A/N – Here's the next chapter! I hope you all like it. Thanks so much for all of the reviews and messages and to everyone who reads. You guys are the best. Please leave me a review or drop me a line if you can. Your feedback is so important. Thanks!

Disclaimer – I don't own Glee.

Shelby was much more relaxed and content when she stepped out of her bathroom and tossed her towel on the bed. She was in a plush white robe and her hair was still damp and hadn't been brushed yet. If it had been just a week ago Shelby would have thrown on a t-shirt and crawled into bed with a glass of wine and a good book. But one glance at the clock told her it was almost past Rachel's bed time and she needed to get her in the bath soon. She briefly considered letting it slide tonight and waiting until the morning to give her a bath since it was the weekend, but she'd just gotten the girl to willingly take a bath without fighting so she didn't want to change up the routine on her now.

Shelby made her way down the hall to Rachel's room. She was going to get her in the bath and then run back and change into some comfy clothes.

"Rachel, it's time for your- Rachel?"

Shelby looked around the room and then made her way towards the kitchen and then the living room.

"Rachel," Shelby called out when she didn't see her. "Honey?"

Shelby went to the back of the apartment and quickly checked her office and then headed for the stairs. Upstairs in the apartment was a rarely used loft space and an extra bedroom. Shelby had loved the space when she bought the apartment and had it fully furnished with couches and a large TV and a pool table. The bedroom had a king bed set and an en suite bathroom. After Shelby had moved in she found herself staying downstairs to watch TV because it was just easier. Rachel had been exploring up there the last couple of days and just the night before Shelby had smiled when thinking that she bet Rachel would want to switch bedrooms and move up there when she was a teenager.

"Rachel," Shelby yelled when she reached the top of the stairs.

She quickly checked the bedroom and the bathroom and even in the closet and under the bed, but still came up empty. Panic started to wash over her as she continued to find no sign of the girl. Shelby descended the stairs and went back to Rachel's room.

"Rachel, if you're playing a game, it's time to end it. Answer me, please." Shelby stood still in the girl's room and listened for any type of response or movement. "Right now, Rachel." Again, she didn't hear anything.

"You're going to be in a lot of trouble when I find you, young lady," Shelby scolded sternly.

Shelby felt her chest getting heavy as tears welled in her eyes. "Rachel, I'm serious." Her tone was softer and more desperate this time. She took a second to get a good look at the room. All of Rachel's school books were scattered on the bed, but the back pack was nowhere in sight. Then Shelby realized that none of Rachel's stuffed animals or her blanket were on the bed. And one look at the bookcase and she knew all of the girl's trinkets and knick knacks were gone.

"Rachel!" Shelby yelled again as she raced towards her own bedroom to get her phone.

A few miles across town Martha St. James stared down at the little girl at her door in shock. A quick glance in the hallway confirmed that Rachel was alone and that Shelby was nowhere to be found.

"Rachel?" Jesse asked from the living room. He was standing on the couch and leaning over the back of it to get a better look at his friend.

Jesse's father Desmond looked bewildered. He'd heard all about Rachel, of course, but he hadn't had the chance to meet the young girl yet. He was more than a little surprised to see her at his door that Saturday evening.

"Honey, what's going on? Where's Shelby?" Martha asked the girl kindly.

"I left," Rachel answered.

"What do you mean you left?" Martha asked. "How did you get here?"

"I took a cab," Rachel told her.

"You took a cab?! You come in this house this instance, young lady," Martha ordered sternly. "Does Shelby know that you're gone?" Martha closed the door behind them and then put her hands on her hips as she stared down at the little girl expectantly.

"No," Rachel said softly.

Jesse's eyes went wide and Desmond immediately jumped into action and started looking for his wife's phone so they could call Shelby.

"Oh my god," Martha breathed out. "We've got to call-"

"I'm on it," Desmond cut her off.

The ringing of their land line stopped all activity as both quickly scanned the room for the cordless phone.

"There it is," Desmond said.

"Hurry. It might be Shelby," Martha added as her husband grabbed the phone off a side table in the living room.

"Hello," Desmond answered urgently. All eyes were on him as he talked. "Oh." Another pause. "Of course. I'll be right down."

"Who was that?" Martha asked after he'd hung up the phone.

"The cab driver," Desmond replied. "He needs to be paid. I'll be right back. Call Shelby," he added after grabbing his wallet and heading out the door.

Martha picked up her phone, but Rachel stopped her before she could call.

"Don't call her," Rachel said. "It won't matter. She doesn't want me anymore."

Martha softened her features and got down to Rachel's eye level and brushed some hair back from her face. "Honey, I'm not sure what happened today, but I know for a fact that Shelby loves you and wants you very much. She's probably worried sick right now so I'm going to call her and tell her where you are and that you're safe."

