AN: Hey everyone. I'm so sorry for the lengthy delay. Life for the last few weeks has been chaos between dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane and then just regular life events. But the update is here. Much choppier than what I was hoping but it's done and posted.

The next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long to get out to you. So, thank you for your patience and well wishes. Everyone is safe and doing well after the storm. Our community has come together when we needed to the most. We were one of the lucky ones though

As always, thank you for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy.

-/-/-/-/-/-

"So, tell me some of the things you've been doing with your time in New York? Six months!" Shelby gasped energetically as she sat down across from Beth at the dining room table. A position that was familiar yet foreign to both of them. Beth hadn't realized just how long six months was until she slowly shifted her plate and grabbed her utensils, attempting to distract herself from the awkwardness of being 'home'. "I've been trying to give you some space while you were there, so I feel like I'm almost in the dark about your life."

A temporary wave of guilt washed over Beth for not having spent more effort communicating with the woman who raised her, but she knew that if Shelby had really wanted to, she would have reached out and maintained a level of communication with her regardless. "Um, well, I've been..." She thought for a moment but could only come up with things she didn't want to lead with. "I've been going to a lot of different museums lately." She cringed at her own lack of informative detail but kept her attention down on her plate. She could sense her mother's confusion as well. No shows, no Broadway, no concerts... but yes to museums. "Not the big ones that we've been to but the smaller ones that most people pass by. The uniquely New York ones. The importance of a local tour has been impressed upon me quiet heavily."

"Oh? I'm surprised you actually went with as much attitude as you always gave me when I tried to schedule one into our trips. Guess it's different depending on who is wanting you to go. But what was the last one you went to? What was your favorite part?"

Beth slowly raised her eyes and held her sigh in rebuttal to Shelby's passive aggressive comment until it faded. Then there was the sudden and awkward realization of her answer. "The Museum of Sex." The room was suddenly silent and all motion stopped. Neither chewed or swallowed and only looked at one another, debating who should actually consider the conversation. Beth cleared her throat. "That was the last museum I went to. Are you still wanting to know what my favorite part was?"

Shelby dropped her gaze back to her plate and took another bite. "Sure. Why not."

The uncertainty was in the older woman's voice but there still seemed to be a genuine interest, so Beth decided to press forward. "I found it very interesting that homosexuality is found in over 1,500 different species."

"Really?" Shelby asked lifting her eyes once more in confusion. It wasn't confusion at the fact provided to her, but that was her daughter's take away for the trip. "Did you go with Quinn and Rachel?"

Predictable but Beth managed to stop most of her scoff at the implication that the mention of homosexuality meant Quinn and Rachel were involved. "No. I went with... a friend."

Shelby smiled widely and dropped any lingering awkwardness. "I'm so glad you've made friends. Tell me about them. How did you meet?"

Beth was struggling to control her growing puppy love smile so she took a quick sip of her drink. "She is the barista at the coffee shop we get our drinks from every day so I met her pretty much right away. She's awesome."

"So she works? Like, she's out of school?"

The blonde nodded. "She does. It's a family shop so she spends a lot of her time there."

"And what's her name?"

"Lauren..." Beth didn't know where to go from there. She wanted to start gushing about how wonderful and funny and witty and beautiful she was but stopped herself, causing yet another awkward silence. "So... tell me about this guy you're seeing."

"Well, wait." Shelby reached across the table and placed her hand on her daughter's briefly. "I still want to hear about New York. How have things been at the studio? How has it been living with everyone? What has your life been like for the last six months? You've told me nothing."

"Well, I mean..." Beth shrugged. "I wake up and have breakfast just like normal. Then we head off to the studio. I part ways with Quinn and the kids at the door and go get coffee. I talk with Lauren for awhile before going back to the studio and just doing whatever has been planned out for the day. After that, I either head ho-back to the house or back over to the coffee shop to hang out with Lauren some more."

"Oh." Shelby retracted her arm completely and resumed eating again. "To be honest with you, I figured you'd be gushing about Quinn and maybe Rachel and about all the things you've learned of them. Or the things you've been doing with them. But... instead, you seem to be avoiding the topic entirely." She pauses and looked up without lifting her face from her plate. "Any particular reason? Are things okay between you guys?"

Beth shrunk a little. She was avoiding it and would probably continue to do so unless prodded after this conversation. "Things are good. No issues at all. I... we've been able to talk a lot actually. Especially with Quinn. The time has given us a much better understanding of one another now." The blonde offered. "Oh! And I met Christina."

Shelby looked at her with a dropped, confused brow. "Who?"

"Christina? She's... well, she's Quinn's sister. She came to visit Judy and Russell so she was over at the house. She's..." Beth huffed a laugh and arched an eyebrow. "She's something special."

"How so?" Again, Shelby's tone was slightly welcoming with a tinge of curiosity.

"She is calculating and underhanded and twists her words and everyone else's. Seems to take pleasure in pissing people off, especially Quinn, but still cowers to Russell."

Shelby smirked and rolled her eyes. "Sounds a lot like Quinn herself."

