Those of you worrying about Rachel's Dads showing up can relax, I do have plans for them in the future, but they won't be turning up to ruin the vacation!
For the guest who asked if I can do a chapter where Shelby comforts Rachel when she's scared, I already had a lot of this chapter written, but I have an idea for how I can work that into the next chapter.
And I'd like to take this opportunity to wish alicemaywrite a very happy birthday, she encouraged me to keep writing this when I wanted to give it up, and she puts up with me spamming her with ideas for random fics on a pretty much daily basis!
"Shel, have you…" despite insisting that Lily always knocked, Amy just walked into the room, but her question was instantly forgotten as she saw her sister sitting at the dressing table, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Shelby?" Amy knelt on the floor beside her sister, taking hold of her hands, "what is it Shelby? Are you okay? Is Rachel okay?"
Shelby smiled and wiped at her eyes, "I'm okay. It's nothing." Amy raised one eyebrow, knowing her sister wouldn't be this upset over nothing. "Come here" Shelby gently tugged on Amy's hands, encouraging her to get up from the floor, she waited until Amy was sat on the edge of the bed before telling her, "Rachel and I walked round a market when we were out earlier. She wouldn't let me buy anything for her but she bought gifts for her friends" Shelby wiped at her eyes again, "she went to help Lily while I was in the shower and when I came out, this was on the table" she handed over both a tissue and a small box, Amy realising that Rachel had written a note on the tissue with one of Lily's crayons, 'Mom, you've bought me so many nice things since I came to live with you, and I wanted to do the same for you. I love you Rachel xx'
Amy carefully handed the note back to her sister and opened the box, finding a silver necklace with a small star charm hanging from it, "oh Shel…"
"I looked at it in the market, I was thinking about buying it for Rachel, I don't even know how she managed to buy it without me seeing. I just…" Shelby shook her head as she teared up again. "I can't believe how caring and thoughtful she is after everything those bastards put her through."
Amy stood, gently pulling Shelby to her feet so she could hug her properly, "it's because you love her" she said as she held her sister close, "you've shown her compassion and empathy and love. You've introduced her to a family, shown her that, even though we're all different, we all get along and we all care for each other. You've given her a home, a place where she feels safe and secure, a place where she's been able to thrive, you've embraced her past and given her the tools and the love she needs to get past that. Rachel is caring and loving because that's what she's been shown since you took her in, she knows that if she's open, if she's vulnerable, nobody's going to hurt her or use that against her. I've seen the change in her Shel, she's the girl she is today because of how you've raised her over the past few months."
Shelby sniffled quietly as she tried to get herself together, "it's not just me, you've been amazing for her Amy and…"
Amy put her index finger on Shelby's lips to stop her talking, "you're her Momma" Amy told her, "you are the person with most influence in her life, Me, Jim, Mom, Dad, Matt, Luke, we're all here for you, for both of you, whenever you need us, but you. When she's scared, when she's nervous or worried, her instinct is to seek out you. And she has that instinct because she knows you will give her whatever support she needs, be that physical, mental or emotional. She's only known you for a few months but she already knows that your love for her is unconditional, that whatever happens you'll be there. And that's why she's becoming more confident. She's learning that she can be herself, be away from you, she can have her independence and you will still be there when she needs you. Out of the blue you were given a scared, broken little girl who was crying out for love and security. You gave her that and you've moulded her into a kind, compassionate, loving young woman. You have done that Shelby, you and Rachel. Yes we've all been supporting you and cheering you on but you are her Momma, you are the reason she's the person who she is right now." She reached for a clean tissue and used it to wipe at Shelby's tears.
Shelby smiled, "when did my baby sister get so wise?" she asked.
"Always had it" Amy winked, smiling at the laugh she got from her sister.
Shelby wiped at her eyes, "did you want me for something?"
"Yeah" Amy nodded, "can't remember what it was now though" she shrugged, "so it can't have been that important" she said as she picked the necklace back up and gestured for Shelby to turn around so she could fasten it around her sister's neck.
"Thanks" Shelby smiled before catching sight of herself in the mirror, "God, look at me, I'm meant to be going to help Rachel with her hair and her makeup."
Amy chuckled and kissed Shelby's cheek, "pass me that" she gestured to Rachel's makeup, "I'm ready, I'll go see if she'll let me help."