"But why can't I live here with you?" Rachel whined. "Jesse said that I could if I had to leave Shelby's house."

Martha shot a look at her young son and he shrank down a bit on the couch.

"It's clear that we all need to have a talk about this," Martha said. "I'm going to call Shelby and I'm sure she will be here soon. In the meantime you are going to go to Jesse's room and stay there. Is that understood?" She didn't wait for an answer as she stood back up and looked over at Jesse. "Take Rachel to your room and both of you stay there, please."

Jesse got up immediately to do as he was told.

"But-" Rachel started to protest, but was cut off by Martha.

"March, young lady," Martha said sternly. She even pointed in the direction of Jesse's room.

Rachel's bottom lip jutted out in a pitiful pout, but she moved past Martha all the same.

Jesse walked over to her and took her hand saying, "Come on," and led her to his bedroom.

Once the children were out of the room Martha quickly pulled up Shelby's number and dialed it.

In her bedroom at her own apartment Shelby was about to pick up her phone to call the police and then Leroy when her phone started to ring.

"Hello," Shelby answered hurriedly without even looking at the name on the screen. "Rachel?"

"Shelby, it's Martha. Rachel is at my house," she said as quickly as she could to reassure her friend.

"She's there?" Shelby asked. "What? How'd she get there? Is she okay?"

"She's fine," Martha said.

"Oh thank goodness," Shelby said as she sank down into the oversized chair in her room. It was then that the tears started to come. "I couldn't find her. I came out and she was gone."

"It's okay," Martha tried to soothe. "She's here with us and she's safe."

"But what is she doing there?" Shelby asked. "How did she even get over there?"

"She took a cab," Martha told her.

"She what?!"

"Desmond is downstairs paying the driver right now," Martha confirmed.

"But how?"

"I don't know," Martha said. "Shelby, did something happen today? Rachel is here because she wanted to stay with us. Apparently Jesse told her she could live with us if she had to leave your house. She said you didn't want her anymore."

"She said that?" Shelby asked through more tears. "Nothing happened today. Her social worker came for a visit and we know she's worried about having to leave, but we're working with her on that. But there was never any indication that she would take off like this. I promise I want her, Martha," Shelby swore to the older woman.

"I know you do," Martha said. "We're not going to solve this over the phone so why don't you come over here to collect Rachel and we can talk."

"Of course," Shelby said, snapping out of her own thoughts. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Shelby arrived at the St. James household forty-five minutes later. She had quickly thrown on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and her damp hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. She knocked on the front door and waited as patiently as possible for someone to answer it.

"Shelby, hi, come on in," Martha said when she answered the door and saw her friend waiting on the other side.

"Thank you," Shelby said.

"This is my husband Desmond," Martha made the introduction.

"It's nice to meet you," Desmond greeted her with a handshake. He knew this was a serious situation, but he couldn't quite believe Shelby Corcoran was standing there in his house. He had been shocked when Martha had come home earlier in the week telling him about her day.

"It's nice to meet you too," Shelby said. She smiled at the man for a second, but her eyes soon darted around the room looking for Rachel.

"She's in Jesse's room," Martha told her as she placed a comforting hand on Shelby's back. She turned towards the hallway and called out, "Rachel, come out here."

It was a long fifteen seconds and Shelby held her breath as she waited for her girl to appear from around the corner. Rachel eventually did and she was walking slowly with her head bowed. Jesse followed behind her with his hands clasped behind his back protecting his bottom. It was s show of sympathy for his friend whom he was sure was in a lot of trouble.

"Rachel," Shelby said over the lump in her throat and the tears in her eyes. She quickly went to the girl and picked her up and held her tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Shelby hugged her close and, despite her worries and fears, Rachel hugged her back. Shelby's presence and her smell and the way she hugged her was comforting for her. Rachel didn't want to leave Shelby, she just wished the woman wanted to keep her.

After the long hug Shelby put Rachel down and stooped to her level and took her by the arms.

"Don't you ever do that again," Shelby scolded and shook Rachel lightly. "Don't you ever leave the house by yourself again. Do you understand?"

Tears welled in Rachel eyes at Shelby's forceful reprimand and she shook her head no. "I don't understand," Rachel said.

The girl started to cry in earnest and Shelby stood up straight and pulled Rachel to her. Rachel wrapped her arms around Shelby's waist and cried into her stomach. Shelby looked over at Martha and in that moment the younger woman looked just as lost as Rachel.

Desmond walked over to Jesse and rubbed his back in order to reassure the worried looking boy. "Buddy, why don't you go play in your room for a while, okay? We're going to let Ms. Corcoran and Rachel have a talk. Rachel will come in and see you before she goes home."

