Shelby woke up with a heavy weight on top of her. For a second, she forgot about what had happened the night before. Then she noticed the dark brown hair splashed over her face and smiled. She moved the hair out of her face and then stroked the girl's hair. She looked over at the alarm clock shocked to see that it was 9:26. She sighed not knowing that they would have to get up shortly as the police were coming over at 11.
Rachel started to shift before wakening up. Shelby continued to soothe the girl. She loved this feeling and it wasn't something she had previously been able to do. She never usually liked being in close contact with people when she was sleeping, even previous boyfriends but it was different when it was her baby girl. She wouldn't have it any other way.
Rachel slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw her mom. This wasn't the Shelby Corcoran she was used to. This was her mom, she was wearing comfortable clothes, no makeup and messy hair. This was her seeing her real mom.
"I hate to be the barer of bad news but we need to get up" Shelby said quietly and Rachel nodded. She didn't need the woman to go into more detail, she knew that it was because the police were coming. She was scared.
"Do you have any questions?" Shelby asked softly. She didn't want to push the girl, but she wanted her to know that she was there for her at any time. Rachel shook her head. Shelby smiled and clambered out of bed.
"I'm going to have a shower. Will you be able to get yourself some cereal?" Shelby asked and Rachel nodded. She loved when her mother did things for her but she'd manage to make herself breakfast without any help.
"Then you can have a shower after me" Shelby commanded and Rachel nodded as she got out of the bed.
Once Rachel had eaten breakfast, she walked back up the stairs. Shelby was out of the shower now and told Rachel to go in her shower. Rachel obeyed and went into the ensuite. Once she was out the shower, she froze. How was she going to get out? What if she walked out on her mother getting ready? Instantly Rachel started to overanalyse everything that was going on.
"Rach, are you okay? I heard the water turn off a while ago?" Shelby called through the door softly. If her daughter needed something then she wanted to be able to help her.
"I don't know if I can come out. I don't know if you are getting dressed" Rachel answered back nervously.
"Of course you can come out" Shelby said "And if you are in my ensuite don't ever worry about walking out on me getting changed. I'm your mom and if I was concerned then I'd get changed in the bathroom first"
Rachel nodded. She blushed slightly in embarrassment for admitting that to Shelby. Rachel then walked to her bedroom with her towel tightly around her body. She quickly got changed and then walked down the stairs. She noticed her mother sitting at the breakfast bar nursing a hot cup of coffee.
"Are you okay?" Shelby asked softly as the girl looked worried. Rachel nodded. She didn't like lying to her mother but she was too scared to speak out. She was confused and felt so silly for not noticing what her fathers had been doing.
They sat watching the TV until the doorbell rang. Shelby answered it and invited Officer Henry and his colleague into the living room.
"So we have been to your house in Lima and we found a lot. They knew this was going to happen and have left documents for Shelby to sign to grant her full custody. They are with the police at the moment and then we will send them to your lawyer" He explained and Shelby nodded.
"You are welcome to come to your house and collect whatever you need. The investigation has taken place" He explained and Shelby nodded.
"Do you want to go to Lima and get more things?" Shelby asked and Rachel nodded. Her dads had forgotten a lot of things that she needed.
"We'll do it this afternoon" Shelby stated and Officer Henry nodded. They spoke for longer but a lot was still up in the air until Leroy and Hiram were found. The officers left shortly after.
"Shall we go out for lunch on our way to Lima?" Shelby asked and Rachel nodded. Rachel was nervous. She wasn't sure if Shelby wanted her and now she had been dropped on Shelby full time.
"What's going on in your head, sweetie?" Shelby asked putting her hand on top of her daughter's.
"Do you want me?" Rachel asked and Shelby nodded.
"More than anything and everything. I will never let you go. I know we have a lot to talk about but I want you to remember that I am in your life now and I am not leaving you, ever. You are stuck with me" Shelby said and Rachel nodded. That made her feel just a little bit better.
Once they were ready, they clambered into Shelby's SUV. They stopped about 40 minutes into their journey and headed to a local diner for food. They were both hungry now and demolished the food almost instantly. Once finished, they continued their journey to Lima.
They drove up outside Leroy and Hiram's house and noticed an officer already there.
"How did you know where to go?" Rachel questioned.
"I lived with them when I conceived you until I gave birth to you" Shelby explained and Rachel nodded. She still couldn't get her head around the fact that Shelby had carried her for almost 9 months.
Once inside the house, Shelby followed her daughter to the bedroom to help her back. Once in they both got to work putting everything into boxes. It didn't take them long to back everything needed.
Once they had finished in her bedroom, Shelby asked if Rachel wanted to take anything else from any other rooms. They split up as they checked through the house.
"Shelby, do you want these?" Rachel asked as she came up from the basement carrying two boxes. Shelby turned around and looked at her daughter. On the front of the boxes stated, "Rachel's baby things". Shelby smiled she would love that. She nodded and Rachel smiled. The woman loved her and that smile just confirmed everything.
They then loaded all the boxes into Shelby's car.
"Do you want to go and see Ally before we go home?" Shelby asked. She was hoping Rachel would nod as she wanted to speak to her sister. Rachel simply nodded so Shelby drove to Upper Sandusky. They arrived outside Sarah's house and knocked at the door.
"Auntie Welly" Annie said as she ran over to her aunt as she saw the car drive up.
"Hey Annie, you are getting so big" Shelby said as she gave the girl a hug. She missed her aunt. But after a quick hug, she moved away. She didn't want the others to see her being cuddly. James was the next one to come out.
"Hey buddy" Shelby said as she received a hug from him as well. They then walked into the house.
"Sorry, Sophia has just woken up" Ally said as she walked down the stairs carrying the baby.
"oh come to Auntie Welly" Shelby said taking the baby from her sister's arms. Ally then walked over to Rachel and pulled the girl into her arms.
"How are you sweetie?" She asked.
"I'm fine, thank you" Rachel said but Ally could see through it. She knew that something was going on and could tell that Shelby was feeling the same.
"Can you guys go into the toy room because I need to speak to your mom alone" Shelby explained and they all nodded. Rachel looked nervous.
"You go as well sweetie" Shelby said putting her arms around her daughter. Rachel was nervous. She knew her mom was going to speak about her.
Once Shelby was sure the children were out with hearing distance, she explained to Ally what had gone on.
"So Rachel knew nothing" Ally asked and Shelby nodded.
"She knew nothing and said nothing has happened to her" Shelby said and Ally nodded.
"I just don't know what to do though. I want to help her but I don't know how" Shelby said and she started crying. Ally pulled her sister into her arms and held her tightly.
"Mom" A noise came from the door and Shelby pulled away from her sister. She knew that voice.
"Come here" Shelby said encouraging the girl to her. Rachel ran into her mother's arms and collapsed into them. She was making her mom sad. It was all her fault.
Shelby guided them to the sofa in the open living area. Shelby pulled the girl into her arms and mumbled into her hair just how much she loves her. Ally watched on as her little sister did a fantastic job of soothing her daughter. This was Shelby and the Shelby that had been hidden for so many years.