Boris Yeltsin - I've already set up Shelby's siblings and their families in past chapters, but if you have suggestions for relatives that aren't siblings or nieces/nephews then feel free to share and I'll see if I can work them in somehow.
I'm glad you don't mind Amy being a bigger character than I first intended her to be (And for those of you wondering about Amy's past, you'll have to be patient, but it will come out soon). But I hear what you say about wanting more Rachel/Shelby moments, so there are quite a few in this chapter, and I have a chapter coming up that is pretty much all Rachel Shelby.
"Hey" Shelby smiled when she felt Rachel stir in her arms the next morning.
"Morning" Rachel yawned, stretching out for a moment before tucking herself back into her Mom's side.
Shelby brushed Rachel's hair back from her face, "I missed laying with you like this yesterday" Shelby admitted, "I like our little morning chats."
"Me too" Rachel smiled, "Aunt Amy was a good substitute but I did miss waking up with you."
"Yeah?" Shelby ran her fingers through Rachel's hair, "Aunt Amy's good at cuddling."
"She is" Rachel nodded, "and we talked for a while too, but then Aunt Amy had to get up because her baby was hungry. I was going to go to the bathroom and then go downstairs with her but she tucked me in and I fell back to sleep" Rachel blushed slightly.
"That's okay, nobody minds you sleeping if you're tired Baby, when she was your age, Aunt Amy would sleep til lunchtime at weekends."
"Didn't Nana mind? Rachel asked.
"Not at all, you're at an age where your body is changing and growing, if it needs more sleep to help with that then it needs more sleep, Nanna understood that and so do I, if you need to sleep then you sleep Baby, I'll never be angry if you need to rest."
"Okay" Rachel smiled, finally beginning to believe her Mom when she said things like that.
"What do you want to do this morning?" Shelby asked as she began to play with Rachel's hair, "we've got another couple of hours before Nana and Grampy are going to be here, do you want to get up and get some breakfast or…?"
Rachel shook her head and tucked herself closer to Shelby, "can we just stay here a little longer?" she asked, moving her head to rest on her Mom's shoulder, "I'm comfy."
"Of course" Shelby smiled, dropping a kiss to Rachel's head. "We can stay here as long as you want."
"Not too long" Rachel draped her arm over Shelby's stomach, "I'm a little hungry but I, I just want you to hold me for a while."
"I'll hold you for as long as you want Baby, but if you're hungry, we can always get up, have breakfast and then I'll hold you on the couch til Nana and Grampy get here."
"That sounds good" Rachel nodded, but can we still lay here for a bit?"
"As long as you want baby" Shelby promised, "as long as you want."
They laid in silence for another fifteen minutes, neither feeling the need to speak or move as Shelby held Rachel close, running her fingers through her daughter's hair as Rachel played with the hem of Shelby's top.
It was a rumble from Rachel's stomach that forced them out of bed eventually, Shelby chuckling and kissing Rachel's head before telling her it was time to eat. They decided to stick to toast for breakfast, the meal Rachel was planning on cooking heavier than their usual lunch choices, and once they'd eaten, Shelby sent Rachel upstairs to get dressed as she did the same, and, once they were both ready, Rachel dressed in the jeans and tank top she'd 'borrowed' from her aunt after the water fight, Shelby curled up on the sofa with her daughter as promised, holding her until her parents arrived.
Rachel stayed on the couch as Shelby went to answer the door, like Amy they usually just let themselves in to Shelby's house but they hadn't wanted to startle Rachel so they'd decided to knock this time.
"Hi" she said shyly when Shelby came back into the room with her parents following behind her.
"Hello" Erin beamed, holding out her arms, Rachel accepting the hug, wondering why she was surprised to find her Nana hugged just as long and just as tightly as her Aunt and her Mom. "How are you doing?" Erin asked once they finally parted, "I haven't seen you since you were ill."
"I'm a lot better now" Rachel nodded, "it only lasted a few days thankfully."
"I'm glad to hear it" Erin smiled as she stepped aside to let her husband greet Rachel.
"I'm glad you're feeling better" he said with a soft smile, "can we…" he held out his arms and Rachel nodded, accepting the hug he offered, Paul being gentler and quicker than his wife, not wanting Rachel to feel trapped by him.
"Do you want a drink?" Shelby asked as she stood beside Rachel, putting her hand on the teen's back to reassure her.