"Okay," Jesse said as he looked up at his dad. He cast a glance over at Rachel before turning and going back to his room. He wanted to stay, but he knew better than to argue right now.

"Shelby why don't you two sit down at the table and talk," Martha suggested. "We'll put on a pot of coffee."

"Thank you," Shelby said. "Come on, honey."

Shelby took Rachel by the hand and led her to the dining room table and pulled out a chair for her. Desmond followed his wife to the kitchen, dropping a box of tissues on the table as he went by. Shelby pulled another chair over and sat down so she was facing Rachel and then plucked a few tissues from the box and started cleaning Rachel's face.

"Blow," Shelby ordered and Rachel did as she was told. Both were using this time to compose themselves.

A few minutes later a mug of hot coffee and a glass of milk were set on the table and Rachel was grateful to have something to drink.

"We're going to leave you two alone. We'll be in the other room if you need us," Martha said.

"Wait," Shelby objected. "Can you both sit with us? Let's have this talk together. Please." Shelby was at a loss and she wanted them to hear what Rachel had to say. She had to be missing something and a new perspective would be welcome.

"Okay," Martha said. She and Desmond sat on the other side of the table with their own cups of coffee and waited.

Shelby turned her attention back to Rachel and let out a long breath. "Rachel, why did you leave the house tonight?" She figured this was the best place to start.

"I wanted to make sure I got to stay with Jesse," Rachel answered.

"You can't just leave the apartment without permission," Shelby said. "You are not allowed to go out by yourself."

"But I couldn't wait until Monday when I saw him in school," Rachel argued. "What if I didn't get to go there?"

"Of course you'd get to go there," Shelby said. "It's your school."

"I always have to change schools," Rachel pointed out.

"You're not changing schools," Shelby assured her.

"But-"

"Rachel," Martha interrupted. "Why did you have to make sure you got to stay with Jesse?"

"He said I could live with him if I wasn't allowed to stay with Shelby anymore," Rachel said. "He's the only friend I've ever had and I didn't want to lose him too."

"Rachel," Shelby started, but again Martha interrupted.

"And why couldn't you wait until Monday?"

Rachel looked up at Shelby for a second and then down at her hands. "I had to come tonight in case she had given me back before I got to see him in school on Monday."

"Rachel, I'm not giving you back. Look at me." Shelby waited until Rachel raised her eyes to look at her. "I am not giving you back. Why do you think that?"

Martha sat back to listen now that they were on the right track with the questions.

"Because you keep asking about the summer and it's so far away and I never stay anywhere that long even though everyone says that I will. And I spilled the milk and you yelled at me. Then I heard you talking to Leroy and you said that you wanted me out of there as soon as possible and that you didn't want to have to wait. And you disappeared tonight and didn't want to be with me."

Rachel was crying as she yelled and Shelby wasn't quite prepared for her outburst.

"Rachel, I…" Shelby was trying to formulate what to say, but the girl wasn't done yet.

"And if you don't want me anymore why shouldn't I be able to leave whenever I want and live with people who will keep me?!"

All of Rachel's worry and pent up anger finally surfaced and came out. As soon as she was finished yelling she stood up and stomped out of the room and down the hall. It was the first time Shelby had experienced a true Rachel storm out.

"Rachel, come back here," Shelby said but there was no weight behind her order. She then put her elbows o her knees and her head in her hands. "I have no idea what I'm doing."

"You're doing fine," Desmond assured her.

"How can you say that?" Shelby asked. "She thinks I don't want her."

"But she's eight and hurting and doesn't always know what she's talking about," Martha said.

"I don't want her to be hurting," Shelby replied. "I'm supposed to be able to help her stop hurting."

"Shelby, you've only had her for a week," Martha said. "And you've got to remember that her fears have nothing to do with you. It seems like they've been in place long before you appeared in her life."

Jesse was startled and jumped when Rachel entered his room and shut the door behind her. He could tell that she'd been crying and he got up from his spot on the floor with his toys and went over to her.

"Did you get a spanking?" the boy asked sympathetically.

Rachel gave him a confused look and shook her head. "No. I never get spankings."

"My parents would have spanked me if I left the house without telling them," Jesse replied, equally confused.

"I don't have a parent," Rachel said sadly.

"You've got Ms. Shelby," Jesse said. "She's like your mom."

"She doesn't want me," Rachel told him. "That's why I came here."

"That's not what my mom said," Jesse confided. "She said that Ms. Shelby wants you very much and that you're going to live with her forever."

Rachel shook her head again and wished the whole thing could just be settled. She was so confused. Jesse didn't know what to say, but he wanted to make his friend feel better so he changed the subject.

"Want to see something really cool?" Jesse asked.

