I do not own Glee or any of the characters created by Ryan Murphy. If I did we would see way more of Shelby. This story will contain spanking of a teenager. If that's not your thing stop reading now and go read something else.
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Chapter 30
Rachel awoke slowly and looked at the clock. It read ten o'clock. Shaking her head slowly, Rachel looked from her position on her stomach at the device again. She hadn't read it wrong, it truly did say ten. She hadn't ever been one to sleep in, and sleeping in until ten wasn't something Rachel ever remembered doing unless she was sick.
The loud rumble from her stomach made Rachel decide to head downstairs in search of food and she slid from the bed slowly. Rubbing her bottom, Rachel felt a little tenderness, but overall it wasn't too bad considering her mother had worn her out the night before. Making her way from her bedroom and down the stairs Rachel heard a noise from the kitchen and decided to make a little of her own just in case Sue was up to something in the kitchen with her mother.
"Sabe?"
"Good morning, Rachel." The older man's eyes smiled at the disheveled appearance of his granddaughter. "Just like your mother after a rough night," he quipped.
Shrugging Rachel moved to pour herself a glass of orange juice. "Where's Mama?"
"Your mama is in her office working on something," Theo held up his hands. "I have no idea what it is, she wouldn't tell me. Now, are you hungry?"
"I am," Rachel admitted. "Starved actually."
"Then let's see about getting you something to eat," Theo moved easily around the kitchen keeping the conversation with Rachel light. Finally placing an expertly made grilled cheese in front of Rachel with a small bowl of tomato soup, Theo sat down once more.
"Soup and sandwich for breakfast, Sabe?" Rachel asked.
"Brunch," Theo laughed. "It was always one of your mother's favorites after a rough night no matter the time. I guess old habits die hard."
Tasting the sandwich and soup Rachel smiled. "I can see why. This is wonderful, Sabe."
"Glad it meets with your approval, Rachel." Theo sat back and allowed Rachel to eat more before speaking once more. "We need to talk about yesterday, Rachel. You used me to distract your mother while you tried to skip the country. Why?"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Rachel shrugged and sat back in her seat. "I needed a way to delay Mama when I didn't come back on time. I knew if you were here meeting Coach, that it would buy me a few hours. I mean Coach has been wanting to meet you for ages." Rachel began to eat again. "I just decided to help her."
"Because it benefited you."
"Yeah." Placing her spoon down Rachel ducked her head and then looked up at her grandfather. "Am I in trouble with you as well?"
"Maybe a little." Theo grabbed Rachel's hand in his own. "I don't want you to ever use me that way again, Rachel. Do you understand? It was very disrespectful and I can't have you trying to use me against your mother like that." Theo's eyes caught Rachel's deep brown ones and Rachel nodded slightly.
"I understand, Sabe. I'll never do it again. I promise."
"Good because next time we will be having more than just a nice conversation."
Gulping, Rachel nodded. "I understand you loud and clear, Sabe. Now," Rachel took another large bite of soup. "How did you make this soup taste so wonderful?"
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Three days had passed since Rachel's homecoming. Her grandfather had headed home and Shelby hadn't said one word about what she had been working on in her office since Rachel had been stopped at the airport in Columbus.
"Rachel!" Shelby's voice called from her office. "Come here, please."
Sighing heavily as she put the last dish from the dishwasher away, Rachel followed her mother's summons and finally made her way to the office. "You bellowed?"
"Come in and have a seat." Shelby pointed to the chair across from her desk. "I have a surprise for you."
Perking up instantly, Rachel sat down and smiled, "Well, what is it?"
"How would you feel about going on a trip?"
"Where? New York? Broadway, we could take in some shows and…."
"Rachel," Shelby interrupted her daughter. "Breathe and let me finish, okay?"
"Sure Mama." Rachel sat back and waited hoping that the trip her mother proposed would be someplace she'd always wanted to go.
"Do you remember what you said about needing to see your dads?"
Rachel leaned forward at her mother's question, "Yes."
"How would you feel about taking a trip overseas, Rachel? You, me, and Sue."
"Coach?" Rachel's eyes grew wide. "Of course I want to go see my dads but why is Coach coming?"
"Because she's the one who ultimately helped me access the doctor treating your dad. He's given the go ahead for a visit and promised to keep it a surprise, which means he won't be telling LeRoy or Hiram about us coming. I think a surprise is for the best right now."
Sitting back in her chair Rachel nodded. "I agree. They will try to stop us if they know."
The office was quiet for a few minutes and Rachel finally stood and made her way around Shelby's desk. Sitting on her mother's lap unexpectedly, Rachel curled into the woman. "Thank you, Mama. Even with Coach going along, I need to do this."
