A/N – I have another chapter for you all. I know it's been a while since I last posted. I am doing my best. Someone sent me a question asking how my mom was doing… She passed away a couple of months ago. As you can imagine, I have been having a rough time with it and writing only comes in spurts. I am doing better with it recently. I just haven't been able to get much done with the time I have. Thank you all so much to everyone who kept her in your thoughts throughout the years. She was a wonderful lady and I miss her deeply. It's a hard thing to deal with and, though she was very sick, it was still shocking when it happened. I am still shocked that she's no longer here.

Thank you all so much for the reviews and messages. I can't even describe how wonderful you all are for sticking with me and giving me feedback after every chapter. It encourages me so much.

Oh and it's been really interesting to see all the different opinions on Brian.

Disclaimer – I don't own Glee.

Shelby yawned and rolled over and tried to capture just a little more sleep before waking up. Her eyes opened slightly and she couldn't help but smile because Rachel was next to her and still sleeping soundly. The girl ended up just staying in her mother's bed that night instead of getting up enough to go back to her own room. Shelby finished reading through the script that both mother and daughter agreed was great and she had a couple pages worth of notes and questions written in the back, not to mention the scribbling in the margins along the way.

Rachel had been up a few times that night, but hadn't been sick again. Shelby reached a gentle hand out and lightly touched Rachel's forehead and was pleased to find that her fever was almost gone. She glanced at the clock and found that it was only a couple minutes after seven. She pulled the blankets up to cover Rachel's shoulders and then settled down again. Sleep returned and Shelby was granted a few more hours of rest.

It was after ten when Shelby opened her eyes again. Rachel was awake and staring up at the ceiling with a slight pout on her face. Shelby reached over and put her hand on Rachel's head again nodded, pleased that the fever wasn't returning. She would check to be sure, but the fever appeared to be gone.

"What's wrong?" Shelby asked as she pulled her hand back.

"I tried to find my phone, but I realized it's not in here," Rachel said. "And I can't remember where I left it."

"It's probably still in whatever bag you put it in when you got off the plane," Shelby said. "I didn't see you with it at all yesterday."

Rachel sighed and lamented, "I've probably missed so much."

Shelby rolled her eyes and sat up. "I'm sure you didn't miss anything too important. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better," Rachel said, glancing over at her mother. "Thank goodness."

"How about we get some breakfast and then make it another lazy day," Shelby suggested. She wanted to make sure Rachel got enough rest, but the girl had other plans.

"I don't want to lie around all day again," Rachel whined. "Can't we go out and do something?"

"Like what?"

"We could go shopping," Rachel replied as she perked up and moved to sit next to her mom. "I don't think I have anything good to wear to your party. I need an outfit and shoes and you said I could get a TV for my room."

"Whoa, slow down," Shelby said, chuckling lightly. "I thought you already had an outfit picked out."

"Please, Mama," Rachel pleaded sweetly as she leaned into her mom and closed her eyes. "Please. I can't wear that old outfit. It makes me look like a kid."

"Alright," Shelby relented easily. She knew she'd been played, but she didn't care. Shopping sounded like fun and she was just glad Rachel was feeling well enough to go out. "We better get up and get showered so we can go out."

"Thanks, Mom!" Rachel squealed and turned so she could hug her mother tightly.

"You're welcome," Shelby said, returning the hug. "Okay, let's go."

Shelby got out of bed and disappeared into her bathroom while Rachel sat up straight and stretched. It was then that the girl noticed the script they had read the night before sitting on Shelby's bedside table. A pencil was marking its spot and Rachel smiled deviously before grabbing it up and hurrying from the room.

Shelby emerged from her room a little bit later and thought she could smell something weird. It smelled like something was burning and Shelby hurried towards the kitchen. Sure enough, there was a pan on the stove with a trail of smoke wafting up from it. Rachel sat obliviously in a chair at the table. Her brows were furrowed as she concentrated on the script in her hands. The girl was still just in a nightshirt and hadn't showered like Shelby assumed she had.

"Rachel!" Shelby scolded.

