Fragile Reunion

by hayleynymphadora

Tony Award Winning Shelby Corcoran and her wife Cassandra have come home to Lima after a stint on Broadway. They open up a School of the Arts, wanting to give back to the next generation. Deep down, Shelby sees this as a chance to make peace with the loss of her daughter she was forced to give up as a unwed teenager. Fate brings a little girl to their studio one cold snowy night.

37. Happy New Year

Keeperofwords here: Thanks for your patience in your wait for this chapter. Its on the long side so I hope it makes up for the wait. Another heavy "Rent" chapter, specifically the character of Maureen Johnson. While you don't to have seen the show, it makes a particular section make more sense.

The words Rachel sings to "Take Me or Leave Me" are our own. We made sure you could sing to them, honest we did. Other songs used in this chapter "What are You Doing New Years Eve" off of Idina's "Holiday Wishes" Album, "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles and a reference to Elton John's "Crocodile Rock". Yes, we love music. The games in this chapter are real games I have not played personally but found in my research.

Hayley here: I would just like to add also how much we adore reading your comments. Your love for this story makes us want to write and write and write more than we already do, (because we truly love working on this story I daresay as much as you love to read it). Not a day goes by that the two of us aren't working on this story, whether that means thinking through scenes we plan on writing, talking things through about future chapters, writing, editing, and listening to Idina, watching The Fosters or Kate Hudson movies or Glee for inspiration. I absolutely ADORE writing with keeperofwords. An incredibly talented writer and person and I'm so thankful to be able to call you my coauthor and good friend.

Without further wait, we give you a 28 page chapter. Enjoy the larger installment and tell us what you think!

Love always, keeperofwords and Hayley

Chapter 37: Happy New Year

"Are you wearing your leather pants tonight, sweetheart?" Cass purred into her wife's ear as they were getting ready for their annual New Year's party. Things had settled down a little bit since Cassie's freak out, but she still had her moments.

"Probably not," Shelby laughed, her sights on something a little more toned down.

"Please?" Cassie's lips reached Shelby's ear and her whisper sent shivers down Shelby's body.

"Well since you asked nicely…" Shelby mumbled, pulling off her pants with Cassie still behind her and reaching forward to grab her leather pants from off of the bed. Cass caught her by surprise, spinning her around and pushing her lightly down onto the bed. Shelby giggled and Cass found her way onto Shelby, placing expert kisses against her lover's neck.

"Or we could just not get dressed for a while?" Cass suggested.

Shelby pushed her away, not unkindly, but with authority. "No, sweetheart, we have too much to do already…"

Cassandra sighed, knowing Shelby was right, and got off of her wife, allowing her to get dressed. "It's easier, though, with Hol and April already here. Are Nathaniel and Juliet coming after all? God, I've missed them."

With a nod, Shelby pulled up her leather pants and found a red shirt to match. "And Jacquelin and Carter. Sam is coming too. That's the first time she's been here in a few years.."

"Sounds good to me," Cass couldn't decide what to wear herself now, and was at a standstill in her bra and panties.

The blonde stood in her closet and looked at her choices for the night. She thumbed through her clothes, leaning back when Shelby's arms wrapped around her.

"If I am Maureen tonight, are you dressing like Joanne?" Shelby purred, running her hand up and patting Cass's stomach, playfully dipping a finger in her wife's belly button. It caused Cassie to jump.

"You want me to dress like a reasonable lawyer?" Cass scoffed. "On New Year's?" she pleaded. "Can't there just be two Maureens?" she laughed lightly. "When have I ever been known to dress reasonably?"

She tilted her head back and let out a soft moan as Shelby nibbled her neck.

"A blonde Maureen?" Shelby purred, stepping away from her lover and looking into her closet. "I think I'd much rather look at my wife, Cassandra July. Though if I am Maureen, seeing some skin and cleavage would be welcomed. However, Maureen would prefer a woman in rubber looking at her."

The sounds of Barbra's mroww were followed by the giggling of a child running up the hall.

"Barbra, come back!" Rachel's voice was calling, "I have not finished putting on your New Year's Party outfit."

Knowing only one person could save her, the Siamese came running into the master bedroom and around her mama and into the dark corner of the closet.

"3, 2, 1," Cassie counted down and found Rachel running into the room as soon as she finished saying "1".

"Barbraaaa!" Rachel whined, looking around the room for the cat. She glanced up at her Mama, who was still in just her bra and panties. "Mama why aren't you dressed yet?" she wondered, crawling under the bed to look for Barbra. "You can't host a party in your bra and underwear, you know!"

"Why not?" Shelby teased. Cass tapped her wife's stomach playfully. Shelby was rather frisky tonight. She was taking on the role of Maureen well.

"Because, silly." Rachel shook her head. "Only Mommy and I are allowed to see you without clothes." She turned to Cassie to explain. "And sometimes Aunt Holly and Auntie April because Auntie April is a doctor and Aunt Holly is your best friend."

"Well, there you go Cass," Shelby remarked popping the elastic of Cass's panties. "Get dressed, sexy, because Rachel's right. You can't host a party in your underwear."

Shelby turned around and tickled Rachel's foot that was poking out from under the bed.

"And what about you, baby girl, you are running around in just your panties too," Shelby spoke, gently pulling her daughter out who instantly wrapped her arms and legs around her. "The clothes rule is for all party guests."

"But Mommy, I don't want to wear the dress you put on my bed," Rachel said, patting Shelby's cheek as she spoke. "Aunt Holly got me something to wear and was going to get it for me but Auntie April saw it and now they closed the door and are talking loudly."

Shelby gave her daughter a curious look.

"What do you mean, sweetheart?" she asked. Why would Holly and April be arguing over something as simple as clothes? She was tempted to knock on their bedroom door and ask what was wrong. "Are they fighting? There will be no fighting on New Year's..." she started to walk out of the bedroom and see what was going on but Rachel didn't want her to. If she knew what they were arguing about, her surprise would be ruined!

Rachel had to think fast.

"No, mommy," she jumped in front of Shelby and closed the master bedroom door. "You don't like for me to bother you when you and Mama are loud in the shower. Auntie April and Aunt Holly are being REALLY LOUD…" The little brunette thought quickly on her feet. "Plus you have not given me a bath yet and I am so dirty from playing with Barbra and being under your bed and, and, you won't have time to give me a bath later because you will be kissing Mama."

Rachel really did not want a bath, but it was the best she could think of right now. Good thing she did indeed have dirty hands and her tummy and chest had dust bunnies on it from underneath her mothers' bed.

Shelby was super curious as to why Rachel didn't want her interrupting Holly and April, but blushed when Rachel compared it to her and Cass in the shower and decided not to push it.

"Okay, hun. Okay." She laughed, picking Rachel up and tickling her. "Let's go give you your bath." She turned to look at her wife. "I trust you'll be dressed by then?" she smirked and started to carry Rach out the door.

Cass sing-songed from the closet. "Maybe, maybe not."

Shelby smiled as Rachel slipped into the bathtub and gave her a soft smile. Rachel was handing her the strawberry smelling no-tears kid shampoo that now sat in their bathroom—oh how so much had changed in a month. Rachel was no longer showing any inhibitions about being naked in front of Cass or Shelby—Rachel even asked for them to rub Coco Butter Cream on the scars on her back every night.

"Wash my hair, Mommy?" Rachel asked, hoping that would take longer and Auntie April would not be yelling at Aunt Holly about Rachel's Maureen pants afterwards. Rachel personally thought having pants that looked like the ones her mommy was wearing right now was cool.

"Don't you want to wait until tomorrow? I thought you were excited to help Mama put the hats and noise makers on the table for midnight?" Shelby asked, wetting Rachel's hair and putting in the soap as her baby had asked. In truth, Shelby loved washing her daughter's thick brown hair. It was the same color as hers, just had a little less curl to it.

"No mommy," Rachel told her, leaning over so Shelby could wash the soap out. "I want you to clean me really good so I will be as pretty as you."

Hearing that comment, Shelby melted. She adored hearing those words from her lover, but hearing it from her child made her feel something totally different but warmed her up inside just as much.

Shelby turned her head and caught Cass watching both of them. Cass looked breathtaking, but she could wear a bathrobe and still take Shelby's breath away.

She was dressed in tight black jeans and a silk sky blue v neck tank top. Shelby licked her lips and smiled at her wife, before turning back to finish her daughter's bath.

"I think you're prettier than me, baby girl. Much prettier by far." Shelby told her, pulling her out of the bath and toweling her off in a big, fluffy warm towel fresh out of the dryer. "You're truly the fairest of them all." she cupped Rachel's chin in her hands and placed a kiss to the girl's forehead.

