches Santana park behind her escalade, the wheels crunching against the gravel in the driveway. Even in the darkness, and through the window, Shelby can see how exhausted and strained her daughter is. It breaks her heart. No matter how mad she is with Santana, it still kills her to see her in pain. She really wants to get to the bottom of this, but not tonight. They need to get some rest first. Santana climbs out of her car and shoots her mom a wary glance, unable to meet Shelby's gaze as she walks towards her.

"C'mere, baby," Shelby murmurs, holding her arms out. Santana lets out a relief filled sob and all but falls into Shelby's arms, allowing herself to be wrapped in the blanket. "What am I gonna do with you, huh?" Shelby holds Santana close and kisses her temple. "Let's get you inside, baby. You're freezing." Shelby leads Santana into the house and up the stairs.

"I love you, mom," Santana murmurs.

"I love you, too, baby girl. More than words," Shelby tenderly responds, leading Santana to her old bedroom. She notices her father watching her from his bedroom door, his features kind and inviting. Shelby smiles at her father, silently telling him that she will speak to him in the morning, not missing the tender smile on his face as he scrutinises Santana. Shelby takes Santana into her bedroom, already knowing that there is no way that Santana is not sleeping with her tonight.

0-00-0

Santana wakes up and rubs her face against the shoulder that she's using as a pillow. It takes her a moment to remember where she is and, once she does, her gut fills with guilt and dread. She doesn't regret coming to see her mom, she had been desperate to, but she regrets how she did it. Shifting her head, Santana looks up at her mom and isn't at all surprised to see hazel eyes gazing back at her. They're filled with warmth but, if Santana looks deep enough, she can see disappointment. She isn't surprised, Santana is disappointed with herself.

"Good morning," Shelby murmurs.

"Morning," Santana shyly responds. She looks down at her body and frowns, she's wearing an old, baggy and t'shirt and pajama pants. She doesn't remember changing.

"I had to wake you up to help you change," Shelby states, as though reading her mind. "You were pretty out of it."

"I was tired," Santana whispers.

"Yeah," Shelby nods. "Running away from home at four in the morning will do that to you." The tips of Santana's ears turn pink, and she looks away from her mom.

"I wasn't running away," Santana states quietly. "I was just running...here." Shelby nods, sighing softly. "I'm sorry."

"I know," Shelby replies, "but we still need to talk about it, and I can't allow you to get away with pulling these kind of stunts." Santana's stomach drops, she had been expecting that. "My Dad's here," Shelby murmurs. "He's downstairs, and he's looking forward to meeting you. Are you okay with that?"

"He does?" Shelby nods. "He doesn't hate me being here?"

"I wouldn't put you into any situation that wasn't safe," Shelby reassures Santana. "I promise."

"Okay," Santana murmurs. "I'd like to meet him, too."

"Yeah?" Shelby gazes into Santana's dark eyes, ensuring that she's definitely okay with this. Santana nods,

"yeah."

"Okay," Shelby smiles. "We'll have breakfast with him. Then, when he goes to the hospital, we'll talk," she adds ominously. "I'll meet you down there, come down when you're ready." Shelby places a soft kiss into Santana's hair before untangling herself from her daughter. Shelby slips out of bed and makes her way downstairs, finding her sister and father in the kitchen. Her sister, god bless her, hands her a much needed cup of coffee. "Thanks," she murmurs.

"How's Santana?" Cassandra asks, almost instantly.

"She seems worried, but I'm not sure why. We're gonna talk later," Shelby states. "Is there any news on mom?"

"She's still the same," Paul states. "I'm heading over there after breakfast," he adds. "Is Santana coming down?"

"Yeah," Shelby nods, moving across the kitchen to pour a coffee for Santana. "She'll be down soon." Paul seems to sense that his daughters need to chat without him there, and he mumbles something about checking his car. Cassandra waits until their father leaves the room before she turns to face Shelby,

"are you mad?" she asks.

"I'm furious," Shelby admits, "but I'm also very worried. What on earth would make Santana drive here in the middle of the night, and in a car with no heating?" Shelby sighs and places Santana's coffee on the kitchen table. "She was obviously very upset, but I can't let her away with this."

"Of course not," Cassandra agrees, nodding.

"I mean, I'll obviously talk to her and make sure she's okay, but she may be in for a shock later," Shelby quietly says. "Once everything has been worked out, I'm going to tan her behind. No matter what, I am not letting her think it's okay to just leave at four in the morning."

"That's probably for the best," Cassandra murmurs. "She gave us all a scare," she adds.

"She did," Shelby nods. She sighs, "this is one of the reasons I haven't accepted the job offer. My girls need me more. Unless they want to come to New York with me, I won't be accepting it."

