Stepping out of their bedrooms, both Shelby and Rachel walked out into the hallway at the same time and automatically examined one another suspiciously.

"Why do you look like that?" Rachel asked, narrowing her eyes at her mother who was wearing a white silky blouse, black skinny jeans, and heeled ankle boots.

"Look like what Rach?" Shelby replied innocently, already heading down to the front door before the teenager could respond.

"I don't know you look nice…r than usual. And you smell good too."

"Are you implying that I usually don't look nice and that I normally smell bad?"

"No. I am doing no such thing," Rachel answered quickly, trailing behind the older woman walking down the stairs. "I am merely pointing out that you have makeup on tonight, mother."

"I always have makeup on Rach," Shelby replied while she pulled two jackets from the coat closet then proceeded to help Rachel put hers on before donning her own. "Please don't forget your hat and scarf and gloves."

"Mom I'm fine, it's not that cold out," Rachel ducked her head away from her mother's attempt to pull a wool cap over her head. "I just fixed my hair. I don't want it to get ruined."

"And why do you care if your hair is a little messed up?" Shelby countered back. "Who are you trying to look nice for?"

"Hey! I asked you first," Rachel griped while twisting a scarf the woman just threw around her neck.

"Well I'm your mother and I am asking you second," Shelby replied.

"Mom, I'm just going to come right out and say it," Rachel said as she turned to face the woman, her face solemn and her tone serious. "I am not going to let you date anyone named Dustin Goolsby. His last name alone disqualifies him from any further consideration."

Shelby chewed on her lip and stifled back an amused reaction from filtering on her face. "Rach, I already told you, I am not going on a date with Dustin. We're just getting coffee to talk about work."

"Mhmm sure," Rachel said, her tone full of skepticism. "Getting coffee to talk about work… outside of work… during Valentine's Day is definitely not a date. Dad always says if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. It's a date, mother."

Shelby couldn't help the laugh that escaped at that remark. "Okay so I see that you've been talking to your dad about his cases again. It's not a date, Rachel," she spoke slowly and evenly to get the record straight. "Dustin and I are only coworkers. I'm technically his boss. We are not dating. Tonight just happened to be the only free time I had available all week to do this."

Rachel lowered her eyebrows and squinted her eyes critically at her mother, deciding if she was going to accept the explanation at face value.

"Baby, if it was a date, I'd tell you," Shelby offered, picking up on the internal debate going through her kid's head. "We'd talk about it. But because it's not and there's nothing going on between Dustin and I, there's nothing to talk about."

Begrudgingly, Rachel blew out her cheeks and nodded her head in acceptance. "Okay. But maybe you just don't think it's a date. What if he does?"

"Then I'll tell him we're not on a date," Shelby replied, grabbing her purse and guiding her teenager out the door. "And using your logic, are you going on a date with Jesse?"

"What? No," Rachel rejected the thought. "We're just hanging out. He wants to tell me more about the NYADA social he invited me to this weekend."

"Okay and the two of you have to do this tonight… on Valentine's Day?"

"Mooom!"

"Hey," Shelby chuckled in sweet revenge while she locked up the house then turned to regard her daughter with a satisfied grin. "This is your reasoning that I'm employing, kid. Looks like a duck, or shall I say, a date, to me. Is there anything going on between you and Jesse that I should know about? You know how your fathers feel about you dating, Rach. We have to have a conversation about this if you're thinking about it."

Rachel rolled her eyes and paired it with a long-suffering sigh that did nothing but amuse the mother endlessly. "No," the girl paused for a moment then lifted her chin, puffed out her chest, and squared her shoulders. "Because if it was a date mother, I'd tell you. We'd talk about it. But because it's not and there's nothing going on between Jesse and I, there's nothing to talk about."

Shelby's mouth fell open in shock. "Excuse me? You did not just—"

"Can't kill me, if you can't catch me!" Rachel shrieked before jogging away in a flash towards the car.

Twenty minutes later, Shelby skillfully maneuvered the Range Rover into a tight spot in downtown Lima. Once she was satisfied with her parallel park job, she cut the engine and turned her focus back to her daughter.

"Rach, are you sure you're okay to be out tonight? We can go back home and stay in. I don't mind. You've had kind of an intense day already."

Rachel hesitated to answer while her thoughts traveled back to the meeting with her and Dave Karofsky and their parents at school earlier this afternoon. While she did receive assurances of an end to the random slushie attacks and somewhat of a sincere apology, she was just mostly looking forward to finally being able to move on.

"I'm fine," Rachel told her mom truthfully. "I'm just glad it's all over. I still can't believe you got them to fire Principal Figgins and put Coach Sylvester in charge. I think Mr. Schue's head almost exploded when he found out."

"Well it wasn't my decision, but I don't really care as long as she's enforcing the zero-tolerance policy on bullying that she touted," Shelby replied with a shrug. "But I'm glad it's all over too, kid. You'll let me know if anything else happens or if there are any other issues at school?"

Rachel hummed in approval and gave her mother a genuine smile. "Yes, I promise I will from now on. Thanks for having my back, mom."