"What?" Rachel questioned, not looking up.

The shrill sound of the smoke alarm pierced the house and Rachel finally looked up to find out what was going on. Shelby hurried to the stove and picked up the pan from the heat and dumped it in the sink and turned on the water. She grabbed a dish towel off the handle to the oven and started to fan the smoke detector to try and get it to be quiet.

"My pancakes!" Rachel lamented. She stood up, script still in hand, and moved to the sink and looked down at the burnt mess.

"Your pancakes," Shelby muttered crossly without looking at Rachel. A glance at the counter told her the rest of the story because there was mixed and powered batter all over the counter. The milk was left out and worst of all the child hadn't thought to put on a pot of coffee.

The smoke detector finally stopped and the ringing of the phone took its place. Shelby hurried to answer it while Rachel finally seemed to focus on what her mother was doing.

"Hello," Shelby said into the phone. "No, no problem. Just something burning in the kitchen. It's all under control. I swear. Yeah. Sorry to worry you. Thank you."

Shelby hung up the phone after assuring the building manager that there really wasn't a fire and no, they didn't need to get the fire department out there. She turned slowly and glared at her daughter who was giving her a sheepish look.

"Mom, I didn't mean to," Rachel said as Shelby stalked towards her. "I was making us pancakes for breakfast."

The girl tried to back away and get to the other side of the table to stay out of arm's reach, but she bumped into the chair she had been sitting in and Shelby stepped forward and took her by the upper arm and held her in a strong grip.

"One of the keys to making pancakes is to watch them while they are cooking," Shelby said.

"I was," Rachel insisted. "I only sat down for a second."

"And what were you doing with this?" Shelby asked. She had taken the script from Rachel's hand so quickly that the girl hadn't realized what was happening.

"I just wanted to see what notes you wrote," Rachel said.

"You are determined to let this script get you in trouble," Shelby told her.

"No I'm not," Rachel argued.

"You almost burned the house down," Shelby informed her.

"No I didn't," Rachel said like her mother was silly. "It was just some smoke. There wasn't even a real fire."

Shelby dropped the script on the table and pulled Rachel closer. "If you do something like this again, I'm going to start a fire of my own. Right on your backside." She bent the girl slightly and peppered Rachel's bottom with four quick, sharp swats.

"Ow! Mama," Rachel whined when she'd been let go. She rubbed her bottom more out of formality than any real, lingering pain, but the point had been made.

Shelby shook her head and did her best to hide a smile at her daughter's pout. Rachel looked like a little girl in that moment as she stood there rubbing her bottom while wearing just a long t-shirt and her panties.

"Go on and get a shower and we'll go out to breakfast," Shelby said.

"But what about my pancakes?" Rachel asked.

"We can make pancakes another day," Shelby said. "We can do it together and I will show you a few tricks, one that includes cleaning up after yourself." She motioned over to the mess on the counters to make sure Rachel saw it.

"Mom," Rachel said with a roll of her eyes. And just like that the teenager was back. She turned and left the kitchen and headed towards the bedrooms.

Shelby made quick work of cleaning the counters and then picked up the script and headed to her bedroom. She was going to have to put this away to keep Rachel out of more trouble. Clearly the temptation was too much for the girl and it was working on getting her into more than just a bit of trouble.

The shower was running in Shelby's en suite bathroom and she wasn't surprised. Rachel tended to use that one more than hers. She didn't really understand why since the bathroom Rachel had to herself was nice as well. Whatever, it didn't really matter to Shelby.

The woman went into her large walk in closet and opened a drawer in the corner. She moved the underwear that was in there and placed the script in the drawer and then piled the garments back on top. Rachel should have no reason to be in this drawer and so hopefully the script would remain hidden.

After a quick breakfast at one of Shelby's favorite little restaurants, mother and daughter found themselves in a clothing store looking for the perfect outfit for Rachel to wear to the party.

"Mom, what about something like this?" Rachel asked.