Shelby's gaze had dropped back down to her plate otherwise she would have seen her daughter's glare. "I would disagree with that."

As Shelby lifted her eyes, Beth dropped hers, avoiding her mother. "Perhaps I should have said it sounds like how Quinn was when I first met her."

"Which seems justifiable, knowing more of the details of that time period."

The older woman shook her head to herself. "There's never a reason to be like that. She had a rough spot in her life but she chose to be the way she was to get what she wanted."

Beth's leg muscles tensed as she bit back the objection rising from her core. "And what do you know about her life exactly? With as guarded as she is I doubt she's shared any details with you."

Shelby stopped chewing, noting that Beth was intentionally not looking up from her place. She had upset her daughter. "I was there, Beth. I was there right after you were born and saw her behavior."

"That didn't answer my question though." Beth finally raised her head and took a dramatic bite of her food, feeling her point was being made. There wasn't any doubt in her mind that her new knowledge base of her birth mother caused her to grow defensive for and protective of the commonly misunderstood photographer.

"I know that she came from a wealthy family that had some issues." It was a causal statement, not meant to offend. "I met Judy briefly at the hospital though I don't think she remembers that. She seemed incredibly supportive and sad that Quinn was making the choice to let me adopt you. When it came to signing the papers, Quinn was very..." Shelby paused and mentally regrouped. "You know what, it doesn't matter. You're right. I don't know any real details about Quinn's life. I just don't like how she behaved."

Curiosity got the better of the teenager. "That's obvious, but what do you mean how she behaved?"

She was waved off. "Don't worry about it. You can always ask her."

"But I'm asking you. I won't get the opportunity to ask her for another week."

The aging woman abandoned her food and debated before continuing. "She was rude and aggressive. A complete change from when I first saw her after you were born. Puck was there and she nearly ripped his head off. He didn't want to give you up. He wanted to keep you, but couldn't without her. She didn't seem to care though. It always bugged me. But!" She took a deep breath in and let it out with a smile. "I got you so I can't complain."

Beth knew she was expected to smile at the comment but she couldn't. "She wanted to keep me, too, you know. But she knew I would be better off with you." The blonde explained with a bit of a scowl on her face. A scowl that made Shelby tense. "And knowing her like I do now, her aggressiveness was probably to fight back the emotions. She was losing her child. How would you act if you thought you were losing me to someone else? Then again, we both know the answer to that."

Shelby sat up straight in her chair, knowing that question and statement were pointed. Pointed right at Shelby's own behavior over the topic. "Beth-"

"I would like to hear about this guy your dating now."

"And I still want to hear about New York. I've given up my last year with you so you could spend it in the city. So, now I would like to hear what you've been doing and if you've even enjoyed it."

The teenager leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. She was suddenly much less concerned with sparing her mother's sensitive emotions. "I love it there. I've become just part of the family."

"I'm glad." Shelby announced, leaning forward slightly and stressing her approval over her daughter's attitude. "I wouldn't want you to be up there and feeling like an outsider. And, Beth, you can be as mad at me as you want for telling you what Quinn was like but it is the truth so you might as well accept it. She wasn't always this scene of perfection you have come to idolize."

"I don't idolize her." Beth exclaimed rolling her eyes. "I just want to get to know her."

"And you are, aren't you?"

"Yes. I am. And in the process I have learned that people are more than just their actions. Their emotions and the intentions behind their actions are far more telling."

Shelby reclined in her chair, eyes studying her daughter in front of her in confusion. "What are you trying to imply?"

"I think you can figure it out." Beth stood up, grabbed her half empty plate, and left for the kitchen.

-/-/-/-/-/

The next morning, Quinn slowly trailed behind Rachel through the narrow corridor with a visibly overwhelmed Madeline on her hip. Both the toddler and the photographer looked around as they wove in and out of the other families finding their rooms and the occasional free roaming children that probably shouldn't have been left unattended. Quinn took a deep breath and shifted Madeline's weight, trying to focus her attention on the boys who were between her and Rachel, holding hands as instructed. The Disney back packs Rachel bought bounced along with each step. It was cute and Quinn smiled to herself.

"Here we are." Rachel beamed and opened the door to their room. Well, not room.

Quinn barely made it inside the door before stopping abruptly. "Baby, did you book the largest room they had or something? I was expecting... less based off of the brochure you showed me."

The grinning actress nearly bounced back to the door in her excitement, taking Madeline from her shocked wife's arms as the boys disappeared further into their suite. "I did, actually. I figured it would give the kids more room to play and you more room to pace." She waved her hand across the spacious suite with sweeping views of the port from the endless balcony windows. "It's your own private retreat from the chaos on board."

The blonde couldn't help but smile. "Was that honestly the determining factor or did you just want the biggest one?" Rachel stood in her toes and pecked her wife's lips with a loving kid before leaving without answering. "Exactly."

Slowly, Quinn stepped further into their temporary home for the next seven days. It was nice. Not Disney branded like she had anticipated. This suite was clearly designed for luxury and comfort. There was a kitchen-like area, an actual dining table, sofa, massive television, and plenty of space between their room on the left and the kids' room on the right. She was thankful for that.