"We're fine" Erin and Paul both told Shelby as they sat down, making themselves comfortable.
"So Rachel" Erin said with a cheeky smile, "just how drunk were your Mom and her sister last night?" she winked.
"Mom" Shelby rolled her eyes, "you could just ask you know, you don't have to try and corrupt my child. And for the record, I was very drunk, Amy was completely sober, she was a little worried about Rachel watching the kids so she drove, just in case Rachel needed anything and we had to get home" she said, knowing her parents didn't know Amy was pregnant yet, and it wasn't exactly a lie, Amy had worried that having both kids for the evening and putting them to bed would be too much for Rachel.
"That's understandable, although it makes a change for you to be the drunker one" Erin teased, "I take it you got on okay with Lily and Max? They didn't drive you mad?" she asked Rachel.
Rachel smiled and shook her head, "I think they were both on their best behaviour. We had pizza and watched a movie and then they went to bed with no issues."
"I'll have to have you round the next time I watch them if they're that well behaved for you" Erin joked.
"Didn't Lily try and talk you into reading her fifteen stories?" Paul asked.
Rachel shook her head, "she fell asleep before I was halfway through the first one."
"Wow, you'll have to teach me your tricks" he smiled, "I usually agree to two, but then she asks for another one, and another one, and, well, you get the idea" he chuckled.
They spoke for a while longer before Rachel excused herself to make a start on lunch. "Do you want any help?" Shelby asked.
Rachel shook her head, "it's your birthday lunch Mom, you relax, I've got it."
"Okay" Shelby smiled, kissing her daughter's head, "shout if you want a hand though."
"I will" Rachel nodded before heading into the kitchen.
She was humming along to the radio a while later after texting her Aunt to double check a few things, when Erin walked into the kitchen, "is there anything I can do to help?" she asked.
Rachel smiled and shook her head, "you're our guest Nana, you don't need to help make lunch."
"Grandpa and your Mom are talking about some poet or something, it's all going over my head, are you sure there's nothing I can chop or stir for you?" She saw Rachel looked a little unsure, "I really don't mind helping, but if you'd rather I didn't interfere then maybe I could just sit here and chat to you?"
Rachel bit her lip, "could you chop this?" she held out an onion, "I'm not, I chop it a little big sometimes."
"Absolutely Erin smiled, pulling out a chopping board and taking a sharp knife from the block on the counter before washing her hands and beginning to chop the onion for Rachel.
Erin moved to make drinks for everyone once she'd chopped the onion, not wanting to get in Rachel's way, a smile on her face as she watched her oldest grandchild cook, she too noticed the difference between this girl and the one she'd met at Christmas, Erin had never doubted that Shelby would be an amazing mother, and the way Rachel's confidence had bloomed in the few short months she'd lived with her Momma was proof of that.
She took coffees through to her daughter and her husband, Shelby and Paul playfully arguing over something Erin didn't quite understand, Shelby had inherited her love of literature form her Dad, and it was something they could talk about for hours.
Erin on the other hand made small talk with Rachel as the teen cooked, it was a little awkward at first but Rachel soon warmed to her Nana, even more so when Erin started telling her about Shelby, Amy and their brothers as children, Rachel smiling as her Nana failed to hold anything back, telling her several embarrassing stories about her Mom, and letting her know just how much trouble Shelby was as a teen, "but by the time Amy got to that age, she'd got three older siblings to teach her all the tricks. Your poor Mom was like the guinea pig, finding out all the tricks for sneaking out and getting things past us but Amy got it all handed to her just from watching her siblings" she chuckled.
"Have Mom and Aunt Amy always been close?" Rachel asked as she held out a spoonful of sauce, asking her Nana if she wanted to taste it.
Erin tried the sauce, thinking for a moment before suggesting, "a little black pepper?"
Rachel tried the sauce herself before nodding, "I think that would be good."
"As for your Mom and Amy" Erin smiled as Rachel rummaged in the cupboard for the pepper, "your Mom was nine when Amy was born and she wasn't that bothered, she thought babies were boring, but once Amy could crawl, she wanted to be anywhere your Mom was, they were inseparable, and I think your Mom liked how much Amy adored her. I guess Grandpa and I got lucky, we've got four kids and they've had their moments but they all get along like no one's business. I've never known siblings as close as our four, they argue and wind each other up something rotten, but the second one of them needs anything, they're there in a heartbeat."
"That's lovely" Rachel smiled, "you must be so proud."