Shelby looked up and found the girl holding up a slinky black dress that was shorter and lower cut than the one she had bought her just after they first met. That incident had helped Shelby realize that she could indeed say no to Rachel and the girl would be just fine.

"I don't think so," Shelby replied easily and went back to looking.

"What's the matter with it?" Rachel asked.

"Everything. Put it down and keep looking," Shelby told her.

"Ugh, fine," Rachel grunted, but did as her mother said.

"Rach, how about this?" Shelby asked.

Rachel looked up and shook her head. "Mom, I can't wear that outfit. It's got pants."

"What does that have to do with it?" Shelby asked with a laugh. "I'm wearing pants."

"Mom, you can't be serious," Rachel said. She put down the current dress she was holding and walked towards her mother. "You have to look nice. This is important. You can't show up looking like you just rolled out of bed."

Shelby couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped her lips and it only grew when Rachel put her hands on her hips and gave her mother a reproachful look.

"It's a birthday party, Rach, not the red carpet," Shelby said. "I'm wearing jeans and boots and a nice top."

Rachel's face showed complete and utter shock. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. You're going to just show up like you're casually out grocery shopping or something."

"Well, not exactly-"

"And the guests expecting a fancy party are going to get a hoe down with jeans and boots and who knows what else," Rachel continued.

"I don't think-"

"Kurt will be so disappointed. We have talked about this for weeks and I am supposed to give him every detail about your outfit and mine and the party and what other people are wearing. What am I supposed to tell him? I can't tell him that superstar Shelby Corcoran showed up in an old pair of jeans and a random shirt like some tourist in Times Square." Rachel finally took a breath and then let her rant continue. "Maybe I can tell him the whole thing was canceled because you got sick. A little while lie will be better than him knowing the truth. Oh no, what if there are photographers, mother? You can't do this to Kurt."

"Rachel, slow down-"

"And what about me? This is my first big event with you. I thought there would be glamor and lights, but it's going to be jeans and flip flops and-"

Rachel's words became muffled because Shelby clamped a hand over her mouth and smiled until her daughter finally stopped talking and looked at her expectantly. Shelby carefully removed her hand and was pleased when Rachel didn't start up again.

"First of all, it's a private party and not some big Hollywood gathering," Shelby said. She wanted to make that clear right away. She hadn't realized Rachel would assume it was going to be like a movie premiere. "There's hopefully not going to be any photographers. It's just us and some friends at one of my favorite restaurants."

"But-"

"And I'm not wearing any old jeans and boots," Shelby said. "I want to dress up and look good just like you do, but I don't want to be too stuffy either. We're there to have a good time. And I promise you'll be able to tell Kurt about my outfit. Yours too."

"I can't wear pants though, Mom," Rachel said. "I need something fancier than that."

"Okay," Shelby told her. "Don't worry. We'll find you something great."

A few hours later they walked back into the apartment carrying two bags each. Rachel had ended up with a beautiful deep purple dress and silver shoes, as well as a few other odds and ends. Shelby had also bought herself a couple things as well.

"But Mom," Rachel whined as the door was shut behind her. "You said I could get a TV for my room too."

"Rachel, do I need to remind you about the fire alarm you set off this morning?" Shelby asked.

"It was an accident," Rachel said.

"Well accident or not, you are just going to have to wait for a TV in your room," Shelby told her. "There are other TVs in this house you can watch."

"It's not the same," Rachel pouted as she plopped down on the couch with the shopping bags around her.

"That's enough," Shelby said. "Go and put away all the new things you did get. And hang the dress up properly."

"Fine," Rachel said as she trudged out of the room with her bags.

"I swear, that girl," Shelby said to herself.

Rachel had been complaining about not getting a TV ever since they left a shoe store over an hour ago. If they hadn't needed the stuff for the birthday party, Shelby was ready to return everything she had bought to show Rachel she was serious. Shelby wanted to spoil her, but within reason. She had learned her lesson about that. Rachel was the only one who still wanted it all every time they left the house. Hiram and LeRoy assured her they dealt with the same thing from their lovely daughter.

