A/N – I know it took forever. I'm sorry. My life has gotten crazy in all of the best possible ways. I'm happy, but busy. I hope you all understand. Thank you all for your reviews and for sticking with me. I really appreciate it. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
I haven't forgotten about the sequel to Changed for the Better. I promise. And I've got a new story I've been playing with. A shorter one that I'm trying to get prepared to go out.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.
Disclaimer – I don't own Glee.
"Brooklyn? What are you doing in Brooklyn?" Shelby asked incredulously.
Marie looked over at Elizabeth and the ghost of a smile played on her lips. She had always known Shelby would make a wonderful mother, just as she had always known that any child of Shelby's would be full of the same mischief the woman had as a child. She couldn't wait to meet Rachel.
"It's not our fault," Rachel insisted. "We tried to take the subway home, but we weren't sure which line to take. We got turned around and lost."
"Why didn't you call me?" Shelby asked. She looked down at her watch and sighed.
"I did call you, but you didn't answer," Rachel said. "We were worried that if we waited too long we wouldn't make it home in time."
"Why didn't you take a cab? That would have been easier," Shelby pointed out.
"Neither of us had enough money for a cab ride," Rachel admitted. "And we didn't want to be late. I called so you could tell us what train to take but you didn't answer. We didn't know the subway would be so confusing."
"Honey, you could have taken a cab and I would have paid for it when you got home," Shelby said kindly. There was still so much she had to teach Rachel about being in New York.
"I didn't think of that," Rachel said. "I promise, Mom, we were trying not to be late."
"I know," Shelby said. "Where are you in Brooklyn?"
"Ummm…"
"Never mind," Shelby stopped her. "Are there cabs around?"
"I've seen a couple go by," Rachel answered.
"Flag one down the next time you see one and take it home," Shelby instructed. "Call me when you get close and I will come out and pay for it."
"Okay," Rachel said. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Shelby said. "It's not a problem. I'm not mad and we can talk about it when you two get home."
"Are you sure?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm sure," Shelby said.
"I love you, Mom," Rachel decided to lay it on just a little thicker.
"I love you too," Shelby smiled. "I'll see you when you get home."
"Okay," Rachel said. "Here comes a cab. Bye."
Shelby hung up the phone and turned and looked at Marie and Elizabeth. "They're in Brooklyn."
"So we heard," Marie said with a smirk.
"They got turned around on the subway," Shelby clarified. "But they should be home soon."
"Have you told them what you've got planned for them yet?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not yet," Shelby said. "They know there's a surprise, but not what it is. I was hoping the incentive would keep them out of trouble."
"They're both going to be over the moon," Marie said.
"I know," Shelby smiled giddily. She couldn't wait to tell them. Rachel and Kurt were going to flip.
"Brooklyn doesn't count as trouble?" Elizabeth asked.
"No," Shelby said with a wise shake of her head. "I've learned that with Rachel, things like ending up in Brooklyn seem to be par for the course somehow."
"Well that certainly sounds familiar," Marie said.
Shelby gasped like she was offended and crossed her arms. "I was never like this."
"Oh no, dear, you were much worse," Marie said. "I can't wait to meet Miss Rachel and tell her some stories."
"Mimi, Rachel does not need to hear that many stories," Shelby said.
"Good luck with that, Shelby," Elizabeth laughed. "Mom's been dying to meet Rachel for months. She's got stories catalogued and ready to go."
"I know," Shelby groaned. "I'm afraid of that."
Marie laughed and gave Shelby a gentle pat on her knee to tell her it would all be okay. Shelby took the woman's hand and squeezed. She was so happy her best friend and her Mimi were here.
The three women arrived at Shelby's place and were putting their bags in the other guest rooms and getting ready for the evening when Shelby's phone rang and Rachel told her they were almost there. Shelby went down to meet the cab and pay the driver.
Shelby had to shake her head at the kids when she saw all of the bags that they each had when they got out of the car. No wonder they didn't have enough to pay for a cab to get them home.