"Good," Shelby said in relief. "You don't have to thank me. I'm your mom. I'll always have your back, my love," she promised with a quick kiss on top of her daughter's head. "I'll just be over at the Lima Bean. Text me whenever you're ready to go and we can head home together?"

"Sounds good," Rachel agreed. "See ya later mama. Have fun on your non-date!"

Shelby only shook her head when Rachel hustled out of her car and headed towards the bookstore across the street. She was in the middle of gathering her belongings when a knock on the passenger window captured her attention. She lifted her head to find Jesse waving hello.

With a sigh, she slipped out of the car and rounded the vehicle to meet Jesse on the sidewalk. Before he could greet her, she lifted her hand and regarded him sternly.

"Listen to me, St. James. I own you. I own your life. I own your future. I own the possibility of you spending your summer at the performing arts camp because that letter of recommendation is due this week, is it not? And what I write is completely up to you. I can go with 'one of the most extraordinary young talents I've ever had the pleasure of teaching' or 'douchebag who led my daughter on for his own amusement.' You decide."

Jesse's jaw slackened and eyes went wide with sincere fear. Shelby has never spoken to him like this before. Sure, she was always tough on him and she pushed him more than anyone else in his life ever has, but she's never threatened him. He opened and closed his mouth dumbly before shaking his head in a vigorous manner. "Coach C, I assure you, Rachel and I are just friends. We're just hanging out. That's all. I don't have a secret agenda. I told you, I'm just focusing on my future and VA right now."

Shelby crooked her eyebrow precariously and narrowed her gaze suspiciously, searching for any hint of dishonesty in her student's voice and eyes. After almost three years, she thought she knew every single one her star singer's expressions. Sometimes, she even felt like she knew Jesse better than he knew himself. But while there was sincerity in his tone, there was something else in his eyes that she couldn't quite pinpoint yet.

"Okay," she said dubiously. "I am choosing to give you the benefit of the doubt right now. However, realize that I am not oblivious to the gossip that swirls around VA. I know I don't need to remind you that I'm Coach Corcoran. I know everything. And I've also heard a rumor or two about your dating habits, St. James. And frankly, I don't really care. What you do outside of my classes and my practices is your business. But I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that I do care a great deal if my daughter gets hurt. Am I making myself clear, Jesse?"

Jesse wanted to scowl but he couldn't quite let himself get that far in front of his coach. He opted instead to offer her a fearful nod.

"Fantastic," Shelby said in satisfaction. She pulled her jacket closer to her body then began to walk away, pausing to pat Jesse's shoulder in a placating manner. "I'm not mad at you Jesse, just please keep in mind what I just said. Have fun with Rach. I will see you tomorrow."

"Rach," Jesse breathed out as he settled next to her on the couch in the bookstore. "Your mother..." he paused, looked around, then inched his face closer to hers "...is crazy," he whispered.

Rolling her eyes, Rachel elbowed the side of Jesse's ribs out of irritation.

"Ouch!" Jesse exclaimed a bit too loudly, drawing a disapproving glare from the girl. "That hurt," he pitched his voice lower as customers around them glanced in their direction. "No I'm serious. I ran into her before I walked in here and she basically threatened me."

"About what?" Rachel fished for more elaboration.

"About dating you!"

"What?" Rachel closed the book in her hand and sat up immediately to face him. "Oh god, what did she say?"

"Essentially that she's going to ruin my life for leading you on," Jesse replied, bowing his head in dismay. "My career is over before it's even had a chance to begin."

"Okay," Rachel pried his hands away that covered his face. "Get a grip, Jesse. They're empty threats. She wouldn't actually do anything to you. Not that she'd admit it, but I'm fairly certain that you're her favorite student."

"What if she takes away my solo in our Regionals set, or worse demotes to be second under Giselle."

"Jesse, shut up. We're not dating, so you don't have anything to worry about," Rachel pointed out. "My mom's just being unnecessarily overprotective once again, but I'll talk to her about it. Besides, we are just friends anyway, right?"

Jesse finally lifted his head, caught off guard and surprised at how his heart rate quickened at the inquiry. "Um, yes, we are just friends," he said after a few seconds, his reply sounding more like a question and feeling like a lie more than anything.

"Okay then," Rachel studied him curiously over the weird hesitation. "No big deal. I'll talk to her."

"Thanks," Jesse said, running his now clammy palms over his jeans, immensely confused by where the sudden nerves came from. "I mean I get it, she's only looking out for you."

"She always is," Rachel responded with slight annoyance. "And I love her, but sometimes it's too much."

"What are you going to tell her about us?"

Rachel let out a long exhale while she leaned her head against the cushion then closed her eyes in contemplation. After an undetermined amount of time passed, she finally opened them, her eyes brimming with an excited gleam. "I don't know yet but if you're in, I think I might have a plan."

"Well," Kim sighed while she plopped down dejectedly into the empty seat to join Shelby and Frannie at the Lima Bean. "An eight-year-old with an inflamed appendix just ruined my Valentine's Day."