Running a finger along the back of one of the dining room chairs, Quinn let out the last bit of her lent up breath. This was it. This was the real start of their vacation. It was just going to be her, Rachel, and the kids. Well, most of the kids.

"This way! Look!"

Quinn quickly side stepped as both boys sped past her on their way to their room, dropping their bags on the floor as they went. She couldn't see as they disappeared behind the door but she knew what they were doing. "Should I let it go?" She asked smiling at Rachel who had been silently studying her since they arrived.

"Let them jump on the bed. It's a vacation."

"And if they fall?"

The brunette shrugged and set Madeline down to do her own exploration. "They have a medical staff on board."

Quinn's brow dropped and her eyes narrowed in amusement. "Who are you and what have you done with the women I married? The woman who had to call Mom twice the first time the boys had a sleep over just so you knew they were safe?"

Rachel smiles with a mild blush and wrapped herself up in Quinn's arms. "She's gone. Now there's just me. The one you married who sometimes wants a few stolen seconds with her gorgeous wife."

She closed her eyes and lost herself in the warmth of the blonde's hands as one ran up and down her back in comfort while the other held the side of her face close to Quinn's chest. "Do you feel we get enough stolen seconds?"

Rachel shifted slightly, lifting her chin so she could talk more clearly. "I do. But how can you even ask that with how we've been able to reconnect lately? I mean... the sex has been amazing."

Quinn tried to roll her eyes but the blushing smile took over instead. She gently pulled away and guided them to the sofa. "I'm not talking about just the sex. I'm talking in our day to day lives. This vacation is supposed to give us the time to talk about a lot of different things so we can get the things we need in our lives once we're home again."

"I'm not nearly as unhappy in our home life as you seem to fear me being." Rachel assured her, resting her left arm along the back of the couch, her head resting in her hand. "I love my life, Quinn."

"I do too." Quinn straighter her posture quickly. "Don't get me wrong."

The actress arched an eyebrow. "I'm not." She could see the emotional turmoil on Quinn's face. "I know that you love me and you love the kids and that you love your work, even if the passion you had for it isn't as high as it used to be. With work that is. Not me and the kids."

"Thank you for clarifying."

"Of course." Rachel winked playfully and placed her free hand on her wife's, taking a moment to trace her thumb over her wedding band. "I don't think I could ever doubt your love for me and the kids. And to be honest, I'm not sure when this vacation really shifted to us reconnecting. I thought it was for you to take a break from the stressful aspects of life, like work. Or is this you deferring dealing with said emotions?"

"How's your book coming along?"

Rachel's mouth fell open and bobbed for a moment, and she diverted her eyes "That's not the topic at hand. You letting go of your stress and talking to me about your work is."

"Still stuck, huh?"

"Quinn Fabray."

The blonde sat forward slightly and grinned. "Rachel Barbara Berry Fabray?"

"Don't do that." She warned, only losing her playfulness slightly. "Don't diminish the importance of these conversations."

"I'm not. I mean, I am." Quinn admitted, pulling Rachel's retreating hand back into hers. "I just... would rather have those conversations... not today. We haven't even left port. I haven't even processed our boarding experience for crying out loud." Both women chuckled lightly. "I'm not in the mindset to delve into work related issues at the moment. Or at least not mine."

"I don't have work related issues." Rachel argued and turned her attention to Madeline who was playing happily on the floor with one of her toys she had pulled from Rachel's bag. "But I do have a question for you about it." She admitted looking back into Quinn's beautiful hazel eyes that always seemed to be saying so much to her. "I was working in my basic outline and notes and it had me wondering..."

Quinn shifted, turning more so she was facing Rachel, giving her her full attention. "About?"

"We've mentioned it before but never really sat down and talked about it. But... what do you think would have happened if you had known and accepted your sexuality in high school?"

Quinn's brow raised momentarily S she regrouped her thoughts around the topic. "Oh, wow. Um..." she waited and truly thought back, trying to piece together the older version of with her sexuality while having to eliminate all of the external forces that had helped her accept who she was now. "Well, I think," she paused again, smiling to herself. "I would not have been bold enough to tell you directly about my feelings for you."

"Really? Even with all the confidence you had back then? You were always so sure of yourself."

"I would have made myself too vulnerable to your rejection." The addition was honest. Quinn still struggles with her vulnerability as an adult sometimes, there was no reason to think accepting her sexuality back then would have magically changed that.

"So, what would you have done?"

"Well, I wouldn't know if you would be accepting of admiration as you had no clue about your own sexuality. And I would be combating all of the negative emotions my treatment of you created." The couple shared quick, awkward smiles so acknowledgment to the truth. "So, I would probably try to do something more discreet and perhaps even anonymously. Like, slip little notes into your locker. I would have felt more secure doing something like that and more apt to share myself- my true self- with you if you didn't know who I was."

