"Rachel?" Shelby turned to face her daughter. "You know that no matter what else was said tonight... I just don't want you to ever think that I traded life with you for the fame or the success. Because I didn't. I… I agreed to be a surrogate and distance was a part of that deal. I had to give you and your dad and your daddy the space to be a family. That was our plan. That was what we agreed on. And I…" she winced at how her voice cracked. "Who was I to take that away from them? But I… should I have asked for shared custody years ago? Should I have fought harder for a relationship with you? I don't know, Rach. I still ask myself that every single day."
Although the car was in park, Shelby was gripping the steering wheel, as if the act would keep her anchored, grounded somehow. She sighed after the subsequent silence, hating how Rachel refused to meet her gaze.
"But you have to know, baby, you have to know that out of everything I've done in my life, Broadway and everything else, you are the best thing that I've ever done. And I have never really known what good was until I shared it with you."
"I know mom," Rachel nodded, swallowed, and then lifted her eyes to meet green ones. "It's okay… I understand."
Shelby started at her daughter intently, wondering if she really did understand. If she ever truly could. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell them, Rach." Lifting a hand, she ran a palm over Rachel's cheek and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
Rachel exhaled and gave her mother the smile she knew she needed to see, albeit a very small one. "I'm sorry that you felt like you couldn't, mom."
Four hours ago
"I hate that you do this," Shelby told her mother. "I hate that you call these family dinners and force everyone to come. I'm an adult, mom. You can't tell me what to do anymore."
Anne, who was in the middle of preparing side dishes for their meal, didn't even bat an eyelash at the objections. "You're right, Shelby. You are an adult. But you certainly are not acting like one. You will stay for dinner. And you will talk to your sister."
"That's not fair," Shelby cleared her throat, doing her best not to let a whine escape. "I have no interest in talking to Kim. She used Rachel against me in a fight. I have never, not once, ever brought up Brian or the twins in an argument. She—"
"I know, Shelly," Anne interrupted, sensing another impending blow-up from her eldest child. "Kim told me what she said, and I agree, it was uncalled for. She should not have thrown that in your face. The surrogacy was your decision and, despite how much I would have liked to have been looped in, I understand. You did what you thought you had to do for your dad. You did what you thought you had to do for yourself. But—"
"Nope," Shelby shook her head. She stood up from her perch on kitchen island then swiped the bottle of wine to her left. "There are no but's, mom. My kid? She's off limits."
Anne frowned when her daughter began to walk away. "Shelby—"
"Just call me when dinner's ready," Shelby said without turning around.
….
Fifteen minutes later, Brian walked out of the front door to find Shelby sitting alone on the porch swing nursing an entire bottle of wine.
"You sure you don't want a glass for that?" He smirked.
Shelby took another swig in response then wiped her lips with the back of her hand before answering. "Do not judge me. I was just finishing the bottle. There was maybe a glass and a half left in it."
Brian laughed at the unusually ungraceful behavior from his sister-in-law. "Mind if I sit? Anne sent me out here to get you. She said dinner should be ready in five minutes."
"Sure," Shelby scooted, allowing the man to sit in the vacant spot next to her. "Think five minutes is long enough for me to get in my car and drive away before mom can find out?"
"Nah, because I truly think that she'd somehow catch up to you and drag you back to the house by the time you reach the end of the block."
"You know my mother well," Shelby nodded, impressed.
"Sometimes I feel like I do," Brian shrugged. "Then other times, she surprises me. You Corcoran women always do."
"Sorry about that," Shelby chuckled.
"No," he shook his head. "It's a good thing. It's—it's what I love about all of you. You three always manage to keep things interesting. Rachel too. Where is Mini-Shel tonight?"
"Next door with Q and some of the other glee kids," Shelby replied, glancing over at the Fabray house. "They're chilling is what Kurt told me when I dropped them off earlier. Or whatever it is kids do on a Friday night these days."
"Beats me," Brian laughed. "My areas of expertise are My Little Pony and Minecraft. But I'm glad Rachel's having fun and spending time with her friends. I know she's been through a lot recently. Is she doing better?"