Rachel hoped that her Aunts had things worked out between themselves as her mommy carried her across the hall to her bedroom. She was beyond relieved to see not just Aunt Holly but Auntie April sitting on her bed.

"The princess is freshly bathed. Is she now ready to dress in her party attire?" Holly asked with a playful sound in her voice.

"Yep, darlin," April added, "Natalie and the Adams-Foster crew will be here in thirty minutes. We best get you dressed for your public."

Shelby could tell something was up. She had known April for a long time and Holly for almost as long. She helped Rachel with a fresh pair of panties and watched her two friends suspiciously. Something was going on. There was something in a bag on the bed.

"What's in the bag, Hol?" Shelby asked, pressing her lips into a line.

"Clothes, Shelbs." Holly answered back with the same tone that Shelby had used. Corcoran had half a mind to smack Holly upside the head for good measure.

"Hol." Shelby laughed without the humor. "Seriously, what's going on?"

"Nothing, darlin'." April promised. "Go find Cassie and help her get the rest of the party things together. People will be here soon."

Shelby crossed her arms over her chest. "No, I want to know what's up..."

Cass stuck her head in the door and quickly took in the scene. Shelby was about to work into a very un-party-like mood. Rachel looked at her with begging eyes to get her Mommy out of the room. April and Holly looked like they were up to something.

But if it involves Rachel, it's not going to be that bad right? Cass asked, coming into the bedroom and wrapping an arm around Shelby's waist, trusting her best friends.

She placed her lips against Shelby's heated skin, making Shelby tilt her head back and widen her eyes in surprise.

"Sweetheart, come on, we have to finish getting ready..." she whispered the last two words with emphasis and Shelby's knees grew weak. She placed her lips closer to Shelby's ear and whispered, "If it involves Rachel, whatever they're planning, it can't be horrible. Just let it happen." she said.

Shelby's heart thudded. "Okay." she whispered back. "I trust you. I trust them."

"Good." Cass's fingers traced patterns on Shelby's stomach. "Now come downstairs with me, Pookie?" she begged.

"What's a Pookie?" Rachel asked only after her mothers had left the room and April had shut the door.

"It's just a nickname from "Rent" that Maureen called her girlfriend," Holly explained, pulling out what Rachel knew was to be her special outfit for the night.

Rachel had to keep herself from squealing with glee. Her aunt pulled out a pair of leather pants, a plain white T shirt and a pair of black boots.

"I still think Shelbs will flip when she sees the pants. What was wrong with black jeans?" April grumbled as she pulled out her curling iron and turned it on. Maureen had curls in her hair and, like Holly, she had come prepared to help her niece pull this off the best she could.

"Oh she'll flip once she realizes they're leather, sure, but that will be AFTER the performance. She can yell at me then." Holly waved away her girlfriend's worry and helped Rachel get into the pants. They fit her perfectly. "Aha." Hol smiled triumphantly.

"I don't want you to get in trouble..." Rachel said as she pulled the shirt over her head. She didn't want to see Mommy and Aunt Holly fighting just because of her song. She didn't like to see anybody fighting ever. "Will Mommy be really mad? I don't want to make her mad," she worried that this plan might not be such a good idea after all.

"No, baby," April bent down on one knee and looked Rachel in the eye. "She will be so proud of you and be crying because she will be so happy when she hears the words to your song."

Rachel smiled. She really was looking forward to this.

"We do this as soon as everyone gets here," Holly reminded Rachel. "We don't want your mothers to see your outfit until you make your entrance."

"And you are taking pictures?" Rachel asked, going over the words in her head again.

"Yes, darling, and Natalie is going to use her new phone and get the whole thing on video," April told the girl. "And Holly will, too."

Rachel was beyond excited as she looked at herself in the mirror. Auntie April had even put some curl in her hair and pinned it back similar to what her mommy had worn in the movie.

Rachel turned around to face her two Aunts and gave them a wide Corcoran grin.

"It's show time."

. . .

Rachel stood looking at herself in the bathroom mirror and took deep breaths. She had to use the bathroom three times in the last fifteen minutes. Her heart was pounding and she was bouncing on her toes. She glanced over at her best friend, Barbra, who was sitting on the bathroom counter looking back at her.

"I am scared Barbra," Rachel told the Siamese, who seemed have forgiven her earlier for chasing her and trying to put a New Year's Eve outfit on her. "I know I sang at the Winter Showcase, but this is different."

Barbra stared at her, swishing her tail curiously. The cat was unsettled herself. Barbra did not like all of these people in the house.

"It's different this time because I am singing a solo," Rachel told her friend, "And also I am singing to mommy and mama and they are stars and I am just me."

Rachel was silent for a moment and went over the words to her song again. She could hear more and more noise from downstairs now. More people were arriving. The party had officially started.

A soft knock rapped on the closed bathroom door. Rachel sighed and turned to open it, thinking it was either Aunt Holly or Auntie April. The nine year old was surprised to see Natalie instead.

"Natalie...?" Rachel said with a warm smile. She pulled Natalie into her arms and closed the door behind them. "I'm so glad you're here. I'm scared to sing for my mommies. I'm not as good as they are. Especially not as good as mommy who I'm trying to be like in this performance."

Natalie hugged her little sister tightly and said into her ear something that Rachel hadn't even considered, in her haste to be perfect just like mommy. "Maybe you should try to just be like Rachel, instead of like Shelby. I mean you are your own person. Maybe your mommies want to see how you perform acting like you."

Rachel thought about this for a moment. "But what if I was...what if I practiced it just like being like Mommy? It's too late to practice another way."

"Well, you can still act like the character and do it a bit like your Mommy," Natalie said thoughtfully, pulling out of the hug but still holding her sister by the side and sitting up on top of the bathroom counter. "But you also can do it like you, you know?" she tried to explain. "I mean they'll love it no matter what. They love you."

"You get that now?" Rachel looked up, surprised, with wide brown eyes. "You really get that now. Even though they are married and are a couple. My mothers' really know a lot about love, Natty, as do Aunt Holly, Aunt April, Lena an Stefi."

"I don't know how I feel inside exactly Rach," Natalie admitted, "But they all act in a way that I have never seen couples act towards each other. And Stef and Lena treat their kids so differently than I ever have been treated…"

Natalie noticed the change of conversation had helped calm Rachel's nerves some. She was glad she could help.

"They treat you really well over there, yeah?" Rachel asked, pushing a long curly lock of dark brown hair behind her ear and crossing her legs, laying her head on her older sister's shoulder.

Natalie nodded. "It feels really nice...really special. I haven't gotten to spend a lot of time with Holly and April though." she admitted. "I mean, I've spent as much time with them as you have lately, but not as much as I spend with Stef and Lena...I don't know how I feel about any of them, really. The kids are different too. There are so many of them..."

"Tell me more about them? We'll be spending most of the night with them. Are they completely horrible? Is Brandon?"

Natalie scrunched her nose and laughed. "Brandon's not as bad as you think. He does have a big crush on Cassie though. It's actually kind of funny. She's WAY out of his league."

Rachel giggled at the way her sister was talking. "What does that mean?" she asked.

"She's way above him. She's older, prettier, smarter, and she's just...he is in over his head. But even though he thinks he's serious about it, you don't have to worry. It's all just...funny."

"I don't think it's funny." Rachel explained. "Mama loves Mommy."

"But that's the thing, Rach. Cass loves Shelby and Brandon's a kid. It's just funny because it'll never happen. Only jokingly for everyone else and Brandon will grow out of it. You understand now?"

And Rachel was slowly starting to. She said so, softly and then asked about the other kids.

"Jude is really cute but gets into a lot of trouble. Callie is really nice and helpful. Mariana is sweet and sort of a diva. Jesus is cool."

"Alright."

Natalie was starting to finally reassure Rachel about the other kids. If Natalie said they were okay, then they must be, right?"

Rachel did not want to think about all of this right now. It was too much. She had lost focus. She needed to focus on her performance.

"You look like your mommy, Rach," Natalie commented. "In that picture Holly showed me, you look almost just like her now only a kid." Natalie patted Rachel's back in a soothing manner. The tween had a thought run through her mind. It was a revelation of sorts. "Rachel, maybe you are looking at this the wrong way. You are looking at this song you are singing as wanting to act like a grown up Maureen. You need to stop trying to do that and act like a nine year old Maureen."

Rachel looked up at the girl who was like a sister to her. It made sense. Rachel was not an adult and she was trying to approach this as a kid playing a grown-up. Maybe instead she needed to just be herself playing another kid. Rachel turned back to the mirror and looked at herself. She could do this. She really felt she could do this.

A knock at the bathroom door interrupted her train of thought.