"I am" Erin nodded, "I'm proud of all my children, and my grandchildren too, one of the best things about being a parent is getting to be a grandparent, I can spoil my grandkids rotten, feed them junk and then send them home for their parents to deal with, and my kids can't say anything because I'm still their Mom" she winked.
Rachel chuckled and offered Erin a taste of the sauce again, "is that okay?" she asked, "or a little more?"
Erin shook her head, "that's perfect Rachel" she smiled, watching the teen blush slightly, still not used to the praise, "and I know Paul and I haven't had much chance to spoil you yet, but it will come Darling, just you wait."
"You don't need to spoil me Nana" Rachel said as she turned the pasta on to cook, "Mom's bought me more than I could ever imagine, I don't, there's nothing I need."
"Spoiling you isn't about getting you what you need, it's about getting you what you want, and things you didn't even know you wanted until you get them" she winked as she stood and moved around the counter, "do you want to eat in here or at the dining table?" she asked.
Rachel thought for a minute, "the dining table please."
"Okay" Erin smiled, "I'll go set it for you."
"You're our guest Nana" Rachel protested, "you don't have to do that!"
Erin chuckled, "you're a sweetheart" she smiled as she got out cutlery, "but I'm family, I'm not a guest here" she told Rachel as she left to set the table.
"Did you make this on your own Rach?" Shelby almost groaned after taking a bite if her food, "or did Nana help you?"
"I, I made it, Nana tasted the sauce but if you don't like it then I can…" Rachel was on the verge of tears as she pushed herself to her feet, intending to make something else for her Mom.
"No, Rach" Shelby gently wrapped a hand around her daughter's wrist, gently tugging her back to sit down. "I love it, it's just… "
"It's my fault, I didn't say anything, I didn't want you to feel any pressure" Erin told Rachel, "but I recognised this as soon as I saw you making it, it's a bit of a family recipe, I taught Amy and your Mom how to make it and my Mom taught me how to cook it, it's changed slightly as its been passed through the family, and soon I'm sure you'll add your own little twist to it too."
"It… Aunt Amy didn't say anything."
"She probably didn't want you to feel any pressure either, she probably wanted you to enjoy yourself without worrying about things being perfect, it doesn't matter if you use a bit more onion than me or you want to add something that Aunt Amy or I don't add, cooking doesn't have to be an exact science, just enjoy yourself and don't be afraid to try new things."
"Nana's right Rachel" Paul told her, "I'm no chef but I know good food when I taste it and this is amazing, honestly."
"Thank you" Rachel whispered, feeling a little overwhelmed by the compliments as she went back to her own food.
"Have you told Nana and Grampy what you gave me for my birthday?" Shelby asked, confirming when she saw the confused look from her daughter, the teen not sure why her grandparents would want to know about a teddy bear and a photo frame, "the thing you put in the card."
"Oh" Rachel blushed slightly and dropped her head, pushing her pasta around her plate with her fork.
"You don't need to tell us if you don't want to" Erin reassured her.
"I erm, Aunt Amy took me to get the paperwork, and helped me fill it in, so I could change my surname to Corcoran, all Mom has to do is sign and file the papers."
"That's wonderful" Erin beamed, "I bet that made your day Shelby."
"It did" she smiled, "one of the best presents I've ever been given." The news of Amy's pregnancy came a close second, but Erin and Paul didn't know about that yet so she kept it to herself.
"When everything's final, you'll have to come to us for dinner" Paul said with a smile, "so we can celebrate you being a Corcoran in name as well as in genetics."
"We could have a little party if you like" Shelby suggested, putting her arm around Rachel and kissing her temple, "or just a family get together, but tell Amy she can't come, Corcorans only" she teased.
"You know you'd miss your sister if she wasn't there" Erin scolded.
"Yeah" Shelby smiled, "you're right, and this one certainly would" she kissed Rachel's temple again before going back to her lunch.
"Your Mom said your show choir has a competition coming up." Paul spoke again.
Rachel nodded, "I erm, I have a small solo in the group number." Shelby knew Rachel was nervous, had almost been in tears when Will had suggested it to her. He'd taken her aside at the end of rehearsals and told her he'd like her to sing a few lines, he'd told her there was no pressure, he hadn't even mentioned it to Shelby to give Rachel the opportunity to turn it down without feeling like she'd let her Mom down. In the end she'd agreed, but to put her at ease, Will had had the group practice the song with Santana singing Rachel's solo too so that she could step in if needed.