"It looks like you two had a good day," Shelby commented once they were in the elevator and on the way to her apartment.
"It was awesome," Kurt said. "We went everywhere."
"I know," Shelby joked.
"You have to see what I got," Rachel said excitedly, missing her mom's tiny dig at them.
"You can show it all to me later," Shelby said. "We're running a bit behind so you two need to get showers and get ready to go to dinner and then the theater."
"Okay," they both agreed easily.
Shelby opened her front door and saw Marie and Elizabeth waiting. They were trying to be casual, but Shelby knew better. They were both eager to meet Rachel. Rachel looked at the two women quickly before ducking her head and moving closer to her mother.
"Marie and Elizabeth, this is Kurt Hummel and my daughter Rachel," Shelby started the introductions. "Guys, this is my very best friend in the world Elizabeth and her mother Mrs. Lewis."
"It's nice to meet you," Kurt said politely. He shook hands and then gathered his stuff and headed for his guest room. "I'm going to go shower and get ready." He knew this was a special moment for Rachel and Shelby and he didn't want to be in the middle of it.
"Hello, Rachel," Marie said when Kurt was out of the room.
"Hi," Rachel said shyly. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Lewis."
Marie laughed lightly and stepped forward and gathered up Rachel into a hug. "You call me Mimi," Marie told her. "Like your mother. I'm so happy to finally meet you."
Rachel started to feel more at ease as the woman held her. She was strong and her arms felt safe. It reminded Rachel of the way Shelby held her sometimes.
"I'm happy to meet you too, Mimi," Rachel said as she tested out the name for the first time.
"Rachel, you call me Elizabeth, okay," Elizabeth said. She too hugged the girl. "Gosh, you look like your mom."
"You sure do," Marie agreed.
Rachel smiled and ducked her head. She wasn't really sure what to say.
"That just proves what good sense she has," Shelby stepped up and saved Rachel from answering. "Of course she looks like me." The last part was said with a dramatic flair and a cock of her head.
"My mom talks about you all the time," Rachel said to Marie and Elizabeth. "I'm so glad she has you," Rachel said seriously. "She needed you."
"And we are glad to have her too," Marie said sincerely. "She's been one of my little girls since the moment I met her."
"Good," Rachel said. "Her mom wasn't good enough."
Shelby's lip quivered for a second and Elizabeth squeezed her hand as the woman took a moment to make sure her composure was in check.
"Rachel, go and get a shower and get ready to go out," Shelby said. "Use my bathroom because Kurt is in yours. Don't be too long."
"But-"
"We have plenty of time to talk more later," Shelby said. She stepped up behind Rachel and took her by the arms and pointed her towards the hall. "Go on." Shelby accompanied her words with a few pats to Rachel's backside and the girl walked off to do as she was told.
Shelby turned back to Marie and Elizabeth and they were both giving her sympathetic looks. Her chin quivered again as she looked back and forth between the two.
"I didn't realize she still thought about that meeting with my mother," Shelby finally said. "I don't want her to still be upset by it. I'll have to talk to her later."
Marie stepped forward and wrapped Shelby up in a safe hug and rubbed her back. She had done this often enough since she met Shelby when she was three years old. It had not been an uncommon sight to see Mimi consoling her Shelby over something the girl's parents had done or said.
"Let's not worry about any of that now," Marie said. "Tonight we've got a good meal and a wonderful show planned and that's what we need to focus on."
"I agree," Elizabeth said.
"Me too," Shelby added with a small smile. She looked off in the direction Rachel had walked and her eyes shone. "Isn't she wonderful?"
"She certainly is," Marie agreed.
After another ten minutes or so Shelby left Marie and Elizabeth alone and went into her room to move Rachel along. She noticed the girl had laid some clothes out to wear and she could still hear the shower running. She knocked on the door lightly and then stuck her head in the bathroom.
"Don't take forever, Rach, we've got reservations," Shelby said.
"I'm almost done," Rachel told her.
Almost done meant another ten minutes and Shelby was getting impatient. She was about to go in again when she heard the water turn off. Thank goodness.