"Who is it?" Rachel's voice nearly broke. She hoped it wasn't mama or mommy. She didn't want to ruin the surprise so close to the performance. She tried to breathe deeply and signal a child-like Maureen to act like. She was afraid she didn't know the character well enough. Just be a diva who is loving and wants attention, she coached herself. Natalie is right, they love you no matter what.

"Rachel?" Holly called through the door, "Let's talk, kiddo."

Natalie opened the door for Holly and the three of them crowded into the bathroom.

"Okay, we are just about ready Rach." Holly informed the youngster. "All the guests are here. The kids are still upstairs, too, because the pizza is just being ordered now. Your mommy and mama are in the living room sitting on the couch. April is about ready to move to the piano. You ready to break a leg kid?"

. . .

Shelby felt the whole room look at her expectantly when the familiar melody from one of Shelby's signature song started. Shelby looked around the room her eyes falling across the hall to her friend April who was sitting at the piano playing "Take Me or Leave Me".

She moved to stand up from her place on the couch just to have a hand firmly hold her shoulder down. The message was clear to stay seated.

This is not happening? Shelby thought to herself. There are children here? What the fuck is going on? Should I start singing?

Cass, who was next to her, felt herself being pushed down when she tried to stand as well. The women shared a look of confusion.

"What the hell?" Shelby mouthed.

"I have no idea." Cassie mouthed back, just as lost. They had planned on doing some performances tonight-it wouldn't be new years without them-but "Take Me or Leave Me" was not in the repertoire.

While her moms sat confused, Rachel waited for her cue, her stomach doing a flip and her heart racing.

No, don't be nervous. Show them you can be an actress. She chastised herself. She put on a smile and jumped out in front of her moms, spot on in timing. Shelby and Cassandra felt their jaws drop, as well as the jaws of numerous others in the room.

For a moment Shelby was furious with April. 1) What the FUCK kind of pants were her 9 year old wearing and 2) what about this song was appropriate for her little girl to sing?! Specifically after she forbade it?!

Rachel might be performing this song but she was singing to her mothers. She saw the shock on both of her mother's faces. Mommy's face was quickly getting red similar to when Mommy caught the teenagers talking about seeing her bottom in the movie.

Rach decided she best start singing fast or mommy might yell at Auntie April to quit playing. Rachel flipped her hair, pretending to be Maureen and put her right hand on mama's knee and her left hand on mommy's knee.

Opening her mouth, Rachel began to sing,

"On a snowy day

Santa gave you to me

And now I'm your baby

So sweet."

Shelby's heart instantly warmed as she realized Rachel had changed the words. She cast April a look and she winked at her best friend, with a laugh. Rachel beamed as she saw that her mommy wasn't mad. Cassie was laughing softly, a hand over her heart as Rachel sang with the same vocal strength and determination as her mother.

"I'm mommy's baby girl

And Mama's little star

Dreams do come true,

I'm someone's baby."

Rach grinned and spun around, holding her arms out, welcoming to her mothers. She took mommy's hand in her left one and mama's hand in her right as she stared right in their faces. Singing loud and quite proudly,

"We're princesses,

My Mommies and me

Just remember that I'm, I'm, I'm your baby…"

Rachel smiled remembering this was around the part mommy showed her stomach but she knew better than do the same thing. Behind her, she could hear whispers and soft laughs of approval.

Broadway friends cheered and whooped at Rachel hitting a run on "baby".

"Take me for who I am," Rach started the chorus. "Show me who I can be. My mommies and me...now we are a family. Now we are a family." Rachel beamed and Shelby swallowed back tears.

April seemed to have a good sense of letting Shelby compose herself so she floated back to the start of the song.

"Yes you are my baby Rachel," Shelby answered, putting her head on Cass's shoulder who leaned over and kissed her wife's forehead.

Equally emotional but more reserved in a crowd, Cass said in a soft voice only Rachel and Shelby could hear, "We are family little star."

"There's more," Rachel spoke to her mothers as she cleared her throat to start up her next verse.

She turned around and hopped up on a chair, facing her mothers.

"We are keepers three

Dancing in the sun.

Three divas need their stage,

Mommies, let's have fun!

You are the ones I choose,

Kids would love to be in my shoes.

My Broadway moms call me baby." Rachel was practically giddy singing the last line.

Rachel hopped off of the chair, remembering this part in the song and what adult Maureen did. Rachel cupped her mommy's chin in her small hand. Rachel beamed when she recognized her mother was swaying like the other lady in the song. Mommy even kissed her small hand.

"So be mine,

And let me be yours,

Mommy and Mama can I be your baby?"

Not wanting to leave her mama out, Rachel moved to Cass and sang the same words, cupping mama's chin in her hand again. While she sang the words, Rachel swung her hips a little, making Cass laugh and wink at her.

"So be mine

And let me be yours

Mommy and Mama can I be your baby?"

April followed easily enough and then brought Rachel back to the chorus.

"Take me for who I am.

Show me who I can be

My mommies and me

Now we are a family."

She was embellishing notes with a type of suave maturity that Shelby and Cassie didn't know their daughter had. They hadn't realized how well Rachel knew how to sing.

"Did Rachel write this?" Cass leaned over and whispered to Shelby, "Of course she wrote this," Cass answered her own question.

"Natural talent there," Holly leaned down and whispered, "Gods, Shelby, she looks just like you. Think about how she is going to sing in seven or eight years."

Shelby thought perchance the song was over. It would be a good stopping point. The bridge in the original version of course would be totally inappropriate for a nine year old to sing.

But Rachel kept singing.

"No way will I cry anymore

Cuz hey I am now your little star!

Won't listen to what bad men said.

Because now I have my mommies instead...yes!

I have mommies instead."

"Kiss mommy," Rachel asked, puckering her lips out in exaggeration making those in the room laugh at the little girl's antics. Mama's arms opened up and without thinking about it, Rachel jumped in the blonde's lap and turned her cheek to hopefully receive a kiss.

"Kiss her, Pookie," Shelby said in her best Maureen voice, making the room roar in laughter.

Cassie kissed her daughter and Rachel grinned. Cass rocked her as she finished her song.

"Take me for who I am!

Show me who I -"

"Show me who I can be," Shelby cut in like Maureen would in the song. Rachel grinned.

"My mommies and me. Now we are..."

"Are..." Shelby joined

"Are!" Cass harmonized.

"A family." Rachel finished. "Guess I'm stayin'," Rachel laughed.

"We're keepers." Shelby whispered with a smile.

The room erupted with applause and laughter. Rachel guessed she ought to stand up and bow. That's what performers did, after all. But those in the room did not know this was not just entertainment. The little girl did not do this to be an entertainer at a party. The nine year old did this to tell her mothers how she felt. All Rachel wanted to do now was snuggle in close.

"How about a picture?" Holly called, moving to the front of the pair. "Rachel, sit between both of your mothers and sit in the middle of them, straddling their laps."

Rachel was surprised when a bunch of people in the room started to take pictures.

April yelled, getting up from the piano, "Ok Maureen, stand up and hold mini Maureen. Cass, put an arm around your girls. Okay Diva's, time for you all to take a bow."

The three girls did so, with loving, adoring smiles. Shelby and Cassandra were so proud of their little girl. Both had happy tears in their eyes.

"Were you surprised, mommy?" Rachel asked while pictures were being snapped.

"Pleasantly so, baby girl." Shelby smiled against her little girl's cheek as she kissed it.

"You're so incredible, little star." Cass did the same to her other cheek.

And for once, Rachel actually felt that she WAS incredible. And it felt amazing.

"I didn't show my bottom, mommy or lift my shirt and show my tummy," Rachel whispered in her mommy's ear. "And Aunt Holly and Auntie April would not let me see or listen to the naughty parts."

Cass laughed and pointed at April. "Thank you," she mouthed, meaning not just for playing the piano but working with Hol to put this whole thing together.

Shelby for her part was just content to move to the glider chair that Santa had brought and gather her baby girl in her arms. She was trying to recollect every stanza. The singer knew there was a lot of heart and emotion in each verse and she wanted to remember it all. Shelby rocked herself and her daughter while she thought. Rachel for her part was very content to snuggle into her mommy. Rachel was thinking about the words also. She was so happy things had gone well and her mothers liked her song.

Across the room, Rachel caught a glance at Natalie. She was sitting on the step of the stairs. She was not alone though, like the tween often was back at Reverend's house. On one side sat Auntie April. On the other side of Natty was Aunt Holly. Natalie was looking into their faces. At Reverend's house, you never looked in his face. Things were different now and maybe Natty was slowly realizing that too.

Rachel knew something, even if Natalie did not realize it yet.

Natalie was getting her family too.