"What if she asks where I am?"
"I'll tell her that you're still getting ready, that I came in, we got talking and I distracted you and you'll be out when you're ready, it's not a lie is it?"
"No" Shelby smiled, handing over Rachel's makeup with a final hug to her sister, "thanks Amy."
"Any time" she winked as she left the room. She headed straight for the living room, knowing that's where Rachel and Lily were, and Amy wasn't at all surprised to find Max had joined them too, spongebob was playing on the TV and Lily's hair was tied back in two French braids, Amy briefly wondering how Rachel had got the girl to sit still for anything that took longer than a ponytail. "Hey Pretty Girl" she sat down beside Rachel, "your Mom's still getting ready so I offered to help you with this" she gestured to the make up, "but only if you want me to, you can wait for your Mom if you'd rather."
Rachel nodded, "is Mom okay?" she asked, "she's been a while" Rachel was worried that her Mom would react badly to the gift she'd left.
"She's absolutely fine" Amy squeezed Rachel's hand, "I went to ask her something, we got talking and I distracted her from what she was doing, I'm sure she won't be long if you want to wait for her."
Rachel shook her head, "you can help me, if you're sure you don't mind?"
"Of course not, I wouldn't have offered if I did, just let me grab a mirror and we can sit at the table and do it."
Shelby found Rachel and Amy sat side by side at the dining table, Amy had washed her face clean of the make up she'd already applied and Rachel was copying her Aunt as she reapplied it, "thank you" Shelby whispered in Rachel's ear as she wrapped her arms around her daughter from behind and kissed her cheek, "you really didn't have to, but I love it, thank you".
Shelby saw Rachel's smile in the mirror, "I'm glad you like it Mom."
"I do" Shelby began gently combing through Rachel's hair with the brush she'd brought out with her, "but you're really going to have to let me buy you something now."
Rachel reached up to wrap her fingers around Shelby's, "you don't need to get me anything Mom, you already do enough for me."
"Let her spoil you" Amy said with a smile, "maybe if she's buying stuff for you she'll stop filling my house with junk she's bought the kids" she teased.
Rachel laughed as Shelby pretended to be offended, "there's no limit on my love for you baby" Shelby told Rachel, "there will never come a time where I tell you I've spent enough on you, where I tell you I've given you all the love I have for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I'll be here Baby."
"I know" Rachel gently squeezed Shelby's fingers, "I love you."
"I love you too" Shelby smiled, "now, how do you want me to do your hair?
"Mom" Rachel said softly as they sat side by side in a restaurant a little while later, "what does swordfish taste like?"
"I've never had it baby, why don't you try it?"
Rachel shrugged, "what if I don't like it?" she asked quietly.
"Rach" Jim said softly before Shelby could reply, "order it, and order something you know you'll definitely like too. When it comes you can try it, if you don't like it I'll eat it, if you do like it, I'll have the other thing you order."
"But what if you don't like what I order?" Rachel asked nervously
"I will".
"Jim's like a garbage disposal, he'll eat anything you put in front of him, you don't need to worry" Amy tried to reassure her niece.
"Are you sure?" Rachel all but whispered.
"Absolutely" Jim closed his menu and sat back in his chair, "order whatever you want."
"Okay" Rachel nodded, "thank you." She was still getting used to this, to the fact her Uncle was nothing like her fathers. One of the reasons her diet had been so restricted before she came to live with Shelby was because, if she left any food on her plate, her fathers would punish her ungratefulness by not letting her eat for a while, so Rachel became reluctant to try new foods in case she didn't like them. Shelby had encouraged her to try new things though, she'd been wary of allergies so she'd been slow to introduce new foods into Rachel's diet, but she'd always allowed her to try, never getting angry if she didn't like what she'd been given.
It was also strange for her to see a father so involved in his children's lives. She'd spent a lot of time with Amy when Jim was away for work, so she'd got used to seeing her Aunt do everything for Lily and Max, but it had quickly become clear to Rachel that, when Jim was home, he was happy to take over childcare so Amy could rest and have some time to herself, it was obvious that he did just as much for his son and daughter as Amy did, and sometimes Rachel couldn't help but imagine how different her life would have been if she'd had a father like him.
Rachel took a small bite of the fish after it was placed in front of her, noticing how her Uncle was waiting for her before eating, "well?" Shelby asked when she saw Rachel swallow the fish, even though she could tell what Rachel thought from the look on her face.