Shelby could hear Rachel's grumpy stomps back in her bedroom and decided that enough was enough. She got up from the couch and headed towards the back of the apartment and came to a stop in the doorway of Rachel's bedroom and watched as the girl hung the dress in her closet and then threw the bag it came in to the ground.

"Rach, come here," Shelby said as she entered the room.

"What?" Rachel said sharply and then immediately softened when she saw her mother's face go from calm to angry in less than a second. "I'm sorry."

Shelby took a deep breath and motioned the girl to her and Rachel slowly and reluctantly came.

"How are you feeling?" Shelby asked. She put a hand to Rachel's head and didn't feel a fever.

"I'm fine," Rachel said.

"Then why are you being so grumpy and acting like a brat?" Shelby asked.

Rachel blushed red and stamped her foot slightly. She hated when her childish behavior was pointed out to her because she wanted so desperately to be grown up.

"I'm not being a brat!" the girl insisted. "You wouldn't-"

"Wouldn't let you have your way and now you're having a tantrum about it," Shelby finished for her. "Sorry, kiddo, but you do not always get your way and I will not always buy you everything you want every time we leave the house. And I especially won't get you something when I feel you don't deserve it. You will have to wait until I feel that the time is right and that your behavior warrants it."

"But the stupid fire was an accident," Rachel argued angrily.

"It was not an accident," Shelby said. "You weren't paying attention like you should have been. And because of that I've decided the TV you want in your room isn't necessary yet."

"Fine," Rachel said with slumped shoulders and a deepened pout. She was tired of being scolded.

"Honey, I'd like you to change and lie down for a little while," Shelby said.

"What? Mom, I'm not two, I don't need to be put down for a nap," Rachel whined.

"I didn't say you had to sleep," Shelby pointed out. "But you're still getting over being sick yesterday and we've been on the go since this morning and you've got yourself all worked up and I think you need a bit of a break."

"So you're putting me in timeout," Rachel sassed.

"That's not how I think of it," Shelby said, remaining annoyingly calm. "I'm not trying to punish you here, Rachel. But I don't want your grumpy mood to stick around the rest of the day. Do you? It's only 2:55 and if you keep it up your attitude is going to get you in trouble. I don't want that and you don't want that. So take a step back right now and lie down and give yourself a break."

Rachel wanted to roll her eyes so bad while her mother was talking. She wasn't some dumb kid and she knew what Shelby was doing. And she wasn't going to let her mother win this one. She knew Shelby wanted her to sleep, but she wasn't going to.

"How long do I have to lie there for this break?" Rachel asked. She put air quotes around the word break and then crossed her arms over her chest.

"Forty-five minutes," Shelby answered.

"Mom," Rachel whined again.

Shelby stepped over to Rachel's dresser and pulled out a fresh t-shirt and handed it to the girl. "Here, change into this and crawl into bed and just relax for a while."

Rachel did roll her eyes this time as she took the shirt and started to get undressed. Shelby didn't say anything about the dirty clothes being tossed on the floor and just waited until Rachel was ready. The girl got into bed and turned her back to Shelby. She didn't bother pulling the blankets up so Shelby did that for her. Shelby tucked Rachel in and kissed her head.

"I love you," Shelby said. "I will come back and get you in forty-five minutes."

Rachel didn't say anything as her mother left the room and closed the door behind her. As soon as Shelby was gone, Rachel rolled over and looked up at the ceiling and sighed. This was stupid and she was determined to wait out this timeout and not let her mother get the best of her. There was nothing wrong with her attitude and she would prove it. She cursed herself when she yawned.

Shelby couldn't help but smirk when she peeked in the room fifteen minutes later and saw that Rachel was fast asleep. She quietly closed the door again and walked into her own room and climbed into bed. She had changed while she was waiting for Rachel to fall asleep and now she was ready for a nap as well. Shelby set an alarm on her phone before setting it aside and snuggling down into the warm blankets and deep pillow. Rachel didn't know what she was talking about because naps were awesome.