"Yeah, I think so," she sighed. She hated how much she could worry about her daughter. It was so much more lately, since learning of the bullying at school. "I don't know. I know she'll be just fine because she's Rachel. She's so strong and incredibly resilient. A hell of a lot more than I ever was at her age. But I just…"
"Worry?" Brian completed her thought after her voice trailed off.
"So much," she admitted. "All the time."
"I get that," he nodded understandingly. "Absolutely. I mean, every parent does. But I think especially anyone in your situation would. I mean it honestly sounds overwhelming to me. You and Rachel trying to figure out a relationship while the kid is in the middle of going through her parent's divorce and she's also trying to adjust to a new life. I'd worry too. I do worry. And, I dunno, maybe this won't mean much coming from me, but from where I'm standing, I think you're doing alright Shel. I think Rachel's more than okay. And I think you'll both be okay."
A genuine smile crossed Shelby's face, remembering just how fond she was of her brother-in-law. "It means a lot, B. Of course it does."
"I know I'm not Kim," Brian said, wrapping his arm around the woman before pulling her close. "But I'll always be here for you too. And Mini-Shel. Whatever you both need, no matter what."
"You're honestly way too good for Kim," Shelby said, resting her head on his shoulder.
Brian laughed then squeezed her gently. "You're just saying that because you're mad at her."
….
Apart from the clinking of utensils, the faint sound of food chewing, and the occasional loaded sighs, a heavy silence settled across the Corcoran dining room and those who sat around it.
Wincing at how his knife scrapped gratingly against the plate while he cut a piece of his grilled chicken, Robert finally decided he had enough of the quiet.
"So Shelly, how are Regionals preparations going?" He pitched.
"Fine."
A miss.
"That's good. And you said you have an Invitational in a couple of weeks? What's on your set list?"
"Yup. AC/DC."
"Cool!" Brian's head shot up, accidentally inserting himself into the conversation. "What song are you doing?"
"Highway to Hell," Shelby replied, a lot more amicably. "I'm actually testing new choreography. And I'm tinkering with a way to use actual fire on stage without endangering the kids. Might have to engineer it a bit, but I think we can pull it off."
"I'm sure you will," Robert said, not a shred of doubt in his voice. "Let me know if you need help building any of the props," he offered hopefully. Some of his many hobbies were woodworking and robotics and between the two, he always loved the opportunity to help his daughter with stage design for her show choir team.
"Thanks, but I'll be fine."
Another miss.
"Okay," Robert smiled sadly. "That's alright. Maybe next time then. Perhaps for Regionals? I know you'll need all the ammunition to go up against my talented granddaughter."
"It's fine. I have it handled," Shelby nodded politely.
Three strikes.
"You don't have to do that," Kim piped up, wiping her mouth as a deep frown pulled on her lips. "You don't have to be rude to dad just because you're mad at me."
"Kim," Robert cautioned.
"No, dad," Kim said, turning her head to face her sister directly. "Shelby, leave mom and dad out of it. I'm the one who lied to you."
"As far as I'm concerned, you all lied to me," Shelby replied, pushing her chair back from the table and rising to her feet.
"Shelby, how many times do we have to say it, dad is fine," Kim huffed in frustration. "You're the only one who's turning this into a huge deal. I am truly sorry that we kept it from you, but we would have told you if it was serious, and you know that."
"Shelby please sit back down," Anne chided gently. "Dinner's not over. You know we don't leave the table until we're all done eating."
Still unable to see past her hurt. Shelby grabbed her empty glass and tuned out her mother's calls as she walked out of the room. "I know, I just need another drink."
….
Pausing in front of the wine rack, Shelby tried to take a deep breath but it caught in her throat. She felt strangely shocked by the partial sob that threatened to escape and immediately gathered all her strength to swallow it back. She hated fighting with her sister. With her parents. Family was everything to her. It would always be the most important thing. Rachel. Kim. Her mom. Her dad. They were everything. And she didn't know how to explain that by keeping this from her, she felt rejected. She felt like she was on the outside. She felt like she wasn't important enough to them.
Shaking her head to clear the fog building behind her eyes, she pulled the first Cabernet Sauvignon her hand reached and brought it to the counter to open it.
"Mom I already said I was going to come back," Shelby said after hearing footsteps behind her.
"It's me," Kim said, halting on the other side of the kitchen island. "Shelly, I've already said I was sorry. And I really am. What more do you want me to do or say?"
