A/N – Hello everyone! So… hi. I'm sorry. I truly am. I can't adequately express how amazing it is that I still get reviews and questions about this story. You all touch me so deeply. Life is life and it's busy and I haven't been able to write in years. But a couple of months ago I got an idea and read back through this story and thought of a way I could bring it to a close. But in the process of writing this chapter I rediscovered just how much I love doing it. How much I love the characters and everything else. So, I hope to keep that momentum going with the other story I left hanging. I want to finish it. I desperately want to finish it. And I have an idea for a couple of new stories. That's my biggest problem right now. I'm great at ideas and crap at the rest. But I will do my absolute best. And if I do try and write something new, I'll try and get a lot done before I post anything so that I don't up and leave people hanging again. If there's even anyone out there left who wants to read what I write. And if you are out there, I can't thank you enough. You guys are the best. Just the absolute best.
So, this chapter is the last chapter in this story. I wanted to finish it and have it complete. But like I said I've fallen in love with these characters again so I think I might try and do a couple of one-shots based on this universe.
If you're still out there and still reading, thank you so much. I hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer – I don't own Glee.
Rachel woke up the next morning full of excitement. Her mother's party was later that evening and Rachel couldn't wait to be a part of it. She was dying to meet some of her mother's friends. Her mood dampened a bit when she remembered Brian would be there, and the memories of the dinner and her mother's talk from the night before came back to her. Rachel knew she was being unreasonable about Brian. She knew she was jealous and that everyone else could tell too. But she didn't quite know how to change that. He didn't seem like a terrible guy and it was obvious to anyone that he and Shelby were madly in love.
Rachel sighed and sat up in bed and swung her feet to the floor and yawned. She had promised she would be nice and not be rude and she was going to keep that promise. She hoped. She knew she was pushing her mother to her limit but Rachel wasn't going to do anything to ruin the party.
A glance at the clock on her bedside table told her it was only just after 6 and Rachel instinctively reached for her phone, but it wasn't there. She pouted when she remembered her mother had confiscated it the night before and hadn't returned it yet. She had no idea where the woman had put it either. Just great, Rachel crossed her arms and kicked at her sweatpants that were on the floor.
After a few more minutes of staring crossly at the wall, Rachel dropped her arms and sighed. She willed herself not to start the day in a bad mood. She knew why her phone had been taken and she couldn't blame that on anyone but herself. She thought back to her mother's lecture after she'd cut her hand. The one about making good choices and proving she could be trusted. She had no doubts her mother would decide to leave her home from the party if she was in a horrible mood all day and that was the last thing she wanted.
Rachel got up and decided to start the day with a soothing bath. Maybe it would wash away her sour mood and bad thoughts about Brian. If nothing else, it would help her to relax and calm down, two things she knew she had to do before her mother got up.
Ten minutes later the large tub in Rachel's bathroom was filled with deliciously hot water and lavender bath salts. Rachel put on some soft classical music and stepped into the tub and sank down in the water, resting her head back and closing her eyes. The music and water and faint scent of lavender filled her senses and calmed her immensely. Rachel thought about how she should do this more often.
When Shelby rolled over and saw that it was only 6:35 her first instinct was to go back to sleep. But learning to be up early for Rachel had broken her of her night owl habits and, though she didn't expect the girl to be up for another hour or so, Shelby got out of bed. She hoped today would be a better day and that Rachel would have fun at the party later. Shelby sincerely hoped her words got through to her daughter because she didn't want to be a hard ass or annoying, but she needed Rachel to do her part. Shelby wasn't asking for much more than basic manners and so she didn't think she was being unreasonable.
Shelby found some comfy shorts and pulled them on to join her t-shirt before stepping into the hallway with the intention of going to the kitchen to make coffee. The sounds of music coming from bathroom down the hall stopped her.
Rachel let out a contented sigh before taking a breath, shutting her eyes, and slipping under the water. It was cooling down and she was ready to get out and get a proper shower, but she wanted to get her hair completely wet first so it would stay pulled back when she got out.
"Rachel?" Shelby asked, knocking lightly on the closed bathroom door. No answer. "Sweetheart?"
When again there was no answer, Shelby opened the door slightly so she could peek in.
"Rachel!" Shelby cried at what she saw. Her daughter was completely submerged in the bathtub and not moving. "No!"
Shelby reached the tub in an instant and dropped to her knees. Rachel screamed underwater in shock and panic when two hands grabbed her upper arms tightly and pulled her up into the cold air. She sputtered and coughed and tried to catch her breath as she tried to figure out what was going on.
"Mom?!"
"Rachel? Oh thank goodness," Shelby cried. She pulled Rachel even farther up and wrapped her arms around her and hugged the girl tightly, not caring that water was spilling out of the tub all over her and the bathroom floor.
"Mom, what is wrong with you?" Rachel asked even as she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. She didn't have much choice with as tightly as Shelby was holding her.
"You were drowning," Shelby said as tears coursed down her cheeks. "I saw you in the tub and I thought… I thought…" She couldn't even say it.
Rachel rolled her eyes and patted Shelby on the back to placate her. "I wasn't drowning. I ducked under to get my hair wet before I got out. It's alright, Mom. I'm fine."
Shelby tried to take some calming breaths and get her tears under control. She had never felt that instant wave of panic and despair before and she needed a moment to get herself steady again. She didn't let go of Rachel, needing to feel her, to hold her.
Rachel shifted awkwardly in the tub, her lower half still submerged. She was getting cold and wanted to get out of the water.
"Mommy," Rachel said lightly and she heard Shelby's breath shudder and suspected there were new tears. She rolled her eyes again. And everyone said she was the overly dramatic one. "Mommy, I'm cold. Can I get up now?"
"What?" Shelby asked, as reality started to catch up with her. "Oh!" She pulled back and put her hands on Rachel's arms where she had grabbed them and really looked at her daughter. "Of course."
Shelby stood up and reached for the large, soft green towel Rachel had picked out and held it open for the girl. Rachel stood up and stepped out of the bath and Shelby wrapped the towel around her shoulders and then rubbed her arms and her back.
"Better?" Shelby asked.
"Yeah," Rachel said. "Are you okay now?"
"Mm-hmm," Shelby said. She looked at Rachel and saw the girl's raised eyebrows and hint of smile that let the mother know her child clearly thought she was nuts. Her wet clothes, tear stained face, and soaked bathroom indicated Rachel was probably a bit right. "I'm fine."
"Okay Mom," Rachel smirked. "If you say so.
"I do," Shelby said haughtily, holding her head high. No reason to admit she was ridiculous now.
Rachel nodded in an exaggerated manner and said, "Sure. Weirdo."
Shelby huffed good-naturedly and put her hands on her hips. "One day you'll understand."
"Sure," Rachel said. "Listen, I'm going to take a shower now so I can wash up. Do you have some snorkeling gear I should use or can I risk it…"
"Rachel Barbra Berry, you mock your mother's pain and worry?" Shelby asked, scandalized, but smiling.
"Only when it's so worthy of being mocked," Rachel retorted.
"Get in the shower, you brat," Shelby said though her eyes were shining. "I'll clean up the water." It was only fair since she caused the mess.
Rachel turned the shower on and then hung up her towel. "When they make a movie about us one day, do you think they should include this scene or not?" she asked her mother. "Could be good Oscar bait."
Shelby let her hand answer that question when she landed a crisp swat to the girl's wet, bare bottom which caused Rachel to yelp and then giggle as she hurried into the shower and shut the glass door. It was Shelby's turn to roll her eyes and then laugh as she set about cleaning up the spilled water from the bathroom floor.
By 10 that morning Rachel was ready to go to the party. Well, almost. She still had to get dressed and do her hair, but other than that she was ready. She had her handbag ready and her silver shoes were by the door. Her dress was laid out and ready. The party that didn't start until 8 that night. Shelby was still in shorts and a t-shirt and she hadn't even showered yet.
"Mom, you are going to shower before we go right?" Rachel asked finally. She'd been fretting over Shelby's lazy demeanor and unbothered attitude for about an hour now.
"What?" Shelby asked, looking up from the game she was playing on her phone. Rachel was standing over where Shelby laid on the couch.
"You're going to shower, right? Before we go?"
"Of course I am," Shelby laughed and went back to her game.
"But, don't you think you should do that?" Rachel asked. "Soon. Probably should have already."
Shelby glanced over at the clock wondering if maybe the time had gotten away from her. It hadn't.
"I've got plenty of time, Rach," Shelby said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Shelby laughed again. How much time did Rachel think she needed?
"But-"
"Rachel, we're not even leaving the house for nine and a half more hours," Shelby said, counting up on her fingers. "Nine and a half more hours, Rachel."
"That's to leave. But you have to get ready," Rachel pointed out.
"I will," Shelby said.
"Are you sure because you're just laying-"
"Rach, it's 10:08," Shelby said, cutting her off. "It's too early to get ready for lunch, much less a dinner party that starts this evening."
"Mom," Rachel whined and stomped her foot.
Shelby stood up from the couch and forced herself to take a few deep breaths to steady her nerves.
"Rachel honey, I know that you're excited," Shelby said, stooping down to be at her daughter's eye level. "But we have over nine hours until we need to leave. That's a school day, Rach. That's a whole night's sleep. We could watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies. We could-"
"I get it," Rachel said sulkily. "But it's not like you have nine and a half hours to get ready. What time will your hair and make-up people be here?"