Rachel's smile widened. That was very much something she could see Quinn doing. The blonde always wanted to be expressive and share or show herself a certain way. Rachael had even recognized that in their youth. "I think that would have been smart, because you're right. I don't think I would have reacted well if you had just told me. You didn't just tell me as an adult either. You seduced me first."

The photographer's brief outburst filled the cabin with laughter before she covered her mouth with her hand. "Seduced? Yeah, I guess I did have you struggling to catch your breath and everything."

Rachel quickly removed her hand from her wife's and rolled her eyes. "There we go. Stroke that Fabray ego."

"No, no, no." Quinn grabbed her arm, smiling, and kept her in place on the couch. "How do you think you would have responded to my letters?"

The brunette arched an eyebrow, still playful from their last exchange. "That would depend on what they said..."

"Oh, I see. We're going to hardcore details..." Quinn pondered the thought. Rachel couldn't help but notice the smile slowly spreading across her face. She had a feeling this conversation was about to get very sweet. "It would probably say something like-"

"Can we go swimming? I want to go swimming! Let's go swimming!" Both boys came running out of their bedroom with a brochure in there hand, pointing to the pictured pool. "Please? Pretty please? Pretty, pretty please?"

The two women exchanged quick glances and smiles. The rest of the conversation would have to wait. "Let's go swimming."

-/-/-/-/-/-

"Hey, hey, hey." Shelby called out as she moved quickly to the door. Beth stopped in her spot, half way out of the house, and leaned back inside to see what her mother wanted. "Where are you going?"

The teenager looked confused but shifted the camera bag on her shoulder. "I was going to the farmers market and a few other places around town."

The answer was straight forward but Beth suddenly felt like it was the wrong one as Shelby jerked her head back slightly and huffed a laugh. "Don't you think you should at least ask me first?"

Beth stepped back inside and shut the door slowly, unsure of her mother's current mood. "I did. I texted you, like, ten minutes ago letting you know where I was going."

"Letting me know?... right." The two stood in an awkward silence and Beth played everything back in her head, attempting to understand where her mother's very apparent annoyance was coming from. But the greeting woman's face was anything but calm. "Well, I didn't see your text. My phone is in the other room. And you can't go."

Beth dropped her brow showing her own annoyance now. "And why not?" It was an honest question. Beth made sure to limit any attitude or tone.

"I'm your mother, I don't have to give you a reason but since I was going to talk to you once you came out of your room... Mark is coming over for supper tonight. I want you two to meet while you were in town."

Beth nodded. "Okay, well, I can be back long before supper." She assured her before opening the door again but Shelby moved to shut it.

"My answer is still no. I need your help cleaning up around the house. You can go tomorrow." The older woman walked away, grabbing a basket of laundry as she went. Beth was left with a hand on the door knob processing this new feeling rising up inside her. This wasn't an unusual request from Shelby, but suddenly Beth felt like a little kid, completely out of control of her life.

"Okay... then, what exactly do you need me to do?" The blonde asked, setting her camera bag down by the table before moving to follow her mother.

Shelby stopped abruptly and pointed to the camera bag. "You can start by putting that thing away. I just told you I needed help cleaning. Do you not have to help clean up in New York? Have you forgotten what it entails?" The questions were clearly hypothetical as the aging woman left the room.

Beth took in a deep breath and let it out forcefully once Shelby was out of earshot. This was going to be a long two weeks and she hadn't even decided how to tell Shelby about everything that she had experienced in New York... to include the amazing feeling of freedom she had that was allowing her to grow as an individual.

With as much care as she could manage in her mood, Beth grabbed her bag and slowly trudged up the stairs again. Two weeks...

-/-/-/-/-

"There are my ladies." Rachel called out as she approached Quinn and Madeline, drinks in hand. She smiled to herself as she looked the distracted blonde over. She looked great in her bikini top and shorts, her years of cheerleading still apparent despite the time away from the activity. Always had and probably always would in Rachel's opinion. Before she reached her destination, she made sure to take a one last look back at the boys playing in the kiddie pool to make sure everything was okay. They were both deep in play with half a dozen other kids. She was please to see that Julian wasn't dependent on Gabe, but was freely playing with a little girl about their age on his own. "I think the boys will do just fine in school. You know, from the socialization aspect."

Quinn nodded but was distracted. Beaming a smile of pride from her position in the edge of one of the deck loungers, Quinn watched closely as Madeline stood between her legs freely, just holding on to the blonde's middle fingers. "Wait. Stay right there, Baby."

The brunette stopped just a few feet away and knelt down smiling at the grinning child. "Do you think she's ready for those first steps?"

"I do. We've been getting close all morning and I think you just might be the proper motivation."

"I disagree with that but it's worth a try." Rachel set the drinks on the deck and called to her daughter with outstretched arms and words of encouragement but the ecstatic child never made an attempt to move. Quinn even stretched her arms out, leading the first few steps, but Madeline never left the comfort of the blonde's support. "May I make a suggestion?"

Quinn was a little deflated but nodded her head. "Sure. What are your thoughts?"

Rachel stood up and smiled gently at her wife before setting their drinks down by their chair. "Trade places with me."