Shelby released a disgruntled sigh and considered her answer while she expertly uncorked the bottle in one fluid motion. Remaining silent, she began to slowly pour herself more of the libation, but made sure to only fill it up halfway. While she wanted something to help take the edge off, she wasn't interested in drowning her sorrows either. Drinking always exacerbated her emotions and they were already triggered enough.
"You could at least talk to me. I've called and texted a million times since Valentine's Day," Kim continued. She was not a person who was comfortable with silence. "You can't ignore me forever."
"I'm not ignoring you, and I know you're sorry," Shelby acknowledged, finally making eye contact with her little sister.
"Then what's the problem?" Kim replied, exasperated. "Why haven't you forgiven me?"
"Because you hurt me, Kim," Shelby stated, her tone muted and flat. "And I just need some time to get over that and you pushing me isn't helping."
Her own emotions equally in overdrive, Kim struggled to keep her frustrations in check. She's apologized and asked for forgiveness. Groveled. Yet once again, her older sister's punishment did not fit the crime. "You're unbelievable. You always do this."
Setting her glass down in front of her, Shelby rose an eyebrow in a challenging manner. "Excuse me?"
Incensed, Kim clenched her jaw, attempting to temper her growing irritation. And failed. "Oh, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about."
"I don't, Kim. Why don't you enlighten me?" Shelby retorted, getting defensive and also genuinely confused by the change of tone.
"You are such a hypocrite, and you're impossible with your double standards."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Shelby snapped at the accusation.
"This is exactly how you've always been," Kim barked, unable to help raising her voice. "Whenever you make a mistake or whenever you've hurt me in the past, you always expect me to forgive you right away. And I do. I do because you're my big sister and I always give you the benefit of the doubt and realize that people make mistakes and understand that nobody is perfect. But I guess that doesn't seem to matter because anytime anyone ever hurts you, whenever anyone makes a mistake, you can't extend the same courtesy and you have to pick apart every single detail and take your sweet time forgiving them," she said breathlessly, pent-up frustration coiling in her stomach.
"But I let it go when you lost the necklace that grandma gave me before she died that you took without permission," she continued without pause, her anger quickly fueling her tongue. "And I forgave you when you pretended like I didn't exist and let your so-called friends pick on me for almost half a year in high school because you thought your annoying little sister would ruin your popularity. Or how about when you lied about missing my college graduation for an audition? I was fine with that. Or better yet what about the years, Shelby? The years that you shut me out and made me feel like I was doing something wrong for so long because you didn't want to tell us about Rachel. What about the weeks and the months that I spent begging you to tell me what was wrong and to let me in and all you did was consistently shoot me down and reject me and lie to me and made me feel like I was nothing. Like I didn't matter. Like we didn't matter. You are my big sister and for years you… I forgive you for that. I have forgiven you for that. I forgave you for not feeling like you could trust me. I forgave you denying me the chance to help you. I forgave you for not telling me about my only niece. For keeping her from me. From us. I forgave you. I do forgive you. All the time. Always. I take it. Why can't you ever just do the same for me?"
Before Shelby could even begin to formulate a response, a small voice from behind captured her attention and automatically made her heart stop in her chest.
"Mom?" Rachel repeated herself, taking a timid step into the kitchen. "What did Aunt Kim mean that you kept me from them?"
….
Rachel stalked into the living room, her feet moving far more quickly than the thoughts swimming around in her head.
"Rach, baby, please, I can explain," Shelby begged, picking up her pace to trail after the girl after she had stormed away.
Rachel balked then turned around to regard her mother and her aunt who followed with a frigid glare. "I just don't understand, mom. Why wouldn't you tell Aunt Kim about me?"
Shelby opened her mouth to speak but struggled to assemble the wayward congress of her mind.
"For how long? How long did you keep me some sort of secret?" Rachel demanded, the silence quickening the flash of anger thrumming through her veins. "Aunt Kim?"
"Rae," Kim replied after her sister, who appeared petrified, failed to answer. "It's not like that. It's—"
"It's what?" Rachel bit angrily, directing her words at her mother. "I thought you said you always wanted me, mom. If that was true, then why wouldn't you tell Aunt Kim about me? She's your best friend. You tell her everything."
