A/N: Sorry for the delayed update. I hope you like it. I am still trying to decide what the make the ship be but I appreciate the suggestions, they all sound good. I think I will have to let Rachel and Quinn decide for me. In case you are wondering they are strongly and firmly just friends at the moment. Please continue to leave your fantastic reviews. Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters.

Ch. 3

Quinn left for Yale that Sunday night. After the doctor confirmed my pregnancy Quinn took me home and carefully we went through my options. I still didn't know what I wanted to do but Quinn told me I still had time to decide, to not make a snap decision. So she left on Sunday with a promise to return on the weekend. Part of me wished she'd stayed, but that was selfish, Quinn had her own life, her own dreams, she'd handled an unwanted pregnancy once already it wasn't her job to help me with mine.

"You alright?" Santana came in late that night, she flopped down beside me.

"I. I don't know." I said honestly. There was no way to describe what I was currently feeling. It was as if a giant mass of emotions was twirling inside of me. I was terrified, I was nervous, I was happy. I had had a child, my child growing inside of me. No matter how scary that face was a tiny part of me was excited, I loved this child, but could I keep her or him, could I give up the future I had dreamed of and fought for my whole life. All the torment, the name calling, the slushies, and the swirlies I endured growing up had been worth it, would be worth it if I became a Broadway star. It be the biggest slap in the face to all the bullies who tore me down, who said I'd be nothing. If I had this baby I may never become the new Barbra, I'd be proving my tormentors and naysayers right.

"What should I do San?" I asked rolling on my side to look at her. She copied my motion so we were facing on another, "God Berry, I can't…no one can answer that question for you."

"What would you do?" I insisted

She looked away, "I don't know. I like to believe that I'd be brave like Q and have the child and then give it up if that was the best thing for the child but I am an inherently selfish person."

"No you're not." I rebuked her. Sometimes, like Quinn, Santana was too hard on herself.

"I am but I'm working on it. Anyway I don't know what I'd do, no one does not until they are in that situation."

We fell silent for a moment then Santana handed me a piece of paper. "What's this?"

"Access to another perspective."

I looked at the number and address then the name scrawled below it, I froze.

"How'd you get this?"

"Puck gave it to me, wanted me to check up on her if I got a chance."

"Does Quinn know?"

"No. They, it's still not a great situation there."

I bit my lip. Did I want to go down this path? Did I want to have this conversation? My heart raced. San was right it would provide me with another perspective. I looked up at my new best friend, that's what we'd become, not just acquaintances or teammates or even just friends. In the short time she'd been here Santana had quickly become my best friend. "Go with me?"

"Of course."

QFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRB

She lived in a row of brownstones downtown. It was decorated with neutral and pastel colors. The floors were covered with toddler's toys, the walls a mixture of contemporary art and photos of Beth. Currently I sat in the kitchen across from my mother while Santana played with Beth in the adjacent living room.

"I won't lie and say I am not surprised you are here but I am very glad you stopped by."

I nodded my eyes glued to the blonde headed little girl who was shoving blocks at Santana.

"She's getting big." I commented.

"Very. She keeps me on my toes, constantly moving that one."

"She looks even more like Quinn." I heard Shelby's breath catch. I probably shouldn't have brought up Quinn but it was hard not to when I was staring at her mini twin.

"There's a resemblance."
I heard Santana snort but that was the only indication that my friend was listening to our conversation.

"Rachel." Shelby's call tore my eyes away from the duo. Shelby looked concerned as her eyes studied me.

"Is everything alright? How is NYADA?"

"NYADA is great. I'm doing really well, even made the winter showcase." She smiled kindly and was that pride I saw behind her chocolate eyes. "That is quite an accomplishment Rachel, congratulations." I ducked my head blushing at her praise. Somehow through everything her praise and pride in me meant more to me than anyone else's except maybe Quinn's.

"So this is just a social call, you don't need help?"

I felt my throat close. Glancing back I saw Santana give me the slightest head nod of encouragement. "Actually I, I need your advice."

"Advice? On what?"

I bit my lip for what felt like the millionth time, this was definitely a nervous habit I had picked up from Quinn. Looking over at Beth again my hand slid to my stomach, I could have a little one just like that. Was I ready? If Quinn, the smartest and most responsible person I know wasn't ready how could I be? I was way more self-involved and emotional than Quinn ever was.

"I'm pregnant Shelby." I finally said it, somehow I managed to keep my eyes on her. I expected to see disappointment or disgust but instead there was sympathy and worry shining from her. It was a similar look to what I'd come to recognize coming from Kurt, Santana, and Quinn.

"Oh Rachel how are you handling it?" Wow no condemnation, no question on how I could let this happen.

"Um…not good at first but then Quinn came down from New Haven and she's been fantastic and supportive. So have Santana and Kurt, I don't think I could have made it this past week without them, especially Quinn."

"Quinn, really?" I could hear the disbelief in her voice and it turned my stomach. Shelby knew nothing about Quinn.

"Yes Quinn. The moment I called she was on the next train to New York. She took me to the clinic. She hasn't pressured me once to make a decision or what decision to make. She's only supported me and answered my questions and provided information for the questions she couldn't answer." My voice was firm and strong, "She's been my rock despite how much pain this situations must be bringing back for her."

Shelby just nodded. I knew that was all I'd get from her on the Quinn matter. "How can I help," she finally asked.

"I want your perspective, both as a surrogate who gave up their child and as a mother who was generously given a child. I also want your opinion to how this will affect my career."

Shelby started at me for a moment before beckoning me to join her on her back porch. It was little, as nobody owns much land in New York, but if was refreshing to step outside.