"Sure," Rachel said with a shrug.

"I've got a big bin with about a million cars in it," he told her. "Look."

True to his word, Jesse opened the blue plastic bin on the middle shelf of his bookcase and pulled out a handful of Matchbox cars. Rachel smiled at all the toys and reached in to grab some of her own.

Back in the dining room, Shelby finished her cup of coffee and then looked at Martha and Desmond forlornly.

"I don't understand why she doesn't believe me when I tell her she's staying with me," Shelby said.

"Maybe you're not saying the right things," Martha said.

"I don't understand," Shelby replied as she looked between the two of them. "What should I say?"

A loud crash from Jesse's room pulled their attention away from the conversation and all the adults looked in the direction of the hallway.

"I'm going to put Jesse to bed," Martha. She looked at her watch and saw that it was just after ten. "Would you like Rachel to lie down as well?"

"Shouldn't I talk to her first?" Shelby asked. "She needs to know I want her."

"She's tired and upset and I don't think anything will be solved tonight," Desmond pointed out.

"He's right, Shelby," Martha said. "Come with me and tell her you love her and put her to bed and save the important conversation for tomorrow when you're both calmer."

Shelby nodded her agreement and got up to follow Martha. She wished she had some magic wand she could wave to make this all better. But since she didn't have that, she was glad to have friends in the St. James' and she hoped to be able to spend some more time talking with them tonight after the kids were in bed.

"Jesse," Martha scolded when she opened his bedroom door and saw the tiny cars scattered everywhere. The kids had dumped the bin over and were playing with the cars in the middle of the mess.

"It fell," Jesse told her with an impish smile.

"Well, let's get it picked up because it's time for bed," Martha informed him.

"Mom," Jesse whined. He couldn't possibly be sent to bed with while Rachel was still here.

"It is well past your bed time, young man," Martha said in an effort to stop any further arguing.

"Rachel's going to lie down for a little while too," Shelby said and Rachel looked up at her curiously. "But first I'd like to speak with her for a minute. Come with me please, Rachel." Shelby held out her hand and smiled when the girl took it.

Shelby led Rachel to the bathroom that was just down the hall from Jesse's room. She shut the door behind them and then sat on the closed toilet seat lid and pulled Rachel close to her and had the girl stand between her knees. She held Rachel's small hands in her own and rubbed the backs of them with her thumbs.

"Rachel, I want you to know that I love you very much," Shelby said. "I know that you're having trouble understanding right now and I promise that we will talk more about it tomorrow, but I do want you. You're not leaving me and I'm not leaving you."

"But I heard you," Rachel said with tears swimming in her eyes.

"You didn't hear everything that was said," Shelby told her. "And we will be having a talk tomorrow about eavesdropping on other people's conversations."

"What's eavesdropping?" Rachel asked.

"I'll explain it to you tomorrow," Shelby said with a tiny smile.

"Shelby?" Martha asked as she knocked on the door. "I've got some pajamas for Rachel to put on."

"Thanks," Shelby said. She opened the door and accepted the garments. "We'll be right out."

"Jesse picked them out for her," Martha said and Shelby smiled at the gesture.

"Am I staying here tonight?" Rachel asked once Martha was gone. Her lip started to quiver and a couple of tears made their way down her cheeks. Even though she'd run over there, she didn't really want to be left there.

"No, but Jesse's mom and dad and I are going to talk for a while and it's time for you and Jesse to go to sleep," Shelby answered. She wiped the tears from Rachel's face with her thumbs. "You're going to come home with me when I go home. Now come on, let's get you changed."

"Who is this?" Rachel asked a couple minutes later as she looked down at the big, dark helmet and mask on the pajamas she was wearing. They were too big and hung loosely on her, but they would be perfect for the night.

"That's Darth Vader," Shelby said.

"He looks weird," Rachel added as she scrunched up her nose at him.

"He's a pretty cool guy," Shelby assured her.

"Shelby?" Rachel asked softly after looking back up at her foster mother.

"Hmm?"

"You promise I'm coming home with you?"

"I promise, sweetheart," Shelby said. She drew Rachel to her and hugged her tightly. "I love you so much. I am not sending you back. You are staying with me."

"I love you too," Rachel whispered and Shelby smiled.

Shelby let the hug linger for a bit and only pulled back when Rachel started to yawn.

"Alright, let's get you to bed," Shelby said.

She picked up Rachel's clothes and shoes from the floor and opened the door. They saw Martha coming out of Jesse's room at the same time.

"Come on, Rachel, you can stay with Jesse," Martha said.

Shelby leaned down and kissed Rachel's head. "Goodnight, honey. I love you." She gave the girl a couple of soft pats on her bottom to send her over to Martha.

