Hello! I know I hardly update anymore but I'm trying! I have two open stories right now that I will be finishing if it kills me! I don't know if anyone is still reading, but if you are...enjoy! I don't own Glee...just the plot and original characters.


October 2026

It was a lazy Thursday afternoon. The first month of school had gone surprisingly well. Lainey no longer got teary and drop off and Zack had managed to only get in trouble once for not waiting his turn in P.E. Rachel had even managed to go back to work one day a week to help out at the office. Their new normal was going well.

No one had any practice or activities tonight, so the kids requested pizza and a movie picnic on the living room floor. Finn arrived at home with dinner just as the kids finished laying out the blankets.

"Yay pizza's here!" Lainey yelled as she rushed towards Finn. "I'm hungry!" Lainey jumped up and down indicating she wanted to be picked up.

"Lainey, let me get into the kitchen before you jump on me okay?"

Lainey stomped her feet as Finn kept walking. She's still working on some temperament issues at times, especially with being patient.

Rachel caught a glimpse of Lainey behind Finn as he entered the kitchen. "Lainey, you better turn that attitude around or no picnic for you." Lainey's eyes widened as she processed Rachel's words.

"Okay," she pouted.

Finn gave Rachel a quick kiss before placing the pizza on the counter. Zack got the plates out while Lainey waited by the table for Finn to pick her up.

"Okay Lainey, my hands are free. Come here!" He held out his arms for her and she ran into them. Finn scooped her up and threw her in the air while she screamed.

"I was a good girl at school today and I even was a helper for my teacher!"

Finn placed her back down on the floor. "I'm so proud of you! Go pick your spot in the living room and we will bring the food okay?' Lainey runs off and Finn can see her blonde hair disappear as she plopped herself down on the floor. "Zack, can you turn on the movie for us?" Zack shrugged his shoulders and walked away without replying.

Rachel sighed at Zack's reaction. "He had a rough day. The teacher sent home a note saying he needs to start going to tutoring after school twice a week. He's really behind in reading. You know Zack, he didn't take it well."

Finn's heart sank a little. Zack had been doing so well, even scoring a goal last weekend in his soccer game. Any setback could be harmful to him. Both he and Rachel liked to keep the momentum moving forward.

"Well hopefully the teacher can catch him up. Can we do anything at home? To help him?"

Rachel pulled out a sheet from Zack's backpack which hung on the back of a kitchen chair. "Yes, she gave us a lot to work on and we'll do it, he's just feeling sad. He even made a comment that he wished his mom would have been home to send him to school more. Even though they're doing better, their past is always lingering. The ramifications of the neglect are still there even if we don't see it all of the time anymore."

Rachel leaned into Finn slightly, relaxing at the warmth of his body next to hers. "I was waiting for something to happen, but if this is all that it is, we can handle it."

They joined the kids on the blankets, eating their pizza and watching the movie Trolls. About 40 minutes in, both kids were growing antsy. They'd seen this movie at least twenty times, but they both always choose it to watch.

Lainey had gone upstairs to put her princess nightgown on, and when she returned she crawled onto Rachel's lap. Zack had laid back onto Finn's legs, half watching the movie and playing with his super hero figurines.

"Hey Zack, don't be sad about tutoring. I had to go to tutoring many times when I was growing up for math AND reading."

Zack sat up and turned to face Finn. "You did? Did it make you smarter?"

"Oh yeah! I promise if you go and practice a lot, you won't need to go after a while. It's not your fault you missed a lot of school, so now we just have to catch up. We'll help you."

"Okay Finn." Zack seems satisfied with Finn's words and turned back to lay down to finish the movie.

Around 7:30 pm the kids were done with the movie and Rachel and Finn had cleaned the kitchen. Their bedtime routine was about to begin.

"Okay kids, head upstairs to get ready for bed time! Get those teeth brushed and we'll meet you upstairs," Rachel yelled into the living room.

Zack complied and they watched him walk up the stairs and walk towards his room. Lainey wasn't so compliant. She sat at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed with a pout on her face.