Rachel shook her head and Jimmy just smiled, handing over the grilled chicken dish that Rachel had also ordered, "at least you tried it" he told her, "and if you want to try something else another night then I don't mind doing this again" he told her, "and I mean that Rach."
She blushed slightly, bowing her head as she murmured a quiet thanks to the man, grateful when Lily spoke up, asking, "can I try it too Daddy?"
"Sure" Jim held out a piece of the fish for Lily before asking Max if he wanted to try it too.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's fish, you don't have to try it if you don't want to."
"It's nice Maxy" Lily nodded, "I like it."
Max nodded, "okay, just a little bit."
Amy chuckled quietly when Max quickly spat the fish out onto his plate, but she didn't mock him the way Rachel's fathers would have mocked her, she was quick to hand him his drink, thanking him for trying a new food and telling him that it was okay that he didn't like it, Jim repeating that he was proud of the boy just for trying, before telling him to enjoy the food he had ordered and then giving Lily some more of the fish when she asked for it.
As they had most nights since they arrived at the villa, Rachel, Shelby, Amy and Jim sat out on the decking at the villa Lily and Max had been put to bed, making the most of the warm evenings. Shelby had brought up Rachel's idea, offering to watch Lily and Max so her sister and brother in law could have an evening together, and Amy and Jim were both happy to accept. They couldn't remember the last time they'd had a proper date night and they were quite excited about getting a night off from being 'Mommy and Daddy' and just being able to be themselves.
"Hey Little Legs" it was Jim who spotted Lily stumbling wearily onto the deck, interrupting the game of animal snap they'd all been playing, a game that was actually Lily's, "what are you doing up?" he asked, holding out his arms towards her.
Rachel bit her lip briefly as Jimmy lifted the toddler into his arms, but he simply settled her on his lap, Lily's knees either side of his hips as she laid chest to chest with him, "I need you Daddy" Lily yawned as she clutched at Jimmy's shirt.
"Yeah?" he stroked her back softly before reaching for the hoodie draped over the back of his chair and using it to cover his daughter, not wanting her to get cold in her pyjamas, a white tank top printed with Minnie Mouse's face and red shorts with white polka dots, "what do you need me for?"
"Stop mons'ers getting me" she mumbled.
"I can do that" Jimmy kissed her hair as he continued stroking her back, "did you have a bad dream?" Lily nodded against Jimmy's chest. "I promise you Lil, no monsters will ever get you, we'll all keep you safe."
Lily yawned, already beginning to fall asleep, wrapped up warm in her Daddy's hoodie and safe in his arms, "love you Daddy."
"I love you too Princess" he said, placing another kiss to her hair, stroking her back until he felt her go limp against his chest.
Amy couldn't help but smile as she reached for Jimmy's hand, "I love you" she told him quietly, swearing she physically felt her love for him grow every time she saw the man she loved cradling one of their children.
"I love you too babe" he squeezed her hand, "I'll give her ten minutes or so then I'll go tuck her back in."
"Okay" Amy smiled, reaching up to gently stroke Lily's cheek, "sweet dreams Darling."
Conversation between the adults dwindled as Jimmy continued stroking Lily's back, Amy had leaned into her husband, her hand held in his, her head on his shoulder. "I think you might need to get your girls to bed" Shelby chuckled as she watched Amy fighting to keep her eyes open. She chuckled again as Rachel let out a loud yawn, "And apparently so do I."
"I think you're right" Jim kissed Amy's temple, smiling as her eyes fluttered open, "come on babe" he said softly, "bedtime."
"Okay" Amy didn't put up a fight, she was feeling sleepy, and couldn't wait to take Lily's place, curled up in her husband's arms.
She stretched slightly as she stood, "g'night" she yawned.
"Goodnight" Shelby and Rachel echoed, watching as Jim led Amy inside with a hand in the small of her back.
"Come on you" Shelby put the animal snap cards back into the box, "let's go get in bed, we can read until you fall asleep."
Rachel's face lit up, "you'll read to me?"
Shelby kissed Rachel's hair and took her hand, leading her inside and making sure to lock the door behind them, "of course, go clean your teeth and get changed, I just want to make sure everything's locked up and then I'll be right through, I promise."