Kissing her daughter's temple and smoothing Rachel's hair from her forehead Shelby pulled her daughter close. "I hope it helps, baby girl. I want you, us, to have answers. We need them."
"When do we leave?" Rachel laid her head on Shelby's shoulder.
"We leave in four days." Shelby laughed as Rachel jumped off of her lap. "Calm down, Rachel. We have plenty of time. Sue is coming over tonight and we'll discuss all the details with you then."
"Okay," Rachel nodded. "I need to go pack." Heading from the room Rachel stopped at the door. "Thanks again, Mama. I love you." Saying nothing else the teen left Shelby at her desk hoping beyond hope that they were doing the right thing.
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"Rachel, if you do not calm down I am going to have a discussion with you in the family restroom," Shelby hissed in her daughter's ear. "And if we go in the family restroom you will be having a very uncomfortable flight."
Eyes going wide at the threat, Rachel did the only thing she could think of in the moment and moved to hide behind the tall blonde watching the interaction with a bored look on her face. "I'm good, Mama. Right, Coach?"
Looking down at the brunette Sue nodded, "She looks good to me, Ethel. I think she received the message loud and clear. Right E.J.?"
"E.J.?" Shelby interrupted.
"Ethel Junior," Sue deadpanned. "Seems to fit."
Shaking her head at Sue pronouncement, Shelby finally began to relax as Rachel took a seat in the international waiting area. Sitting next to her daughter, Shelby put her hand over Sue's when the woman sat next to her. "How are you doing, Ethel?"
Looking at her girlfriend, Shelby gave a wan smile. "I'm not sure actually." Looking briefly at Rachel Shelby took note of the ear buds and Rachel's obvious attention on the phone screen in front of her. "I think I'm ready for this trip," she continued turning back to Sue. "Still, I hate to think of any outcome that won't be good for Rachel."
Sue nodded and squeezed Shelby's hand. "I know, Shelby. It's going to be hard." Sue looked at Rachel briefly and then back at the brunette in front of her. "Let's just hope Rachel's dads can come through when they need to for their daughter."
"I hope they can," Shelby agreed. "I still can't believe the email I got and the paperwork."
"Are you going to tell Rachel what they proposed?"
Shelby shook her head, "Not now." Throwing another quick glance at her daughter, Shelby sighed. "I still can't believe they're suggesting that we put the house in Rachel's name. What is going on that they want her to take ownership of the house, not to mention permanent custody?"
"I'm not sure, Shelby." Sue looked at Rachel once more. "But my guess is that one Mr. LeRoy Berry isn't doing as well as they hope he would."
Shelby nodded, "But what about Hiram, Sue? Even if something happens to LeRoy, if things don't turn out the way we want, Hiram will still have Rachel. They'll need each other."
"She'll need you, Shelby." Sue's voice became lower and she leaned her head in towards the brunette. "I don't know that Hiram will be able to be much help to Rachel if LeRoy dies. I've met the man and he just doesn't seem capable."
"He'd better damn well be capable," Shelby hissed. "He has a daughter and the world isn't going to stop for her or him if the worst happens."
"I'm just telling you what my gut is telling me, Ethel." Sue stood as she heard their flight being announced. "Time for us to board. I hope that kid of yours calms down or I may have to resort to the Sue Sylvester way of having a peaceful flight."
Looking up at the tall blonde, Shelby shook her head slowly. "I don't think I want to know."
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Hearing the pilot finally announce that they were circling Stockholm, Shelby and Sue let out a sighs of relief. Rachel had barely slept on the international flight and over thirteen hours later Shelby and Sue were almost ready to drop her into the cargo hold.
"Can we get off the plane yet?" Rachel asked.
"You might want to wait until we land, Rachel," Shelby deadpanned. "We're still up a little high to easily disembark."
"Ha, ha," Rachel rolled her eyes at her mother. "I am just so tired of sitting and nobody on this flight appreciates my talent."
"Nobody on this flight needed to be entertained with show tunes, E.J." Sue sighed. "Seriously, the Good Ship Lollipop?"
"I thought it apropos as we are flying," Rachel huffed.
Feeling a tap on her shoulder Shelby turned in her seat to find steel blue eyes staring into hers. "We just wanted to let you know that the rest of the passengers agree you and your family can disembark first."
"Thank you," Shelby sighed. "I apologize again…"
The man held up his hand and laughed. "It's okay, we have a teen-age daughter as well." He acknowledged his wife with a smile and the woman chuckled. "It's just that our daughter isn't quite so outgoing with her talents as yours," the woman added.
Turning Sue nodded in agreement. "Yes, our girl tends to sing first and ask if she should later."
The woman laughed in full and sat back in her seat. "Good luck with her, ladies. I think you may need it."
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Hope everyone enjoys the update.