Shelby couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips that only got worse when she saw Rachel's pout.
"I'm sorry kiddo, but this is a private dinner party, not a movie premiere," Shelby said. "No one is coming to do my hair and make-up."
"What?" Rachel exclaimed. "But I thought- I haven't- I have to- Mom, I'm not ready! I didn't get out any of my make-up and I have no idea how I want to do my hair! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Rachel, calm down," Shelby said. "I can help you with all of that."
"You're not going to have time to help me," Rachel said. "You haven't even showered yet!"
Shelby rolled her eyes. She should have known Rachel would make a bigger deal of this than it was. Wait until she took the girl to a movie premiere one day. She was going to have to keep some tranquilizers on hand.
"I can't believe this. I have so much to do," Rachel said, more to herself than to Shelby as she started down the hallway and to her room.
Shelby watched her go and then sat back on couch and went back to her game. She thought about trying to assure the girl once again that there was plenty of time, but figured that at least this gave Rachel something to do which was better than her pestering Shelby for the next few hours.
By the time they arrived at Shelby's favorite restaurant at 7:45 that night Rachel had calmed down significantly and both mother and daughter looked great. If Rachel was feeling anxious about the party she wasn't showing it and Shelby thought it was a great sign. Rachel had promised to be on her best behavior and to be kind to all of Shelby's friends, including Brian. Shelby promised to hold her to her word.
Mother and daughter were ushered to a private room at the back of the exclusive restaurant and found Brian and a few other people already there. There was great excitement when they arrived because none of them had met Rachel except for Brian and Elizabeth who was there to surprise Shelby. Shelby squealed at the sight of her best friend and hugged her tightly.
"Hi," Brian said to Rachel while Shelby worked her way around to everyone else.
"Hi," Rachel said in return. She took a deep breath and went on. "Thank you for the necklace last night. Umm, sorry about how I reacted."
"You're welcome," Brian said with a genuine smile. He didn't know if this was a real apology or a threatened within an inch of her life apology, but he would take it. They had to start somewhere. "And that's okay. Don't worry about it."
"Okay," Rachel mumbled.
"Hey Rachel!" Elizabeth said as she came over to them and squeezed the girl tightly.
"Hi!" Rachel said excitedly. She had no idea the woman was coming, but she was glad to see her. She loved getting to spend time with Elizabeth.
Shelby returned to her daughter and took her around to make the introductions to everyone else and Rachel enjoyed being gushed over by all of them. She'd never get over being told how much she looked like Shelby and how alike they were.
Half an hour later dinner had been ordered and drinks had been served, including a virgin one at Shelby's quiet request so that Rachel wouldn't feel left out. Shelby loved doing this every year, but realized how different it felt this year. She was extremely cognizant of her 15 year old child sitting with them and knew her own alcohol consumption wouldn't be anywhere near what it normally was during this party.
By the time they were eating, Rachel was being told stories about Shelby much to the girl's delight. She loved hearing about Shelby the university student and Shelby the night after her first Tony win and everything in between. Shelby knew she had the best friends in the world when they all kept their stories tame and didn't give Rachel the full details. Shelby was no innocent angel, but she didn't need Rachel knowing everything yet. Maybe one day when Rachel had some more years under her belt.
It was just after one in the morning when Shelby and Rachel made it back home. The car Shelby hired had just dropped them off and Rachel was over the moon at how awesome the party had been. Her mom's friends were awesome and she'd barely had to interact with Brian much and she'd heard so many cool stories about her mom. Rachel really felt like one of Shelby's friends and not just her 15 year old kid and she loved the feeling.
Three days after Shelby's birthday party, Rachel woke up in a terrible mood. The high from the party had worn off and regular life settled in around them. Rachel would be going back home to Ohio in two days and starting school the week after that. She would miss her mother so much. She really loved getting to see her every day. The start of the school year meant back to more rigid schedules and more of her time taken up. Homework and glee club and everything else just meant a crash back to reality from her awesome summer.
For as bad a mood as Rachel was in, Shelby was the complete opposite. She felt amazing. She'd accepted an offer for the script she and Rachel really liked. She'd already spoken with Hiram and LeRoy about the timeline of it filming and being able to take Rachel to the set. The girl had yet to see Shelby's place in L.A. and the mother couldn't wait to share it with her. She even had plans to try and get Rachel in as an extra. Or get her a line. She knew her daughter would freak out over that. Things were even going better between Rachel and Brian, since better was the only place they could be. He and Rachel had spoken cordially at the party and he'd been over last night for dinner night without a tantrum or whine from the girl. He was even able to engage her in conversation. He'd come prepared with pictures of Shelby from their NYU days and Rachel hadn't been able to resist.
Shelby really wanted to spoil Rachel that day. To give her some free time and let her go a bit crazy in the city. She had a meeting that she knew would take a few hours and so she thought Rachel would enjoy some time to go shopping and they could meet up for a late lunch.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Shelby said as Rachel came down the hall in just the t-shirt she slept in and a wild case of bedhead.
"Ugh," Rachel grunted in response.
"Oh dear," Shelby laughed to herself as Rachel bypassed the kitchen and went to sit in the living room.
Shelby finished making her cup of coffee and went and plopped down on the sofa to Rachel's right. She set her mug down on the coffee table and leaned over to kiss Rachel's head.
"Sleep well?" Shelby asked.
"Yeah," Rachel muttered.
"Are you feeling okay?" Shelby asked again, way too cheery for Rachel's liking.
"I'm fine," Rachel said, annoyed.
"Hungry?"
"Mom!"
The girl scooted away from Shelby and her interrogation and focused on her phone.
Shelby sat back and smiled. Okay then. She picked up her mug and took a long sip.
They sat together in silence for half an hour while Shelby nursed her coffee and enjoyed the late morning views from her apartment while Rachel played on her phone. The girl kept casting glances at her serenely peaceful mother, all of which the woman missed. It did nothing to improve Rachel's mood that Shelby was so happy and unbothered. Didn't she remember that her daughter was leaving in two days? Why wasn't she sad and upset like Rachel was?
"I have an idea," Shelby said, breaking the silence and putting her mug down once more. Rachel didn't make any indication she'd heard her mother so Shelby just went on. "How would you like some free time in the city today? Just you and my credit card?"
"Why? Want me out of the house so you can have some fuck time with Brian?"
Rachel's brain caught up to her mouth a second too late and she gasped at what she had said. Any hopes that Shelby hadn't heard her right were dashed when Rachel felt a strong hand grasp her arm and pull her forward. She dropped her phone to the floor and before she could even comprehend what was happening she realized she was face down across her mother's knees and the woman was working her panties down and after a moment Rachel felt them pool at her knees.
"Mom, I'm- ouch! I'm sorry, Mom. Oh ouch! Mom no!" Rachel pleaded.
It was Shelby's turn to pretend she hadn't heard her daughter and she turned her attention to peppering Rachel's bare backside with her hand. She couldn't believe her daughter had said that to her and Shelby was not amused at all.
"Mommy, I'm sorry," Rachel tried again, her voice going up an octave as her tears started in earnest.
"You're certainly going to be," Shelby said. Her voice was serious and her actions decisive. The sounds of it echoed throughout the large room while Shelby let her displeasure be known against Rachel's backside.
"Mommy, ohhh ouch ouch ouch, Mommy please," Rachel pleaded as her tears flowed freely. She felt terrible. Her obvious predicament aside, Rachel couldn't believe she'd been so rude. She knew she hurt her mother's feelings and she didn't mean it at all.
Rachel squirmed and grabbed the pillow in front of her for something to hold onto while her backside quickly turned red. In one of her efforts to squirm away Rachel caught a glance of one of her mother's Tony awards. All those years she imagined Shelby Corcoran as her mother, and this type of moment never came up. Her daydreams never came close to capturing real parenthood and Shelby Corcoran the star was long gone while Shelby, Rachel Berry's mother, lit her daughter's bottom on fire.
"Mom, please. Oh it hurts," Rachel cried.
"What would ever make you say such a thing?" Shelby asked. She'd stopped the spanking for a moment and flexed her aching left hand.
"I don't know," Rachel cried. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
"I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it was a mistake to include you in my birthday party," Shelby said. She knew there has been lots of stories about her past going around that night. "I think maybe you've gotten a bit too big for your britches."
"It wasn't! I'm not!" Rachel said. "I'm sorry!
"I do not appreciate what you said to me one bit," Shelby continued.
"I know, I'm so sorry," Rachel cried, her tears remorseful now. "I'm so sorry, Mom."
Shelby sighed because she knew Rachel was sorry. She could hear it in her voice. She looked down at the red bottom on her lap and got lost in thought about what she was doing last year at this time and how nothing was more important than her show and making it successful. She never dared to imagine a Rachel younger than 18 in her life.
Rachel's tears slowed even as her bottom continue to ache. She desperately wanted to rub the away the sting her mother had so expertly imparted. But Shelby had stopped spanking and her hand rested on Rachel's back.
"Mommy?" Rachel asked, her voice still quavering with tears.
"Hmm?" was all Shelby said, still clearly lost in thought.
"Is the spanking over now?" Rachel asked cautiously, looking over her shoulder at her mother.
"What?" Shelby asked, startled out of her thoughts. She spared a quick glance at Rachel's bright red bottom and then looked at her daughter's tear-streaked face. "Yes."