"She did Rae," Kim tried to explain. "It's just that your mom had an incredibly hard time walking away from you and being away from you for years. She was just trying to figure it out herself and work through it and—"
"No stop," Rachel lifted her hand, shaking her head furiously. "Don't explain for her, Aunt Kim. Mom? Why won't you answer me? Is it because you were ashamed of me? Is that why?"
Shelby stepped back involuntarily, startled. That thought has never occurred to her. The grossly incorrect accusation broke her out of her reverie in an instant. "Rachel, no. Never. I have never been ashamed of you."
The misunderstanding was clouding her judgment and despite the hurt spelled across her mother's face, Rachel refused to accept that. Ever since Shelby walked back into her life, she's been straining and putting pressure on herself to try to understand why it took the woman so long to do so. "I don't believe you. I—I think that if you wanted me, you would have told your family. You would've asked my dads. They came to you, right? You never really sought me out. You… you were perfectly fine without me. You had New York. You had Broadway. You…. you would've told Aunt Kim. If you wanted me, you would've said something—"
"Rachel! Stop!" Shelby yelled, her panic getting the better of her as her daughter's words cut into her, deep. "That's not true. None of that is true at all. I have always wanted you. Do not twist my words. It's just complicated but please listen to me Rach, I wanted you in my life. Baby, I wanted to be your mom. Of course I did but it was… and I…"
"What is going on in here?!" Anne exclaimed as she walked into the room, extremely displeased with all of the incongruous behavior this evening. "What is with all the yelling? We do not speak to each other this way."
"I'm leaving," Rachel decided. "I'm going back to Quinn's."
"Rachel Barbra, don't you dare walk away," Shelby warned.
"Mom I don't think that now's a good time," Kim added over the noise.
"Nobody move!" Anne bellowed, ordering everyone into an extremely uncomfortable silence. "Nobody is going anywhere. Nobody is leaving. You are all going to take a deep breath and calm down. Then we are going to finish our dinner. In peace. And then we are going to talk this out and fix all of your issues with the maturity, kindness, and respect that I know you are all capable of. Do you understand? You're grown women. I know I don't need to remind you how to act."
….
"Anne, you've really outdone yourself," Brian said, licking his lips in satisfaction. "This is probably the best apple strudel I've ever had."
"Thanks Brian," Anne smiled appreciatively. "I'll make sure to wrap up extra for you and the kids."
"Seriously Ma, the crust is super flaky and buttery," Kim said with her mouth full. "Like please bury me in this when I die."
"Kimberly," Anne scolded lightly. "Please chew your food before you speak."
"And this homemade vanilla sauce is delicious, honey," Robert complimented the chef. "Brian's right. You spoil us."
"Thanks," Anne beamed at all the praise then turned her attention to the mother and daughter at the end of the table. "Rach, would you like some ice cream to go with yours? I can grab you some."
Rachel stopped picking at the pastry with her fork and lifted her head warily, forcing herself to give the older woman a smile. "No it's okay, grandma. It's great. Sorry. I'm just not that hungry. I don't really have that much of an appetite."
"Did you eat anything at Quinn's, Rach? You didn't eat breakfast this morning either," Shelby said with slight concern. "You feel okay?"
"No I didn't," Rachel shook her head negatively. "I actually came back cause I don't feel that well. I'm okay but my throat kind of hurts," she admitted, coughing on cue as if to illustrate her point.
Truthfully, she felt a little less than okay. She rarely got sick but she just knew she was on the precipice of coming down with some sort of cold. Most of the day went by in a blur because of how worn out she felt. Her throat was also horribly scratchy. And she had been battling a pulsating headache for more than an hour or so now.
Shelby frowned examining her daughter, noting her flushed and exhausted features. She reached over and pressed her hand against Rachel's forehead, moving her gentle touch to her cheek then the back of her neck. "You do feel a little warm, my love. Let's make sure to give you some medicine before bed later."
"And I will fix you up some tea," Anne decided. "Don't worry Rach, we'll have you feeling back to normal in no time."
….
"You alright, sweetheart?" Robert asked his granddaughter as he settled on the empty stool next to her at the kitchen island.
"I'm okay," Rachel nodded, eyeing the steaming cup of tea her grandma just finished brewing in front of her. "I think this is helping my throat."