Martha led Rachel into Jesse's dark room and the girl could see that her friend was already in bed. There was a red light saber night light in a plug on the far wall and it provided enough light so she could see where she was going. Jesse watched as Martha pulled the covers on his double bed back and waited as Rachel crawled in beside him. Martha tucked the blankets around her and kissed Rachel's head.

"I love you, Rachel," Martha said and Rachel stared up at her in awe. No one besides Leroy and Shelby had ever told her they loved her, much less another kid's mom.

Martha leaned across Rachel and kissed Jesse's head again even though she'd already tucked him in.

"It's time to go to sleep so I don't want to hear any chatter from you two," Martha warned as she left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar and heading back to the front of the apartment.

When his mom was gone Jesse looked over at Rachel and took her hand under the blankets and squeezed it reassuringly. "Everything is going to be alright. You'll see."

Rachel squeezed his hand back and whispered, "I hope so."

It didn't take long for both kids to drift off to sleep even though their hands remained clasped together.

Martha returned to the dining room to see Shelby already back there and Desmond returning from the kitchen with a refill of their drinks.

"What did you mean when you said earlier that I wasn't saying the right things?" Shelby asked. "What do I need to say to help her understand? I've been telling her she's not going anywhere."

"But did you hear what she said?" Martha asked. "She said everyone always says that."

"And it never comes true," Shelby finished the thought.

"It sounds like she started to panic when you ask about things like the summer," Desmond added. "She doesn't want to think about the future because she's scared she won't be with you."

"I never thought about it like that," Shelby admitted.

"Have you told her that you want to adopt her?" Martha asked.

"I've never said those exact words to her," Shelby said. "I just figured that was implied."

"Shelby, she's eight," Martha laughed. "Sometimes with kids you've got to say exactly what you mean. Why haven't you sat her down and told her want to adopt her?"

"Leroy and I didn't want to get her hopes up until the process was farther along and everything was more certain," Shelby told them.

"But by telling her she's never leaving and asking her to help make plans for the future, aren't you kind of doing the same thing," Martha said. "Except in Rachel's case she doesn't understand what you mean and your reassurances are having the opposite effect and scaring her."

"She may be young, but I think she's clearly a bit jaded by the system because she's been burned so many times," Desmond said. "If you tell her you want to adopt her it will put it in a term that she knows without a doubt what it means. It'll give a more positive connotation for her."

"I agree," Martha said. "She needs to hear it."

"I will tell her tomorrow," Shelby said. "We'll have a long talk about it."

"Have you decorated her room?" Martha asked.

"No, it's still just like it was as a guest room," Shelby said. "I was planning on taking her shopping for furniture and decorations soon though."

"That's a good idea," Martha said. "Let her help make it her own."

"I'm excited to do that," Shelby said with a smile. "I just hope she likes it more than she liked shopping for clothes. That was like pulling teeth to get that done."

"But clothes are boring," Desmond said.

"Says the man who gets to wear scrubs all day," Martha laughed.

"I wear a suit when I'm in the office," Desmond argued, pretending to be offended.

"What kind of doctor are you?" Shelby asked.

"An orthopedic surgeon."

"That's so cool," Shelby said. "You guys have such interesting jobs." She was finally starting to relax that night.

"I don't think we need to start comparing cool jobs," Desmond said. "You've got us beat by miles."

"Maybe sometimes," Shelby agreed with a bashful smile.

She was really glad to have found friends such as these, and even though she just met Desmond that night, she felt like she'd known them both for much longer. They were both in their 40's and at just 28, Shelby was really starting to look up to them. They had been exactly what she needed tonight with Rachel and she knew in her heart this would not be the last time she came to them for advice and guidance.

"What happened today?" Martha asked after a few moments. "What did Rachel hear?"

"Oh," Shelby said and the smile left her face.

"Sorry," Martha apologized. "I spend all day in a courtroom making sure the conversation stays on topic."

"That's okay," Shelby told her. "I need to talk this out. Her social worker visited this morning and I was so nervous about him coming over that I kind of went a little nuts cleaning and getting everything ready and then Rachel spilled her milk all over the living room floor. She's right, I yelled at her. But she had run off to her room by the time I came back from the kitchen with a towel to clean it up and then Leroy showed up before I could talk to her. I showed Leroy around the apartment and then he sat with Rachel in her room for a while and talked to her. Afterwards he came out to talk to me and Rachel was supposed to stay in her room, but she must have been trying to listen in. But she's got it all wrong. I was saying that I want her out of the system and I want full custody as soon as possible. I have to admit that I was a bit childish because I just want everything to be worked out right now. And I was upset when Leroy said it could take months or even a year for it all to be official. But she must have not heard it all or didn't understand."