Quinn did without argument. She stood up, pulling Madeline to her hip briefly until Rachel gathered her. The two women exchanged places and when Rachel was ready with Madeline back down on the ground, Quinn squatted and held out her arms. Rachel extended her arms out just as Quinn had and as she reached her full extension, Maddy stopped for just a moment before attempting to take her first wobbly independent step. She swayed, releasing one of Rachel's hands but held tightly to the other as she struggled to find her balance. Quinn smiled wider and scooted forward just a little for more encouragement. Madeline places another fumbling foot forward and released Rachel's other hand.

"Come here, Princess." Quinn called and Maddy did. Two more independent steps before she started to fall forward. Quinn lunged forward and caught her, lifting her up towards the sky in a giggling celebration that Rachel was quick to join. "First steps! On a cruise ship!" Quinn gushed and looked to her wife. "I'm not sure if it's more impressive because they were in a boat or if the gentle sway counteracted her wobble."

"She was ready. Just needed the proper level of motivation." Quinn smiled as Rachel ran her hand through her blonde hair and pulled her into a light kiss. "She's just like me. Completely and utterly in love with you."

-/-/-/-/-/-

Mark looked nice. At least, that's what Beth had managed to come up with in the five minutes he had been there. He was younger than Shelby but not by much. She figured he was in his late 40s, just a little younger than Shelby. He dressed nicely in dress pants and a plaid button down shirt and was in decent shape. Thankfully he skipped the tie. She did give him points for bringing Shelby flowers which the couple were currently discussing at length as the older woman placed them in a vase to act as a center piece for the evening.

Beth studied the way they were interacting. This wasn't just some guy she was dating. Beth could tell by how long they looked each other in the eye. There was a level of comfort there. Much more than what she would expect to develop over three dates.

The teenager was happy for her mother but couldn't help but think about how this relationship could benefit everyone, providing a reason for Shelby to stay in Ohio after all. "I'm going to check on the casserole. It should be done."

"Oh, no." Shelby waved her off with a smile. "I've got that, Sweetie. Why don't you have a seat at the table. You and Mark can get to know each other."

Beth forced a smile and slowly moved to the table as Shelby nearly bounced into the kitchen just a few steps away. Mark waited for her and motioned for her to have a seat before he did. At least he had manners.

"So, Beth. Your mom has told me a lot about you. She says you're really into the arts. Singing and dancing. Said you even did some theater. It's nice to see younger kids with a passion like that."

Beth didn't know how to respond, partially because he spoke to her like a teacher would a student, but mainly because she was still processing what he said. Everything he described... that wasn't her anymore. She enjoyed it while she did it, but it was a moot topic in her life anymore. She hadn't even been to a show since moving.

The man cleared his throat and ran his hand nervously through his graying, wavy hair. She didn't mean to leave him hanging.

"Uh, yeah. I've always enjoyed those things though lately I've been shifting my interests a little."

He sat up in interest and crossed his leg over his knee. "Oh?"

She nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I've actually been pursuing an interest in-"

"Supper's ready." Shelby announced as she stepped into the dinning room with the casserole in her hand. "I'm glad you mentioned something, Beth, or it would have burned."

The teenager smiled. Her mother was glowing. "Glad I could help."

The dinner started well enough. Beth sat through the run down the pair gave her about how they met and how Mark went about asking Shelby out. They spent ten minutes discussing how she originally turned him down because he was younger. Beth couldn't help but tweak an eyebrow knowing that never stopped her mother before. But then the conversation progressed to his kids from there.

The more Mark and Shelby talked about them, the more uncomfortable it made Beth. Shelby had met them already on a few different occasions. There was too much detail in their discussion, too much selling of an unspoken idea. She had a gut feeling she couldn't shake. This wasn't just a date. This was a testing of the water. These two were in a serious relationship and next steps were probably being discussed.

"So, Beth..." Mark started again, pulling the blonde out of her haze. "Your mom said you graduated early to explore the Big Apple and figure out what direction you wanted to take in school."

Beth opened her mouth to respond but Shelby beat her to it. "She was considering theater at one point but also wanted to look into maybe something in production as well."

The teenager looked to her mother who was smiling and her heart sank a little. "Well, actually, I'm currently looking into schools with Fine Arts degrees. I'm hoping to pursue photography in some capacity."

Shelby and Beth's eyes stayed locked together but the older woman's smile shifted to a forced facade. "Well... it didn't take Quinn long to sway you towards that, did it?" She laughed nervously and turned her attention to her food. The atmosphere of the room dampened with tension and pressed down on everyone. It was almost smothering.

Beth took a breath and tried to steady her annoyance. She had expected just this thing but she needed to maintain her composure. "Quinn didn't sway me. It's something I've been considering for awhile but I wanted to get up to New York to see if-"

"Beth, it's fine. I understand." Shelby assured her without any real emotion, but she kept a smile on her face and cleared her throat. "Quinn, is Beth's birth mother."