"What's wrong Lainey? Don't want to go to bed?" Finn sat down next to her on the step.

"No. I get sad at night because I'm all alone in my room." Lainey had developed a new fear of being alone, right after they had gotten her over it a few months ago.

"Well we are right next door to your room. You're not alone. We check on you every night to make sure you're safe before we go to bed ok? Want me to give you a piggy back ride up to the bathroom?"

Lainey jumped up immediately. "Yes! Yes please!"

Rachel emerged from the kitchen to follow them up the stairs. She helped Lainey climb onto Finn's back and they all headed up the stairs.

"Hold on Lainey, its going to be a bumpy ride! Hold on tight!" Lainey squeezed her arms around Finn's neck tighter as Finn began to bounce up and down while stepping on each stair.

"Finn be careful please," Rachel said as she put a hand on Lainey's back for support.

Lainey squealed loudly in between fits of laughter. "Daddy don't drop me! Hold me tighter!"

With those words both Finn and Rachel froze. They were almost to the top of the stairs, but Zack was in the bathroom with the faucet running and he didn't hear.

"Why'd you stop?" Lainey asked. "Keep going we're almost there!."

Finn continued to bounce, trying not to put too much emphasis on what Lainey just called him. He was afraid to turn around and see the look on Rachel's face. Once in front of the bathroom door, he puts Lainey down, instructing her to brush her teeth.

He turned around to find Rachel standing in the hallway beaming, a few tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. "So you heard it too?" he asks as he pulls her into their bedroom.

"Yes. That's amazing Finn. I don't think she even realized she said it, but she did." Rachel hugged Finn quickly before she heard both kids run to their rooms.

"You aren't upset? She called me dad before she called you mom, I just thought -"

"Finn, I'm not mad. I'd rather them view me as their mom than call me mom. That's more important to me. I just want them to know I'll be here for them and take care of them, not matter what. She might call me 'Lady' forever, but I know in her heart it means 'mom'."

With that she walked out of the door towards Zack's room, which meant he had to go to Lainey's first tonight. They always traded and took turns on who they said goodnight to first. He was also proud of how far his wife had come in a few short months. She's continued to be strong even in the hardest moments.


Around 2 am their house phone rang, startling them both out of a dead sleep.

"Hello?" Finn answered, his eyes barely open. "Oh hey Kurt!" He sat up in bed, motioning for Rachel to wake up too. "Congratulations! No, its fine. We can go back to sleep. I'll have Rachel call in the morning." Finn hung up the phone only to be bombarded by Rachel's questions.

"Did the baby arrive? Is it a girl or a boy? Name? Weight?"

"Ugh I should have just handed the phone to you. It's a girl. Her name is Willow. That's all I know." Finn laid back down on his pillow, pulling the comforter above his shoulders.

"A girl? Oh that's so exciting! Wait, did he mention me coming down to fix up the nursery or anything? I committed to that before we got the kids you know."

"No, he didn't mention it. I talked to him for like a minute. If you want to go down for the weekend tomorrow, then go. I can keep the kids here."

Rachel's mind filled with thoughts of leaving the kids for a few days. She hadn't been away from them at all. Just getting them off to school successfully was a feat in itself. She knows Finn can handle it, but could the kids?

Rachel awoke again around 6, still unsure if she should drive down to Lima or not. She checked her phone to find a text from Kurt, asking her to come down and set up the nursery if she felt up to it.

She wanted to go, but also knew she couldn't take everyone with her. Lainey had dance class today and Zack had a big soccer game tomorrow. Why did she feel so guilty about leaving them for two nights?

"What are you thinking about?" Finn asked, startling Rachel out of her thoughts.

"Kurt texted asking me to come down and help out. I know that's what I did when Warner was born, but things are different now. Plus your mom is there to help too."

Finn could tell Rachel felt conflicted. "Just go. It's only two hours away. My mom is there, but Kurt and Blaine love sharing this with you too. I think they are even more excited now that our circumstances have changed. I know when Warner was born they sort of held back their excitement because of us. This time, its different. I can handle things."