Shelby had set an alarm to wake her up after two hours, but she woke up a few minutes before that. She listened for a second and didn't hear Rachel up and was pleased that she must still be asleep. Shelby lied in bed for a while and texted back and forth with Brian and then sent a message off to Hiram and LeRoy telling them that Rachel was fine and feeling better. She promised Rachel would call them later to say hello.

Half an hour after waking up, Shelby got out of bed and decided that it was time to go get Rachel. If she slept much longer, Shelby worried she might have trouble getting Rachel to bed that night.

Shelby opened Rachel's bedroom door and sure enough the girl was still sleeping. She sat down on the bed and brushed some hair back from Rachel's face and kissed her forehead.

"Baby, it's time to wake up," Shelby said and smiled when Rachel's eyes fluttered open.

Rachel gave Shelby a confused look and then rubbed her eyes. "Mama?"

"Hmmm?"

"Has it been forty-five minutes yet?"

Shelby laughed and kissed Rachel's head again and said, "Yeah, honey. It's been forty-five minutes. You can get up now."

"Okay," Rachel said with a yawn.

"Come on out to the living room when you're ready," Shelby said.

Rachel was still trying to get her bearings after Shelby left, but one look at the clock brought it all back to her. It was just after six in the evening and Rachel groaned. She had fallen asleep! She got up and hated to admit that she felt better. She threw on some shorts and headed towards the living room and found her mom sitting on the chaise part of the sectional with her feet out. Shelby was surfing through the channels on TV to see if anything good was on.

Shelby was surprised when Rachel came over and sat down sideways and curled up in her lap. The mother easily wrapped her arms around the girl as Rachel leaned against her and rested her head on the back of the couch near Shelby's head.

"How are you feeling?" Shelby asked as she gently patted Rachel's bottom.

"Much better," Rachel said. "I'm sorry I was a brat."

Shelby smiled and kept up her soft rhythm on Rachel's backside. "Thank you, sweetheart."

They sat in silence for a couple minutes and simply enjoyed their positions. Rachel loved getting to sit on her mother's lap and cuddle with her and Shelby knew there'd never be anything better than getting to hold Rachel in her arms. It was the rumbling of Rachel's belly that broke the serene moment.

"Hungry?" Shelby laughed.

"A little," Rachel answered.

"What do you want to have for dinner?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll cook." Rachel got up in a flash and raced towards the kitchen.

"No you won't!" Shelby yelled before getting up and chasing after her daughter.

After spending half an hour debating what they wanted to eat, Shelby ended up ordering subs from a local shop and having them delivered. The naps had done the trick and both mother and daughter were relaxed and enjoyed watching a couple of movies before calling it a night a little before midnight.

The following morning Rachel's alarm sounded at 5:45 and she turned it off and fought the urge to go back to sleep. It was Shelby's birthday and Rachel had been waiting for this for a long time. Yes, the party on Saturday was going to be awesome, but Rachel was glad she was getting to spend most of the day with her mom alone. Brian would be over for dinner later, but Rachel didn't care about that now. Right now, Shelby was all hers until 6:30 that night.

Rachel got out of bed and threw on some sweatpants and socks and then opened up her dresser drawer full of socks and pulled out the tiny package and two envelopes she'd hidden there the day before when she'd unpacked her bags from her flight.

Rachel soon found herself in the kitchen and stopped herself for a second. After what happened the morning before she wasn't sure if she should be cooking anything, but she brushed those thoughts aside. If nothing else, Rachel knew how to make breakfast foods, especially when she was paying attention. Deciding she better eat first, Rachel got herself a bowl of cereal and quickly ate it. She then took a few minutes to assemble all of her ingredients and got to work.

While the food was cooking Rachel took a couple minutes to search through the cabinets. She hadn't thought about this part until just now and it had her worried. She needed a tray to carry everything in to her mom. Rachel squealed with delight when she saw one stuffed way in the back of a cabinet and hurried to move the pots and pans that were blocking. It was large and wooden and looked like some antique Shelby had gotten as a house warming gift, but didn't know what to do with so it ended up shoved out of sight and out of mind.