Relief washed over Rachel, but Shelby wasn't done being stern with her daughter yet. She helped Rachel stand up and quickly stood next to her and held the girl by her arms. Rachel wanted to complain because she wanted to rub her aching backside and she wanted to retrieve her panties from where they'd fallen on the floor, but she knew better than to say anything in that moment.
"Rachel Barbra Berry, what you said was completely unacceptable and uncalled for. Not to mention rude," Shelby scolded.
"I know, Mom, I'm sorry," Rachel said as her tears started again. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe I said it."
"Listen to me, young lady," Shelby said looking directly into Rachel's eyes, "I am sick and tired of how you treat Brian. I am done with it, do you understand? I thought after the last few days you were moving past it and being kinder."
"I am," Rachel cried.
"Clearly not," Shelby said. "And it ends now. Because this spanking doesn't have to be over. If you cannot figure out how to keep your words and your actions kind where Brian is involved, you're going to find yourself right back over my knee getting the spanking of your life. This has gone on long enough. Do you understand?"
"Mommy," Rachel cried, tears streaming down her cheeks again.
"Do you understand?" Shelby asked again.
"Yes ma'am," Rachel said. "I'm sorry."
Shelby sighed, satisfied and released her firm grip on the girl's arms and pulled her in close for a hug. "Come here."
Rachel melted into the hug and sobbed on her mother's shoulder. She felt thoroughly chastised and young and wanted her mother's comfort more than anything. While Shelby held her Rachel reached a hand back to rub her punished backside. This one was way worse than the only other spanking her mother had ever doled out to her. Shelby had been more unsure that time and while it had hurt and she had cried, Rachel remembered feeling more embarrassed than anything. This time between her remorse and the glow on her bottom Rachel felt truly punished. And she was more embarrassed by what she said than her bare bottom being on display.
"It hurts," Rachel whined and Shelby chuckled causing the girl to pout even more.
"I'm sure it does, sweetheart," Shelby said. "It was a spanking and it's supposed to hurt. I hope you learned your lesson and remember my words because if we have to go through this again for this reason, I'm not going to be as gentle."
Rachel scoffed. Gentle. Shelby smirked at her daughter's reaction and she remembered feeling exactly the same way when Mimi had given her the very same threat one time. Shelby certainly hoped Rachel was smarter than she was because when Mimi had to follow through Shelby had indeed thought the first time was gentle compared to what she got.
Shelby sat down on the couch and sat Rachel on her lap.
"Ouch, Mom!" Rachel complained and she shifted so that her bottom wasn't directly on Shelby's legs. Rachel squirmed and finally settled on her hip and leaned into her mother's warm embrace.
"Sorry," Shelby smiled.
They sat in silence for a while as Shelby rubbed Rachel's back and kissed her head as the girl worked to get her tears fully under control. More than 15 minutes passed in the easy silence and Rachel relished in being held. She thought back over the last thirty minutes and still couldn't believe the predicament she'd gotten herself into. She silently scolded herself for getting in trouble just two days from leaving and going back home. What an idiot, she thought. She wanted their time to be happy and fun, not punishments and reprimands. It was a few more moments before what Shelby offered her really registered in Rachel's mind.
"Mom, did you say free time with your credit card?" Rachel asked, looking up at her mother.
Oh ho, look who was finally paying attention, Shelby thought and then looked at Rachel. "I did."
"But, ummm, why?" Rachel asked.
"Well I have a meeting to go to this morning that is going to take a few hours and I thought maybe you'd like some time in the theater district to do some shopping instead of staying here," Shelby explained.
"Oh," Rachel said. She mentally kicked herself. How could she have been so crass to make it go from here's my credit card to her bottom getting roasted in just a few seconds? But maybe… "So am I still-"
"Oh no, young lady," Shelby said. "I don't think so. In a few minutes you're going to get up and go shower and get dressed and then you are grounded to your room until I get back from the meeting."
"But-"
Shelby moved Rachel's shirt out of the way and rested her left hand on the girl's still bare bottom causing Rachel to hiss in pain.
"If I come home and even suspect that you were out of your room for any reason other than to go to the bathroom or to eat something, well…"
The threat may have been unspoken but it was perfectly clear to both of them and Rachel squirmed under her mother's soft, but heavy hand.
"Why do I have to get dressed?" Rachel asked in what she hoped was not a whine.
"Because this is a punishment and not free time for you to lounge around or go back to sleep," Shelby answered. "I want you awake and thinking about what landed you in there and what you could have done differently. And how you will act going forward. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am," Rachel said, her eyes downcast and pouty.
"Good girl," Shelby said and she moved her hand and stood Rachel up. "Now go on and get a shower. A quick one."
Rachel leaned over and picked up her panties and her phone from the floor and stood back up to see Shelby holding her hand up.
"Leave your phone with me, if you please," Shelby said. Rachel had no other electronics in her room and Shelby wasn't about to let her keep her phone right now.
"But Mom," Rachel did whine this time, but stopped when Shelby's brow rose menacingly. She handed the phone over with a pout and a scowl, but didn't say anything else.
An hour and a half later Rachel was sitting in her room looking out the window. She'd put on shorts and a Wounded Heart t-shirt after her shower and her mother had left not long after she was finished. Rachel had only left her room once to go to the bathroom and even that felt like she was breaking the rules. She was taking her mother's threat seriously. She was already sitting on a pillow and had no desire to find out why Shelby would ever call the spanking she'd received 'gentle.'
Her mind wandered to Brian and she wanted to roll her eyes, but refrained. It really wasn't his fault he'd known Shelby for so long and was in love with her. It wasn't his fault Shelby loved him back and wanted him around. But it was just so much easier to blame him, Rachel knew, than look at why she was so upset by him. She wanted Shelby to be all hers and to only focus on her and Rachel scolded herself because she knew how selfish that was. She knew she was being childish and that had nothing to do with Brian. Hell, the words that landed her in so much trouble didn't really have anything to do with Brian either, Rachel realized. She was getting a cheap dig in at her mother for not being as upset as she, Rachel, was about leaving in a few days' time.
The girl sucked in a breath and felt terrible for trying to hurt her mother like that. She still couldn't believe she'd said it. A new worry floated to the surface when she wondered if Shelby would tell her fathers because she knew they would be less than pleased with her too.
Rachel let out a long sigh and rested her head in her hands. She really hoped they didn't see Brian again while she was in town. It would be so much easier if the next two days could be just her and her mom.
The opening of the front door pulled Rachel from her thoughts and she was surprised her mother was home already. Shelby had said the meeting would take a few hours. Not that she was complaining though because Rachel was ready to be sprung from her room and get her phone back. It suddenly occurred to her that she didn't know if she was getting her phone back when her mother got home and she shuddered. Hopefully her mother wasn't going to keep it all day or until she went home to Ohio. She wanted to poke her head out and ask if she was free yet, but she knew better and so she waited.
It was a few more minutes before her bedroom door opened, but it was not Shelby who came through the door.
Brian stopped short when he saw Rachel sitting there and said, "Shit, I didn't know you were here!"
"What are you doing?" Rachel demanded.
"You were supposed to be out shopping," Brian said. "Where is your mom? What are you doing here?"
"She's at a meeting," Rachel said. "And this is my room in my house. What are you doing here?"
"I, uhhh," Brian wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to ruin Shelby's surprise for the girl, but she wasn't supposed to be there. They had planned it so Rachel would never know he'd been in her room.
"Do you always come into my room when I'm not here?" Rachel asked, her red-hot temper showing up before she could stop it. "I don't know what you and my mom get up to in this room when I'm not here, but for at least two more days this room is mine. Why can't you just wait for me to leave and then you two can go back having all the fuck time you want in here when-"
"That's enough," Brian cut her off with in a tone Rachel had never heard him use. His voice was commanding and authoritative and Rachel shut her mouth. "Come out here. I'm not going to talk to you in your room." He left the room and walked down the hall to the living room.
Rachel's head was spinning. She couldn't believe she'd said it again. And especially to the person who mother had made it explicitly clear she needed to be nice to. What was wrong with her? Her mother was going to kill her.
"Brian," she said hurrying after him. He was in the living room by the time she caught up with him. "Brian, I-
"Rachel, I didn't mean to startle you," Brian cut her off again. "But I don't like what you just said to me." Rachel's shoulder's dropped and she looked down at her hands. "I am not the enemy here."
"But you're here again and I've only got two days left," Rachel said. "You're always here."
"Two days left? Rachel, what are you talking about?" Brian asked. "You're going to Ohio, not another planet. Your mom will be right there with you."
"It's not the same," Rachel said. "I'm going to miss seeing her every day."
Brian bit his tongue because he knew Shelby wanted to tell the girl her big news, but he was going to have a talk with the woman. She needed to fill Rachel in on some things. Not everything needed to be a surprise.
"I know it's a hard adjustment," Brian said.
"No you don't," Rachel yelled. "It's not hard for you at all. You see her all the time. And even when I'm here she wants you around too."
"Rachel, it's not a competition," Brian said. "There is no competition. I could never compete with you. Are you kidding me? Your mother would choose you every single time. You are her daughter. Her child, Rachel. And I would never do anything to stand in the way of that. But I love your mother with everything that I am. And whether you believe it or not, I love you too. I have really enjoyed getting to know you. Or trying to. You are a really wonderful kid. But the way you act sometimes though is way out of line. You are rude and mean and you should be ashamed of some of the things you have done and said," Brian said. "I've wanted to tell you this before, but your mom didn't want me to. But I'm telling you now, Rachel, because you need to hear it. Your mom is doing everything she can to make you happy and to make me happy. And you always do or say something to ruin it or cloud her mood and I don't appreciate it. And I want you to knock it off because your mother doesn't deserve you acting that way."