Rachel sat up in bed, pulling her legs underneath her. "Are you sure? I do want to go and meet my new niece."

"I'm positive. Plus Puck is coming to Zack's game tomorrow so Ashley will be there to play with Lainey. Quinn has to work so we will hang with the kids all day. It will be fine. You'll be back Sunday and we will all still be here I promise. The kids need to know that even if you or I go away for a day or two, we are always coming back." Finn grinned as he grabbed Rachel's hand to kiss it.

Rachel beamed in return. "If you think you can handle it, I'll text Kurt right now and start packing." She jumped up, retrieving a duffle bag from the closet. The kids wouldn't be up for at least another hour, so if she timed it right she could be ready to leave before they left for school.

Rachel was in the kitchen when the kids came downstairs for breakfast. They are never up before 7, but of course today they woke up early to catch her before she left.

"Why are you dressed already?" Zack asked. "You never get dressed until after we start eating."

Rachel glanced at her bags that were just out of sight. Lainey hopped up onto her chair and popped a strawberry in her mouth.

"Well, Kurt and Blaine's new baby was born last night, so I'm going to go to Lima to help out for a few days."

Zack grew excited. "We get to go to Lima this weekend? Yay! I hope Burt has a car to work on."

Lainey clapped at Zack's statement. "What time are we leaving? Soon?"

Rachel realized they hadn't fully understood what she said. "Well, I'm just going to go alone this time. The baby is very small and little kids aren't allowed in the hospital. Finn will be here to take you guys to school and soccer this weekend. I'll be home on Sunday! She tried to make the end of that statement as enthusiastic as possible as she watched the looks their faces fall.

"You're leaving?" Zack asked quietly.

Lainey wiped a few tears from her eyes, trying not to cry.

"Yes, but I'll be back on Sunday in time for us to go pick out your Halloween costumes ok? Zack you have a soccer game tomorrow and your team needs you."

Zack nodded his head as he pushed his spoon around in his cereal bowl.

"But you could bring me! I don't have a soccer game." Lainey ran over to Rachel, throwing her arms around her waist and burying her head in her side.

"Oh Lainey I can't. I have to help watch Warner and bring him to the hospital and you won't be allowed because the baby isn't your sister. I promise we will all go down there for Thanksgiving next month and you can see the baby and visit with everyone ok? Don't be sad."

Lainey let's out a wail that triggers Finn to run downstairs. Rachel looks at him wide eyed, signaling for help.

"Hey, what's going on?" Finn asked as he reached the kitchen. Zack just shrugged his shoulders and walked into the living room to watch TV. Lainey just screamed louder.

"They aren't happy I'm going to Lima. Maybe I'll just stay home." Rachel took a deep breathe trying not to cry. All she had wanted was for these kids to love and depend on her. Right now it isn't working in her favor.

"No, you're going. It's two nights and they'll be fine." Finn pried Lainey off of Rachel's body. Lainey kicked as he picked her up, but calmed down once she was up in his arms. "Lainey, Rachel will be back on Sunday. How about we face time her on the phone tonight before bed and you can tell her all about your day ok? You can call her anytime you want." Lainey nodded and then laid her head on Finn's shoulder, looking away from Rachel.

Rachel reached over and gave Lainey a kiss on her cheek. "Love you Lainey. I call you later today okay?" Lainey nodded but didn't say anything in return. She went to Zack in the other room, telling him the same thing. Zack lingered in the hug a little longer than usual, but seemed fine overall.

Rachel hesitated as she lingered by the front door. Zack was still staring at the TV and Lainey was clinging to Finn's neck. Finn nodded for her to go, so she walked out and quietly shut the door behind her.


Two hours later she was outside of the hospital room where Kurt and Blaine were staying with their newborn daughter. Last time she was here when Warner was born, she dreaded going in. She felt sorry for herself, and insanely jealous of her brother in laws. Today, she only felt happiness and excitement. She knocked lightly on the door and heard Kurt call for her to come in.