"You're terrible," Shelby chided as a matter-of-factly.

"Whatever," Kim shrugged, placing a takeout carton in the middle of the table. "At least we got through appetizers and I made Brian leave his credit card so I could get us dessert. You're welcome."

"He's on call tonight?" Frannie questioned, swiping the container to inspect the treats. "Amazing. Breadstix cannolis are to die for."

"Yes," Kim pouted as she grabbed her pastry and offered the other to her sister. "Unfortunately."

"Oh boo-hoo," Frannie said sarcastically with her mouth full. "Life is so hard when you're married to a doctor."

"I'm with Fran," Shelby smirked. "You don't get my sympathy either. Brian is saving the lives of children. You can survive without your carbs for an evening."

"I beg to differ," Kim scoffed, wiping away the powdered sugar that had somehow landed all over her face. "And whatever, yes, Brian gets to come in on his white horse with all his knowledge and decision-making powers, but I am a nurse. We're the ones in the trenches. We're the ones who have to coordinate everything, watch patients around the clock, recognize changes in health status, and deal with any and every ongoing issue that arises. I save lives too."

"Touche," Shelby nodded while she took a bite of her own cannoli in a much more graceful manner. "I'm proud of you too, little sis."

"As you should be, Miss Tony Award winner. I rock too," Kim said in vindication then reclined back in her seat and crossed her arms. "Anyway, what's going on with you two? Shelly, how did your non-date with the hot assistant coach go? And where's William tonight, Francine?"

Shelby and Frannie glanced at each other at the line of questioning and exchanged a silent conversation with their eyes. "Alright. I guess I'll go first," Shelby relented as she took a napkin and dabbed off the corners of her mouth daintily. "My non-date was just that. Not a date. Next."

"Oh come on, Shelly," Kim objected passionately. "You have to elaborate. Please enlighten us, or better yet, spill the tea, as Q and Rae say."

"Spill the what?" Shelby asked, unamused.

"The tea," Frannie answered. "It means gossip. Get with it, Shel. You work around teenagers all day long."

"You guys both know that you're not sixteen anymore, right?" Shelby pointed out. "You're grown women. The slang is unbecoming."

"Rude AF," Kim replied with a vexed scowl. "Don't hate because you're not as dope as we are."

"Low key, you're just jealous," Frannie chimed in.

"I'm leaving," Shelby replied as she moved to gather her belongings.

Kim lunged for her sister's arm and pulled her down in response. "Stop. We're joking. Stay," she urged in between her laughter. "I just want to know what happened. You're so private about your love life. And you haven't been on a date, non-date, or whatever, in forever. You have to get back out there. It's been years."

Shelby sighed in resignation while she deflated back into her chair. "Ugh, I don't know," she said, running a hand over her face in frustration.

"Well just start with what happened with Dustin tonight," Kim coaxed.

"Okay fine. I guess I'm just a little embarrassed, because a part of me, but for the record, a very small part, thought that maybe it was more than just the two of us getting coffee," Shelby admitted to a chorus of intrigued sounds. "I don't know… like I am aware that Dustin's been flirting with me. I'm not clueless. And I also know he was doing it in part to soften me up and get on my good side. But I also thought that he might have been genuinely interested in me. Or I don't know. I mean he's not at all my type and it's completely inappropriate, but I never stopped it either because I liked the attention. It's been a while since anybody's indulged me in that way, and Lima doesn't necessarily have a surplus of desirable eligible bachelors my age. However, tonight, I did just realize that not only has he been flirting with me because he's a suck up, I think he's also just using me to fulfill his stage dreams."

"Oh no," Kim groaned. "He didn't."

"Oh but he did," Shelby nodded as if she was in great pain. "He spent almost forty five minutes talking me through his entire repertoire and asking about my industry contracts, and it all ended with him sending me a DropBox link to access his headshots."

"What?" Frannie's head shot up from her cell phone. "You have to show us. Now, Shelby. Now."

"I will do no such thing," Shelby laughed at the urging. "I will not let you guys roast him. See. I'm hip too."

Thoroughly impressed, Kim leaned over to high five her sister. "Nice. But I'm sorry Shelly. That sucks. I often forget that you're somewhat important enough to be used in that way."

"Gee, thanks," Shelby flicked a plastic fork across the table at her sibling.

"I'm kidding!" Kim lifted her hands in surrender after dodging the flying object. "I am sorry. But if he's only interested in you because of your fame, then he's absolutely not worth it anyway. You're a Queen. You're probably way too good for him, let's be honest."

"Mhmm," Shelby raised her eyebrow skeptically. "Nice save, Kimberly. But it's fine, honestly. It used to happen all the time in New York. I can handle it. I'm not heartbroken or anything. And I'm not even interested in him in that way. I really do think that I just liked the attention, but I'm over it. I still think I should probably talk to him though about stopping all the flirting because I am his boss. It's unprofessional and also throwing me off my game, so I'm truly looking forward to that conversation. This is why I hate dating."