Rachel finally emerged a few minutes later wrapped in a towel with another towel wrapped around her wet hair. Shelby had taken the time to start getting dressed and she couldn't help but smile at her fresh faced girl, despite her taking too long.
"I like your shower better than the one in my bathroom," Rachel commented. "Can we get one like that in my bathroom?"
Shelby laughed and rolled her eyes. "Probably not anytime soon."
"That's not fair," Rachel said. She wasn't really upset, but figured a pout could help her cause.
"Sorry, kiddo, that's one of the perks of being the homeowner," Shelby told her. "Get dressed."
Shelby retreated back into her closet as Rachel started to put on the clothes she'd laid out earlier.
"Did they like me?" Rachel asked after a long few moments of silence.
"Of course they did," Shelby answered. "They want to talk with you more and get to know you better. If you had known them since you were born, you would know them as your aunt and grandmother."
Rachel smiled. She would have liked that.
"Where's the rest of Elizabeth's family? Her kids and all?" Rachel asked.
"Gavin and the kids are at home," Shelby said. "They've seen the show a few times and the kids all had activities lined up for this weekend."
Shelby walked back into the room and helped smooth down the dress that Rachel was putting on. She pulled her wet hair out of the way and snapped the dress in the back.
"I'd like to take you to Indiana during the summer so you can meet the rest of the family," Shelby said.
"That would be fun," Rachel smiled at her. "And you're still planning that surprise trip too, right?"
"Surprise trip?" Shelby asked, feigning ignorance.
"Yeah, you mentioned it a while ago and said we were going to take a trip, but you wouldn't tell me where because it was a surprise," Rachel reminded her.
"Oh yeah, that trip," Shelby said. "I wasn't sure if you'd really want to go…"
"Mom," Rachel scolded. "Of course I do! Where are we going?"
"You, young lady, are just going to have to wait and see," Shelby said.
"Fine," Rachel sighed.
Rachel went back into the bathroom and brushed her hair out and then dried it while Shelby did her make-up. Shelby then helped Rachel put on the finishing touches and soon they were ready to go. They walked out into the living room to find Kurt telling Marie and Elizabeth about the recent Regionals performance New Directions won.
Soon they were off to dinner and then to the show where Shelby brought the house down, as usual. Rachel let go of most of her inhibitions over Marie and Elizabeth and really enjoyed their company. Despite not being Marie's biologically, Shelby and the woman shared a few mannerisms and Rachel enjoyed the moment when she discovered these new things about her mother. By the time they returned home that evening, Rachel was opening up and talking with the two women like she had known them her whole life. It was easy to learn to love them when she saw how much her mother adored them both. Rachel took her cues from Shelby and relaxed around these two new people who would be a part of her life from here on out.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" Rachel asked as soon as they got back to the apartment.
"You, Kurt, and I are getting up early and going out," Shelby said. "We have plans tomorrow so there will be no wandering off on your own."
"But we didn't mean to end up in Brooklyn," Rachel started to argue her case.
"It has nothing to do with Brooklyn," Shelby said. "Though I still want to talk to you about that later. Remember when I said I had a surprise for you two?"
Rachel and Kurt nodded.
"Well tomorrow is the day of the surprise," Shelby said. "You two are going to have to be aware and mindful and focused all day. There will no room or time for you to step out of line."
"Shelby, I can't speak for Rachel, but I promise you that there will be no trouble on my end tomorrow," Kurt said.
Shelby laughed and Rachel put her hands on her hips and showed Kurt she was offended.
"I know you won't," Shelby told the boy. He'd never caused any trouble for her.
"I won't either," Rachel said. "I won't, Mom, I promise."
"It's okay, sweetheart," Shelby said. "I know you won't. But you two should get ready for bed. We are getting up early."
"Ok," Kurt said. He was tired and really excited about whatever was happening tomorrow and went without argument.
Shelby hid a smile when she saw Rachel deflate at being told it was close to bed time. She could tell the girl was disappointed, but trying to hide it. Probably because of the promise of tomorrow's surprise.