0-00-0

"Mama! Mama! Want mama!" Sugar groans when she hears Brittany's loud shrieking coming from the living room. The girl had been loudly informing her of her desire to see Shelby since she had discovered her sister was gone over an hour ago. Quinn hadn't been much better either, that's why Holly had taken her to the office with her. Holly only had one client today, and she had decided that it would be best for Quinn to continue with her grouchy mood away from Brittany. Sugar, however, felt like she had gotten the worst deal. At least Quinn is quiet, Brittany is most definitely not. "Want mama!" Sugar sighs, abandoning the sandwich she had been preparing, and walks back into the living room.

"Britt, I know you want to see your mama," Sugar begins, keeping her voice calm and soft, "but you can't see her right now. Your mama is out of town and she needs you to be a good girl while she's gone." Brittany frowns deeply, completely unimpressed by Sugar's response to her yelling. She had been sure that yelling would work!

"Santana go," she whimpers, her bottom lip protruding. Sugar sighs,

"I know, sweetie. Santana went to go see her, I know."

"Me too!" Brittany demands, glaring at her unexpected babysitter.

"No, honey. You can't go. Santana is only with your mama because big girl Santana was naughty and ignored aunt Holly," Sugar attempts to explain. It's no use. Brittany only wants to hear one answer, and that isn't it.

"Pwease. Go see mama." Sugar has to look away from Brittany's sad eyes. It's heart breaking and, if it was her decision, those eyes would have been more than enough to convince her.

"No, I'm sorry," Sugar murmurs, and she truly is sorry. She would love to be able to say yes to the sad girl, but she knows Holly would have her ass if she did. Brittany's chin quivers and the girl bursts into tears, sobs wracking her body as she slumps forward and buries her face in the carpet. Sugar feels completely useless and she gently rubs Brittany's back, feeling extremely guilty and praying that Brittany can see her mama soon.

"Want mama," Brittany whimpers, her voice muffled by the floor. Sugar frowns,

"I know, honey. I know." She stays next to Brittany, rubbing her back and murmuring soothing words to her, but to no avail. Brittany wants to see her mama, and no amount of attention from Sugar is going to change that. Sugar doesn't even realise how long they have been on the floor until she feels her legs beginning to cramp, and it's a huge relief when she hears the garage door opening.

"Mama?!" Brittany's head shoots up and she gazes hopefully at the door, her face crumpling and fresh tears spilling from her eyes when she sees that it is just Holly. "No!" she wails, dropping her head back down to the floor again. Holly immediately looks concerned, but Sugar shakes her head. Trying to comfort Brittany would probably just serve to upset the girl even more. Holly nods, getting the message, and she turns her attention to Quinn as the frowning girl hovers next to her.

"Sit on the sofa and stay there," Holly firmly states, pointing at the sofa with a stern expression. Quinn's frown gets impossibly deeper and she stomps over to the sofa, slumping down onto it. "Watch yourself, little girl," Holly warns her. She motions for Sugar to follow her into the kitchen and starts making herself some coffee.

"What's going on?" Sugar asks her, and Holly sighs heavily.

"She's in one hell of a bad mood, which I can understand, but she was throwing things around while I was with my client," Holly grumbles. "I don't know how Shelby does it. I find you on your own exhausting, I can't imagine having three," she states. "No offence," Holly adds with a smirk, not missing Sugar's mildly insulted expression. "Has Brittany been like that since I left?" she asks.

"The crying, no. That started a little while ago, but she's been demanding to see Shelby all morning. Can't we at least take them to see her for a little while?" Sugar desperately asks. She's not sure her heart can take any more of Brittany's tears.

"Shelby has enough on her plate," Holly says with a shake of her head, "and now with Santana there..." she shakes her head again, "no. It's not a good idea."

"She's still their mom," Sugar reasons. "She doesn't stop being a mom just because there's a lot going on. Besides, it'll probably make Shelby feel better to still be able to hang out with them," Sugar murmurs.

"We really want to go see mama and Santana." Sugar and Holly turn around to see Quinn in the doorway. She's holding hands with a sniffling Brittany and gazing at her aunt Holly with wide, pleading eyes.

"I thought I told you to sit on the sofa," Holly scolds, but it's half hearted.

"I'm sorry for being naughty," Quinn whispers. "I was just mad...and sad," she quietly adds.

"I know," Holly nods. She sighs softly as she looks at the two sad girls. "I'll call your mama. Maybe Sugar and I can take you guys to a nearby hotel, but no promises," Holly tells them. "This doesn't mean you can definitely go. We need to wait and find out what your mama thinks," she adds.

"Mama will say yes," Quinn states. She's sure of it. Holly hopes Quinn is right, anything other than a yes will not be received well by the girls.

To be continued...Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thinking about bringing back weekly updates for this if there is interest.