"But-"
"But nothing," Brian said. "You acting like a brat is getting old and it's out of line. And it stops right now. I know I'm not one of your fathers, I'm not anyone to you really, but when you're rude and mean it affects the woman I love and I will not silently stand by and let you get away with it anymore. Do you understand?"
Rachel was completely caught off guard by Brian's lecture and wasn't sure how she should react. He sounded just like one of her parents and she didn't really know how to process that. She felt like she was seeing him as this real person for the first time. It's like she realized he was an adult separate from Shelby; like realizing teachers didn't only exist at school to make you miserable.
"I umm, I don't mean to," Rachel said.
"Rachel," Brian said, giving her a withering look. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
Rachel blushed at being called out so easily and she mumbled, "No."
"The problem is you do mean it and you think you're hurting me, but the person you're actually hurting is your mother," Brian said. "Have you ever thought about that?"
The shame that crossed Rachel's face as she looked down after being unable to meet his eye gave him confirmation for what he already knew. Rachel wanted to argue back. She wanted to yell and protest and storm out at being scolded by Brian of all people, but she didn't move. She hated that he was right and she hated that until this moment she'd never once considered how her mother felt any of the times she purposefully acted up or said awful things to Brian in an effort to get him to leave. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes when she thought about all the times her mother had to diffuse the tension or scold her for her actions. She'd never considered that behind her mother's usually calm demeanor was hurt.
"I thought we had made some progress over this past week, but I guess I was wrong. Your behavior hasn't changed." Brian said.
Of all the things Rachel hated in this world, being called out on her childish behavior was top of the list and it hit her like a ton of bricks that Brian didn't see her as a teenage version of Shelby the star or an equal vying for Shelby's attention; he saw her for what she was around him, a bratty kid who acted up and spoke meanly and got her phone taken away for her bad behavior.
"What do you think your mother is going to say and think when I tell her what you said in your bedroom?" Brian asked. Rachel looked up at him with pleading eyes so he added, "Yes, I'm going to tell her."
Without thinking, Rachel reached a hand back and rubbed her sore bottom with one hand while furiously wiping at one of her eyes with the other. She knew exactly what her mother was going to think about what she said. Brian's eyebrows raised in surprise at Rachel's reaction to his proclamation and he knew something had gone on this morning and it now made sense as to why the girl was home and not out shopping like they had planned her to be. He knew Shelby had spanked Rachel in the past and that the girl had grown up with it from her fathers, so that fact that she'd clearly gotten her bottom roasted that morning wasn't hard to believe and he wondered what she'd done.
"I don't want to get you in any more trouble, honestly I don't, but I know your parents don't like that language from you," Brian pressed on. "And I do not like the implication behind it. What your mother and I do is absolutely none of your business. None." He was speaking sternly once more. "But I can promise you that your room is yours and we would never think of going in there. So I'm going to tell your mother so that she will address it with you because I think it needs to be addressed."
"But you don't-"
"Yes I do," Brian said. "Because like I said before I'm not going to stand by and stay silent when you're acting up when it concerns me. Because I love Shelby more than you can possibly imagine and I'm tired of your actions hurting her. I will not allow it anymore. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Rachel said, finally meeting his eye.
"Thank you," Brian said, surprise evident in his voice at her calling him sir.
Rachel was equally surprised. The only people she ever used sir or ma'am with was her parents and it was only ever when she was in trouble. The fact that she'd said it almost automatically to Brian shocked her.
"Brian?" Rachel said, looking up at him.
"Yeah?" Brian said. He found that he was waiting for her to say something rude to him.
Rachel took a breath and steadied her jumbled nerves and worked up the courage to say the words she never thought she'd say to Brian. "I'm sorry."
Brian let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding and offered her a small smile. "Thank you, Rachel."
Rachel went on, willing herself not to clam up. She had to get all of this out now. "I know Mom loves you and I know you love her and I honestly haven't figured out why you're not married yet. But I just found her and all of a sudden you were there and I'm…well… I'm jealous." She said it like it was a big secret she was revealing to him.
"I know you are," Brian said. Rachel pouted and he smiled. "Rachel, Pluto the planet can see that you're jealous."
"Pluto isn't a planet," Rachel argued.
"In my day Pluto was a planet," Brian said. "You don't have to be jealous."
"Yes I do," Rachel said. "You're handsome and nice and smart and madly in love with my mom."
"Yeah, and you're her daughter," Brian said. "I told you, it's not a competition. Your mother would never choose me over you and I would never stand in the way of you two having a relationship. I've always just wanted to get to know you. You're Shelby's daughter and I think the world of you."
"You do?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah," Brian said with a laugh. "You're a great kid."
"I actually like you too," Rachel said, not believing she dared to admit that to anyone much less Brian himself. "You're pretty funny sometimes. And that chicken parmesan you made on my mom's birthday was amazing."
Brian shook his head with a smile thinking back on how Rachel reacted to that meal. "I'm glad to hear you don't think I'm terrible. So how about we move forward from here? Let the past stay in the past and we can get to know each other and be friends."
"Okay," Rachel agreed.
There was an awkward silence for a few moments and Rachel contemplated going back to her room. It was after 3 and she knew her mother could be home at any time. She didn't want to be in extra trouble for being out of her room. But her curiosity won out.
"So why are you here?" Rachel asked.
"Oh, well your mom bought you the TV you wanted," Brian answered and he pointed over the large box in the dining room leaning against the table.
"What?" Rachel asked, astonished.
"The plan was that you were supposed to go out while she had her meeting about the movie and I was going to come over and mount your TV in your room," Brian said. "I did not expect you to be here when I walked in your bedroom."
"Meeting about the movie?!" Rachel asked. "What movie?"
"The part she accepted…" Brian trailed off when it was clear Rachel didn't know what he was talking about. "I'm going to talk to your mom and explain to her that not everything has to be a surprise."
"She accepted a part? Which one?" Rachel asked, excited.
"I don't know," Brian shrugged.
"Brian!" Rachel gasped, exasperated. How could he have information like that and not have any details?
Brian shrugged again. They honestly didn't talk about their jobs very much to each other. "I've also got three tickets for Wicked tonight. I thought you'd like to see a show again before you went back to Ohio."
"Oh," Rachel said and looked down at her hands. "Thanks."
"We don't have to go if you don't want to," Brian said.
"I want to," Rachel said quickly. "It's just… I may not be allowed to… After you tell mom, you know."
"Ah, I see," Brian said. "Well, we won't worry about that until your mom gets home."
"You could just not tell her," Rachel said hopefully.
"No chance," Brian said. "Sorry Rachel, but I think your mom needs to know."
"Yeah," Rachel sighed sadly.
There was another awkward silence, but it was Brian who broke it this time.
"Why don't I go ahead and get the TV mounted and hooked up."
"No," Rachel said. "Mom said I couldn't have one until my behavior improved and it hasn't. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve Wicked either. Not after everything today."
"What happened today?" Brian asked. "Why are you home and not out shopping?"
"I, umm, got in trouble with mom this morning," Rachel said. "And she- we had a, uhhh, talk and she grounded me to my room until she came home from her meeting. And as soon as she finds out what I said I'm going to be in trouble again."
"Oh," Brian said. "That sucks."
"Yeah," Rachel agreed. "Especially since I'm leaving in two days. I don't want to be in trouble for the rest of my time here."
"I can understand that," Brian said. He wasn't really sure what to say because he didn't know how Shelby would handle it and he couldn't do much to relieve the girl's nerves. But he could offer understanding. "I have two older sisters and a little brother and if Shelby is anything like my mom once the punishment was dealt with we weren't in trouble anymore."
"My parents too," Rachel said. "But it still sucks."
"Yes it does," Brian agreed.
Rachel sighed and tried to push it from her mind for the time being. She forgot all about thinking she should return to her room and plopped down on the couch. "You have three siblings?"
"Yep," Brian said. He sat in the chair next to the couch. "Abby, Melissa, and Peter."
"I always wondered what it would be like to have siblings," Rachel said. "Was it fun growing up with a big family?"
"Yeah, most of the time," Brian said. "We fought like most siblings do, but it's really nice now that we're all adults."
"Do they-"
Her question was cut short by the opening of the front door and Shelby walking in. Brian watched as Rachel remembered she was supposed to be in her room and panic crossed her face.
Shelby could see Rachel from her spot by the front door and she was not amused.
"Rachel Barbra Berry, what did I say about being out of your room?" Shelby demanded as she marched towards her daughter.
Rachel sprang to her feet. "Mom, I-"
"Shelby," Brian said, standing up just as Shelby rounded the corner and saw he was there. "We've been having a talk."
"Brian? Brian!" Shelby said as why he was there dawned on her. After everything that happened that morning she'd completely forgotten about the plan for that day. "I forgot."
"We know," Brian said.
She eyed them both suspiciously. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Brian said. "We've been talking."
Rachel stayed quiet, more than happy to let him take the lead on this.
"Talking?" Shelby asked. She eyed Rachel who wouldn't meet her eye.
"Yeah," Brian said. "Listen Shelbs, it's a long story that doesn't have the best beginning, but you need to hear the whole story."