. . .

Rachel had the best seat in the mansion. She lay on her stomach underneath the grand piano in the dance studio that had been opened. Music was playing. Some people were dancing. Her mothers were dancing. It was sort of funny because they seemed to be dancing as a three-some with Auntie April.

My mommy and mama are so beautiful, Rachel thought to herself. Auntie April has a pretty smile.

Rachel decided she would much rather be here than downstairs watching that movie about a puppet turning into a boy that had donkey ears and was going around with a cricket who helped him try to be good. Rachel really did not see the appeal of TV anyway. Probably because she had not seen it much.

Rachel looked over to the fireplace. Holly was playing checkers with Natalie. Holly was losing but both she and Nat seemed to be having fun.

Once the song they were currently dancing to ended, everyone clapped and started chanting, "Sing, sing, sing, sing!"

Directing their chanting and clapping towards Shelby and Cassie. The two grinned and laughed when April started joining in the chanting and clapping, then looked down towards the piano to see that Rachel had done the same. The women shared a peck on the lips and took hands, hopping up onto the makeshift stage and each taking a microphone.

Shelby turned her mic on and spoke into it, still giggling. "Um...are there any requests?"

When her friends screamed out numerous different songs, Shelby shook her head and turned to Cassie, who turned on her own mic and said,

"How about "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"" she suggested.

Thunderous applause responded.

"Holly?" Shelby called out into the small crowd, slightly blinded by a spotlight that April had directed at her, as well as one at Cassie. "Could you help us with the instrumentals? I think we actually have a CD..." she watched as Holly found it and laughed lightly. "Thank you." she smiled softly.

Cassie, to the left of her, took a sip of her wine and then set it down on the table behind them, pressing her lips together and wetting them before giving her wife a subtle wink. It wasn't subtle enough that their friends didn't see it. There were hollers and whoops from them, as well as a few sexy whistles.

Shelby blushed lightly. "Alright, alright." she smiled and took a deep breath as the music started and she swayed very softly side to side, looking directly at Cassie as she decided she was going to take the first verse.

"Maybe it's much too early in the game," her hips swayed softly as she flipped her long brunette hair over her shoulder without using her hands. Oh, how Cassie wanted to run her fingers through the hair and play with it until Shelby fell asleep against her. Later tonight, she told herself. Shelby continued to sing, her voice low and suave and warm. "Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same..." she took the mic off of the stand and made her way towards her wife, caressing her face as Cassie took her arms and wrapped them around Shelby's waist, pulling her close until they were embraced. "What are you doing New Year's...New Year's Eve?" Shelby finished the verse and Cass took the next verse, receiving more whoops and hollers when she started swaying her own hips very sexily back and forth, against Shelby. Holly thought maybe Rachel shouldn't be here to watch this, but she wasn't going to be the one to tell the little girl she had to go downstairs with the other kids, so she just left it alone. She knew how open Shelby and Cass were about their love for one another.

"Baby it's much too early in the game," Cass laughed at the irony, considering it was in fact New Year's Eve. "Oh but I thought I'd ask you just the same. What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?"

Shelby ran a hand down Cassie's arm and the two of them started doing a sort of slow dance as Shelby sang, "Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight, when it's exactly twelve o'clock that night...They better be mine." she added in before starting the next line. Everyone laughed and Cass teased her.

"Hmmm, I guess we'll have to see about that..."

"Welcoming in the New Year," Shelby rolled her eyes and smirked at her wife. "New Year's Eve."

Cassie spun Shelby around and then looked her in the eyes to ask if this next move was okay to do. Shelby nodded, knowing that as a dancer, Cass felt like showing off one of her favorite moves. She wrapped her leg around Shelby's thigh and lifted the other leg straight up into the air, high above Shelby's head, with her stiletto accenting her long, strong legs. More clapping ensued and Cass gave a smile, starting the verse as she pulled herself back down onto solid ground. "Maybe I'm crazy to suppose, I'd ever be the one you chose...Out of the thousand invitations you receive..." she did a run on the last word and gave Shelby a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. "Ah but in case, I stand a little chance, here comes the jackpot question in advance, baby, what are you doing New Year's Eve?"

As the women sang, their friends and their respective partners slow danced along with them. Lena rested her head on Stef's shoulder, and April had her arms wrapped around Holly's neck as they rocked in circles, soft adoring smiles on their faces. They gave each other a gentle kiss.

"Woaohhaaohhhoaoh..." Shelby did a run and also gained the approval of her friends. "The bells all ring and the horns all blow...Oh, come on baby 'cause I need to know...Will I be spending New Year's with you, yeah. Maybe I'm crazy to suppose I'd ever be the one you chose...out of the thousand invitations you receive..."

"Ah but in case I stand a little chance," Cass said lovingly, placing a kiss to Shelby's temple. "Here comes the jackpot question in advance baby. What are you doing, New Year's?"

"What are you doing New Year's?" Shelby grinned and her wife grinned back.

"What are you doing New Year's...New Year's Eve?"

"I said what are you doing New Year's Eve?"

Shelby finished the song and after the applause ended and the music was off, Cassie giggled into mic and responded. "This. You."

Everyone laughed and Cass earned a love smack from Shelby. "Wishful thinking." She laughed.

"Mmmm, if you say so." Cass gave a wink and their friends laughed and shouted things happily, everyone having a grand time. The women left the stage and another dance song started.

. . .

"I dare you," Jesus told Brandon looking over at Cass. "I dare you to ask Cass to dance with you."

Brandon looked over at Cassie with a wistful expression. Cassandra Corcoran July was so beautiful. She had her head down to hear something that Shelby was whispering to her. Reddening slightly, Cassie tilted her head back with a laugh, her laughter sounding like the most beautiful bells to ever ring on the Earth. Brandon liked how the light would catch her blonde hair. It was so long and wavy and soft looking. He wished he could run his fingers through it, and jealously knew that Shelby was allowed to.

"I double dare you," Jesus egged him on "Shelby has stopped dancing with her. This is your chance. She dances for a living, she won't turn you down if you ask nicely."

"Yes, she dances for a living, maybe she's tired of it…" Brandon pressed his lips into a fine line. He thought about how he almost NEVER got to spend time with Cassie alone. It only ever happened when Shelby wasn't available to give him piano lessons and she had to take over. He had even considered starting to take dance so that she would actually be his teacher. Maybe this would be a good time to ask her if he could be a part of her class.

"What if she says no?" he worried.

Jesus pushed him forward with an annoyed eye roll. One minute he was fawning over her and the next he was too nervous to speak to her. He wished Brandon would just make up his mind. He didn't understand Brandon's crush on Cassie anyways. Sure, she was gorgeous, but she was like Aunt Holly or Aunt April or Aunt Shelby. They knew each other so comfortably it was like they were all related. You couldn't have a crush on your aunt, right?

"Go," he urged Brandon forward anyways. Whether he agreed with him or not, watching him die over Cassandra was an interesting form of entertainment. "Before someone else asks her!"

Brandon handed his brother his soda and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He did not want such a beautiful woman to feel his clammy skin. He straightened his tie that he had insisted on wearing tonight. He wished his mother had let him buy the old spice cologne at the drug store when she was picking up Jesus's medicine. He thought that it would make him appear older and more desirable. But Stef had just laughed and said he was too young.

Why do women not take me seriously? Brandon asked himself. Cass does though, doesn't she? She kissed me at Christmas. Here goes nothing.

"Um...Hi, Cassie." He hated himself for feeling so nervous. He'd known Cassie for years.

"Hello, Brandon." She turned away from Shelby, who was walking over to the makeshift bar with Holly, and greeted Brandon him kindly as she finished her glass of wine, setting the empty glass on the counter behind her. "Are you having fun tonight?" she asked, noticing Brandon was having a difficult time looking her in her eyes. She wore an amused smile.

"Yeah," he grinned. "The party is great."

"Thank you," her tone was formal and professional sounding but also full of admiration for this young child. He was like a nephew to Cassandra and although she didn't love that he thought he was going to be able to be with her, she admired his courage to come up and talk to her.

Holly and Shelby watched from the opposite side of the room, giggling at the bold move that Brandon was making, talking to Cassie.

"I was actually wondering if you would...Well I was thinking about joining your dance class." he admitted sheepishly.

Thinking she might have a clue why, but not wanting to show it, Cass pursed her lips and tried not to smile out of politeness to this young boy who thought her so desirable. "Oh? Stef and Lena never told me anything about that..."

"I uh," he ran his hand through his hair. "Didn't mention it to them yet. Would you um...I was wondering if tonight maybe you could...dance with me?"

Cass looked down at him and smiled softly. "Of course," she said kindly and let him take her hand and lead her onto the dance floor.