Rachel could see the little pink bundle wrapped in Blaine's arms on the couch. Kurt was up on the bed with Warner playing trucks. Carole was off at the house getting things prepped for them to return home tomorrow.

"Oh my goodness let me see that baby!" Rachel squealed as she approached Blaine. She peeled back the blanket to reveal a tuft of dark hair. "She is precious and her name is beautiful." She made her way over to Warner, getting an enthusiastic hug in return. "Do you have a sister buddy?"

"Yeah" he answered as he continued to roll his trucks across the bed.

"He really doesn't get it. He thinks she's just here for a visit." Kurt laughed as he rolled his eyes. "Mom is at the house setting things up so I think I'll have you take Warner to her when you leave so he can nap. How long are you staying? We found out we get to go home tomorrow morning because she's doing so well!"

Rachel sat next to Blaine on the couch, opening her arms for him to hand over the baby. She cradled Willow in her arms, tucking her into the crook of her elbow as she relaxed.

"She is just gorgeous you two, " Rachel said as she smiled down at the baby. "I think I'll stay until Sunday morning and then head back up. Finn said he has it all handled but we will see how tomorrow goes. He has to take them both to Zack's soccer game and Lainey doesn't like to sit still at those."

Willow let's out a little cry, indicating she's getting hungry.

"Here, once she wakes up a little more you can feed her the bottle. I'm going to run down to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. Warner, let's go take a walk ok?" Blaine scoops Warner off of the bed and heads out the door before he could protest.

Rachel sees Willow opening her mouth more, so she places the small bottle into her mouth. Willow happily sucks away, her eyes never opening.

"So, are you and Finn still trying to get pregnant? You seem like you're doing okay this time around. I mean, you were happy when Warner was born but I could tell you were a little bit sad too."

Rachel sighed. She didn't feel once ounce of jealousy or sadness right now as she cradled her new niece. "Well we aren't doing anything to prevent it I guess, but we aren't focused on it anymore. Since Lainey and Zack came into our lives that sort of just fell away. Of course that would be an amazing surprise but we have two kids now that have found away to fill that hole."


Rachel took Warner home in the afternoon and then helped Carole set up the nursery for Willow. Warner took a long nap which allowed them to get it all completed before dinner.

Things at the Hudson house weren't going as smoothly. Finn had managed to keep some sanity right after school, but he had to admit he wasn't exactly clear on their routines after they got home. It wasn't a school night so there wasn't homework to be completed. Lainey had whined for the past hour that Finn hadn't cut her strawberries in the right way. Zack was mainly quiet, shutting out anyone who tried to talk to him.

After dinner, Zack was fidgeting at the table as Finn cleaned up.

"What's wrong Zack? Nervous about your game tomorrow?"

Zack picked up his paper napkin and began twirling it between his fingers. "No. I'm excited about that," he said never looking up from his gaze towards his hands.

"Well what's wrong then? You've been quiet all afternoon. Did something happen at school?"

Finn could hear Lainey playing with her Barbie's in the living room as he waited for Zack to reply.

"When is Rachel coming back? Tomorrow?"

Zack missed Rachel. Finn hadn't expected that from him, but it would explain his quiet demeanor all afternoon.

"I thought she said Sunday, but we can call and ask her again. Maybe things will change if Kurt and Blaine don't need her help anymore."

Zack's eyes lit up slightly at the thought of her coming home sooner. "Can we call her now? She likes to give me pep talks the night before my soccer games. Bed time is soon and I don't want to miss it."

Finn dried his hands off with a towel after throwing the dishes in the sink. "Sure! Why don't you go get Lainey to sit with you on the couch and we can face time her ok?"

Zack raced out of the room telling Lainey what to do. Before Finn entered the room they were both waiting side by side on the couch.

Finn settled himself in between them and started to call Rachel.

"I hope Lady answers!" Lainey shouted.