"And what did she mean when she said you didn't want to be around her tonight?" Martha asked.

"I don't know," Shelby answered honestly. "She was pretty quiet the rest of the day and I was all wound up and anxious because I was mad I'd have to wait. I needed to relax and so I eventually drew myself a bath and stayed in there for a while. She was gone when I got out of the bath."

Martha and Desmond just stared at her for a long few moments before looking at each other and laughing.

"How long is a while, Shelby?" Martha asked.

"I don't know; about an hour or so," Shelby told them.

"Shelby, she's eight!" Martha said again. "She doesn't need constant supervision, but you can't just shut yourself away for a long period of time because you need me time."

"But I was right there if she needed me," Shelby said.

"Shelby, honey, listen to me," Martha said. "If you need some alone time, take it after she's in bed for the night. Call and get a baby sitter and go out for a walk. Have your parents or us watch her for a weekend. But all of that comes second to what she needs. You are a parent now. Her needs come first."

"I do put her needs first," Shelby argued. "But I… The whole visit made me so nervous. And Rachel kept to herself. I just needed some time to unwind."

"Look, Shelby, we get it," Martha said. "You're young and have the luxury of a life most people only dream of. We remember what it was like to be 28 and having the time of your life. We didn't have an eight year old to care for at the time and I can honestly say we probably wouldn't have had a clue. But you do have an eight year old to care for. One that you've opened your heart and home to. Some of the selfishness that comes with being 28 and single and wealthy and not working at the moment has to be put aside for that little girl."

"I didn't think I was being selfish," Shelby lamented. "The first few days were so great and everything was going so well. I really thought I was getting the hang of it, but I just feel so lost when she cries and tells me she won't be with me long."

"I don't think Martha meant selfish in the way you're thinking," Desmond offered.

"No, not selfish, selfish," Martha clarified. "You're obviously not selfish because you've taken in a child that needs a loving home. But you can come and go as you please whenever you want. You can do anything you want. Raising a child changes that in many ways. Little things that never concerned you before are now going to be a part of your everyday life. Your ability to soak in a hot bath for over an hour at a time in the early evening has vanished for the time being. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah," Shelby sighed.

"It's a lot to take in," Desmond said. "And you're not getting the advantage that comes with having raised her since she was a baby. You're still learning who she is while trying to learn who you are as a mother. One week is not enough time to figure out either of those things."

"I'm so afraid I'm going to screw her up," Shelby said.

"You're going to save her from growing up even more trapped by the system she's been raised in so far," Martha said. "And don't you forget that."

"Any other advice?" Shelby asked them seriously. She wanted to hear anything they had to offer.

"Make her a part of the household," Martha said. "Having her help decorate her room to make it her own is a great idea. But give her day-to-day things to do. Give her chores."

"I don't even have any chores," Shelby said with a laugh.

Martha and Desmond both shook their heads and gave their young friend a reproachful look.

"Chores, got it," Shelby said more soberly, but there was a twinkle in her eye.

"Just remember that consistency is a key. And lots of love and understanding," Martha said.

"Most importantly, act like her mom," Desmond said. "Not her foster mother or the woman who has taken her in this time, but her mom. Be that strong force in her life. You are her parent now. And don't be afraid to put your foot down, even about tonight. Let her know she is not allowed to act like she did tonight."

"I haven't been a complete pushover," Shelby said. "She's already done a stint in time-out and she's restricted from her movies until after the weekend. I know I've got to be the authority."

"Good," Martha said. "Keep it up. Desmond's right; don't let her get away with tonight because she was so upset. If Jesse left this house by himself like that…"

"I won't," Shelby assured them. "I will deal with that after we have our talk tomorrow. I've got an idea in mind."

"Good girl," Martha said.

Ten minutes later Shelby was getting ready to leave and take Rachel home. She thanked Martha and Desmond profusely and tried to pay them back for the cab, but they wouldn't accept it.

"I don't know how I can ever repay you for being there for Rachel and for me tonight," Shelby said.

"There's nothing to repay," Martha assured her. "That's what friends are for."

Shelby stepped forward suddenly and hugged Martha close. Martha laughed and returned the hug and Desmond joined when Shelby held her arm out for him.

"Okay, let me get Rachel up and we will get out of your hair," Shelby said after they'd separated.

"No need to wake her up," Desmond said. "I'll carry her down for you."

The three adults entered Jesse's room and found the kids sleeping peacefully. Desmond easily picked Rachel up and cradled her to his chest. Martha took a plush dinosaur blanket and wrapped it around Rachel's sleeping form so she would stay warm in the cold night air.

Shelby went to Jesse's side of the bed and sweetly kissed his head. "Thank you for being such a good friend for Rachel."