"I didn't even know you were interested in dating again?" Frannie questioned.

Shelby shrugged her shoulders noncommittally. "I don't know. I guess I'm not. Especially not now."

"Wait," Kim interjected, wagging a finger up in the air. "You actually know who asked about you recently? Jack."

"Oh yeah, he totally did," Frannie confirmed. "Kim and I ran into him at the mall the other day and he very awkwardly asked us about you."

"What?" Shelby asked in an amused tone. "Jack Bennett did? There's no way. We've been friends forever."

"Yes!" Kim replied. "I'm so serious. He asked about your reunion with Rachel and then asked us what the deal was, if you were single."

"No he didn't," Shelby rejected the idea any further.

"Maybe your midnight ride along to the police station with your delinquent daughter and my sneaky sister piqued his curiosity," Frannie shrugged. "I mean, you could do a lot worse. He's single. He's a great guy. He was always really smart. He went to Stanford, didn't he? And it doesn't hurt that he looks like an approachable Bradley Cooper."

"Oh my god. Yes Shelly, please date the sheriff. Not to mention, mom and dad already love him! It's perfect. He's perfect. For you."

"Nuh uh, nope," Shelby shook her head firmly in protest. "I'm going to stop you right there. I am not going to date Jack."

"What why not?" Kim sat up in her seat, gearing up to pitch her case. "I can't believe I didn't think of him before. We've known him since we were little kids. And now that I think about it, he always liked you. Remember how he used to fix your car for free when he worked at the auto shop in high school? And he's a family man. I heard he only gave up his fancy Silicon Valley tech job to help his dad out here."

"First of all, I think you need to stop drinking the town tea or whatever," Shelby shot her down. "And second, it doesn't matter if Jack's great or if he is interested in me because I don't want to date anyone right now. Or be in a serious relationship. I don't have the bandwidth."

"But Shelly—"

"No, Kim. I… look, I just got Rachel back. A few months ago. And everything is still so new and we're still adjusting. There's a lot we still have to work out between us and figure out about our lives together, and I need to focus on her and on our relationship. I can't throw another person in the mix. I don't want to factor anyone else in but my daughter right now. Dating isn't my priority. Rachel is."

"Yeah Shelby, of course," Frannie said seriously. "I absolutely get that. But I think that Kim and I just want to remind you that you can't not have both."

"And that we don't want you to limit yourself just because you think that you should," Kim added. "You're incredible with Rachel. You work so hard at your job. There's no reason for you to not find fulfillment with your personal and love life as well, if you truly want it. Women can have it all these days or at least you can redefine what your version of all is without limiting your choices. I don't want you to feel like you have to sacrifice anything. I just want you to be happy."

Shelby nodded in understanding while she carefully considered her answer. "I'm not making sacrifices, and I am happy. Honestly, the happiest I've ever been. Rachel makes me happy. Being a mom makes me unbelievably happy and sincerely fulfilled in a way that I didn't even believe was possible. I…" she paused and tried to formulate the right words to describe how she felt. "I've already missed so much with Rachel, and I only have these three and a half years left before she goes away for college. And I've already done the me-thing. I've already had the chance to do what I've wanted and concentrate on what I've needed. That's what New York was about for me. But now, I… it's time for me to focus on finding my happiness with my daughter. I want to give Rachel all of me in a way that I've missed the chance to do her entire life. And I am beginning to realize that she needs me. Truly needs me. As much of me as she can get to help her through everything with her fathers and everything that's going on at school. I want to give her every piece of me that I can, wholly and completely, because it's what she deserves."

Shelby shifted in her seat and twiddled with the golden necklace she was wearing while she reflected over what she had just shared. She stood by every part of it. She didn't need any romantic love in her life at the moment because she was already so overwhelmed with the love she held for her daughter. Considering Kim's comment, having Rachel back in her life was the first time she's ever truly felt like she's had it all.

"Oh jeez," Shelby brought her eyes up after hearing whimpering at the opposite end of the table. "Kim, are you crying? You're ridiculous."

"Don't judge me!" Kim sniffled loudly while she grabbed a handful of napkins off the dispenser to wipe her face. "Fran's crying too!"

"What is wrong with you guys?" Shelby laughed in amusement.

"That was just so beautiful," Frannie said, swiping a wad of napkins from Kim to clean off the tears also spilling down her cheeks. "You're such a good mom, Shel. And I'm so happy that you and Rachel get to be together again. You're trying so hard and you love her so much and it's so incredible. I love it. I love love!"

"Me too," Kim said then proceeded to blow her nose hard. "Shelly, I'm so proud of you, I know how much you've wanted this. I'm sorry I was pushing you about dating earlier. I just don't want you to be all alone, you know?"

"I'm not alone," Shelby shook her head. "Far from it. I have you two losers. Mom and Dad. Judy and Russell. You all support me. Even Hiram and Leroy have my back. I've got a whole team."

"Hell yes you do," Kim promised, leaning over to grab her older sister's hand.

"Damn straight," Frannie nodded, taking Shelby's other hand.