Soon Rachel's face appeared on the phone screen. "Hi guys! Getting ready for bed soon?"

Zack's face immediately softened at the sight of Rachel's face. Lainey immediately started blabbering about her Barbies before Zack could even answer.

"Wow Lainey, seems like you're having fun!" Rachel smiled widely as she tried to pay attention to both kids through the screen. "Zack, are you ready for your game tomorrow? Remember, try your hardest and always keep your eye on the ball ok?"

"I will!" Zack replied. "Can you come back for my game tomorrow?"

Rachel's heart sank a little. She knows he'll be fine if she's not there, but she feels so guilty to be missing it. "Well I'm here helping Kurt and Blaine with Warner and their new baby. I'll be back on Sunday. I want you to call me right after your game ok?"

Zack blinked hard, pushing back tears he was embarrassed to show. "Okay," he answered softly as he quickly got off the couch and ran up the stairs.

"He knew I was going to be gone right? I thought I made that clear." Rachel looks at Finn for some guidance.

Finn pulls the phone closer to his face so he can whisper without Lainey fully hearing. "I think he really misses you. He won't flat out say it, but he's acting differently since you left."

Rachel sighed. She wished she didn't feel so guilty being gone. This is normal. Normal families have a parent go out of town sometimes. Normal families can be apart for a day or two. "Okay. Can I say goodnight to Lainey one more time before you hang up?"

Finn turned the phone back towards Lainey's face, and Lainey proceeded to kiss the phone screen to say goodnight to Rachel.

As soon as Rachel hung up she burst into tears. Carole rushed over to her side.

"Oh honey the kids are fine. Finn can handle it."

Rachel wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I know. I just didn't expect Zack to care that I left. He never shows any affection towards me and to know he's sad without me there is both heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same time. I don't want him to be hurting, but it shows that underneath it all he's really coming around."

Carole hugged her a little tighter. "What you two are doing for those kids is amazing. If you want to go to Zack's game tomorrow, get up and leave early. We have things handled here. The nursery is done and you have your own little family to take care of. Kurt and Blaine were thrilled you came but you don't have to stay the entire weekend if your kids need you."

Rachel felt relieved at Carole's suggestion. "I think I'll leave early in the morning and drive straight to Zack's game and surprise him. Thank you Carole. I needed to hear that."


Julie Miller was hiding behind a tree at the park where she last saw her son play soccer. She had downloaded the schedule at the library, and was hoping to watch him again from afar. She knew she couldn't contact the kids or their foster parents. That was against court orders since her rights had been terminated. She just wanted to see them with her own eyes, even if its just from far away.

She sat on a bench far enough away where the kids wouldn't see her. It was cold, so she layered herself in a big coat and winter hat, further disguising herself.

She missed her kids so much it hurt. It's her own fault they were taken away, and she wishes she could go back to that day and do it all over again. She wouldn't have left them in that store. She can't even fully explain why she did it, but she did. There were other things she could have done, other avenues she could have reached out to.

Her son plays for the red and black team, so when players start showing up, her heart starts to race. She sees the tall man walking with her two kids behind him. Zack throws the ball down in front of him and dribbles it towards the rest of his team to warm up. The tall man sets up two chairs, and sits Lainey in one. He gets a large pink blanket out from under his arm and wraps it around Lainey, protecting her from the cold. She doesn't see the woman she presumed was the foster mother.

Soon another man with a little girl in two shows up. Lainey jumps up, the blanket falling to the floor. The two men shake hands and Lainey starts talking to the other girl. Julie can feel herself tearing up seeing how much Lainey has grown and has a little friend too.

She sees the tall man run over to talk to Zack. Zack's looking into the man's eyes, listening intently. They give each other a high five before the team takes the field.

The tall man lays out the pink blanket on the floor and the two girls sit down and get some toys out of a backpack. Lainey had never had a friend before. She looked happy.