Holly smacked Shelby's side and the wife of the dancer had to turn around to hide her laugh. She didn't want Brandon to think she was laughing at him, because she wasn't not exactly. She just thought this was absolutely adorable. She often saw how jealously Brandon looked at her and she felt a genuine pang in her heart that this poor boy liked Cassie so much.

Rachel looked on from the corner of the room. She was not happy. She was not happy at all. Mama was dancing with the boy. The boy had his arm around mama's waist. It was wrong. Mama loved Mommy, not this little boy. This boy needed to go find someone his own age, and someone who wasn't Rachel's Mama. Rachel looked over at her mommy and Aunt Holly; both of them found this funny. Since the living room, hall, and dance studio were all being used to dance. Rachel had to sort of weave though people to keep an eye on the boy dancing with her mama.

Her eyes widened when she realized they were heading in the general direction of the kissing weed.

Cass made sure Brandon's arm never went lower than her waist, and they were spinning in so many circles she didn't notice they were heading for the doorway. Once they had and he pointed to his cheek for a kiss, she planted a kiss to his forehead and sighed.

"Honey, I think you and I need to have a little talk." she started to explain.

His heart leaped not because he was nervous about the talk, but because he was excited she called him "honey". He noticed she called Shelby that a lot.

"Okay..." he said as they danced their way out to the main dance floor again.

"This crush you have is very sweet and sort of adorable." she admitted and watched as he blushed not only from her words but probably from the kiss she'd given him. "But you have to know that this," she gestured between the two of them. "Can never happen."

"Why not?" he demanded, furrowing his brow. "Well yeah you're with Shelby," he answered. "But is that like a forever thing, or...?"

Cassie couldn't help but laugh at that one, tilting her head back as she did so. Brandon reveled in her beauty and, from afar, so did Shelby.

"She is my wife, you know." Cass pointed out. "It is sort of a forever thing. With a promise, some kisses...the whole "Love you for life" thing, I sort of meant that..." she giggled. "Honey, I'm with Shelby forever. And you are the very young son of my best friends. I'm sorry, hun." she sounded sincerely sorry but that didn't stop the sting in Brandon's heart. He told himself not to cry, pulling away from her angrily.

"Forget the stupid dance lessons." he ran away from her and into the other room in a rush. Cass felt absolutely horrible for it. She cast her wife and best friend a sad look and Holly stuck out her lower lip.

Rachel didn't see anything past the kiss to Brandon's forehead. Angrily, she rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a step stool.

I may not be able to stop the kissing under the weed rule but I can get rid of the missles toes, Rachel said to herself not quite remembering what the name of plant was.

Rachel walked into the hall with a sense of purpose. She dodged people milling about and put the stool under the weed. When she stepped on the stool it became quickly apparent that the offensive kissing plant was still out of her reach. This would not do.

This would not do at all. The girl who was on the small side even for a nine year old knew the kitchen chair would not help make her any taller.

Broom! Rachel finally realized.

Shelby Corcoran's laughter had ended when her wife had pulled Brandon aside and bent down to talk to him. She had walked both of their expressions and knew what Cass was doing. It might have been for the best. But Shelby remembered her first crush and her first heartbreak. She felt for the boy. Stef seemed to have seen the whole thing too because she was going after her son who had run into the small bathroom on this floor.

Seeing her wife's sad look, Shelby reached out her hand and beckoned the dancer to her. Cass said nothing but snuggled into Shelby's side on the couch and put her blonde head on the brunette's shoulder.

"He will get over it and find someone else," Holly remarked sitting down on the other side of Cass. "You make all the boys swoon. Always did, Cass, and he is not the first you made cry."

"I feel terrible. He is such a sweet boy," Cass confessed. "He is the youngest boy I have ever had to tell it was not going to work."

"You were very gentle sweetheart," Shelby reassured, "The truth was going to sting his heart no matter how you approached him. It was sweet you danced with him first."

"Little scamp was making a bee line for the mistletoe," Holly giggled, looking over in the direction of the plant that had been a popular destination for couples. "He is going to be a piano playing heartthrob. Girls will swoon over him. Lena and Stef will have their hands full."

Shelby looked in the direction of the mistletoe and her eyes bugged out. Her daughter was on the kitchen stool swinging at the plant with a broom like it was a Mexican piñata.

"Rachel!" Shelby, shocked, made her way towards her daughter, swooping her into her arms and very gently setting her down onto the floor. "What are you doing, sweetie?" she laughed a bit nervously.

Rachel was not laughing. She was angry and hot, mad tears swam in her eyes. "Mama was kissing that boy AGAIN." she groaned. "She's SUPPOSED to be kissing YOU!"

Shelby nearly laughed at the irony but thought she would leave it alone.

"Honey I thought we'd explained this to you. Brandon likes Mama. Mama doesn't like Brandon, she's married to me. She loves me. I love her. She just told Brandon that, that's why he ran away in tears."

Rachel's mouth made an "oh" shape in understanding. "Oh..."

Rachel felt terrible. She did not like for anyone to cry.

Is it my fault? Rachel asked herself. Rachel bit her lip and turned to look towards the half bathroom.

Rachel clutched at her mother's leather pants. She felt bad. She wanted her mommies only to kiss each other but she also knew what it felt like to want to be loved and rejected. It might not have been kissing lips kind of love but she had wanted someone to be her real parents, and nobody had until now. She didn't want to have to share Mama with anyone but Mommy.

Shelby studied her daughter closely. Rachel no longer looked angry. Instead she seemed thoughtful and had drawn herself inward. She kept looking down the hall to the door and then back up at the mistletoe. Shelby may have had a house full of guests but at that moment she decided her primary responsibility was to her little girl. Shelby took Rachel's hand and sat with her on the steps.

Shelby could have said a lot of things or asked her child to tell her what was going on in her head. Instead she just sat beside her daughter on the step and held her hand.

As expected, Rachel spoke only after about a minute.

"Mommy, I don't like that Brandon is crying. Is it my fault? Did mama break his heart because I got upset at him the other day about the weed? Maybe Brandon does not know all the rules about kissing and the missles toes?" Rachel rambled quietly crawling onto her mother's lap wanting comfort. "I mean I wanted a kiss under the missles toes too but I don't have someone who wants to kiss me under it that thinks I am pretty and loves me in a forever way."

"I happen to think you are pretty and I love you in a forever way," Shelby pointed out. "But I'm thinking you mean like the way Brandon thinks he loves Cassie, huh?" She asked.

Rachel gave a small nod and Shelby answered her previous question. "It's not your fault that Brandon ran away crying. Eventually, sweetheart, he was going to have to understand that he can never be with Cassie in the way that he wants to."

"He is going to have to keep looking for his one true love," Rachel murmured, putting her head on her mother's shoulder. "But not Mama because she is taken. Will Stefi tell him he will find that true love one day?"

"I am sure Stefi is telling him something along those lines," Shelby told her daughter, playing with her hair. "Now look," Shelby motioned with her eyes towards Brandon and Stef walking past them, both heading downstairs, supposedly going back to where the other kids were. Brandon, though having red eyes and sniffing, nodded at both of them as he walked past. "He will be okay Rachel. He is a Foster. He is a tough resilient kid."

Shelby kissed Rachel's head and thought back over all that Rachel had rambled on about a few minutes ago.

"Now what is this about you wanting a kiss under the "kissing weed"?' Shelby whispered in her daughter's ear. "I don't know what you think about the supposed rules about kissing under it but I think it is acceptable for mothers to kiss their children under it."

Rachel lifted her head and gave Shelby a shy hopeful smile.

Walking her daughter over to the mistletoe, Shelby placed a kiss to each of Rachel's cheeks and then a peck to her lips. "I love you, my dear. Do you see, how I can kiss you under the mistletoe and also Cassie? If Holly were to walk under here with me I'd kiss her cheek too. It's just for fun, sweetie. Even if I were to kiss Holly's lips, Mama and April and Holly wouldn't mind because they know it's just in a friendly way, not for real. Does that make sense?"

Rachel gave a nod.

"Kiss me again, mommy?" Rachel asked, liking how warm it made her feel. "It makes me feel warm inside like hearing Barbra's purrs and having you hold me in yours and mama's bed and we make a peanut butter sandwich."

Shelby smiled inside. She loved how her little girl thought of things. It was so much simpler. Adults made things so complicated sometimes. Shelby kissed her daughter's nose, both cheeks and then gave her another quick peck on the lips. Rachel responded by wrapping her arms around her mother's neck. The little girl was making it clear that she was not going to get down anytime soon.

"My turn now mommy," Rachel told her.