"That's brilliant! Would we be able to come and watch?" Erin asked, sounding genuinely excited.
Rachel's head snapped up, "you, you'd want to see me?"
"Of course we would" Paul answered for his wife.
"Unless of course you think having us there would make you nervous" Erin said, "then we'll stay home and you can call us afterwards and tell us how it went."
"I erm, I wouldn't mind you being there, if you wanted to come that is, but you don't have to, I'd understand if…"
Shelby gently squeezed Rachel's hand to stop her rambling, "I'll let you know the date before you leave and sort you out some tickets" she told her parents with a smile.
Rachel felt a sense of relief once dinner was over, everyone had cleared their plates, and she'd had more complements on the meal than she could ever remember getting before, Erin had even promised to share some more family recipes with her Grandaughter, Shelby silently promising to let Rachel help her with dinner more often. Shelby had never been a big cook, had never really had the time, and when she had the time she'd never seen the point in making anything fancy when it was just her, but now she had Rachel, now she didn't have the pressures of VA coaching weighing over her, she'd found herself spending more time in the kitchen and to her surprise, she actually quite liked it. She'd been wary of asking Rachel to help though, worried that the teen might think Shelby was expecting her to behave like her fathers had, that she'd expect her to cook every meal, but if Rachel liked to cook Shelby was sure she'd find a way for them to do that together without worrying her daughter.
The three Corcoran women were shooed into the living room once they'd eaten, Paul insisting on tidying up despite Rachel's protests, "you and Nanna cooked, and we're belatedly celebrating your Mom's birthday, so I'll do the dishes" he said before beginning to clear the table, leaving no room for argument.
Once Paul had loaded the dishwasher and washed the pans that wouldn't fit in, he made coffee for everyone, getting Rachel a glass of juice when she turned down his offer of tea. It was then that Erin produced birthday gifts for Shelby along with a chocolate birthday cake, Rachel finding her spot, tucked into her Mom's side as she opened the gifts.
At Shelby's suggestion, they moved to the kitchen table, playing a game of scrabble together as they ate their cake, the three adults all sharing a smile at Rachel's laughter when Paul found himself trying to make a word out of the Qs, Zs, Xs and Rs that he'd pulled out of the bag.
"Dad" Shelby rolled her eyes, "rqxzrr is not a word!"
"Here" he handed her his letters, "if you're so smart, swap me."
"Okay" Shelby handed over her letters, taking her Dad's and, using an A already on the board, put down a Z and an X, smiling triumphantly as the X landed on a triple word score.
"Zax?" Paul raised an eyebrow, "who's making words up now?"
"Rachel?" Erin looked to her Grandaughter, her children had inherited their competitive streak from her husband, and just five minutes into the game, Rachel had been designated 'official adjudicator' using a website she'd found on her phone to determine if the words her Grampy and Mom came up with were allowed.
Rachel picked up her phone, searching for a moment before nodding, "zax. Noun. A tool, similar to a hatchet, used to prepare slate for roofing."
Shelby grinned proudly as she added 57 points to her total on the scoresheet as Paul mumbled something about 'bloody kids' before laughing and shaking his head when, on her turn, Rachel simply added 'es' onto Shelby's word to make it plural, Shelby letting out a laugh and reaching over the table to give her daughter a high five, "well played Rach" she grinned proudly.
"Yes" Erin chuckled, "I have to admit, that was a good move."
"Oh" Paul shook his head, letting out a laugh of his own so Rachel knew he was joking, "I see how it is, you're all ganging up on me are you?"
"It would seem that way dear, yes" Erin winked at her husband as she laid her own tiles down on the board.
It was early evening when Paul and Erin said their goodbyes, hugging both Rachel and Shelby as Shelby promised they'd visit soon, "okay?" Shelby asked Rachel once her parents had left.
"Okay" Rachel nodded, tucking herself into Shelby's side, silently requesting a hug that Shelby was only too happy to provide.
"We've got some time before dinner" Shelby said, running her fingers through her daughter's hair as she held her close, "what would you like to do."
Rachel tipped her head to look up at Shelby, smiling when her Mom kissed her nose, "can we… can we go downstairs?" she asked nervously, "maybe play the piano together?"
"Absolutely" Shelby smiled, taking Rachel's hand and leading her towards the basement stairs, "you pick out some music and I'll help you play."