Mark nodded his head at the information but he could sense the shift in mood. "A fine arts degree is very versatile. I think graphic design and even illustration falls in there somewhere. I think I remember, uh, your mom mentioning that you like to sketch some."

The diversion away from photography didn't go unnoticed. This man was well informed of the dynamics within their lives. The information about Quinn being her birth mother probably wasn't even news. Apparently, it wasn't just Beth keeping Shelby in the dark about life. That road went both ways.

"So, when are you two moving in together?"

Shelby's head shot up and Mark nearly spit his drink out. "Beth!"

The teenager shrugged. "I figure we might as well all get on the same page. Cut through all the subtleties and tests."

Mark cautiously held up his hand. "This wasn't a-"

"It's okay, Mark. Honestly. I'm not mad. I'm actually happy if that is what this is between you two."

"Beth, we don't need the attitude." Shelby's tone was warning but the blonde set her fork down and raised her hands in innocence.

"I don't have an attitude." And she didn't. She was doing just as she suggested and getting to the point of it. "I'm being real right now. I'm trying to have actual conversation about some things that have clearly developed in the last 6 months."

"You're being 'real'?" Shelby asked back in a questioning tone. Even Beth had to admit that was a clear rub off from her time around Santana.

"Mom, I'm just trying to have conversation. I'm not sure why you are upset about that."

"I'm not upset." Shelby corrected her, clearly upset. "I just... we can talk about it later. This evening was just for everyone to get acquainted, nothing more." And with that, the dining room fell silent. Beth watched intently as her mother struggled to regain her composure and Mark discreetly placed his hand on her leg under the table. Beth felt guilt but she also felt like she hadn't done anything wrong.

-/-/-/-/-/-

"So, I've decided." Santana began as she paced beside Adrianne and Kim's table in the restaurant, both seated women half ignoring her. "I'm kidnapping this one. She's mine now."

Kim smiled widely as she pushed around her next bite of food on her plate while the Latina continued to pace as she held Aubrey to her chest as she slept. "No, she's not."

"Yes, she is. Try and take her from me." Adrianne stopped her movement, meeting Santa's eyes in a challenging stare. "Don't look at me like that. You two can make another one. Aren't you trying?"

Kim glanced quickly to her wife and bowed her head. "The plan is to have one within a year."

"Exactly. You can keep that one and this one," she hesitated and pushed a few strands of the sleeping toddler's hair out of her face. "Can come live with me."

"Not happening." Adrianne finally interjected. "I worked hard to get her. She stays."

"Can I borrow her at least?" Santana's tone was nearly a plea. "Weekends with Auntie Santana?"

"That does sound cute." Kim confessed, setting her fork down and wiping her mouth. "I'm definitely not opposed. Especially when we do have another. We will have our hands full."

The married couple couldn't hide the amusement at the sight of Santana silently pumping her fist in victory and watched as she began to pace again, hoping to let the child rest a bit more. "Oh, by the way... I have a favor to ask of you two."

Kim and Adrianne exchanged quick glances of uncertainty. Santana rarely asked for favors. The last time she had, it was for money when the restaurant was trying to get up and running. "And what would that be?" Kim asked nervously.

The standing woman finally sat down, making sure not to wake Aubrey in the process. She had such care with the small child. "I need... well, I would like... you see..." the Latina closed her eyes and let her frustration with herself out in a quick sigh. "I need your opinions on Sarah so I was wondering if you two would be willing to go on a double date with us."

The whole restaurant seemed to suddenly seemed to fall awkwardly silent as the couple processed the request. It was Adrianne who first, cautiously chose her words to respond with. "You want us to meet your girlfriend-"

"She's not my girlfriend."

The older woman hesitated before continuing. "You want us to meet this woman that you have been going on a series of dates with... that you've been having sex with... you aren't 'dating', yet clearly you feel strongly enough about to use her name-"

"The word 'strongly' may be a little... strong."

Adrianne rolled her eyes in defeat and motioned to her wife to take over before moving to finish her meal. "Your turn. I'm done."

Kim also rolled her eyes but at her wife's sudden lack of patience. "When are you thinking?"

Santana shrugged. "Whenever. But, you know, maybe soon... ish. Or not. I'm not sure."

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Santana Lopez?" Adrianne burst out, turning in her seat to lean forward, closing the distance between them. "We've been here for nearly an hour and you haven't made any inappropriate comments, no jokes about having sex with my wife, and now you can't even make a simple decision. Who are you?"

"I don't know." Santana whined, bouncing slightly in her seat in desperation. "What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm weird now. I don't like it. What has she done to me?"

Kim's brow dropped. "How is this her fault?"

"I just.. I don't know." She began before handing Adrianne her daughter so she could pace once more. "There's this thing that happens when we are around each other. We talk about things and I smile and my face hurts but, like, it's not what I've seen you two or Quinn and Rachel do. There isn't that mushy shit."

"Of course not." Kim interjected, shifting her glasses. "There's just smiling, and relating, and happiness."

Santana stopped abruptly and raised her index finger. "I said nothing about happiness. I said my face hurt. I haven't even been seeing her that long."