She copied Shelby's movements and Shelby giggled to herself. It was hard to believe that a month ago she was yearning over having her daughter back to kiss her and now she did. It felt so surreal.

They forgot about the party and the loud noises going on around them.

They were mother and daughter, comforting each other and giggling and making each other feel lighthearted and warm.

It was certainly a different kind of New Year's…but it was turning out to be one of the best. Across the hall, Shelby caught Cass's eye. The brunette received a wink and she melted inside. She shivered in anticipation for later. Her lover was heading their direction.

"Let's keep the weed up all the time," Rachel told her mommy. "I did not know it was in yours and mama's rules that I could ask for kisses anytime if we had missles toes."

Before Shelby could respond, Cassie spoke up, "You, my darling, can ask for kisses even without the mistletoe being there. Sometimes," she leaned down and gave her daughter a kiss. "You don't even have to ask."

Rachel giggled and leaned up, kissing her Mama on the nose. "Your turn." She giggled.

After which Cass smiled warmly and said, "Thank you." Before leaning down and whispering in Shelby's ear, "Your turn."

"Come here Cassandra," Shelby purred taking her lover by the hair and tugging her direction. Shelby's lips connected with the blonde's and neither pulled away till they both were breathless. If Rachel had not been in Shelby's arms, both knew the kiss would have led to something more.

"I don't want one of those mommy," Rachel told Shelby innocently, after witnessing the mind blowing kiss. "Mommy, Mama took your breath away."

Breathless as her daughter has pointed out, Shelby laughed a bit shakily and agreed. "I know. She is just so breathtakingly gorgeous and I love her so much that she takes the breath right out of me. But those kinds of kisses aren't for parents children to share with kids, sweetie. Only to share with each other."

Rachel was starting to understand now just how wrong the Reverend had been.

. . .

Rachel looked over at Brandon who now sat at the piano playing something. On the piano bench beside him was Callie who seemed to be playing along with him on her acoustic guitar. It was a song that the two obviously knew and sang often. All of the Adams-Foster kids seemed to know the tune because Mariana was doing this little dance-like thing to it, too. Jesus was pretending not to like the song. Rachel noticed, however, that he was silently mouthing the words.

It caught Rachel's attention when Callie sang the phrase "Here comes the sun,"

"Here comes the sun," Brandon harmonized with her.

"And I say, it's alright."

She strummed on her acoustic as Brandon followed her lead.

Rachel very shyly got closer to Callie, sitting down on the floor in front of her and crossing her legs, watching brother and sister curiously.

This type of song was new to her. It was not a church song. It was not what Rachel was deciding was a show song, either. This was something totally different. Rachel put her hands on her knees and watched the pair sing a duet.

It was Callie that started what Rachel determined was the first verse.

"Little darling,

It's been a long, cold lonely winter.

Little darling,

It feels like years since it's been here.

Here comes the sun,

Here comes the sun,

And I say, It's all right."

Rachel decided this song was amazing. She did a quick glance at Natalie. Natty was watching Brandon's hands move on the keys of the piano, clearly fascinated.

"Little darling,

The smiles returning to their faces.

Little darling,

It seems like years since it's been here…"

Callie and Brandon took turns singing and harmonizing. The both of them caught Rachel grinning up at them and paused. "Do you...do you want to sing with us, Rachel?" Callie asked the young girl who would technically be considered somewhat of a new cousin to her. They came over to the mansion all the time but all of the children still had yet to attempt to get close to Rachel. Likewise, they knew Natalie because she lived with them, but they never really talked to or got to know Natalie. She was reserved, like Rachel. However, it seemed that the two of them were actually starting to open up. It was New Year's, after all. Time for a new start for all of them.

Rachel nodded, a twinkle coming into her brown eyes in excitement that she was about to be included.

"Just follow along," Brandon told Rachel "The next part has some parts that are repeated a few times."

Rachel nodded, surprised when Mariana (who she had talked to some) came and sat down beside her and smiled a wide smile. It was Mariana that sang the next stanza all the while Callie and Brandon continued to play.

"Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun,

and I say, It's all right"

Mariana patted Rachel's leg so to let her know for her to join in this part.

"Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes"

Suddenly all of the children, even Natalie and Jesus, were harmonizing with one another. The children had never before found something in common but they were slowly discovering that if they could find a common ground of music, maybe there was a chance they could all truly connect with one another. Maybe this large family unit could actually work out in the way it was intended to.

And that seemed like a truly beautiful concept to all of them.

Besides Jude of course, who didn't really know what was going on, but they could all tell by the smile on his face and the way that he bounced to the music that he liked it.

"Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun,

and I say, It's all right

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

It's all right

It's all right"

The entire group sang together. Jesus turned over the empty pot that had held the popcorn the adults had made for them and a spoon, adding a make-shift drum to the instrumentals. Rachel had thought maybe he would drown out the singers and instruments, but he seemed to have a nice feel for blending in and keeping the beat. Rachel decided she was going to ask Stefi if Jesus had drums at home.

It was a moment that the adults wouldn't have wanted to miss. Then again, had the adults been there, this moment of bonding would never had occurred.

Suddenly, instead of singing the melody, Rachel found herself harmonizing, which she didn't know she was capable of.

"Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun...

It's alright

Ahh Ahhh Ahah."

Surprised heads turned her way and she gave a sheepish, cute little smile.

Shelby Corcoran put her drink down and hopped off of her wife's lap. She heard something. She knew the music she had chosen for the night and she heard something that was NOT in the play list. It was The Beatles. Shelby liked The Beatles but had not considered any of the songs to set the mood for her party. The singer was about to dismiss it but the melody seemed to be coming from the mansion. The song was calling her and she opened her ears to seek it out quietly.

She found herself standing very silently at the top of the staircase. She didn't want to ruin the moment by letting the kids know she was there with them. She heard a drum, the piano, and the acoustic guitar as well as 6 young voices harmonizing and blending beautifully with one another. Smiling to herself, she got out her cell and hit record, hoping to catch the best of the audio before she was noticed by the crowd or by the youngsters. As luck would have it, there was a break in the music from the adult's party.

Shelby knew it was a special moment of the night and she found herself concentrating on the lyrics.

It had been a lonely season of life. It had been cold and dark. But like the song stated, she knew the sun was coming and the sun would bring warmth and healing to her and her family. And it would be alright. When the song ended, Shelby quietly turned around and stepped right into her lover who had been standing an arm's distance behind her.

The brunette nearly gasped in shock, but Cass put her finger to Shelby's lips to quiet her. They didn't want the kids to know they had been listening in. They wanted the kids to bond on their own, in their own time and in their own special way that they were.

Sliding her hand into Shelby's and intertwining their fingers, Cass led her to an empty seat in the corner and sat her down.

"That was beautiful." Cassandra said, wiping a stray tear that she would never admit to shedding, even though she knew Shelby had seen it roll down her cheek. Shelby smiled softly. She would allow her wife the denial of the tear, just this once. The beauty of all of the children starting to form this friendship was truly moving to say the least.

Shelby snuggled in close and put her head on Cass's shoulder. Very softly in Cassandra's ear, Shelby sang her own version of one of the lyrics

"My dear Cassie,

Our smiles returning to our faces.

My dear Cassie,

The sun's warmth will heal our pain…

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun,

and I say, It's all right…"

The two lovers shared a kiss and both really believed the New Year brought the promise of the sun.

. . .

Another dance song ended later on in the night and Cassie decided it was time to start playing games instead. She hopped up onto the stage and turned down the stereo, picking up a mic and speaking into it. "Alright you guys, kids are downstairs. I say it's time we have a little fun. Who's up for some games?"

Clapping was what she heard in response, in addition to Holly calling out,

"Woo! I can't wait to kick your ass!"

"In your dreams, sweetheart." Cass smirked cockily.

"Mmm perhaps you are," Hol called up teasingly. "Just don't tell April."

Oooh's echoed throughout the room.

Cass hopped off the stage and walked to the side of it. Stacked there were six hula hoops. She placed them down on the stage, lying them on the wooden floor.

"We need six players—one from each couple," Cass explained, "Shelbs, bring the muffins and bananas."

The room erupted in whispers. This was a new party game.

"What are you up to, July?" Stef asked curiously

"Are we eating muffins?" Holly quipped. "I can do that after midnight sweetheart, and it will taste a lot sweeter than the healthy bran crap you both eat."

"Believe me, honey, the muffins I will be eating after midnight will be...delectable." Cassie whispered seductively as a retort.

Shelby blushed as she reentered the room. "Don't be so sassy," she playfully smacked her wife in the abs.

"Sassy Cassie?" April teased, sticking her tongue out at Cass who flipped her off with laugh. "Tell me how to play," April insisted. "I'm intrigued."