"Good," he said, lifting a hand to rub the girl's back gently. "Maybe you can go lie down for a little bit after you're finished with your tea."
Rachel let out a long drawn-out yawn, rested her elbow on the counter then leaned her head against her hand. "That sounds nice," she replied, another yawn falling from her lips. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry Rach," Robert chuckled. "It's not your fault you don't feel well, kiddo."
"I know but I still feel bad," Rachel said, her own voice sounding weak to her ears. She detested not feeling well. She was obsessive over her own health and compulsive with her diet and exercise to avoid this particular situation.
"Don't," Robert assured, smoothing his granddaughter's unkempt hair away from her face. "Everyone gets sick, Rach. We'll take care of you. You'll be alright."
"Okay," Rachel whispered, closing her eyes briefly to blink back the intense form of fatigue burning through her retinas. "Grandpa?"
"Yeah Rach?"
"Are you… are you feeling okay?" Rachel asked, sitting up so she could face the man properly. "I mean, you're not sick again, right?"
"What do you mean, Rach?" Robert asked, testing how much the young girl knew.
"I'm not as clueless as everyone thinks I am," Rachel shrugged. "Mom and Aunt Kim aren't exactly being discreet. I know they're fighting because nobody told mom about how you all thought you were sick again. And I've ran into you at the hospital like three times since I started my therapy appointments. I know you're not there just visiting Aunt Kim."
Robert tilted his head, casting a simultaneously amused and impressed expression toward his grandchild. "Definitely not clueless at all," he chuckled lightly. "I am okay, sweetheart. I promise."
"Okay," Rachel said, relieved. Deciding she needed one, she leaned over and gave her grandfather a hug, melting into his arms when he tightened his hold. "I'm glad you're okay, grandpa."
Robert kissed the top of the girl's head, lingering at the thought that it had been fourteen years before he ever got to do that. "Me too, Rach. I love you so much, kiddo."
"Love you more," Rachel replied, smiling as she pulled away. "But why didn't you tell mom? Seems like something she should've known."
Robert nodded slowly as he reflected over his answer. He'd been ruminating over their choice to keep it from his daughter over the past few days, going back and forth on his decision.
"You're right," he admitted. "In hindsight, we should not have kept it from your mother. We are a family and we should be honest with one another. But I genuinely thought I had good intentions by keeping it from her. I just didn't want to worry your mom, Rach."
"You didn't think she could handle it?" Rachel questioned. She didn't understand that logic. Her mom was the strongest person she knew.
"No that's not it at all either," Robert paused, collecting his thoughts to better explain himself. "Have you ever noticed that your mom's a bit of a fixer?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother—she likes to fix things," Robert said, his lips quirking into a fond smile thinking of his daughter. "She likes to help solve problems. And she's honestly good at it. Growing up, she would help your gram around the house always puttering around to make things easier for her; she always looked after and protected Kim as best as she could; she always took care of me. Always. She fixes things."
"Yeah," Rachel totally agreed with that perspective. "You're right. She fixes things for me too all the time."
"It's what I love about her," Robert continued. "Your mom's got the biggest heart I know, kiddo. Bar none. But I also think that sometimes it can hurt her. I think she thinks that she needs to be everything to everyone, at all times. I also think she feels like she can prevent people from feeling pain or discomfort. She just cares a lot. Maybe too much for her own good sometimes, and I just wanted to spare her from the worrying. She's incredible, your mom, but as a dad, I just didn't want to add any more to her plate. I wanted her to continue to focus on herself, on you. It's not because I don't think that she couldn't handle it. I just didn't want her to worry if she didn't have to. We would have told her Rach, both of you, if there was a good reason to. I promise you that. I'd never deliberately keep anything as important as that from either of you."
…
"I thought I'd find you in here," Anne said, crossing the small space of the music room to join her daughter on the love seat pushed against the corner.
Shelby's head shot up at the sound of her mother's voice and forced a weak smile her way. "How's Rach?"
"She's alright," Anne replied, sitting down next to, in her mind, little girl and pulled her close. "She's drinking tea with your father."
"Oh good," Shelby murmured, settling into the familiar comfort of her mother's embrace. Even at this age, she still felt like the entire world could be crashing down around her, but she'd always feel protected in her mom's arms.