"Long enough to be really interest in her it seems. So, how about tomorrow night for this double date with this woman you're not dating." Adrianne have a questioning look to the shorter woman who only waved her off.

"Deal. I'll make sure she's available." The Latina instantly pulled her phone out and began typing away.

"Dinner, right? At 7?" Kim asked, gently making sure Santana had all the information before texting Sarah. And but the fraction of a second delay before Santana nodded her head in agreement, it was a good thing she did.

"And here I thought our time without the Fabrays was going to be boring." Adrianne jibed with a long sigh. "Guess I was wrong."

Kim reaches across the table, resting her hand on top of Adrianne's. "Immensely."

-/-/-/-/-

Beth was sitting at her window in her second floor bedroom. It overlooked their front yard where Shelby was currently having a deep conversation with Mark next to his car. Shelby's posture was closed off with her arms wrapped around her body but Mark's posture was still warm and open.

The teenager sighed to herself. She had become such a people watcher since starting her photography lessons with Quinn and Adrianne. Now it was starting to get her into trouble.

She watched as Mark approached Shelby and kissed her lightly before getting into his car and leaving. The older woman stood there as the car pulled away. When she turned around to go back inside, she looked up and their eyes met. Beth knew she'd be wanting to talk. What about, she didn't know.

Sure enough, ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door as it opened and Shelby walked in. "Hey."

Beth watched as she entered and sat down roughly on the bed, nearly causing the camera to fall off. The blonde kept herself from jumping to steady it. "Hey."

"So... about dinner..."

Beth shrugged. Unsure of what her mother was getting at. The older woman looked at her closely with a concerned look on her face.

"Beth... why don't you talk to me. I feel like you're holding back. We always used to talk about everything and we've spent most of the last few days in these awkward silences. Last night felt like pulling teeth and even this morning you were ready to run out the door as soon as you could. I would like to change that." Shelby's dark eyes were pleading and Beth mashed her lips.

"Can we talk adult-to-adult?"

Shelby laughed at the concept but smiled. "Sure, why not. Adult-to-adult." Beth didn't get any comfort from the slightly mocking response.

"Okay, well, you're right. I've been holding back on some things that I've wanted to talk about but haven't." Shelby's face grew more concerned. "I've actually been a little worried about how you would react."

"How I would react?"

Beth nodded. "And judging by supper, I was correct."

Shelby stood up and slowly walked the room, running her fingers along the edge of the furniture. "Are you referring to your epiphany about photography?"

Beth scoffed. "I wouldn't exactly call it an epiphany. It's been an interest for years."

"Years? Really? Years? Come on Beth." Shelby pulled her head back and started walking the far side of the room. She had always down played her daughters obsession with the camera Quinn had given her. It was a hobby. Something to fill her free time. A way to capture memories but nothing more. She hadn't wanted it to be anything more.

"Will you stop dismissing me?" The blunt question caught Shelby off guard as did the tone. It was a mix between a plea and aggravation.

The older woman returned to her place on the bed and clasped her hands in her lap. "I'm not trying to dismiss you."

"But you are. And THAT is why I haven't told you much of anything. Because I knew you would."

The brunette huffed and laugh and looked down at her lap. "And now I'm a horrible mother too."

"The guilt trip is unnecessary. I already feel guilty enough for things I know I shouldn't." Beth stood up and moved to the bed, quickly and aggressively packing her camera into its bag. Shelby just watched and ran her hand over her forehead. She knew she had messed up but her own aggravation was winning out tonight.

"Wait, where are you going?" She asked as Beth grabbed the camera bag and her phone and headed for her bedroom door.

The teenager didn't stop there, prompting Shelby to follow. She did so slowly, having been through this type of tantrum with Beth before. "Out."

"No, you're not. We still need to talk." Beth didn't stop, grabbing her car keys from the coffee table in the living room and turning towards the door but Shelby was calmly positioned in her way, arms folded across her chest. "I am your mother, Beth."

"I have never implied that you're not." The teenager dropped her hands to her side. "In fact, I have stood by that statement time and time again without issue." Beth assured her, still annoyed. "But sometimes you act as if you have to remind yourself."

Beth attempted to bypass her mother but the brunette stepped sideways, blocking her path and placing a light hand on her shoulder. "What does that mean?"

The blonde took a step backwards and sighed. "It means that I know you're scared of losing me. Scared that I will suddenly want nothing to do with you and that you were only there to raise me and now that I'm an adult-"

"What is this adult talk you keep pushing?" Shelby asked throwing her hands up in the air. "Yes, you are nearly 18, but a number doesn't instantly make you an adult."

Beth stood there, mouth still open and forming the word she had been about to say but was stunned into a near loss for words. "Clearly."

Shelby jerked her head back but Beth didn't care anymore. She side stepped her mother and left the house, not looking back until she got into her car and began to pull out of the driveway.

-/-/-/-/-

Quinn took a deep breath in and let it out slowly as she closed her eyes and lost herself to her senses. She could smell the salt from the ocean, hear the waves crashing against the ship, and feel the breeze's chill against her skin. Her eyebrow arched though as she felt a pair of hands run up and down her back before wrapping around her waist.