Zack looked confident as he played in his game. Ten minutes pass before she sees the short brunette show up. The foster mom. Zack gets excited to see her, waving from the field before having to chase the ball. The woman waves back, a smile spread across her face. Lainey gets up from her blanket, jumping into the woman's arms. She was hugging her so tight, as if she was afraid the woman would vanish if she didn't.

Julie sat still in the distance for a solid hour, her gaze never leaving her two children. They looked happy and confident. She had never seen them like this. In just four months her two babies had changed.

When the game was over and Zack ran into the woman's arms, she broke. She ran as fast as she could away from the field. Julie knew what she had to do.


Early Monday morning, Rachel is headed to the office after dropping the kids at school. The rest of the weekend flew by. The kids were thrilled she returned early. They all went out to lunch after Zack's game. Puck and Ashley came along. Quinn had been working a weekend job so Puck was thrilled to have some entertainment for Ashley.

Sunday they had gone to buy Halloween costumes. Zack of course picked the Ninja Turtle and Lainey chose Cinderella. They had never been trick or treating before, so this was all new and exciting for them!

Traffic is a nightmare and the morning with the kids had been overwhelming. She hadn't realized how much breaking the routine would set everyone off. Just as she's pulling into the parking lot her phone rings. She reaches for the phone to see its Mrs. Kent calling. Assuming the call was about their upcoming court date, Rachel quickly answers as she parks the car and begins to head into the office.

"Hello Mrs. Kent, I hope your Monday is going well." Rachel waves to the secretary as she buzzes by and walks to her office.

"Hello Mrs. Hudson, do you have a minute?"

Rachel placed her bags onto her desk. She looks across the hall and can see Finn on the phone at his desk. "Yes I have a minute. Is everything okay?" Rachel sat herself down into her chair as her nerves ran wild.

"Well, I have some news about your court date at the end of next month. Ms. Miller, the children's mother, has contacted our offices and states she will be attending the court date on November 30th."

Rachel felt the blood rush out of her face. This can't be happening. She looked across the hall hoping Finn was off of his call but he wasn't. "What...what does that mean. I thought her rights were terminated. This was our hearing to proceed with the adoption." Rachel could feel her hand shaking as she held the phone up to her ear, praying Mrs. Kent would say something else.

"The purpose of the hearing still stands. I haven't heard why she contacted the office, only that she will be in attendance.

Rachel swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat that was forming. "What if she contests the adoption. Can the judge give Ms. Miller her rights back? Will the kids get taken away?" At that thought the tears started to fall. She could see Finn finally hang up and waved to get his attention but he wasn't looking. She was paralyzed as she waited for an answer.

"It's not that simple Mrs. Hudson. It's not uncommon for parents to resurface after a while. It's up to the judge whether or not things need to change or proceed forward. All we can do is wait for the court date. I'll type up my latest home visit observation which of course will give you a glowing recommendation."

Rachel finally caught Finn's eye as he was walking around his office. He rushed across the hall immediately. He tried to catch her attention again and motion to her, but she was now starting down at the floor as she listened intently.

"Is there anything else we can do while we wait for the court date? That's over a month away. We just have to sit and wait and act like everythings fine!?" Rachel was trying her hardest not to lose it on the phone. She hoped there was something she could do. Anything.

"No," Mrs. Kent replied, "Just try your best to carry on as usual. Let us know though if mom tries to contact you in any way."

With that statement Mrs. Kent hung up and Rachel dropped her phone. Finn rushed to her side.

"What's going on? Is it about the kids?"

All Rachel could do was nod before she broke out into hysterics.

"Rachel calm down. You need to tell me who was on the phone. Is someone hurt?"

"No..." Rachel paused. "Their...mom...court." That's all she could get out before trying to catch her breath again.

Finn pulled her into an embrace, trying to calm her down as he too slowly panicked inside. He didn't need to hear more than those words. Julie Miller had resurfaced just as things were moving forward. In one instant their world was turned upside down again.


I will be finishing this, even if it takes me two years from starting it to do so! I try to write when I can , but time is limited. I appreciate your feedback and reviews!