Rachel made quick work of getting the French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon on a plate and setting it on the tray. She poured a cup of coffee and set it and cream and sugar on the tray as well. Next she added silverware which she set on a napkin and then put a bottle of syrup on the tray to complete the breakfast. The last thing she put on the tray was the package and envelopes. She couldn't wait to give her mother the present she'd picked out.

She walked to Shelby's room carefully carrying the tray. She had to balance it using her knee to free up a hand to open the bedroom door. Shelby was still sleeping when Rachel entered the room and the girl wore an impish smile and then spoke.

"Mom," Rachel said. It was probably louder than it needed to be. "Mom. Wake up."

"What is it, Rachel?" Shelby mumbled as she rolled over and squinted one eye open to look at her daughter.

"Happy Birthday, Mom!" Rachel said joyously and wore a wide smile.

Shelby smiled too despite still trying to shake the sleep off. She rubbed her eyes for a second and then realized what Rachel was holding. She sat up in bed and leaned back against the headboard as Rachel started to sing and walk towards her. Shelby loved getting to hear her daughter's beautiful voice, and it sounded extra sweet singing Happy Birthday for her.

When she got next to the bed, Shelby reached over to help with the tray and it was carefully placed on her lap and thankfully nothing was spilled.

"Rachel, this looks amazing," Shelby said as Rachel crawled into bed to sit next to her. "Did you make it?"

"Yes, I made it," Rachel said, rolling her eyes.

"Well after yesterday…"

"Mom," Rachel scolded. "Try it."

Shelby took a bite and was pleasantly surprised with just how good it was. This was the perfect wake-up call.

"It's wonderful," Shelby said.

"See, I really do know how to cook," Rachel told her.

"If only you had remembered how yesterday," Shelby teased as she stirred cream and sugar into her coffee.

Rachel huffed, but smiled for her mom to show she wasn't upset. "Open your present."

"How about I eat first," Shelby said. "Where is your breakfast?"

"I had cereal," Rachel told her.

They talked happily while Shelby ate and Rachel soaked up the praise. For her part, Shelby was in love with whatever Rachel did to the French toast and made a mental note to get Rachel to teach her how to make it like this.

"Mom, open your present now," Rachel insisted when Shelby had the last bite in her mouth.

Shelby took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "Okay, but let's take it out to the living room and sit out there. I will take the tray to the kitchen and get some more coffee and meet you there."

Rachel agreed and picked up the package and two cards and got out of the bed. Shelby got up and headed into the bathroom so she could brush her teeth and wash her face. She added a pair of sweats to her ensemble and then picked the tray up from the bed and headed towards the kitchen.

Shelby stopped in the entry of the kitchen and looked around. The room was a mess. There were pots and two cookie sheets on the floor next to an open cabinet door. The eggs and milk had been left out along with the bowl of cracked eggs Rachel had used to dip the bread. The packet of bacon that hadn't been cooked was left on the counter. Even Rachel's cereal bowl that still had milk in it hadn't actually made it to the sink. Shelby set the tray down on the table and went in search of her daughter.

Rachel was sitting on the couch in the living room playing on her phone and she didn't hear her mother come up behind her until the woman cleared her throat.

"You ready, Mom?" Rachel asked as she looked up over her shoulder at her mother.

"Not yet, sweetie," Shelby said. "Because it seems as if one of us forgot that we don't have house elves and that the kitchen won't clean itself."

"I'll get it in a little bit," Rachel said.

"Get it now," Shelby said. "And that way it will be done."

"But I want you to open your present," Rachel said.

"And I want to be able to use the eggs and milk later so they need to be put away before they spoil," Shelby countered.

"Fine," Rachel said, drawing the word out.

Shelby took her place on the couch and played on her own phone while she waited for Rachel to clean up.

It only took Rachel a matter of minutes to put everything away and load the dishwasher. She even did a quick wipe down of the counters before joining her mother on the couch again. She sat to the woman's left and was about to burst with excitement as she handed Shelby the cards and package.