"You look relaxed." Rachel's voice was as relaxed as Quinn felt in the moment.

The blonde smiled and moved one of her hands from their balcony railing to lay on top of the actress'. "I am. I don't think I have ever been this relaxed. I mean, I'm on a boat, with no work to do, no emails, no phone calls, a reliable and well trained babysitter available with just a quick phone call..."

Rachel laughed and nuzzled her face against Quinn's back, closing any remaining distance between them. "I told you a cruise would be the best option for us. It forced us to walk away from it all."

"Yes, you did and it has." The blonde looked out over the water. There was nothing to see but endless blue water that disappeared into an orange hued sky as the sun began to set. "In fact, the only worry on my mind is Beth."

"Mmm." Rachel released her hold on her wife and they moved to sit down in the balcony chairs but they never let go over each other. Their hands were intertwined and dangled between them. "Do you think she's talked to Shelby yet?"

Quinn raised her brow and then dropped it again. "I don't know. I know she needs to but she was pretty adamant that it wasn't going to go well."

"Any idea what's behind that? Or just the..."

Quinn nodded her head. "Just the insecurities. I still firmly believe what I did all those years ago was for the best. Shelby wants to give Beth everything her heart desires. But as I found out with my parents, and even yours... it can be a struggle for them to let go of their own expectations. Especially when those expectations were put in place to try and distance Beth from me."

"That's too bad. Hopefully it will go more smoothly than expected. But we will find out soon enough. Dad and Daddy are so excited that we are spending the last part of our vacation with them. Skype and FaceTime just aren't doing it for them with those babies." Rachel leaned her head back and smiled as she took in the view as well. It was the first time she had truly felt relaxed in a long time too.

Even at home, not working, there were always things to do and kids to take care of. This was turning out to be a break that both of them needed and for the first time in a long time, they simply sat in silence and enjoyed the moment.

"Do you think we will be unintentionally forcing our expectations on to our kids when they're older?"

Quinn tweaked the corner of her mouth. "I would hope not... but I'm afraid we will. It seems like the natural process. You want things based on what you understand of someone and then when it shifts... if you're not there for it..."

It was Rachel's turn to sigh this time. She looked down to their conjoined hands and ran her thumb over her wife's skin. "Then we just need to be active in our kids' lives as much as they allow so we can shift with them."

"Yeah..."

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

Rachel shook her hand

and squeezed it tightly. "Don't do that. That is what this vacation is about. No more shutting each other out of things."

Quinn smiled lightly to herself but never took her eyes off of the ocean. "You're such the perfect fit for me. Thank you."

"You're welcome but don't think that is getting you out of telling me."

"It's nothing that I'm intentionally not telling you. I was just processing. I... I need to work on balancing my work and home life. I feel like I've been missing out on some important things with the kids."

"Like what?"

"Like... everything it seems. And maybe it just seems that way, but I don't want it to. I mean, Madeline had her first steps and I was there for that. But if we hadn't taken this vacation, I would have missed it, like her first words." Quinn argued, her frustration with herself and the situation growing more and more. "And while I understand I can't be at home all the time, I feel like I haven't been contributing in ways that I should."

"Is there anything specific you are referring to?"

"You taught the boys to read and add and subtract and..." The blonde stated plainly, looking downward. "And they are amazing at it and I never once helped even though I had the time after work."

"You did other things after work." Rachel argued before giving in to the frustrations she had been pushing aside. "Quinn, tell me honestly, where is all of this coming from? All of this almost self-loathing when it comes to your relationship with the kids. You have a great relationship with the boys. You spend more time with them than most parents do with their kids. Do... do you need to talk to someone else about these things?"

Quinn's head snapped to the side sharply. "Did you just ask if I wanted to see a therapist?"

"I was referring to your mother. Someone who has been there." The twos eyes stayed locked together for a moment longer, searching each other's thoughts silently. "Unless, of course, you want to see a therapist."

"I don't need a therapist." Quinn assured her, finally looking away. "Not that there's anything wrong with therapy. I just don't think I need it."

"Okay." Rachel raised her hands in submission and the loss of contact was felt between them.

Quinn cautiously glanced in her wife's direction, embarrassed by her sharp reaction. "Do you think I need therapy?"

"No." The actress' response was quick and reassuring. "But I do believe you need to talk to someone different about these things because I keep telling you my thoughts and opinions and they aren't helping you. I think you need some outside opinions. Like Mom's. Or Santana. Santana would be a great one for you to talk to. She won't sugarcoat anything and you know it. She'll tell you to pull your head out of your ass and stop with the self deprecating bullshit and shut up."

"You do realize when you describe what you think Santana would say, it sounds an awful lot like it's something you want to say."

Rachel shrugged, lightening the mood and her tone. "I do. But I love and respect your sensitive side enough not to. So, I will let Santana."

"Right." Quinn smirked and moved to hold her wife's hand again and they both looked out as the sun finally dipped below the horizon.