Jesse didn't stir as Shelby tucked him in again.

Martha and Desmond went down and got Shelby and Rachel in a cab and then returned to the apartment and settled in for the night.

"I have the sudden urge to watch one of Shelby's movies," Desmond said and Martha rolled her eyes before stepping into their bathroom to get ready for bed.

Rachel slept in Shelby's lap the entire ride home and it took a bit of maneuvering once they got to the building, but Shelby was able to carry Rachel, the back pack and jacket, and the blanket up to her apartment. Rachel was soon tucked back into a warm bed and Shelby headed to her own room. She was emotionally exhausted and wanted to sleep but her mind was racing and it took her a while to nod off. But, despite her tiredness, Shelby set her alarm for an early wake up. Tomorrow was going to be an important day.

Rachel woke up a little after 7:30 the next morning and stretched and realized she was in her own room. She even had her blanket and some of her stuffed animals were on the bed with her. All of the school stuff she'd dumped on the bed the day before was now on the floor near the bookcase.

"Good morning, sweetie," Shelby said and Rachel rolled over to find the woman leaning against the open door frame with a cup of coffee.

"Good morning," Rachel said.

"It's time to get up now," Shelby told her. "Breakfast is ready and then you're going to have a bath and then we're going to have a talk."

Rachel pushed the covers back and sat up in bed. "Do I have to have a bath?"

"Yes, ma'am," Shelby answered. "Now let's get moving."

Later that morning Shelby and Rachel were sitting together on the couch in the living room. Rachel was sitting facing Shelby with her legs crossed. Under Shelby's instruction, Rachel had helped clear the breakfast dishes from the table and then had her bath. Now Shelby was ready to explain her plans for adoption to Rachel.

"Yesterday when you were listening to Leroy and me talk you heard some things that you didn't like," Shelby started. "But did you hear everything that was being said?"

"No," Rachel answered. "I couldn't hear everything."

"That, young lady, is why you shouldn't listen in to other people's conversations," Shelby scolded lightly. "That's what eavesdropping is. It's not polite and I don't want to catch you doing it again. You didn't get the whole story and you were upset because of it."

"But I always listen in when Leroy's here," Rachel admitted.

"Well not anymore," Shelby told her. "Is that understood?"

Rachel nodded and that satisfied Shelby for now. She would see how well Rachel did the next time Leroy was there.

"Now, about what you heard," Shelby continued. "I was telling Leroy that I want to get you out of the system as soon as possible."

"Out of the system?" Rachel asked.

"Yes," Shelby confirmed. "When I tell you that you're not going anywhere and that you'll be with me forever, I mean that I want to adopt you."

Rachel's eyes went wide and she sat up straighter. "You want to adopt me?!"

"Yes, honey, I do," Shelby said with a smile.

"No one has ever wanted to adopt me before," Rachel said excitedly.

"Well I want to," Shelby assured her. "And I'd like to do it as soon as possible, but it can take a long time. That's why I sounded like I was upset when I was talking to Leroy. I was frustrated. Can you understand that?"

Rachel nodded and moved forward and sat herself on Shelby's lap and looked up at the woman. "Do you really mean that I'm going to be a part of your family? That I'm going to be your daughter?"

"Yes," Shelby said. "And I'm going to be your mom. You know, we don't have to wait until the adoption is final for me to be your mom. I already think of you as my child. I would do anything for you and I love you very much. I want you to feel at home here because this is your home."

"I love it here," Rachel said. "You're the best person I've ever lived with. But I never thought I'd be adopted. Only babies get adopted."

"Well this time, baby girl, it is you who is getting adopted," Shelby said.

"How long will it take?" Rachel asked.

"I'm not sure, sweetheart," Shelby answered honestly. "Hopefully we can hurry the process along. But if it takes a while we have to make sure we don't get frustrated or upset with each other. We're in this together."

"What if something happens and you can't adopt me?" Rachel asked. "What if you change your mind?"

"I won't," Shelby said. "I promise that I won't." Rachel didn't look entirely convinced so Shelby tried a different tactic. "Do you know what a contract is?"

"It makes you have to do something?" Rachel guessed.

"That's right," Shelby said. "It's a written document signed by everyone involved and it spells out what each person has to do and once it's signed it has to be done. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah," Rachel said.

"Okay, good. You and I are going to make a contract," Shelby said. "Wait right here."

Shelby had Rachel get up off her lap and then she went to her office and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and returned to the living room.

"I'm going to make us a contract," Shelby said and Rachel watched with great interest as the woman leaned the paper on the coffee table and started to write. She showed it to Rachel when she was finished.