"I'm going to bed too," Marie announced when Rachel didn't follow after Kurt. "I am old and it's getting late."
"It's not that late," Rachel muttered. Shelby nudged her.
Marie stood up and kissed Elizabeth's head and told her she loved her. Her next stop was Shelby and she pulled the woman into a hug and kissed her cheek.
"I love you," Marie said.
"I love you too, Mimi," Shelby said with a smile. "Sleep well."
"I will," Marie said as she moved to Rachel and hugged her as well. A kiss followed to the girl's head and Marie said, "I love you. Listen to your mother."
"Goodnight," Rachel said. She didn't say she loved her back because she was caught off guard by the sentiment.
Rachel made no move to go towards her room even as Marie disappeared down the hall.
"Go on," Shelby said kindly. "I'll come check on you in a few minutes."
Rachel finally relented and Shelby did indeed go and tuck her in minutes later. With everyone else in bed, Shelby and Elizabeth settled on the couch with a couple of beers and used the time alone to talk as only best friends can.
Rachel woke up around one that morning and sighed when she couldn't get back to sleep. She got up to make a trip to the bathroom and when she was finished she noticed a light on down the hallway. She found Marie sitting at the table in the kitchen with a mug in her hand.
"Hey there," Mimi greeted with a tired smile. "What are you doing up?"
"I don't know," Rachel answered honestly. "I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. Why are you up?"
"Just having a restless night," Marie answered. "Would you like some warm milk? That always helps me drift back to sleep."
"Sure," Rachel answered and sat down while Marie got up to get her a mug.
"How old was my mom when you first met her?" Rachel asked when Marie handed her the mug and sat back down.
"She was three," Marie said with a smile. "She was a tiny thing, but she held her own. She and Elizabeth got into a scuffle one day in pre-school, if you can call three year olds arguing a scuffle. I picked Elizabeth up earlier than Evelyn came for Shelby and so I waited so I could talk with her. I watched them both while they were playing and before a half hour was up, they were thick as thieves."
"What did her mom say when she got there?" Rachel asked.
"Nothing, really," Marie said. "She scolded your mom, but there really hadn't been much to it. I had just wanted to talk with her so she would know who me and Elizabeth were. I don't think she ever really liked that it was Elizabeth who became your mom's best friend. Your grandmother didn't care for me very much."
"She didn't care for me very much either," Rachel said. She took a sip of her milk and looked over to see Marie's warm features watching her.
"Evelyn is a complicated woman who has no idea what she's missed in this life," Marie said. "And is continuing to miss. She wanted everything as she planned and she would not hear of anything stepping outside of that plan. Your mother was a contradiction to her plan right from the beginning, I think."
"Why didn't she like you?" Rachel asked.
"Because I was a single mother," Marie answered. "Unapologetically. Your grandparents tried to hide their disdain, of course. It wouldn't be Christian to judge me so," Marie said with a little laugh. "Honestly, I think your grandmother just became jealous that her daughter reached for me and not her. And really, you can't blame a woman for feeling that way."
"But she can't be jealous," Rachel said. "From everything I know she and her husband weren't very loving or understanding."
"They love your mother," Marie said. "And you, I'm sure." Marie could tell that Rachel was shocked by such a declaration that went against everything she'd seen and heard about her grandparents. "They've never known how to express that and their actions don't always measure up, but I think the feelings are there."
"I can't feel that way about them in return," Rachel said. Marie nodded. That was fair enough. "Although I am curious about my grandfather," Rachel admitted. "I want to meet him. I want to see what he looks like."
"That's a natural desire," Marie said. "Have you talked to your mother about him?"
"No," Rachel shook her head. "I never want to bring it up."
"You're allowed to be curious," Marie said.
"I know," Rachel told her. "I'm really glad you're here, Mimi."
"Me too, sweetheart," Marie said.
"Will you tell me more stories about Mom?" Rachel asked through a wide yawn.
"Yes I will, but not right now. Right now we both need to get back to bed," Marie said.