"Okay…" Shelby said. Her eyes cut to Rachel once more before focusing on Brian again. "Go on."
"When I got here, I thought the place was empty as planned," Brian said. "So I set the stuff down and headed to Rachel's room so I could move what I needed to and do the measurements and all that. I don't know who was more shocked when I walked in her room, Rachel or me."
Shelby nodded. She was glad to hear that Rachel was in her room when Brian arrived. And she could certainly understand their shock.
"Rachel wanted to know why I was there, of course," Brian continued. "And I didn't want to ruin the surprise and so I hesitated while trying to think of something to say. And, well, Rachel was upset at seeing me and," he watched as Shelby turn her attention to Rachel who shrank back under mother's intense gaze, "she said that the room was still hers for two more days and we needed to wait until after she was gone to have fuck time if we wanted it in there."
"Rachel!" Shelby hissed and the girl seemed to shrink in on herself under her mother's
unrelenting glare. "Go to your room."
"Mom," Rachel pleaded.
"Wait please, Shelby," Brian said. "You need to hear the rest of the story. Rachel deserves for
you to hear everything."
Shelby took an angry breath and finally took her eyes off Rachel and looked at Brian waiting for
him to go on.
"As you can imagine, I didn't like that very much and I made her come out here to talk to me,"
Brian said. "So it's my fault she's out of her room."
Shelby nodded. She got that.
"And Shelbs, she regretted what she said right away," Brian said.
"I'm sure she did," Shelby said, looking over at Rachel who shrank back even farther.
"I told her- I lectured her that she was out of line and she should be ashamed for some of the things she says and does," Brian said. "But I also told her that I am not the enemy and she and I are not in competition for your affection and attention. She is your daughter and she will always come first and I love you too much to ever stand in the way of you two. I love her too much too."
Shelby physically softened at Brian's words and looked back at him. Rachel also looked over at Brian and smiled slightly. He had said earlier that he loved her and she couldn't really believe it. All she'd ever been was rude to him.
"What happened then?" Shelby asked, fearing she would hear of more wrongdoings from Rachel.
"She apologized. And she said she liked me too," Brian said. He wore a boyish smile when telling Shelby that and she finally felt herself relax.
Shelby walked over to Rachel and pulled the nervous girl into a hug and rubbed her back.
Rachel happily accepted and soaked up the gentle touch and kiss to her head.
"I'm proud of you," Rachel. "Thank you for apologizing."
"I mean it, Mom," Rachel said. "I'm so sorry I was ever mean to Brian. We're friends now."
"Friends, huh?" Shelby asked as she pulled back from the hug and cupped Rachel's cheeks.
"Yeah," Rachel said. "In my room I really thought about how much you love him and how much he loves you and it's not his fault he's known you such a long time. And he told me all he ever wanted was just to get to know me."
"He did?" Shelby asked, still cupping her child's cheeks and looking into her face. For just a few moments Rachel looked younger somehow. Like she was telling Shelby about a brand new toy she wanted.
"Yeah," Rachel said. "I think I'd like to get to know him too."
"I would like that too," Shelby said. She gave Rachel a quick kiss and then let her go and turned to Brian.
"I know a great way to start," Brian said. "I've got three tickets to Wicked for tonight's show. We can go to dinner and then see it. Get some more Broadway in the girl before she heads back to
Ohio."
"That sounds great!" Shelby said. "What do you say, Rach?"
Rachel smiled and nodded and bit her tongue to keep her from asking if she was even allowed to go after what she said to Brian, but if her mom wasn't bringing it up she sure wasn't going to either. Rachel's mood started to lift and the weight of being in trouble started to melt away. Her mom looked so happy and it seemed as if Shelby had forgotten about what she'd said.
"I know, let's go to George's," Shelby said. It was one of her favorite restaurants and fancier than an everyday place. "Really do it up right."
"That sounds good," Brian said.
Shelby craned her neck to look at a clock on the wall that was just out of sight. "We'll have to leave soon so we can get there and get in. And we all need to change." Brian always had clothes there and Shelby had a pretty dress in mind for Rachel to wear.
Rachel was really excited. After the way her day had started she never would have imagined it would end with a real night out on the town.
"Rachel and I just need to have a quick discussion first," Shelby said.
"Mom," Rachel gasped, mortified, as reality crashed back down around her. She was under no illusion that 'discussion' meant talking. And even worse, she knew Brian probably knew that too.
"Go to your room, Rach. I'll be there in a second," Shelby said.
"Mom," Rachel whined.
"Go," Shelby said kindly, but with a raised eyebrow that dared Rachel to argue with her again.
Rachel couldn't look at either of them as she hurried off to her room leaving Brian and Shelby alone.
"Not gonna let it slide, huh?" Brian asked.
"Nope," Shelby said. "Did she happen to tell you what she got in trouble for this morning?"
"She didn't," Brian said. "But from what I gathered, she got a spanking and was grounded."
"She told you?!" Shelby asked, shocked.
"No," Brian laughed. "But when she talked about being in trouble she rubbed her butt and looked all of 8 years old. I don't even think she realized she was doing it. I just put it together."
"You are correct," Shelby said. "But Brian, listen to what she did. I offered her my credit card and time alone in the city to go shopping and she asked if I wanted her out of the house so you and I could have some-"
"Fuck time," Brian said with her. He let out a low whistle.
"Right?!" Shelby asked with a laugh. "And then said it again. Sometimes I really wish she wasn't as hard headed as I was at that age."
"At that age…" Brian teased and Shelby rolled her eyes. "Listen Shelbs, she's sad because she has only 2 days left before she goes back to Ohio. I think that's her real problem today. She's upset."
"She told you that?" Shelby asked.
"Yeah. She said how much she'll miss seeing you every day," Brian said. "Please go in and there and tell her what's going on. Not everything has to be a surprise."
"I will," Shelby said. "Thank you so much. For today. For everything." She moved close and kissed him.
"Anytime," Brian said.
Shelby broke away and headed back to Rachel's room to do what she wished she didn't have to do while Brian went into the master bedroom to change his clothes.
When Shelby opened Rachel's door and walked in the girl was pacing like if she walked fast enough she could outrun the trouble she was in.
"Mom, you don't have to do this," Rachel said quickly as soon as she saw her mother. "Please. I learned my lesson. Brian lectured me a lot already."
"I wouldn't say using the exact same phrase that got you in trouble in the first place two hours later is learning your lesson," Shelby said.
"I know," Rachel said. "But I get it now. I promise, Mom."
Shelby sighed and went to Rachel and stopped her pacing. "Rachel, I appreciate that you get it now. That something finally got through to you and you apologized and know you were wrong. And I am so proud of you and I love you so much. But that doesn't change what you said. The implication of it, the crassness of it. I'm no prude, Rachel, but it was out of line and I'm not going to let you get away with it."
The girl gave her mother a pleading look, but Shelby wasn't moved and Rachel knew she wouldn't be able to get out of it.
"Can we wait until later when Brian's not here?" Rachel asked.
Shelby shook her head no.
"But Mom, he'll hear," Rachel protested.
"I suspect he will," Shelby said with a nod. She wouldn't normally, but in this case she was unwilling to spare her child this embarrassment. "He already knows what's going to happen and he knows what happened this morning."
"You told him?!" Rachel asked.
"He figured it out," Shelby said. "And he doesn't care. You're a kid, Rachel, and sometimes kids get spankings. Now come on."
"Mommy," Rachel pouted pitifully.
"I know, sweetheart," Shelby said sympathetically, taking Rachel by the hand and leading her to the bed. "A couple minutes and it'll all be over and we'll get ready to go out tonight."
"But I'm still sore," Rachel whined as her mother sat down on the bed and pulled the girl's shorts down.
"I know you are," Shelby said. "That alone should have helped you hold your tongue." She pulled Rachel's panties down next and helped the girl find her place over her knee.
Shelby took a quick moment to inspect Rachel's pale backside and didn't see one hint of the red bottom she left that morning, though she knew Rachel wasn't lying when she said she was still sore. She placed a gentle, reassuring hand on Rachel's bottom to try and get her to relax. Rachel couldn't believe she was in this position once more and scolded herself for letting her temper get the better of her.
The next second Shelby brought her hand down and Rachel yelped and tried to ready herself for the next one, but wasn't successful. As Shelby found a rhythm Rachel couldn't help but crying out. She had hoped to stay quiet so as not to let Brian hear her crying, but all thoughts of being able to do that were squashed within the first ten swats.
Brian was laying out his suit when he heard the unmistakable sounds of a spanking being administered right down the hall. He'd heard this many times growing up with so many siblings, but he'd never once felt as sorry for his brother or sisters like he did now for Rachel. He agreed with Shelby that Rachel deserved it, but it wasn't easy to hear, especially as the girl started to cry out more and more.
"Owowowowowow, Mom," Rachel cried, but Shelby's hand was quick and unrelenting. Rachel tried to squirm away, but her mother had a strong hold of her and there was no escape for her backside that was now a blazing red. "Mommy, I'm sorry! Please stop!"
"I know you are, Rach," Shelby said, never letting up. "But I think I made a mistake this morning when I ended your spanking. I should have finished it and if I had maybe we wouldn't be doing this again right now. So I'm not going to make that mistake again."