"Alright," Shelby chuckled, squeezing them both gently in gratitude before releasing her grip. "Let's get it together, shall we? Please stop crying. We're in public. You're embarrassing me."

"It's all Kim's fault," Frannie said. "I cry when she cries."

"And you both say that you're not codependent?"

"Maybe only slightly," Kim granted with an playful grin. "Okay Fran, now it's your turn! Why is Will not serenading you with cheesy '80s love songs this evening?"

"He's around here somewhere," Frannie replied, her eyes scanning the crowded coffee shop in search of her boyfriend. "We went to Sheets-N-Things earlier to pick up some stuff that he still needed for the apartment."

"I still can't believe you moved in together," Shelby commented. "Aren't you worried it's too soon?"

"I know but it only made sense," Frannie shrugged. "He was already spending almost every night at my place. And he was looking for a new apartment. He wanted to start fresh and away from the place he shared with Terri. It also just felt like the right thing to do. I really like Will."

"Just like? Or do you looove him?" Kim singsonged.

"Yes," Frannie admitted, blushing a deep shade of red. "Okay yes, maybe I love him."

"Aww yes," Kim squealed. "I knew your stubborn-self would fall in love sooner or later."

"Yeah, who knew? But we're not doing anything tonight. Wanted to avoid the crowds, so we're celebrating this weekend. Will made the plans and…" Frannie paused and scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion when she caught a glimpse of a certain blonde outside darting hurriedly past the window. "What the hell?"

"What?" Shelby turned around and glanced over her shoulder to follow Frannie's gaze.

"I just saw Q walk by holding hands with some guy," Frannie replied, already up on her feet.

"Really? Quinn's dating someone?" Kim asked curiously.

"Apparently!" Frannie huffed indignantly. "I'm going to kill her. She gives me crap all the time about Will. We've already conceded to make thing as less awkward for her as possible. And when I try to level with her, she doesn't budge. Now she's keeping things from me? Will and I drove her downtown tonight because she said she wanted to hang out with Santana and Britt. She didn't say anything about a boy."

Both Shelby and Kim shrunk in their seats at the unexpected lash of anger. "Maybe they're just friends?" Shelby placated.

"Just friends who make out?!" Frannie's sea green eyes lit up with fury at the sight of her baby sister kissing some random, and rather tall, teenage boy sporting a McKinley letterman jacket across the street. "Nope. Not on my watch," she decided, storming off in a furious flurry before either of the Corcorans could response.

"Well, shouldn't we stop her?" Shelby said, twisting her body to get a better look out the window.

"Nah," Kim also craned her neck to witness the showdown. "They've been duking it out for weeks. They need to fix things between them and work it out one way or another."

"Hey, Happy Valentine's Day!" Will greeted as he approached the table. "What are you looking at? Where's Frannie?"

Shelby peeled her eyes away first to answer the man. "She is outside confronting Q about the boy she just saw her with."

"Oh shoot," Will replied nervously, bearing gritted teeth. "She found out about Finn?"

Kim whipped her head to face the teacher. "You knew and didn't tell Fran?"

"Uh no, this is not my fault," Will raised his hands defensively. "I'm taking a play out of Shelby's book here. Chinese wall, right Corcoran? I'm keeping what happens at work with what happens at school separate. It's not my responsibility to snitch on the kids' loves lives with you all."

"Well no that's not quite how it works and my policy with Rach is for competition purposes," Shelby argued. "I think you should've mentioned this to Fran. And love lives? Are you alluding to my daughter also having one? Tell me what you know, Schuester."

Will mentally cursed himself at having walked directly into that trap. "Fine," he yielded. "Only because I know you won't back off now, no that's not what I meant about Rachel. She is not with anyone at school as far as I know. She's too busy keeping me in line anyway. Have you seen her color-coordinated binder with Regionals ideas?"

"That's my girl," Shelby said with unbridled pride.

"Oh no," Kim feigned horror. "We don't want Rae to be as compulsive and as competitive as her mother. A mini Coach Corcoran would be the worst."

Laughing, Will sat down in Frannie's empty seat and peered out the window to double check that she was still preoccupied. "Hey, I'm glad I have you both here, though, because I wanted to talk to you about something."

"If you're going to ask where to take Fran this weekend—easy, take her to that great tapas place in Columbus, make sure to order that Spanish red wine that she likes, and then walk over to that French bistro down the street for the crème brulee for dessert. Boom. You're welcome, William. Bring me back a bottle while you're at it."

"Perfect," Will said in total amazement at his girlfriend's best friend. "No that sounds great. Thanks, Kim. But also I um… I wanted to talk to you guys about this," he breathed in deeply before fishing for something in his pocket, eventually pulling out a black ring box and opening it up to display an elegant princess cut diamond engagement ring.

"Is that an engagement ring?!" Kim screeched. "Will! Oh my god, what!"