"Okay," Rachel said as she slumped her shoulders.
Marie took both mugs and put them in the sink and then held her hand out for Rachel to take. The girl did and they walked quietly down the hallway until they reached Rachel's bedroom.
"Get some sleep," Marie instructed kindly.
"I will. Thank you." Rachel reached out suddenly and hugged the woman. Marie was caught off guard for only a second before returning the hug. "I love you, Mimi," Rachel said.
"I love you too, sweet girl," Marie said. She kissed her head and then sent her into the room and watched until Rachel was back in bed and settled down. "Goodnight." Marie closed the door and headed towards her guest room. She fell back asleep thinking about the young Shelby who had so easily worked her way into her heart. And now Shelby's daughter had done the same thing.
The following morning Shelby roused the kids early and got them breakfast and then left the apartment for their secret. Both kids were giddy with excitement even though neither knew what was coming their way. Rachel tried to pay attention to where the cab was going in order to get some clues and her brow ended up furrowed when they stopped in front of the theater that housed Shelby's show.
"What are we doing here?" Rachel asked after they'd exited the car.
"The surprise is here," Shelby answered. "I want you two to look around and take it all in and remember this day. Because this afternoon at the matinee you two are going to make your Broadway debut."
Both of the kids' mouths dropped open and Shelby waited while each of them tried to form a coherent sentence.
"What? But… what?" Rachel asked. "How?"
"My final performance is tomorrow night and I asked for this favor," Shelby said. "The entire company and all of the crew are in there waiting to hold a practice with you two. They agreed and are giving up this free time for this. You guys will appear in one scene and get to sing during a song. You have no lines to say or anything like that. This afternoon's performance is all you're able to be in."
"Oh my god, Mom, that's amazing!" Rachel squealed as she practically jumped into Shelby's arms. "Thank you!"
Kurt put his hand to his mouth and tears formed in his eyes and Shelby pulled him closer so he could join the hug.
"I need to call my dad," Kurt said.
"You can in a second," Shelby said. "But I need you guys to listen to me first. This is a serious business and we are here to have a real rehearsal. It is hard work and you have to listen and pay attention to the stage managers and other crew members who give you instruction. You are here to learn and participate. You are not here to show off or cut up. I will pull either of you from this if I feel you are not pulling your weight. Is that understood?"
The kids answered, "Yes ma'am" in unison and Shelby then sent Kurt off to call his dad. Burt already knew because Shelby had to get his permission when she filed the work permit to allow the kids on stage that day. Burt was anticipating this call and was going to act surprised for his son.
Their first stop inside was with costuming and then they would have a few minutes with the vocal coach to warm up and get some instruction. Shelby hired a photographer to be there all day and once Rachel and Kurt were in their costumes that had been fitted for them, she took them outside so they could get pictures in front of the theater by the marquee. The photographer would be there to document the rehearsal and also the show that night and Shelby was going to make picture books for the kids so they would always have them.
When rehearsal started in earnest both kids took it very seriously and Shelby was proud. She didn't really doubt that they would know. She knew Rachel worked hard at her singing and performance and she imagine Kurt was much the same.
They concentrated on the scene the kids would appear in during the rehearsal and went over it quite a few times. It was a group song and Kurt and Rachel would stay mostly in the background. As they moved around on stage, they would have a moment or two in the front so they would really be seen.
"This is the most amazing experience of my life," Rachel gushed during a break as they sat in Shelby's dressing room.
"Mine too," Kurt agreed. "I hope someone decides to film the show today so we can see it. I'm going to scour YouTube for bootlegs."
"Kurt, bootlegs are pretty frowned upon in this profession," Shelby told him. "The show will be filmed today though so both you and Rachel can have a copy."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Shelby said. "It's not a big deal."
"It's a huge deal," Kurt said. "I'm going to be able to show my dad. And the glee club. Mr. Schue is going to be so jealous."
"Dad and Daddy will be here before the show starts, right?" Rachel asked.
"Yep, they will," Shelby said.