"Still angry with him?"
"No," Shelby sighed. "I get it. I just wish you guys would have told me."
"You're right," Anne responded, absentmindedly stroking her daughter's long, dark brown hair the way she knew helped calm her down. "I'm sorry, honey. I was wrong to agree to keep it from you."
"Oh wow," Shelby remarked, looking up at the woman in shock. "Did hell freeze over? Cause Anne Corcoran just admitted that she was wrong."
"Do not get used to it," Anne laughed, lifting an eyebrow in a manner that put Shelby's Coach Corcoran glare to absolute shame. "And I will deny it if your sister asks."
Shelby rolled her eyes in response. She totally didn't get it from her mother or anything like that. Trying to get comfortable, she leaned against the woman and attempted to let her mother's warmth sweep away the overflowing hurt weighing her down.
"You okay, Shelly?" Anne prodded after the subsequent silence.
"Yes. I'm fine," Shelby said, her voice trembling slightly with uncertainty.
Anne glanced down and felt her throat tighten seeing the clear hurt and anxiety marked all over her daughter's face. "Come here, baby," the mother soothed, lying back into the couch and hugging Shelby close to her chest. "Remember when you were eight and you broke your arm at that dance competition? You didn't tell anyone about it or make a sound for hours until I came to pick you up, and then all of a sudden you burst into tears."
Shelby nodded slightly against her shoulders.
"You've always been so strong, Shelby. Always," Anne said softly. "You can act tough in front of anybody."
Except for her mother. Shelby really can act like the strongest person in the world under any circumstance but whenever she felt like everything was more than she could bear and she was anywhere near the woman, she still felt that pull to crawl into her mother's lap and disappear there. Like it was the safest place in the world.
"Talk to me baby, tell me what's wrong."
Shelby sighed and allowed a few tears to finally fall from her eyes. "I think Rachel's really upset with me, mom. And I just don't know what to do anymore. I never know how to explain to her that I didn't stay away from her because I wanted to. I had to, mom. I signed a contract. I made a promise to Hiram and Leroy. She wasn't for me, but that never changed how much I did want her. And I just don't know how to explain that. Anytime I try to, nothing I say ever sounds good enough. Like how am I supposed to explain to my child that we had to be apart her entire childhood because I didn't really have a choice? I don't know what to do. I don't think she believes me. How do I get her to understand?"
"With a tremendous amount of patience, empathy and understanding," Anne suggested. "And also an allowance for setbacks and room for error."
She didn't have any sage wisdom to offer her daughter or a frame of reference to use in this situation. All she knew was that her first-born needed to cut herself some slack. "You are doing your best, Shelby. To put things into perspective, you just met your daughter. Five months ago. If she doesn't believe you that's because you haven't built up that trust yet. You have to earn it. And you will, honey, you just have to be patient. You and Rach will get there."
"I know but I just hate the fact that she doesn't trust me unconditionally. I'm her mom," Shelby choked out in resignation. "She's supposed to just believe me when I tell her I love her. She's not supposed to question whether or not I want her in my life. And I hate that I feel like I have to prove myself to her. I hate it."
"I know Shelby but that is the reality," Anne responded. "I can't even imagine because I didn't have to work at this with you and your sister. I've had you your entire lives, so building that relationship and earning that trust just happened organically. But since you didn't have that privilege with Rachel, you just have to be patient. The relationship that you and I have isn't going to be immediate with you and Rachel. You have to develop it. You have to work at it. And you do that by keeping promises, being open, communicating about everything, establishing consistency and routine. And you are doing all of that. I see you doing that, Shel. You are trying your best and you just have to believe that that's enough for now."
Letting out a weary exhale, Shelby untangled herself from her mother's embrace and sat forward, leaning over to bury her face in her hands. She was exhausted. Inside and out. And lost. And confused.
Anne also sighed then raised her hand to rub up and down her daughter's back in a soothing manner. She settled for just physical affirmation because she knew that anything else she could say would only fall on deaf ears. Shelby wouldn't be satisfied or grant herself any flexibility or reprieve unless Rachel herself fully absolved her. Maybe not even then either. Her daughter, the perfectionist. The fixer.
…
"So, Mini-Shel, tell me more about this NYADA social you're going to tomorrow?" Brian asked as he lifted his niece's legs, plopping down on the living room couch, and placing her legs across his lap.