"Mommy, nooooo!" Rachel wailed and her tears really started to fall. "It hurts. It wasn't your-your fault. Ohhhh, ouuuuch. I was mad and- and- and I said it to be mean. I didn't mean it."
"Thank you for saying that," Shelby said. She shifted Rachel slightly so she could focus on the girl's sit-spots. Shelby wanted this to be a lesson Rachel wouldn't soon forget. She continued at a pace that was fast with a hand that was hard and unrelenting and the spots where Rachel's bottom met her thighs was soon a deep red as well.
Rachel's crying intensified and she gave up trying to squirm away and gripped her bedding and hid her face in it. Shelby continued for another thirty seconds or so before finally stopping, making sure to go over the whole bottom again to reinforce her lesson. True to her word it had only take a couple of minutes, but the spanking she'd delivered this time was worse than what she dished out that morning.
"All done, sweetheart," Shelby said. "All over now."
"Mommy," Rachel cried pitifully.
"I know, baby," Shelby said as she rubbed soothing circles on Rachel's back. "Come on, up now."
Rachel stood up and once again was unable to rub because her mother engulfed her in a tight hug. The girl held onto her mother and her tears slowed and finally stopped after a few long moments. Shelby kissed her head and swayed slightly as if rocking a baby.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Rachel said again.
"I know," Shelby said. "And it's all taken care of."
"Are you still mad?"
"I'm not mad," Shelby asked. "I was certainly shocked at your choice phrase for the day and I know you know better and as your mom it was my job to remind you that in our family we don't speak to each other that way, and certainly not when implying what you were implying."
"I know about sex, Mom," Rachel said stubbornly and Shelby had to smile because she was almost certain that the girl would have stomped her foot if she'd been able.
"It's not about sex, kiddo," Shelby said and she stood back so Rachel looked up at her. "It's about how rude it was. And mean spirited."
Rachel sighed sadly and looked away from her mother. "I've only got two days left."
"That's what this is all about, isn't it?" Shelby asked.
Rachel's chin trembled and tears welled in her eyes once more. "I miss my dads and I can't wait to see them, but it means that our time is over. I won't see you every day and I was so mad that you weren't upset at all that I'm going home. And school is starting soon and I'm going to miss getting to see you every day."
"We're going to be able to see each other all the time," Shelby said. "I bought a house near your house. Four houses down from your house, as a matter of fact."
"What?" Rachel asked, completely flabbergasted. "You bought a house in Lima?"
"Yes," Shelby confirmed. "I don't want to be away from you either. I can't promise I'll be in town every single day forever from now on, but I will be right there for the majority of the time for the rest of your time in high school."
"Really?" Rachel said as the tears in her eyes spilled over and down her cheeks. She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around Shelby's neck.
"Of course, Rachel," Shelby said as she wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her tightly once more.
They stayed that way for about a minute as Rachel cried as she let go of some of the pent-up emotions she'd been feeling all day. When she stepped back from her mother, Rachel finally had the chance to rub her aching backside.
"I wish you'd have told me you bought a house sooner," the girl pouted.
Shelby crossed her arms. "Would knowing that have stopped you saying what you said?"
"I don't…. No," Rachel mumbled truthfully, hating that she knew she couldn't pass off the responsibility for her words.
"I'll tell you what I wish I would have done sooner," Shelby said.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"Given you that spanking," Shelby said and put up a hand to stop Rachel's whine of protest. "If I had put a stop to your poor behavior where Brian was involved months ago, I could have saved us all a lot of trouble and hurt feelings."
Rachel looked away, but didn't argue as her cheeks flushed again at being reminded of her childish behavior. It made her feel even worse to admit to herself that her mother was probably right and without this consequence, she probably wouldn't have stopped with the snide comments and rude behavior and really given Brian a chance. And now that she had taken a step back she found that she was actually kind of excited to get to know him better.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Rachel said again, but she couldn't meet Shelby's eye.
Shelby gently cupped Rachel's face in both her hands and waited until the girl looked at her. "I know, sweetie. And it really is over now. I love you. And Brian loves you. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am," Rachel said as fresh tears welled in her eyes.
"Ah ah, that's enough crying," Shelby said. She placed a kiss on Rachel's head and said, "We need to get ready to out."
Shelby went to Rachel's closet and pulled out a pretty red dress Rachel insisted she needed months ago but had never worn. She then went to the girl's dresser and got out a new pair of panties since the ones Rachel had been wearing were on the floor, and then laid the items out on the bed.
"Alright, you've got 10 minutes to wash your face, brush your teeth, and get dressed. Then come over to my bathroom and I will help you with your hair and make-up. We need to be leaving this house in 30 minutes," Shelby said.
"What?" Rachel gasped. "But Mom, 30 minutes?! I need more time. It's not possible."
"It is if you want to go to dinner and the show tonight," Shelby said from the doorway of Rachel's room. "Get moving."
As Shelby walked back down the hallway to her room she heard Rachel scamper across the hall into her bathroom. When she entered her room, she found that Brian was almost dressed and buttoning up his suit vest. She loved when he got dressed up like this. It had been a long time since they'd gone out dressed in more than casual clothes. They were just lucky he always had clothes there. His dark blue suit and vest with crisp, white shirt always looked amazing on him.
"Hey," Brian said when she entered the room.
"Hey," she said, offering him small smile that didn't meet her eyes. "All done." Shelby's voice wasn't the strong, confident voice she'd used with Rachel, but was now wavering and sad.
"Aww Shelbs," Brian said sincerely and pulled her into a warm hug.
"Don't. I'll get mascara on your shirt," Shelby said and she moved back from him. "I'm okay. It just sucks when you turn into an adult and find out that you really weren't being lied to at all those years and it really does hurt the parent so much more than the child."
"It was much harder to listen to than I thought it would be," Brian admitted. "I don't know how you do it."
Shelby shrugged. "I had to. She earned it. And hopefully this is the last time we have to deal with this."
Brian nodded. "I'm sure it will be."
"What tie are you wearing?" Shelby asked, changing the subject.
"This one," Brian said holding up a plaid bowtie with different shades of blue.
"Perfect," Shelby said. It was her favorite and he knew it. "I have a dress that will match." She disappeared into the closet to get her dress and shoes out.
A few minutes later Rachel was dressed and carrying her black flats and standing outside her mother's bedroom door peeking in. Brian was looking in a mirror brushing his hair. He had his suit on and the bowtie slung around his neck, but not tied and his jacket was on the bed. Rachel felt heat creep into her face at the fact that Brian knew and any moment now she was going to have to go in and see him. Her bottom hurt and was glowing red (she knew, she checked) and there was no way he didn't hear her. She kept telling herself that her mom said he didn't care and there was no way to avoid it, so just go in and get it over with, but her feet wouldn't listen.
Rachel had almost worked up the courage when she saw her mother step out of the closet wearing a gorgeous light blue dress. It was still unzipped and her hair was down with the light make up she'd worn for her meeting that day, but she was beautiful and Rachel smiled at the sight of her. Her mom.
Brian too had stopped fussing with his hair and watched as Shelby walked across the room to him.
"Zip me up," Shelby said as she turned her back to him.
Brian moved Shelby's hair and leaned down and kissed her shoulder right where it met the neck and Rachel shrank back some, feeling like she was intruding on a very private moment. She watched as he zipped the dress up and her mom disappeared into the bathroom. Rachel felt like she did as a little girl when her fathers would get ready for their date nights. She had always loved how fancy they looked and how much care they took with each other. She remembered sitting on the bed in her pajamas and helping pick out ties and suit jackets and fun socks for her dads before the sitter came over. There were even times when her dads would surprise her by telling her she was coming along too and she would get to get dressed up with them. They were some of her favorite memories. Rachel never thought she'd be able to say this, but she felt that same love and happiness wash over her as she watched her mom going through the same ritual of getting ready to go out with the one she loved.
Rachel was pulled from her thoughts when she saw Brian start to try and tie his bowtie while looking in the mirror. He wasn't having much luck and she rolled her eyes and stepped into the room.
"I never pictured you as a guy who would wear bowties," she said as she crossed the room, dropping her shoes by the bed as she did.
"Your mom likes them," Brian said, looking at her in the mirror. "It always takes me a few tries, but I eventually get it."
"Let me," Rachel said.
"How do you know how to tie a bowtie?" Brian asked as he stood in front of the girl and bent down so she could reach. He noticed she was wearing the necklace he'd given her on Shelby's birthday. He wanted to comment on it, but thought better of it. Maybe this moment wasn't the time.
"Are you kidding?" Rachel laughed. "Both my dads wear bowties. I could probably tie a bowtie before I could tie my shoes. It's regular ties I'm not good at." It only took a few seconds and Rachel gave one last little tug to straighten it and said, "There."
"Thanks," Brian said with a smile as he turned back to the mirror to look.
"No problem," Rachel said.
There was a long moment of awkward silence before Brian asked, "So how many times have you seen Wicked?"
"Only three times," Rachel said. "The first time was on a trip here with my dads when I was 12. And twice when it toured in Ohio. Have you seen it before?"
"A couple times," Brian said. "I'm excited for tonight."
"Me too," Rachel said.
"Rach, come in here," Shelby said, poking her head out from the bathroom and looking at her daughter. "You've got to finish getting ready."
Rachel followed after her mother and felt infinitely better as the woman started to brush her hair. Seeing Brian after hadn't been as bad as she imagined it would be and she didn't feel the awkwardness hanging over her anymore.