"First we need each couple to pick who is playing," Cass wagged her at April.

"Then I will hand you a banana and tie it to your waist," Shelby spoke up reaching around and patting April's stomach. "Wanna guess what the banana is for?"

April shook her head and laughed. "I wanna play but I'm sure that if Cassie's playing-"

"Which, she is!" Cass piped up with and excited laugh.

"Then Holly will want to take my place."

"You bet your sweet ass, you're going DOWN!"! Holly insisted, giving Cassie a stare down and making the official gesture that said she had her eyes on her.

"Bring it, Holly Rose!" Cassie brought out Holly's middle name for special effect. "Now, each person playing representing your couple stands in the hula hoop," she remarked.

"And I am going to hand you this banana and your partner will tie it to your waist. For the male members at our party tonight you may not use your genitals," Shelby spoke out, handing a banana first to Stef, then to Holly, to Will, Nathaniel, Carter, and finally to her wife who at this point was still explaining the rules.

"Shelby, you can use the word dick," April grinned, kissing Shelby's cheek. "We are all adults here." The doctor moved to her lover and tied the banana around her waist.

Cass stepped in her circle and motioned for Shelby to ready her to play the game too.

"And for the lesbians in the room, if you are packing, YOU CANNOT use your organ. Banana's only," Cass explained as Shelby moved to put the bran muffins on the floor inside the hula hoop in the just inside the circle's edge.

Shelby picked up the mic as Cass jumped on her heels and changed from hostess to competitor.

"Each of you will get on the floor and push the muffin the length of the hula hoop to the other edge. You then will proceed to eat the muffin," Shelby told the partiers. "Your muffin breaks apart, I will bring you another and you restart. Your banana falls off or if you use anything but your banana on your muffin and you are disqualified."

"So raunchy. I LOVE it." Holly rubbed her hands together in excitement. "Let's start. Start, start, start, start..."

Shelby giggled into the microphone, then said, "You got this, baby." to her partner and gave her a wink before checking to make sure everyone was ready. "All ready?" she asked.

She got whoops and claps in response. Laughing down at her friends, she made sure the males in the room weren't cheating. "Alright there, Will?" she laughed at the man she considered like a brother.

Clapping his hands, he stared down at the muffin and prepared for the start of the game. "Let's do this, Shelbers." he said.

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "On your mark, get set," Holly and Cassie stared each other down and had their arms out, ready to shove each other down to get a head start on one another. "There will be no cheating, Holliday-July party." Shelby insisted. "GO!"

And the race was off.

"Stand back, April, I see you trying to hold that cock," Shelby said much more graphic than she usually would. April was trying to put the tip of her finger on the end of the banana to make the yellow fruit more erect.

It must be the alcohol, she told herself and then moved to walk up and down the side of the hula hoops, watching the competitors.

Shelby really thought Cass had an edge due to her flexibility as a dancer.

And for a moment it looked like she had, too. Her flexibility suited her well, and Shelby raised an impressed and impish eyebrow as her lover practically did a split to move the muffin with her banana.

"You go, baby." Shelby purred into her ear.

Shivers ran down Cassie's spine.

Will was having a bit of difficulty-clearly he was not as flexible as Cassie.

Nathaniel was actually ALMOST beating everyone else. He was neck and neck with Cass and Hol.

"Put some thrust into it baby," April coached. "Push it."

"Roll your hips," Cass teased Holly "And you'd best hurry. I am about it eat mine out."

"You know what, Cassandra July?" Holly challenged.

The two were milliseconds away from beating each other. Nathaniel's muffin had crumbled and he had fallen behind, cussing out Hol and Cass as he did so and making the girls roar with laughter.

"What?" Cassie's tone challenged her, her mouth full of muffin.

"You shouldn't talk with your mouth full." Holly was a hypocrite.

Quietly coming up from the rear, Stef Foster moved her muffin to the edge of the hula hoop and opened her mouth wide. Unlike the others who were nibbling at their muffin, Stef put the whole thing in her mouth clamping down hard with her very wide jaws.

"If Stef can swallow all of that she wins," Shelby warned her lover to pick up the pace.

"No!" Cass practically choked trying to get the whole muffin in to her mouth and Holly did the same, laughing so hard that she actually was choking. April was patting her back to get her to breathe before she hurt herself but Holly was hell-bent on winning this.

It was all for naught though. While Cass was saying no and Holly was choking, Stef swallowed her muffin and smugly looked at her competition.

"What do I win?" Stef said innocently winking at Lena who stood there proudly. "I knew all those times of swallowing my food whole when calls came in from dispatch would come in handy one day.

"You win a kiss, sweets," Lena said softly leaning down and giving Stef a tender kiss.

"Just one?" Stef pouted teasingly, sticking out her lower lip.

"Alright, two then." Lena agreed, swooping her lover into her arms and taking her lips against her own, passionately.

"That's what I'm talking about," Stef grinned.

Cass and Holly rolled their eyes, finally swallowing the muffins that were in their mouths.

"Valiant effort." Shelby kissed Cassie's lips and wiped off a crumb of muffin from Cassie's chin.

"Effort." Cass grumbled.

"Quit grumbling July, you will get to eat her muffin after the ball drops," Holly replied good-naturedly. "And I need a drink. I hate bran muffins."

"So what's next, do the partners, peel their lover's bananas and eat them?" April slid up to Shelby and purred.

"No, they swallow it whole, not chew Dr. Love," Stef replied, standing up hands on her hips in her best police officer pose. "Don't you know how to deep throat?"

"Ouch she got you," Cass poked April in the ribs with her elbow. "You never know what will come out of Foster's mouth when the kids are not around.

"You never know what will come out of any of your mouths when the kids aren't around," Shelby pointed out, noticing that the drinks have taken her friend's usual banter up to the next level of risqué. What was new was that she didn't entirely mind the sexual banter this time. She found herself getting in on it as well.

She turned to her wife and gave her another sloppy, sexy kiss. "What's next on the list of games, Mrs. Corcoran-July?" she wondered if Cassie was going to pick the drinking game next, or the other one they had planned.

"Hmmm..." Cassie thought about it, pulling Shelby close to her. "I think I just wish the fucking ball had dropped already so we can get on with our night," she said, anxious to have her turn with Shelby alone.

Other couples seemed to be in that sort of mood as well.

"That is the last time I give you so much tequila." Shelby insisted with a cheeky grin.

. . .

Shelby came up from downstairs after checking on the kids and giving them their snow cones with Lena at her side. The first party game had been hilarious and the adults had gotten pretty wound up. When Shelby and Cass had decided to do the daiquiri race, it had been easy to plan on snow cones for the kids.

Shelby was pleased that the children really seemed to be getting along. When she and Lena had just gone downstairs, Brandon was showing Rachel things on the piano. Shelby's heart had done an extra pitter patter watching her baby play simple scales. Lena had leaned over and kissed her cheek in understanding.

"Rachel has an easy touch for a novice," Lena had whispered. "Not that I am surprised though. She has your musical pedigree."

Rachel and Natalie had been kind of suspicious at what exactly a snow cone was, but, seeing the other kids' excitement, both gave it a try. Now, all were eating and watching Disney's Snow White, so it was time for the adults to play the second game of the night.

It was a game that was quite a tradition of the party. It always occurred at the Corcoran-July party about an hour and a half before the ball drop.

"Alright, all. Couple's daiquiri game! Everyone who didn't play in the last game must participate in this one. Mansion rules." Cassie announced with a wink. "And you ALL know the rules of this game, so let's get to it, shall we?"

She gave Shelby a light tap on the ass and then pulled her close, pecking her cheeks with kisses. "First I had to do that." she whispers. "To tide us over for later."

"You think THAT is going to tide me over?" Shelby raised a condescending eyebrow, dragging Cass closer to her and kissing her passionately. "We're gonna win this one, baby."

"Don't get too cocky, Corcoran" April smacked Shelby's ass much more playfully than Cass had. In a friendly competitive way. "I'm smaller and faster than you."

"I have better balance!" Shelby insisted.

"Ha!" Lena laughed from across the room. "Sweetheart your balance is less than stellar. Cassandra's on the other hand...god it's too bad she played the LAST game..." she said mockingly, but with a smile.

"I respectfully request that we don't allow Cass to run this year," Will spoke up, raising his hand to get the bantering friend's attention. "She literally ran over me when I dropped my spoon last year and sent me sailing under the piano."

"You still remember that, William?" Cass came up and ruffled Schuester's short dark hair with a little laugh. "I remember you leapfrogging over Barbra first. You stepped on her tail. She did not mean to knock the spoon out of your mouth. You crossed into my lane."