Rachel sat up slightly and grinned at her uncle, grateful for the company. She really wanted to go home but her mother had come to check in on her and asked for more time to talk to her aunt. For the sake of peace, she wasn't going to deny her that.
"Is it like a super-secret club? And the first rule about singing club is to not talk about singing club?"
"No, and I only barely understand that reference," Rachel laughed. "It's just a mixer for prospective students interested in going to the New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts. It's a highly competitive performing arts college with a great musical theater program. Jesse invited me. He's been going to their events since he was a sophomore."
"Jesse?" Brian inquired with a playful tone. "Tell me more about this Jesse fella. Are you two talking? Is that what you guys call it these days?"
"No, Uncle B," Rachel shook her head, an unexpected tinge of heat flushing on her cheeks. "We're not talking. We're just friends. He's mom's student. He's just helping me think about college. To prepare myself for the future. I want to be on Broadway."
"Just like your mama, huh?"
"Yeah," Rachel smiled in approval. "Honestly, my entire life's mission is to win one more Tony Award than her."
Brian chortled at that remark. Mini-Shel indeed. "Well don't grow up too fast, kid. We just got you."
"You could always move to New York too," Rachel suggested. "Lil and Robby can grow up with some Brooklyn accents."
"As amusing as that'd be I don't think that—"
"Oh my god!" Shelby exclaimed from the other room. "Will you please just get over the basement window? It is absolutely not my fault that you and Fran weren't nearly as resourceful as I was."
Shelby stormed across the doorway in a furious flurry with Kim hot on her heels.
"Mom and dad grounded me for a month for going to the Larson's end of summer thing because I got caught sneaking back in. I just remembered that you were at that party too! You had a way to get back inside the house without getting noticed and you didn't tell me!" Kim shouted after her sister, her voice rising with each word. "I had to miss Homecoming with Patrick Walker that year because I was grounded. He was hot! We could've been a thing!"
Rachel scrunched her eyebrows together in perplexity. "I thought they were fighting about grandpa not being sick?"
"Who the heck is Patrick?" Brian asked in matching confusion.
…
"I'm going to kill Kim," Shelby decided, settling an annoyed glare onto her father who followed her into her childhood bedroom. She needed space. She was nearing her wit's end.
"No you're not," Robert said, drawing his irate daughter in for an unexpected hug. "You're going to forgive your sister and we are all going to move on from this. I'm okay, Shelly-Bean. Let it go. You'll feel better."
Shelby's blazing green eyes dimmed a bit at her father's words. Liquefying at the affection, she sighed heavily as she brought her arms up to accept his embrace. She was always defenseless against her father's comfort.
"I'm sorry for being disrespectful earlier. I was just upset. Of course you can help me with VA sets."
Relief washed over Robert as he rested his cheek against his daughter's soft brown hair. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I never meant for you to feel excluded, hon that was the last thing I wanted. But please stop punishing Kim. I was the one who asked her not to say anything."
"Okay," Shelby conceded, recalling her sister's claims. There was still lingering bitterness on her end over the whole thing, but she was tired of fighting. And she had bigger fish to fry with her daughter. She needed to let it be. "Fine. You're right. I will forgive her."
"Good," Robert placed a quick kiss on her head before releasing his hold. "Thank you."
"Sure dad," she shrugged. "I'm going to get Rach. I want to get her home so she can get some rest."
Before she could step away, Robert lunged forward and grabbed her wrist, causing Shelby to turn around and meet the man's matching earthy green eyes that were surprisingly glistening with unshed tears.
"Shelby, thank you."
"I know dad," Shelby said, a puzzled look taking over her face. "You already said that."
Robert took his daughter's hand and squeezed it gently. "I know I don't say it enough, sweetheart, but I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for what you did for me. I know I'll never be able to repay you but—"
"Dad, it's nothing," Shelby interjected, the corner of her lips falling. She never wanted her father to feel like he owed her anything. Especially not when it saved his life. She would do it all again. A thousand times over.
"It's not nothing," Robert stated seriously, sincerely. "It was sacrifice. It was Rachel. That's everything, Shelby. Thank you."