"Shhh," Will hushed, unable to help the wide beaming smile from forming on his face. "I haven't asked her yet obviously. I just got this last week after I talked to Judy and Russell. I wanted to get their blessing first. And of course yours. Both of you," the man looked up with sincerity in his eyes. "You're also essentially Frannie's sisters and I want to make sure that I have your support as well. I love her. We have so much fun together, and she's put my heart back together and filled it in ways that I can't even begin to describe. And I would love to spend the rest of my life with her and your family, if you'll allow me."

"Will, of course," Shelby responded first, standing up to give the man a hug. "You're great together. I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations."

"Thanks Shelby that means a lot," Will said gratefully then turned his attention to the one person's opinion that probably mattered the most. "Kim?"

"Yes, oh my god, of course you also have my blessing," Kim said, another round of tears threatening to spill. "Let's be honest, Frannie's not going to find anyone else around here that's as weird as she is, so yes, absolutely. Not that she needs any of our permission because it's paternalistic and weird, but yes you may marry my lady. When are you going to ask? How are you going to ask? Please let me help you plan it."

Will grunted when Kim launched herself into his arms and he happily drew up his arms to accept her mighty embrace. "Sure, you can definitely help," he laughed. "I don't have details yet. I still have to talk to Quinn, and you all know how she feels about me, but I also know regardless of what she says, Frannie won't want to move forward or feel comfortable if her sister's not on board."

"She will be," Shelby assured. "Quinn worships Fran, and she'll want her to be happy. She'll come around."

"Are we sure about that?" Will asked distractedly as he examined the growing increasingly heated exchange between the sisters outside. "I think I should probably go rescue Finn and break that up. But thank you, seriously. And you'll both keep it a secret in the meanwhile?"

"I definitely will," Shelby replied then nodded her head towards Kim's direction. "It's this one you have to worry about."

Kim raised her hand up to motion zipping her lips. "I promise I won't say anything, if you promise to call me soon so we can go over our EGP—our Engagement Game Plan."

"I promise I will call," Will vowed with a chuckle, accepting another round of congratulatory hugs before making his way out of the cafe.

"Wow!" Kim faced her sister after they were left alone. "Fran's getting engaged. You're a mom. Life happens fast."

"That it does," Shelby hummed in agreement. "What about you? Maybe Lil and Robby need a new baby brother or sister?"

Kim nearly choked on the water she just gulped down. "You're funny," she said, clearing her throat uncomfortably. "I'm perfectly content with my two. Rae's going to be the only newest Corcoran for a while."

"Mhmm sure," Shelby teased then nicked her own sip from her sister's water bottle.

"You really are great with her," Kim said earnestly. "You're an amazing mom, Shel."

"Oh I don't know about that. I'm far from amazing. I mean, I had no idea that my kid was being emotionally and physically bullied by her peers at school on a daily basis. I wouldn't say that's amazing."

Kim pressed her lips with a slight frown at Shelby's unfair assessment. "That wasn't your fault, Shelby. Rae kept it from you and her dads deliberately. And when you found out, you handled it right away. You stood up for her and you've already done everything you can since then to make it right. Cut yourself some slack."

"I know," Shelby sighed heavily. "I understand it's not entirely my fault, but I still feel guilty over it. Just like how I feel guilty about not being able to better help her work out her issues with the divorce or with how confused she still is about the surrogacy and me staying away her entire life. There's a lot I still feel guilty about and probably will always feel guilty about, but that's a part of being a parent, right? Wanting to do more but not being able to or not knowing how?"

"Shelly—"

"I call mom pretty much every other day to cry about how I feel like I'm ruining Rachel's life," Shelby laughed wryly. "And dad's come over like a million times already to yell at me about getting my shit together. It's been months, but I still email Hiram and Leroy my grocery list every week to make sure that I'm not buying anything that Rach doesn't like or is allergic to. The other night, I literally fed my kid cereal for dinner at nine o'clock because I mismanaged time. Also whenever she's sleeping over, I get so irrationally scared that something's going to happen to her that I wake up multiple times just to check on her. She's not a newborn, Kim, she's fourteen-years-old. I second-guess myself every single time I have to make any sort of parenting decisions. And whenever we fight, I get so terrified that I'm pushing her away. I constantly feel like I'm spending my days putting out random fires. I don't know. But I'm not amazing. I'm not perfect. I just.. really love Rachel and really just trying my best."

"What?" Kim said, her expression full of disbelief. "Why haven't you ever called me for help? How come you've never told me any of this?"

"I don't know," Shelby admitted truthfully. "I didn't want to… what do you call it? Ruin my aesthetic, as the kids say."

"I hate you," Kim joked, laughing. "But you do know that you can come to me too, right? If you're struggling, I want to help too. You can also lean on me."

"I know, Kim. And I do lean on you, I promise," Shelby flashed a reassuring smile. "You constantly lift me up. More than you know. And I don't know if you realize, but I also look up to you. I mean I know I'm better at you at almost everything, but you're definitely my role model in the mom department. You're for sure kickin' ass, takin' names."

"Stop, you're going to make me cry again," Kim laughed, blinking back more unbidden tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. "And you're so annoying, you definitely know more teen slang than I do."