An hour later they were seated at a back table at the restaurant waiting on their food. Though it was crowded, the staff had been accommodating when Shelby showed up and they didn't have to wait long. Rachel would have preferred a bit of a wait because she went from sitting in the car to now sitting on a hard chair and her poor bottom ached. She felt ridiculous every time she squirmed to try and find a more comfortable position, but so far relief had not come. She just hoped her mom and Brian didn't notice.
"Sit still, Rach," Shelby said as a waitress came and poured wine for the adults and a water for Rachel.
Rachel huffed under her breath, but stopped fidgeting. She didn't notice Shelby and Brian exchange a ghost of a smile at her predicament. She was concentrating on sitting still and hoped the food would arrive soon. The quicker they ate, the quicker they could leave.
"I propose a toast," Brian said as he picked up his glass of wine and Shelby did the same.
"What?" Rachel asked. "Oh." She picked up her water and held it.
"To Shelby's new house in Ohio," Brian said. "And all the new memories that will be made there."
Shelby and Rachel beamed and they both took sips of their drinks.
"You'll have to come visit," Rachel said, surprising everyone, herself included.
"I sure hope to," Brian said.
"You could meet my dads," Rachel said.
"I'd love that. And I'd love the chance to get to see the famous McKinley High Glee Club I've heard so much about," Brian said.
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Of course," Brian said. "I probably love musical theater more than your mom."
Rachel gave him a look that said she clearly doubted that, but launched into an animated discussion of the club and ideas she had for the upcoming school year. Shelby and Brian were happy to sit back and let her talk. This beat Rachel ignoring them all through a meal any day of the week.
After dinner they only had to walk a few blocks before they found themselves in Times Square, the place Rachel still considered to be the most magical place in the world. It was a beautiful evening and the lights felt extra bright for some reason.
As they waited to cross the street Rachel suddenly realized how tall Shelby felt. The woman was in heels which made her a few inches taller than Rachel was used to her being. It made Rachel feel younger, but not in a way that upset her. She felt very much like a kid in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. It was like being out on a date night with her dads when she was 10 years old all over again. She felt secure in a way she'd never felt when Brian was anywhere near her and Shelby. She felt happy for her mom instead of feeling resentful and she felt a fondness for Brian she would have never thought possible. The only thing keeping this from feeling like some crazy dream was the heat and pain in her backside.
When the light changed and indicated they could safely cross the street, Rachel took her mother's hand without even thinking about it. Shelby looked down in surprise when she felt Rachel grasp her hand and she smiled and squeezed it, like she was telling Rachel she loved her. Shelby wouldn't change this moment for anything. She took Brian's arm with her free hand and held it loosely as he automatically crooked it. There were so many people out on that summer evening and Shelby was grateful because they were just more people in the crowd and she didn't stand out. To anyone who glanced their way, they'd just see a family like any other.
When they got to the Gershwin, the trio quickly found their seats. They only had about 10 minutes before the show would start. Rachel reluctantly sank into her seat. It had felt good to be up and walking and now she had a couple hours straight of sitting in front of her, though thankfully the seats were cushioned. Note to self, don't get in trouble right before seeing a show, Rachel thought to herself.
A couple minutes later Rachel stood up and looked around, pretending to be really interested in the dragon above the stage and the lighting. Shelby smirked and Brian excused himself and before either of them could ask what he was doing he disappeared up the aisle and out in the main lobby. Shelby looked through the playbill while Rachel looked around the room. Oh how she wished she could reach back and rub her bottom, but the girl wouldn't dare. She knew a few people had recognized her mom and there was no way Rachel would ever tell on herself by giving any indication of how she was punished, even if most people probably wouldn't even get it.
Brian showed back up a few minutes later carrying a merchandise bag. Shelby and Rachel gave him a quizzical looks as he pulled out a soft hoodie and began to fold it. The lights had just dimmed when he set the soft, folded hoodie in Rachel's chair and winked at her before taking his seat. She was so thankful for the darkness because she knew she was blushing furiously as she sat down on the hoodie. It did help though and it only took a few moments and she was settled by the time the orchestra started playing.
Shelby rolled her eyes, but gave Brian a loving smile as he sat down. She leaned close and whispered, "You big softie," as the music played.
Brian just smiled and shrugged and gave Shelby a quick kiss before turning his attention to the stage.
When the show ended they had thankfully been able to get out with relative ease. Shelby was only stopped for a few autographs and pictures and it wasn't long before they were able to get a cab to take them back home. When they arrived at the building they said their goodbyes standing outside in the comfortable evening air.
"Thanks for the tickets and everything else," Rachel said. She opened her arms and invited him in for what turned out to be an awkward, but endearing hug.
"You're welcome," Brian said.
"And I'm really sorry again. For everything," Rachel said, looking down at the hoodie in her hands.
"Thank you," Brian said. "And remember, we talked it all through and we said we'd move forward from here."
"Okay," Rachel smiled. Moving forward sounded good.
Shelby gave Brian a quick kiss and they said their goodnights before he turned to get back in the waiting cab.
"Brian wait," Rachel called out before he could get into the car. "Your hoodie." She held it out as she walked over to him.
"That's for you, kiddo," Brian said, using the pet name he often heard Shelby use for Rachel.
"Thanks!" Rachel said, looking at the garment.
"You bet," Brian said. "See you later."
By the time they got upstairs Rachel's delighted smile had been replaced with a deep yawn. Shelby was sleepy too. What a day.
"Go get changed and ready for bed and then come to my room and we can have a talk," Shelby said.
"Aww Mom," Rachel whined, worried she was in trouble again.
"Nothing bad," Shelby said. "I promise. I just thought we could hang out before you go to sleep."
Rachel eyed her skeptically, but did as she was told and a few minutes later was back in Shelby's room wearing a t-shirt to sleep in with freshly brushed teeth and a scrubbed clean face. She found her phone waiting for her where the bed had been turned down.
"Yes!" Rachel said as she grabbed up the phone and got into bed. She laid on her stomach and started checking through what she'd missed that day since her mother confiscated it.
Shelby came out of her bathroom a couple minutes later also with a clean face and in pajamas. She smiled as she watched Rachel. She thought back on when they first met and how Rachel was worried about letting her guard down to just be herself. Shelby had been overjoyed when the real Rachel started to trickle in bit by bit until she was fully comfortable and she got to be with not only her often times moody teenager, but the little girl that was usually hidden away.
Rachel spared a quick glance when she felt the bed dip slightly when her mother climbed on, but she was engrossed in catching up on texts from Kurt. She stiffened immediately when she felt a hand on her bottom, but relaxed when she realized all her mother was doing was rubbing lightly.
"How are you feeling?" Shelby asked.
"Sore," Rachel said with a long, suffering sigh. She put her phone down and turned on her side and propped her head on her hand. "Sitting for such a long time directly afterward wasn't very fun."
Shelby laughed lightly and brushed some hair away from Rachel's face. "No, I don't imagine it was."
"Mommy," Rachel pouted, playing it up for her mother.
"You'll live," Shelby told her with a smile. She loved that Rachel was able to find some humor in it now. "Trust me. And listen, I don't want to get very serious again, but I'd like to say something else so sit up please."
Rachel's eyes grew worried and questioning as she obeyed.
"It's okay, I promise," Shelby cooed. "I just want to say again how proud of you I am. Thank you for listening to me about Brian and how you treat him. What I saw from you tonight was the kind, thoughtful, and welcoming girl I know you to be."
"Thank you," Rachel said softly, honestly not sure she deserved the praise. "But what about the stuff I said?"
"You were punished for the stuff you said," Shelby said. "And it's over. You learned your lesson, I hope, and we don't need to talk about it again."
"I did," Rachel said. The ache in her bottom told her this lesson was still being taught and would be remembered for a long time. "And I'm really sorry, Mom."
"I know, Rach," Shelby said. "Brian told me how you apologized to him. I know you're sorry for what you said."
"It's not just that," Rachel said and tears formed her eyes so suddenly both she and Shelby were caught off guard. "I'm really sorry to you. For hurting you. Brian told me how the way I acted hurt you and affected you and I'm so stupid because I'd never ever considered you might be getting hurt too." She was crying now. "I just wanted to annoy Brian enough to make him go away. I never thought about how it made you feel. I'm so sorry."
"Oh Rach," Shelby said as she pulled the crying girl to her. "I said I didn't want this to be too serious." It was a quip that Rachel didn't even hear. The girl hugged Shelby tightly as her mother held her. "Thank you for apologizing." Shelby rubbed her back and hummed in her ear in an effort to get the girl to calm down once more.
"I didn't mean to be so selfish," Rachel said when her tears had slowed.
"Look at me, kiddo," Shelby instructed gently. Shelby helped Rachel sit up again and waited until she had the girl's complete attention. "Apology accepted. Thank you. I love you."
"I love you, Mom," Rachel said.
"Now, how about we get some sleep," Shelby said.
"Can I ask a question first?" Rachel asked.
"Of course, sweetheart," Shelby said. She wasn't sure whether she should brace herself or not.
"How come I was allowed to go out tonight and see Wicked?" Rachel asked.
"What do you mean?"
"This morning after I said what I said and you, uhhh, you know, I was grounded to my room," Rachel said. "No phone, nothing. But when I said it again and you, you know, I was allowed to go out. I don't get it."