"I really don't know what to say Rachel. My situation with you is very different than the situation you find yourself in. I was young looking for a way to New York when I came upon your fathers' ad. You were never mine to keep. That doesn't mean it didn't hurt to give you away. It was excruciating watching your fathers' take you away. That pain it never goes away. It dulls some, you learn to live with it, but it will remain forever."

I wanted to say Quinn had said the same thing but I didn't think it was the appropriate time.

"As for adopting Beth," a huge smile grew upon Shelby's face, "She was the greatest gift I ever received. She isn't a replacement for you, she doesn't heal the whole in my heart where you belong, but she warms it and fills the remaining space with love. I loved you both equally, you both are my daughters. Having Beth, it fulfills a dream I thought I lost when I let you go. I'm eternally grateful to Quinn and Noah for allowing me to adopt her, to call her my daughter. No mate what happened between the three of us I will always be indebted to them for their selfless and brave decision."

Two years ago I would have been jealous of Beth for how Shelby spoke of he, I'm ashamed to admit I resented the toddler at first for taking my mote away. I know better now. It wasn't Beth's fault, or Quinn's, or even Shelby's. Shelby was never meant to be my mom as she said though that didn't mean we couldn't be good friends.

"If you decide to give this baby away you will be giving a happy couple or single person the greatest gift and you should be proud of that. It'll hurt though Rachel, so much. I'd suggest an open adoption if possible. It can work out even if it didn't for Beth."

I clamped my mouth shout, I wanted to yell 'it could, give Quinn another chance', but I couldn't not now. I would though, I would.

"As for your career, I don't know honey. Broadway is time consuming, you'll need a babysitter, you'll have to spend multiple hours a day away from the baby. It'll be expensive maybe too expensive in the beginning. Broadway and motherhood are 24/7 jobs, it'll be difficult to do both properly. Not to mention you still have 3 years of school yet. It'll be very hard Honey. If you keep the baby you may have to give up Broadway."

I knew those words would tumble from Shelby's lips and they were a knife through my heart. How could I possibly choose between my dreams and my child?

"Rachel," I looked back up at her. She was reached over and grabbed my hands, "no matter what you choose I will be here for you, be it as a babysitter or as moral support, I am here."

I could hear the sincerity in her voice, it was refreshing to hear Shelby finally step up for me. "Thank you."

QFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQFRBQF

We stayed another hour. Beth, I just don't have words for Beth, she is so adorable and I love her more than I thought possible. There is so much Quinn in that little girl from her instinctive eyebrow raise to her grace on toddler's legs. There was Puck in her too, her smile was all him and the mischievous glint she gets in her eyes just before she does something she was told not to.

Beth somehow eased the tension between Shelby and Santana that was so palpable. I know Santana hates Shelby for cutting Quinn out, a part of me did too but there were two sides to every story. Santana was fiercely loyal though so she'd only see Quinn's pain.

As we turned to leave I decide it was time to say something. Santana was at the bottom of the stoop while I was at the top, Beth on my hip, saying goodbye.

"When was the last time you heard of Quinn?" I asked Shelby but my eyes on the hazel matching Quinn's.

"Not since sectionals." Shelby growled.

"So you don't know she nearly died in a horrific car crash. A car crash she got into because though she told me not to and that she didn't approve she decided to support me and come to my wedding."

"You got married?"

I shook my head; seriously that is what she heard. "No, Quinn didn't show so I postponed . We found out later about the crash. She was in a coma for a week and paralyzed for 3 months. She just started walking before Nationals."

"Oh my." I saw Shelby look at Beth probably imagining it was Beth.

"Yeah, it was so scary, but Quinn, Quinn was great. She could have been bitter, could have been angry, could have blamed me because I was incessantly texting her causing her to feel compelled to answer and take her eyes off the road, she could have become depressed again, but she did none of that. She held her head high and beat the odds walking months before any of the doctors said she would."

I let that information sink in before continuing. "She's at Yale you know, got in early decision. We all feared with the accident she would be able to go. She did though. She made Provost List last semester and is on track to make it again."

"That's amazing. How is her health now?" Shelby asked hesitantly.

"She doesn't admit it but I know her legs hurt her still and she fatigues fast. She had a collapsed lung that makes her susceptible to illnesses, hence the walking pneumonia she had over Christmas break. She is good and healthy right now though."

I kissed Beth on the top of the head before handing her to Shelby. "Quinn's really turned her life around. She knows she was wrong and she regrets it immensely. You should give her another chance."

"Rachel it's not that easy."

I shook my head, "But it is. I've given you a third chance. You broke my heart two times yet here I am offering you a relationship with me and potentially your grandchild. Quinn made a mistake a similar mistake you made when you came blazing into my life unannounced using a student t get to me. The only difference between what you did with Jess and that tape and what Quinn did was that Quinn was a scared, confused, hurt, and depressed 17 year old and you were a 34 year old with a bad case of 'what ifs'. Think about it Shelby, really think if you of all people have the right to condemn a young girl for wanting a relationship with her daughter."

So the end of my speech may have been a little harsh but every word was true. After a moment I kissed Shelby, a stone still Shelby, goodbye and left my final words, "I'll call you, I want to know you and Beth."

Of course when we rounded the corner Santana attacked me, "Berry that was awesome. I've wanted to put that hypocrite in her place for a year but Q forbid me. Seriously that was so badass and awesome." She was practically flying as she hopped around me in excitement.

"I only told the truth."

"Wait till Q hears." I grabbed Santana's arm and pulled her to me. "Quinn can't know."

"Why?"

"Because if Shelby doesn't reconsider her hopes and heart will be crushed again."

Santana looked away then nodded, "Alright the Shelby Smack Down will remain a secret."

I laughed, "It wasn't a smack down."

"It so was. Come on Berry let's get Berry fetus some ice cream, the real stuff not that vegan crap you filled the fridge with."

And we did.

Please Review!