"Well of course I do," Shelby boasted proudly, finally showing her cards. "I need to know their language so I can keep them in line."

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Jesse asked for what seemed like the millionth time. "I'm pretty sure Coach C's going to have a meltdown."

Rachel deliberated for a moment and calculated the risks and possible outcomes in her head. She peered through the window of the Lima Bean once more and looked over at her mom engrossed in conversation with her aunt. "No, but it can't hurt to try," she replied, willing herself to remain strong.

"Alright," Jesse said in a tone filled with uncertainty. "Suit yourself. You're the one that has to go home with her. Alone."

"Just go," Rachel ordered, nudging him through the door. "I'll be right behind you."

Rachel inhaled a deep breath before taking Jesse's hand and entering the coffee shop together. Despite the automatic spike in nerves that she felt, Jesse's grasp provided a calming effect over her. He gave it a gentle squeeze and glanced at her with a warm smile that for some reason inexplicably drew her closer to him. Shaking off whatever that was, she straightened her spine and focused on following through with their plan.

They weaved their way slowly through the date night crowds, making sure to walk past her mother's line of sight. When Rachel locked eye contact with the woman, she pushed Jesse slightly to pick up his pace. "Okay she saw us, go, go, go."

Gripping Jesse's hand even tighter, Rachel fought back her panic as she clumsily trailed behind him, taking them around the corner and leading them into the single unisex bathroom at the opposite end of the cafe.

"Wait don't lock the door," Rachel said, attempting to keep her voice even and measured despite how nervous she felt.

Jesse turned to face her with a matching anxiety-ridden expression. "Are you sure she saw you? How do you even know she's going to follow us in here?"

"Because I know her and I—"

The sound of the door ripping open and slamming powerfully against the wall interrupted Rachel's train of thought and silenced the two immediately.

"What exactly do you think you two are doing?" Shelby demanded, blistering heat coloring her expression. "What is going on in here?"

"Nothing," Rachel said with her arms crossed, concentrating on keeping her voice from trembling. "Absolutely nothing."

Shelby's brows snapped together in consternation and she paused to assess the situation. The teenagers were both standing on opposite sides of the bathroom, fidgeting under her gaze. "Rachel Barbra, what?" Shelby asked in a tone that demanded an explanation.

"Mom did you see how fast you flew in here?" Rachel said, leaning into the jolt of bravado suddenly coursing through her. "Jesse and I aren't doing anything. We just wanted to make a point. You're overreacting."

"Excuse me?" The mother remarked incredulously.

"Jesse told me you threatened him earlier."

"Uh but I also told her I totally get why and that I understand you're just looking out for her, Coach C," Jesse piped up, darting his eyes away when Rachel shot him icy daggers.

"And I really appreciate that you do mom, I swear. But you're also being way too overprotective. Look at how you just barged in here. I already told you that Jesse and I are just friends. I know I haven't been completely honest with you lately, but I promise that if I want to date, I'll let you and dad and daddy know. I know you guys won't approve of anyone if I keep him from you. And even if I did like Jesse like that, you still shouldn't threaten him, mom. It's not fair to him. He hasn't done anything wrong. And I really don't want you to scare away one of the only friends I have in Lima."

Too shocked from the unexpected lecture from her teenager to formulate an appropriate response, Shelby only nodded her head slowly in acceptance.

"Mom?" Rachel asked after the subsequent silence that followed.

"Okay," Shelby found her voice a few seconds later, still reeling from Rachel's scolding but absorbing her valid points. "I hear you. And I am sorry," she said, directing her apology to her student. "You are both right. I may have crossed the line. Jesse, I hope you can please forgive me."

Jesse's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Yeah of course, Coach C. It's no problem. I really like Rachel… as a friend. And I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, I promise."

Softening, Shelby cast him a grateful look. "Good. Thank you. I'm sorry Rach, I…" she struggled to explain, also sincerely embarrassed by her behavior.

"It's okay mom," Rachel smiled as a peace offering. "As long as you don't kill me for tricking you in here."

Shelby laughed and shook her head, determining that her kid and her antics were going to be the death of her. "Point taken, okay? I will do better. Just please don't ever do that to me again."

"Promise," Rachel agreed. "And because you're turning over a new leaf. Can Jesse drive me home? It looks like you're still hanging out with Aunt Kim and he's about to head back and our house is on the way."

"Yeah, it's no problem Coach C," Jesse added, buying himself more time with Rachel. "I don't mind."

Deciding to back her words with action, Shelby agreed to trust the teenagers and relented warily. "Okay, that's fine. But please drive safely and text me when you get home. Both of you."

Shelby slid back into her seat a few minutes later after seeing her daughter and student off, completely missing the other person her sister was in the middle of speaking to or the distraught expression written all over her face.

"Oh my god, Kim, you will not believe what just happened with Rachel. I'm pretty sure I just endured an intervention by my own kid. I don't even know what happened, but she definitely just out-lectured me. I can't…" Shelby's voice trailed off as soon as she realized that they weren't alone. "Oh hey Dr. Peters, sorry, I didn't see you," she spoke kindly to the doctor and family friend that's taken care of her father for years.