Shelby had to admit she was excited too, though she was able to play it a little cooler than her daughter. The first card she opened was from Hiram and LeRoy and inside was a long note for her. She started to tear up as she read it and Rachel watched her quizzically.

"What did they say?" Rachel asked.

"Nothing much," Shelby said, shutting the card and putting it back in the envelope.

"Yeah right," Rachel teased. "Here's mine."

Shelby blinked the tears from her eyes and let out a long breath before taking the next card from the girl. Rachel's card included a note as well and Shelby pulled her close when she read it. Rachel rested her head on her mother's shoulder and Shelby kissed it.

"And I love you too," Shelby said. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Rachel relished in the closeness, but only for a few more seconds. She was way too excited for her mom to open the package that she could barely stand it.

"Here," Rachel said as she sat up straight. "Open it."

"Okay," Shelby agreed. She took the package and held it close to her ear and shook it a little bit and then frowned when it didn't make any noise.

"Mom, just open it!" Rachel insisted. She just knew the woman was trying to drive her crazy on purpose.

Shelby ripped the paper off and then opened the tiny white box to reveal a dark blue jewelry box. She shook it out into her hand and then opened it. Rachel was beaming when her mom let out an excited "oh" when she saw the necklace inside.

The necklace was gold with two stars, one bigger than the other. They were connected and there was a tiny diamond on the top tip of each star which helped give it the effect of a sparkle. On the bottom half of each star was their birthstones; Shelby's on the bigger star and Rachel's on the smaller.

"Rachel, it's beautiful," Shelby said.

"Do you really like it?" Rachel asked. "I've been saving up all year. It's got our birthstones."

"I see that," Shelby said. "I love it."

"I know it's not as nice as stuff you're used to, but I thought it was pretty and that it would do until one day when I can get you something nicer," Rachel said.

"It's perfect," Shelby said. "I don't think you could ever find anything nicer than this."

Rachel was all smiles and Shelby pulled her close again and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, sweetheart. This is my best birthday ever because I get to have you here with me," Shelby said.

"I love you so much, Mama," Rachel said. Her voice quivered with emotion and she held on tighter to her mother."

"I love you, baby," Shelby said.

She was also in tears and they stayed together like that for a few minutes. It was Rachel who broke the moment.

"Do you want to put it on?" the girl asked.

"Of course," Shelby said. "Will you help me?"

Rachel did and clasped the stars around Shelby's neck. They got up and went to look in the mirror near the hall closet and stood back and admired it.

"Thank you, sweetie," Shelby said.

"You're welcome, Mom," Rachel replied. She didn't think there was anything that could wipe the smile off of her face that day.

The smile disappeared when she answered the door that evening and found Brian on the other side of it. She had known he was coming for dinner, but a wave of annoyance washed over her as soon as she saw him. But it was her mother's birthday and deep down she could understand why she wanted him there. Rachel decided to put on a show of indifference and didn't say anything when she let him in.

"Hey, Brian," Shelby said as she made her way over from the living room.

"Happy Birthday," Brian greeted her with a chaste kiss and handed her a bouquet of red and white roses, her favorite. In his other hand he was holding three reusable grocery bags and Shelby took one from him and led the way into the kitchen. "I've got everything we need to make chicken parmesan."

Shelby smiled at the mention of one of her favorite meals. "Wait until you try it, Rach. Brian makes the best chicken parmesan."

Rachel didn't say anything. She just nodded her head once at her mother and then disappeared down the hallway toward the bedrooms. She entered her room and flopped down on her bed. Now would be a really great time for her to have a TV in here.

Shelby sighed and watched Rachel go for a second before turning back to Brian who was arranging ingredients on the counter. She walked up to him and hugged him from behind and rested her cheek on his back.

"How has your day been?" Brian asked.

"It's been really great," Shelby said. "A perfect day so far."

"I'm glad," Brian said as he turned around in her arms. They kissed a bit more passionately now that Rachel was out of the room. "You better get those in some water."