"Well, I grounded you so you would use that time to think about how you treat Brian," Shelby said. "I wanted you to take what I said to heart and to really try and get past your refusal to even give Brian a chance. And, by all accounts, you did that, Rachel. I came home to a girl who had talked with Bran and apologized to him all on her own. So you used that time for exactly what I asked you to use it for."
"But I still said the thing again," Rachel said.
"And you didn't get off scot-free, did you?" Shelby asked.
"No ma'am," Rachel said as color crept into her cheeks again.
"So this morning I punished you for the language and the continued nastiness towards Brian. And this afternoon I punished you for the language, but the nastiness was gone," Shelby explained. "So I didn't think another grounding or consequence was warranted. I spanked you and it was over and there wasn't any reason we all couldn't go out and enjoy dinner and the show together. Does that make sense?"
"Yes ma'am," Rachel said.
"No more ma'ams for a while, huh?" Shelby said with a smile. "You're not in trouble and I'm far too young and glamourous to be called ma'am all the time."
Rachel rolled her eyes at her mother's cheekiness and was going to respond but a big yawn hit her before she could say anything.
"Okay, if there are no more questions, I think it's time you went to sleep. You're exhausted," Shelby said.
"Wait," Rachel said quickly, suddenly much more awake. "I have a question."
"What is it?" Shelby asked.
"Why didn't you tell me you'd accepted one of the movie offers?" Rachel asked. "Brian mentioned it and he didn't even know which one. Mom, you have to tell me everything about it."
It was Shelby's turn to roll her eyes and she said, "That's not exactly what I meant when I asked if you had more questions."
"But Mom, this is important," Rachel said. "Which role is it?"
"The villain one," Shelby said. "The one we both liked so much."
"Yes!" Rachel cheered. "That's what the meeting was about, right? Tell me everything. When is it filming? Where is it filming? Can I come? Who else is in it?"
"Whoa," Shelby laughed and she put her hands on Rachel's shoulders to bring her daughter back down to earth. "I promise I will tell you everything."
"But-"
"Everything. Every excruciatingly small detail. I promise, Rachel," Shelby said. "We have a lot of time to talk about it. But right now, I think it's bed time." A quick glance at a clock told her it was after midnight. And more importantly than that, she knew Rachel was exhausted, both mentally and physically.
"But Mom," Rachel whined.
"Rach, guess what. You're not flying back to Ohio on Saturday. I'm driving you. We're making a road trip out of it," Shelby said.
"What?" Rachel asked, completely caught off guard by this new information. "You are? Do my dads know?"
"Of course they do, silly," Shelby said with a laugh. "We will have hours in the car to talk about the movie and whatever else."
"Seriously?" Rachel asked.
"Seriously," Shelby confirmed. "I talked to your dads about it when I closed on the house a couple weeks ago. I wanted to be able to bring some stuff into town and get the keys and see the house and be there for your first day of school so it only made sense we'd drive together."
"You haven't even see the house yet?" Rachel asked. She yawned again.
"I've seen pictures," Shelby said. "Your dads went and walked through it for me. Lay down. They said it looks good and just needs some cosmetic fixes."
Rachel laid down at her mother's instruction and Shelby tucked the blankets around her and put the girl's phone on a side table.
"I can't believe you bought a house in Lima," Rachel said. "It's going to be so amazing having you around all the time."
"I'm excited too," Shelby said. She scooted down next to Rachel and kissed the girl's head. They really had come a long way because it was only a few months ago when Rachel couldn't understand why Shelby would leave New York so often to come visit and now the girl was so happy her mom was moving in down the street.
Shelby watched as Rachel shut her eyes and grimaced for a second before rolling on her side and settling deeper into the pillow.
"I'm never going to be able to do anything," Rachel said sleepily.
"What do you mean?" Shelby asked.
"I'll have three pairs of eyes watching me all the time," Rachel said, before she yawned again. "I'll never be able to get away with anything ever again."
Shelby couldn't help but smile when saw the blankets move and knew Rachel was reaching back to rub her sore backside again.
"Rach, how much did you get away with before?" Shelby asked.
Rachel looked up at her mom and pouted before shutting her eyes and settling into the pillow again. She stopped the fruitless rubbing and pulled the blankets close.
"Will I be able to spend the night at your house sometimes?" Rachel asked sleepily.
"Of course," Shelby said.
"Maybe we can do-"
Shelby was waiting for Rachel to go on and when she didn't she looked down to see the girl had fallen asleep. The mother smiled at her daughter's relaxed face that made her appear younger than 15. Shelby relished these moments. She leaned down and kissed Rachel's head again before getting out of bed and leaving the room. She wasn't quite ready to go to sleep yet and was happy to let Rachel fall into a deep slumber before she got in bed too.
Two days later the sun was barely shining in the sky when Rachel and Shelby started their trip. Rachel leaned her head back and shut her eyes as Shelby changed lanes to get on the ramp up to the interstate.
"Why did we have to leave so early again?" Rachel complained.
"So we can get there at a reasonable time," Shelby explained. Again. "Please don't ask me the whole way there. We've been on the road three minutes."
"Are you going to miss New York City?" Rachel asked, looking over at her mom.
"Sure," Shelby shrugged. "But it's not going anywhere."
"I don't think you're prepared for the realities of living in Lima," Rachel said. "There's nothing to do. No good restaurants."
"I grew up in a place smaller than Lima," Shelby laughed. "I'll deal. Besides, I'll have you and your dads to entertain me. And there's work I can do."
"What kind of work?" Rachel asked. "You're not filming your movie in Ohio."
"No, but I'm planning on putting in a basic recording studio in the basement," Shelby said. "I've gotten some requests to start writing a book so I can start doing that and getting my thoughts in order."
"You're putting a recording studio?" Rachel asked. "What kind of album are you going to do? You should do a Christmas album."
"Maybe I will," Shelby said.
"Can I sing on it with you?" Rachel asked.
"Sure," Shelby answered easily.
"And then we can tour!" Rachel got excited. "It's perfect. Maybe next spring and summer."
"Tour?" Shelby laughed. "Rachel, you have school?"
"Mom, I can get a tutor," Rachel said. "Think of everything I could learn while touring."
"Or you can stay right in high school where you're supposed to be," Shelby said.
Rachel rolled her eyes, but didn't respond and the pair fell into a comfortable silence that lasted about twenty miles.
"Are you really going to write a book?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know," Shelby said. "Could be a really interesting project, even if it's just for myself. It would force me to organize my memories and how I feel about them."
"What would you call it?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know," Shelby answered. "I don't even have a notebook or pencils yet, Rach, much less a title."
Rachel shook her head. "A notebook and pencils. You're so old, Mom."
Shelby gasped and looked over at her daughter. "Excuse me, little miss. I am not old."
"If you're going to write a book you need a laptop or something," Rachel said.
Shelby conceded that point. "Fine, a laptop."
The fell into a silence again and Rachel played on her phone while Shelby sang along with the radio. Thirty-five minutes later Shelby picked up her mug and took the last sip of her coffee just as Rachel spoke up again.
"So when are you going to marry Brian?"
Shelby sputtered and coughed on her drink and quickly put the mug down so she could raise one arm above her head while holding the steering wheel with the other. It took her a couple minutes to get her coughing under control while Rachel just watched her from the passenger seat.
"What?" Shelby finally asked.
"When are you going to marry Brian?" Rachel repeated.
"What makes you ask that?" Shelby said.
"Mom," Rachel stared at her, not believing her mother was being so obtuse.
"What?" Shelby asked, unnerved by Rachel's stare.
"It's clear as day you want to and clear as day he wants to," Rachel said.
"Well there's a lot more that goes into it than that," Shelby said.
"Such as?"
"Such as everything," Shelby said.
"Okay," Rachel said. Holding her hands up in surrender. "But at your age, I don't know what you're waiting for."
Shelby put her blinker on and moved over to the shoulder and started to slow the SUV, clearly meaning to park. Rachel started to panic as her mother came to a stop and put her hazards on.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I was just kidding around," Rachel said quickly. She did not even want to contemplate this drive on a sore butt.
Shelby turned in her seat to look at Rachel and asked, "Would you really be okay with me and Brian getting married?"
"Oh," Rachel said, relieved. "Yeah. Of course." She looked down and wrung her hands for a second. "Where would you live? He has to teach in New York."
"Well… actually he's about to start a two year sabbatical," Shelby said. "He going to write a book and the university pays him while he does his research and writes. So he could live anywhere."
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah."
Rachel was silent for a long moment as she thought things over. "I guess you should invite him to come to Ohio soon then."
"I guess I will," Shelby said with a large smile. "I love you, Rachel." She took her seatbelt off and leaned over and hugged her daughter tightly.
"I love you, Mom."
In another minute they were buckled up and back on the road.
"I sure hope Brian has stocked up on lots of notebooks and pencils to write his book," Rachel said cheekily. "I'm sure he'd lend you some."
"Alright, that's it," Shelby said. She checked the mirrors and started to pull onto the shoulder again.
"No, Mom!" Rachel exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Shelby checked the mirrors again and pulled back out into the right lane and kept going, thankful that they were the only ones on the road.
"Not funny, Mother," Rachel said giving her mother a less than impressed look.
Shelby shrugged, her eyes full of mischief. "I thought it was funny."
The End
A/N – Okay, so that's it for this story. I really hope you all liked it. If you're so inclined, please leave me a review or drop me a line and let me know. Thank you so much for all of the time and energy you invested in this story. Until next time…