"Stop it, you two," Shelby wagged her finger both at her wife and the man she considered like a brother. "Barbra is asleep upstairs in Rachel's room and won't impede your stride, Will. And because of Holly's complaint of Cass having the best lane, we are drawing lanes. "

"Can't we just admit that Cassie's a little cheater and will do anything for success?" Holly piped up, teasingly. She stuck her tongue out at her best friend and Cass flipped her off in response.

"I resent that." Cass squinted at Hol. "I am not a cheater. I'm just better."

"Hmm." Holly rolled her eyes and turned to Shelby. "So we're drawing straws?" she asked.

"Yes." Shelby nodded. "But it doesn't even matter because Cass isn't running in this one, I am."

She turned to Stef, who was holding the straws and drew one. Everyone else followed her movements.

"I got pole!" Holly shrieked, clapping her hands and jumping up and down feeling quite happy at her luck. She also had quite a buzz going from the alcohol she had consumed so far tonight. She was not drunk, but definitely feeling good.

"It's not car racing but I imagine you have something in your pants that resembles that remark," Cass grumbled, "I am in the damn middle."

"You're sitting your ass in the chair against the wall beside Stef," Shelby all but growled, using her best Coach Corcoran voice. Shelby then pointed at the end chair and glared at Holly. "You sit down too. April is running."

"At least I am on the other end of the "field"," Will remarked, going to the table and picking up all the spoons before handing them to Shelby for her to pass out.

"Ok, remember the rules." Shelby spoke up. The runners dip a spoon of daiquiri and run with the spoon in their teeth and feed it to their partner who is sitting in the chair against the opposite wall. The first couple that have finished their daiquiri wins." Shelby said briefly, taking off her shoes. Though she had not said it, Shelby was determined to win this and planned to use the fact that she had been running sprints with Cass in the pool all week to hopefully be in better shape than her competition.

"On your marks," Cassie called from her chair at the back wall as everyone running positioned themselves. Juliet eyed down Shelby and bounced around intimidatingly, but jokingly. Shelby laughed and looked at Sam who was a couple of rows down. She and April and Jaquelin were all doing the same.

"I will be victorious." Shelby promised.

Scoffs of protest filled the room. Shelby'd never won this because as April had pointed out earlier, April was faster.

"Get set," Cassie continued then paused for dramatic effect. "Go, Baby, go!" She insisted, clapping her hands together quickly. "Quickly and accurately, babe, quickly and accurately!"

April and Sam moved the quickest. It deemed to be a mistake for both. Sam dropped the drink off the spoon and had to turn around to get a brand new drink glass. April spilled drink in a trail as she walked with it on her spoon. Shelby had her own strategy. She blocked out everybody and kept her eyes on Cass. Cassie held her mouth open like a baby bird and they safely made their first pass before she ran back for more.

"No loose lips on my girl," Cassie bragged, yelling over at Holly. "She knows exactly how to keep her lips to task when I am her target."

"Must everything be a sexual innuendo with you?" Stef sighed, rolling her eyes. "Most of us have high libidos and know how to use our mouths to please our partner. It's not just Shelby, sweet cheeks."

"It's not just a lesbian thing," Emma yelled from the end seat. "I have you know Will is good with his mouth too."

Gross, don't talk about my brother like that...Shelby thought to herself, scrunching her nose.

Cass for her part said nothing else. She had no time for banter. Shelby was back again and the pair had a race to win.

After another few times back and forth, Shelby noticed that Jaquelin was catching up to her.

Oh no you don't. Shelby thought with determination. Cass and I will win this! We will be this year's victors!

She put herself back into focus and continued what she was doing at a bit quicker pace.

"Don't get too fast," Cassie warned her, keeping their eyes locked at all times.

I know what I'm doing.

Two more times, Shelby coached herself blocking out everything but Cassandra's eyes and then her opened mouth. Cass was assisting and not passively swallowing like the other participants.

What that woman can do with her tongue, Shelby thought to herself as Cass tipped the spoon with her tongue and then pushing the spoon out of her mouth so the pair could separate quicker to send Shelby back on her way. My Cass knows how to use every muscle in her entire body to get the most out of it.

Cass swallowed the last of the daiquiri JUST before Carter had.

"Yes!" she spit the spoon out of her mouth and captured Shelby's mouth instead. "Mwahhhhh my sweetheart. Incredible." she said against Shelby's lips.

The other friends jealously glared and Jaquelin let out an audible groan of protest. The only thing you won with these games was bragging rights. Of course Cassie didn't need any more of those.

Cass pulled Shelby in her arms, surprising her. The brunette went with it though and straddled the blonde dancer with a long kiss.

"There are kids downstairs that don't need a sex ed. lesson," Stef leaned over and nudged Cass with her elbow. "You already have gone pass first base, don't need the home run till after midnight."

"Who needs a sex ed. lesson?" April said, strolling forward holding Holly's hand. "But that reminds me, Cassie has taught me some interesting moves with my stripper pole, ladies." April spoke up. "Perhaps she could give you all a lesson in that?"

"Don't you be selling out my woman and taking up even more of her time away from me!" Shelby insisted.

"Oh hush you," April scrunched her nose. "I'm sure you'll get your private lessons."

"Are you offering to entertain us now, Dr. Love?" Holly asked, running her hand up and down April's bottom making sure everyone saw it.

"Private show only," April purred back, winking at Shelby who groaned as Rachel ran in the room.

"What's a stripper pole Mommy? And Jude pooped in his pants and stunk the downstairs up."

"Moment killer," Holly complained, earning a laugh from most of the adults in the room.

"A stripper pole," Shelby sighed, picking Rachel up and spinning her around, making the little girl laugh. "Is not something I ever want to hear you talking about. It's something that adults don't talk about when there are such young, impressionable ears present." she shot daggers at April who simply shrugged her shoulders in response.

"She wasn't present at the time..." was April's only defense.

"And as for Jude and his messy diaper..." Shelby turned to Stef and Lena to find them playing a very intense game of rock, paper, scissors to see who would have to be the one to take care of that. When Lena lost she demanded best two out of three. "April will be glad to take care of that won't you?" Shelby watched Stef and Lena sigh in relief and both looked at April.

That said, Shelby strolled across the room with Rachel in her arms and turned on the music once more to dance. With her baby girl in her arms, Shelby danced to Elton John's "Crocodile Rock". Stef and Lena took each other's hands and joined them.

"A fine load of shit, you've gotten me into, Cassandra," April complained, grabbing hold of Holly's arm as she tried to slink away to dance with Cassie.

"And you are going to help me clean it up," April commanded in a tone so crisp that Holly spun around and followed.

"She has got you pussy whipped and it suits you," Cass said to herself about Holly as the pair went downstairs diaper bag in hand and hand. Cass then walked to her wife and daughter and began to dance with them. She looked up at the television which Will had turned on and muted. It was about forty minutes until midnight. Looks like Rachel would be joining Shelby and herself for a few more dances and she would not have it any other way.

. . .

What a difference a year can make? Shelby thought to herself as the entire group of guests crowded into the room where the large screen television was turned on now to the wild crowds of New York City who were waiting for the ball to drop to signal a new year.

She had felt an anticipation every year. Usually it was to fall into bed and make wild passionate love till both passed out in exhaustion until the next morning's dawn.

But this year, instead of having her tongue down her wife's throat, Shelby Corcoran watched their daughter. Their daughter's wide brown eyes. Brown eyes that despite the long dark lonely winter, was anticipating the sun.

Damn, you are so lucky, Shelby thought to herself as she watched her dear Cassandra take their child in her arms and put her on her shoulders so she could get a better look at the television through the crowd.

She pulled her wife closer on one side and pulled April closer on the other side.

So very damn lucky.

April pulled Holly close to her, who pulled Natalie close to her. Behind Cassie was Stef and Lena; Lena who was holding Jude and who had a hold of Stef with her other arm. Stef who was attached to Callie who was attached to Brandon and respectively Mariana and Jesus.

This giant family unit, Shelby told herself. That's what we focus on this year. We are large and a little dysfunctional. But we are beauty and light and together we will let in the sunshine.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6!

Together we can conquer the world with love and light.

5! 4! 3! 2!

"One." Shelby whispered with a smile as people around her screamed "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" and she shared a loving kiss with her wife before pecking her daughter on the lips as well. Rachel giggled and kissed Cassie too.

"Is this the start of something special, Mama?" she asked.

"You don't even know the half of it, little one." She whispered in response.

Standing in the living room, snuggled in tight to her dear Cassie and her daughter, Shelby thought back to the song that she and Cass had sung a few hours earlier. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" ran in her mind.

"I am celebrating with my family…a new year…healing…hope…and a lot of love." Shelby declared.