"Hi Shelby, good to see you," the older man greeted with a fond smile. "I actually have to run, Grace is waiting for me in the car but I just wanted to say hi and tell you how happy I am that Robert's okay. I was worried initially when we had him in for tests and it was hairy for a while there when it was all inconclusive, but I'm glad we're on the other side of it. I hope you can all come over for dinner to celebrate soon. I'd love to meet your Rachel, Shelby."

Shelby's smile faltered when confusion flooded her thoughts. "I'm sorry, what? Tests? What are you talking about? Dad's been fine. He hasn't needed any tests."

Dr. Peters looked at Kim for an explanation, frowning when she hesitated to respond. "I'm sorry, Shelby. I thought you were aware of what's been going on with your father. Your sister's said that she's mentioned it to you."

"Kim?" She asked pointedly, glaring at her sister for an explanation.

Kim opened and closed her mouth soundlessly, panic settling in, the right words evading her.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to over share," Dr. Peters apologized, sensing the need to excuse himself. "But I should really go. Kim, I'll see you at work. And it was nice seeing you again, Shelby."

"Shelly—"

"What is he talking about, Kim?" Shelby cut her off harshly. "Is dad—"

"He's okay," Kim assured quickly, attempting to diffuse the situation. "I promise he's okay now. He wasn't feeling well a few months ago around the holidays and we brought him in for tests. Like Dr. Peters said, his scans were inconclusive, so they were just monitoring him. He went back to the hospital this week for a follow-up and everything's okay. He's going to be fine."

"I don't understand," Shelby shook her head firmly, struggling to absorb Kim's explanation. "If you thought dad was sick again, then why didn't you tell me? If… it's mid-February. You've known about this for more than two months and you didn't say anything?"

"Shelby," Kim said, swallowing back the guilt that formed in her throat, one that grew in size at look of betrayal all over her older sister's face. "Dad told me not to. He didn't want to worry you until we knew for sure what we were dealing with."

"Does mom know?"

"Yes but she only found out recently too. And she agreed not to say anything to you either because we know that you've been going through a lot with Rachel. You just said that you've been stressed out and we just didn't want to add anymore to your plate," Kim reasoned, her stomach twisting into a tighter knot at the way Shelby's eyes hardened in response. "Shelly, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but dad is fine. He is okay. We just did what we thought was best."

"And you thought best was keeping this from me? Lying about it to me? Keeping it to yourself? Withholding important information from me because you didn't think that I could handle it? Who are you to decide that?" Shelby spat back, anger and hurt over being excluded and coddled unnecessarily rapidly taking over her emotions.

"Shelby, that's not… I just… it doesn't matter, dad's okay," Kim pleaded. "I'm sorry that we didn't tell you, but he's fine. He's going to be fine."

"It does matter, Kim!" Shelby couldn't help but raise her voice. "Of course it matters. And I'm glad he's fine, but you lied to me and you kept this from me. We're family. We're supposed to be honest with each other. We're supposed to—"

"Yeah. Honesty," Kim scoffed, also losing fast control of her emotions. "As if you've never lied to us or kept anything from us. You lied about and kept Rachel from us for years, so I don't think you get to sit there and judge me for only trying to protect you."

"That's the not the same," Shelby objected. "Rachel has nothing to do with this. Don't you dare bring up my daughter right now."

"Does she know, Shelby? Does Rachel know that you kept her a secret from us for almost a decade because you were ashamed and because you were selfish? Does she know that you only decided to tell us because you couldn't handle it anymore and needed us to put you back together? Don't talk to me about honesty."

Shelby stood up suddenly and the legs of her chair screeched gratingly against the floor, which immediately pulled Kim out of her anger-fueled haze. All of the color from Kim's face drained when she focused in on her sister's reddened eyes, instant regret overtaking her senses.

"Shelby I didn't mean that, I'm so sorry, please I—"

"I can't even look at you right now," Shelby whispered, her voice full of hurt. "I… I have to go. Rachel's waiting for me at home."

"Shelby, wait!" Kim begged, still in total disbelief over what she just said. "I'm sorry, Shelly. That was a horrible thing for me to say. I didn't mean it. You're not selfish. I know you only did what you thought you had to do. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, so sorry."

Refusing to answer, Shelby only picked up her pace to collect her belongings and then threw her jacket on in haste.

"I didn't mean it," Kim cried.

"I know," Shelby said, doing everything she could to avoid her sister's eye contact, to avoid falling apart. She also knew that she needed to leave before their fight escalated any further. Before they could say anything more that they'd both regret. "But I have to go, Kim. I just... I have to go."

Without waiting for a response, Shelby ignored Kim's calls and stormed away, leaving her sister, the hurtful words said between them, and the coffee shop as quickly as she could.

A/N: I know, I also hated doing that to S and K, but… sisters, am I right? Thanks for joining me for another one! Next chapter will include more of the Corcorans, more of what S learned, more everything, more soon.