…
"So since you and mom are feuding, are we still going to be able to hang out on Sunday?" Rachel asked her aunt while the woman helped put her winter jacket on. "Or will I have to sneak around like a fugitive to spend time with you?"
"Perhaps. Maybe you should check if your basement window is bolted. I hear they're good for quick escapes," Kim teased as she drew the hood over her niece's head. "Your mom and I aren't feuding. Of course we can still hang out Sunday, Rae. As long as you feel better."
"And I'd never keep you from your Aunt Kim," Shelby cut in as she approached the pair in the foyer. "No matter what."
Kim cast her sister a grateful look, mentally berating herself for even thinking that Shelby would ever purposefully keep them apart.
"Maybe we can all get brunch together Sunday morning?" Shelby suggested, missing her sister's stunned expression at the offer as she busied herself with collecting her belongings.
"Uh, yeah, if you're sure," Kim said, a tad dubiously.
Rachel rolled her eyes at the unnecessary pleasantries. "She'll be there," she settled. "I'm going to the car before you guys start arguing about where to go for breakfast. See ya on Sunday, Aunt Kim!"
Kim drew her attention back to her sister after the slam of front door. "Shelly?"
"It's okay," Shelby nodded, finally relinquishing a breath that's felt trapped in her chest for days. "I love you, and I'll see you Sunday."
The following morning, Shelby woke up to someone's fingers grazing against her cheek. She groaned at the disturbance and tried to brush whatever was tickling her face. "Rach?" She mumbled, shaking her head slightly. "What time is it?"
"Morning mom, it's only eight so you don't have to get up, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving," Rachel informed standing at her bedside already dressed and ready for the day. "Jesse's on his way to come get me for the NYADA social."
Shelby yawned as she rubbed the slumber out of her eyes, frowning when she realized she was in Rachel's bed. She had struggled falling asleep the previous evening, the events and words exchanged from dinner with her family still plaguing her mind. She stayed up for a while watching the midnight snow storm, trying to find solace in peace and quiet of the slowly falling snowflakes.
It was around three o'clock in the morning when she decided to check in on Rachel, who had resigned to an early bedtime as soon as they arrived home last night. She had a habit of watching the child sleep and at some point she must've decided to crawl into bed with her daughter.
Shelby lifted her head from the pillow and managed to open her eyes fully. "Wait Rach, do you feel okay to go? I know you didn't have a fever last night, but—"
"I've been up for a while and I made sure to eat breakfast. I also had some tea and took medicine right after," Rachel interrupted, already prepared to field her mother's inquiries. She really wanted to go to this event. "Please let me go, mom. You already said I could."
Still in a bit of a sleep-induced haze, Shelby tried to focus on Rachel, noting that the girl did look and sound better than yesterday. "Okay but—"
"I promise to call you if I don't feel well," Rachel assured. "But Jesse said it'll only be a couple of hours, so I should be home before noon. It's also at the convention center by the airport."
"Alright Rach," Shelby relented, trying to take mental notes of the details her daughter just relayed. "Please text me when you get there and when you're about to leave. Love you."
Thrilled at how easily that worked out for her, Rachel leaned over and placed a quick kiss on mother's cheek. "Thanks mom! I'll be back soon."
After watching Rachel flounce away, Shelby slumped back down on the bed in resignation. Although they had yet to discuss what they argued about last night, at least the girl was being amicable toward her. She'd take it, as long as the line of communication was open. She yawned again and closed her eyes. Although she just woke up, she felt more spent than ever. It only took a few seconds for sleep to pull her under again.
…
The startling sound of her cell phone ringing woke Shelby up again later that morning. Flipping over, she grabbed the offending object off the bedside table and examined the screen, her brows crinkling in confusion as she answered the call.
"Hey B," Shelby greeted her brother-in-law, who rarely called her, through another yawn. "What's—"
"Shel? You have to get to the hospital. Now."
"What?" Shelby's heart instantly leapt to her throat, thousands of scenarios, medical emergencies, specifically those with her father, flashed through her mind at an alarming rate. "What's going on? Is dad okay?"
"No it's not Robert," Brian said, his voice sounding small and extremely faraway. "It's Rachel. They just brought her in to the ER."
A/N: To be continued, but would love to hear your thoughts or predictions so far. Thank you for joining me for another one!