"Thank goodness," Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. "I wouldn't want them to miss my Broadway debut."
"They won't," Shelby assured her. "Come on, let's get back to work."
Later that afternoon, Shelby and the kids were relaxing backstage and in her dressing room. The matinee show would be starting in about forty minutes and the kids were showing a mix between excitement and nerves. A knock on the door made Rachel and Kurt jump. Shelby gave them an amused look as she got up to answer it.
"Daddy!" Rachel exclaimed when LeRoy stepped into the room. She got to her feet and hugged in.
Hiram followed him in and then, to Kurt's great surprise, Burt stepped in the room.
"Dad!" Kurt said. "What are you doing here?"
"No way was I missing my kid's Broadway debut," Burt said.
"But how did you get here so quickly?" Kurt asked. "I just called a few hours ago."
"This whole thing has been in the works for a few weeks now," Burt answered. "We wanted to surprise you two."
"This is amazing," Kurt said. "I'm so glad you're here."
They shared a hug and Rachel tried to hug all three of her parents at once. This was pretty much one of the best days ever.
Soon the dads all settled in the audience and the performers got ready to take their places. Rachel and Kurt wouldn't appear until midway through the first act and were anxious to get everything going.
When the scene finally came, Rachel and Kurt made their entrance like pros and settled into the background and watched as Shelby and Allison Young shared the main part of the scene together. Then the music started and Rachel felt tears prick her eyes as she started to sing on a Broadway stage in front of a live audience. She quelled the tears though and kept her wits about her. She was a professional and she would keep her emotions in check until later.
LeRoy, Hiram, and Burt were not that strong and all three men had tears on their face as they watched their kids on the stage. The Berry men never took their eyes off of Rachel and Burt watched his son so intently it was like he was afraid Kurt would disappear if he took his eyes off of him.
"That's my boy. That's my son," Burt whispered in a quiet tone and his words got caught as he choked up."
Shelby spared a glance or two for Rachel and Kurt while she acted on stage with them. She was never out of place, but she would cut her eyes to get a look at Rachel. She wanted to see her reaction to this experience. Their joy was contagious and every person sharing the stage with them knew what that moment felt like.
No one in the audience clapped harder than those three men when the song ended and Rachel and Kurt left the stage. No one had ever been prouder in their whole life.
Rachel and Kurt kept it together until they reached Shelby's dressing room and then the tears started for both kids.
"I did it," Rachel said. "I was on Broadway."
"Me too," Kurt said.
They sat together and relived it over and over again while they waited for the show to end. They couldn't change yet because they were joining the curtain call at the end.
All three fathers, along with Elizabeth and Marie, jumped to their feet and applauded when Rachel and Kurt joined their group and took their bows. Shelby clapped from offstage and beamed at them. When she went out for her bow, she called them both over so they could hold her hands as the entire cast bowed together. It was a special moment for all involved.
Shelby took the entire group out for dinner after the show and everyone gushed over the kids.
"Thank you, Mom," Rachel said for what felt like the thousandth time.
"You're welcome, sweetheart," Shelby laughed.
"I can't wait to see the video," Kurt said. "Will you watch it with me when we get it?"
"You bet," Burt said.
It had been decided that the kids would spend the evening with their fathers and not at the show. All of them would be attending the final performance the following night. It was a special moment for any star, and extra special this year for Shelby. She had gained great personal and professional satisfaction from the musical. She had received the highest accolades and made wonderful lasting friendships. But nothing compared to meeting and having a relationship with her daughter. Seeing Rachel's face on that stage was one of the highlights of her whole experience with the musical.
But what Shelby was most looking forward to was having so much more time to spend with Rachel. The girl would be out of school soon and Shelby had a trip all planned out for two weeks after Rachel's last day. And later on in the summer, she was taking Rachel back to her hometown in Indiana to visit with Marie and Elizabeth and her family. Life, for Shelby, could not get much better.
A/N – That is all for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Please leave me a review and let me know. Your feedback is important.
I'm trying to set up some things to come so I hope you'll all stick with me. Thanks!