"Oh yeah," Shelby said. She set the flowers on the table and then went into the living room to retrieve her favorite vase. She'd picked it up a few years ago and loved the colors and the antique feel. It normally stayed on a small table in the living room, but Shelby moved it to the dining room table so she could display the flowers.

"Everything all set for the party tomorrow?" Brian asked.

Shelby looked up from the sink while she filled a cup of water to pour into the vase and nodded. "Yep. Rachel is really excited. I can't wait either."

"I'm going to get there early tomorrow and make sure everything is all set to go," Brian said.

"Thank you, honey," Shelby said.

Brian followed her out of the dining room and watched as she arranged the flowers. "Have you heard from your mom today?"

"Yeah right," Shelby laughed. "You don't think she's going to ruin her record of not calling now, do you? I talked to Mimi and Elizabeth earlier though. They send their love."

Brian smiled as he leaned in for another kiss that Shelby happily accepted. She rested her hands on his hips while he gently ran his up and down her sides.

"Ugh," Rachel grunted, interrupting the scene as she walked by.

Shelby moved away from Brian and looked towards her daughter. She was surprised to see that Rachel had changed from a pretty skirt and sweater into blue sweatpants and a red t-shirt.

"Don't mind me," Rachel said as she continued on to the living room. "I'm just getting my phone."

"Okay," Shelby said.

"When are we eating?" Rachel asked. She grabbed her phone and headed back towards them.

"It shouldn't take too long to make," Brian said. "Would you like to help?"

"No," Rachel said. She scoffed at the mere idea of helping him. She looked over at her mother and said, "I'll be in my room not watching TV."

Shelby leveled her with a glare, but didn't say anything while the girl walked away. Brian wanted say it was alright, but one look at Shelby's face and he knew to keep quiet. He knew he did not want that glare turned his way. This was a new situation for him too. He'd never really gotten to experience Shelby the mother because he and Rachel did not have very many meetings or interactions under their belt.

"I'll help you cook," Shelby said once Rachel had disappeared from view.

"No, you won't. It's your birthday," he reminded her. "But I wouldn't say no to some company in the kitchen."

"Of course," Shelby said with a smile. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to go talk to Rachel first."

"Take your time," Brian said.

Brian went back in the kitchen while Shelby took a long breath and let it out before heading down the hall towards Rachel's room.

"Rach?" Shelby knocked and opened the door slightly so she could peek in.

The girl was lying on her bed on her back and holding her phone just above her face. She looked over when Shelby entered the room.

"Yeah?"

Shelby walked into the room and stood next to Rachel's bed and looked down at the girl who had set her phone down on the bed.

"I know Brian isn't your favorite person, but I don't want you to be rude tonight," Shelby said.

"I'm not being rude," Rachel said.

"You haven't even said two words to him," Shelby pointed out.

"He asked a question and I answered it," Rachel countered.

"Why did you change clothes?" Shelby asked.

"I was getting chilly," Rachel said.

"So you put on sweats?" Shelby put her hands on her hips and gave Rachel a skeptical look.

"You said it was casual," Rachel sassed.

"It's not pajamas casual," Shelby said.

"These aren't pajamas, I can't sleep in-"

"Rachel!"

The two stared at each other for a few moments. Rachel's face was the image of innocence while Shelby crossed her arms and gave her daughter a look that told the girl she clearly knew better. The battle of wills was in full swing and neither was keen to lose.

"If you are cold you can put one some pants and a sweater, but you're not wearing sweats to dinner," Shelby told her.

"Okay," Rachel said with a shrug as she picked her phone back up and turned her attention towards it. "Let me know when it's ready."

Shelby rolled her eyes and shook her head as she said, "Okay." She left the room and headed back to the kitchen. She and Rachel had such a nice day and it was her best birthday in forever simply because the girl was there with her. But it was clear that the teenager wasn't going to make it easy on her either. Rachel's entire demeanor changed as soon as Brian got there. Shelby still had high hopes for a pleasant evening. She just hoped Rachel's attitude would play along.

A/N – That's all for this chapter. I really hope you guys enjoyed it. Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought. I will post another chapter as soon as I can. Thanks!