Shelby had labelled it 'Adoption Contract' and written the date in the top right corner. It read, 'I, Shelby Corcoran, promise to adopt Rachel Berry. I will love her and care for her every day. Rachel will always be a member of my family.' Below her statement appeared Shelby's famous signature followed by a comma and the words 'age 28.'

"There," Shelby said as she showed it to Rachel. "The only thing left for you to do is sign it yourself. If you agree, that is."

"I do!" Rachel exclaimed and she picked up the pen and wrote her name under Shelby's. And like her foster mother she added 'age 8' after her name.

"Alright, there we go," Shelby said with a smile at her young charge. "It's all official now."

Rachel beamed and wrapped her arms around Shelby's neck and held on as if it were for dear life. "You're not going to change your mind, are you?" the girl asked one last time.

"I promise I won't change my mind," Shelby said as she hugged her back just as fiercely. "You're going to be my daughter forever."

"I love you," Rachel said as tears started to flow down her cheeks.

"I love you too," Shelby choked up as well.

They stayed like that for a few minutes as they both cried. Rachel started to let all of her fears and worries go. For the first time in her young life she felt secure and truly loved in a home.

"What should we do with the contract?" Rachel asked after a while.

"Come with me," Shelby said as she picked up the contract and got off the couch. "I know just the place for it."

Shelby led them down to the hall to the office and opened one of the desk drawers and placed the contract inside. "We'll leave it right there so that we both know where it is and can look at it whenever we need too."

"I like that," Rachel said.

"Me too," Shelby agreed.

Rachel kept her eyes on the contract until the drawer was closed completely. She was on cloud nine as she left the office and walked back towards the front of the apartment. She didn't even notice until she got to the kitchen that Shelby wasn't right behind her. She looked back and saw Shelby heading her way holding a spiral notebook and an orange mechanical pencil.

"Shelby can I have a snack and watch The Music Man upstairs?" Rachel asked sweetly.

"No," Shelby answered. "You know that you're not allowed to watch any of your movies until tomorrow. And before you do anything else today we need to talk about your behavior last night."

"But-"

"Rachel, you left the apartment without permission and got in a cab by yourself," Shelby said. "Anything could have happened to you. I know you were upset and scared but leaving like that is unacceptable."

Rachel pouted at the scolding and looked up at Shelby with concern.

"You are not allowed to leave the apartment alone," Shelby said very clearly for the girl. "Is that understood?"

"Am I gonna get a spanking?" Rachel asked.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Jesse said that's what he would have gotten from his parents if he'd done that," Rachel said. "I told him last night that I didn't have a parent, but I do now 'cause you're gonna adopt me."

Shelby didn't allow herself to smile at Rachel's words and instead kept her face stern and serious.

"I certainly think a spanking would be an appropriate punishment for your actions, and you will get one if you ever do something like this again." Rachel gulped. "But this time I've got something else in mind."

A couple of minutes later Rachel was sitting at the dining room table with the notebook open in front of her and the pencil in her hand. She looked at the sentence on the top line and then up at the woman who had just written it.

"But, Shelby!" Rachel whined out her complaint. "It'll take me forever to do that."

"It will only take as long as you make it," Shelby said and she couldn't believe she'd just used the same line her mother had always used one her. "I want to see that written one hundred times before you can get up. I will be in the living room if you need me."

Rachel sulked as Shelby left her alone with her punishment. She played with the pencil for a few minutes and then flipped to the middle of the notebook and drew a picture for a while. When she grew tired of that, Rachel craned her neck to try and see into the living room. She wanted to see what Shelby was watching on TV. As quietly as she could, Rachel crept to the edge of the living room and saw Shelby sitting on the couch with her back to the girl. She was curled up in a blanket reading a book.

"Rachel," Shelby said without turning around and looking back. "Get back to that table right now."

Rachel gasped. How did Shelby know she was there? She scurried back to the table and hurriedly sat down. Rachel was relieved few moments later when she realized that Shelby hadn't followed after her. Shelby smiled widely at her book and silently thanked the TV for showing Rachel's reflection.

Rachel spent another ten minutes procrastinating before letting out a labored sigh and picking up the pencil. She turned back to the front of the notebook and looked at Shelby's sentence. 'I will not leave the apartment by myself without permission.' Rachel wrote the number one on the line below that and got to work on her punishment.

Things were much more relaxed around the house that week and Rachel seemed to walk around with more confidence and swagger. It was her house now too, after all. Shelby had told her on Monday that they would be shopping for furniture that upcoming weekend and she wanted Rachel to think about what type of things she would want in her room. Rachel was beside herself with excitement and was practically dragging Shelby into the high end store that Saturday morning.

They were approached by a salesman as soon as they entered the store and Shelby promised to find him later, but for now she just wanted to look around for a bit.

"Look at that!" Rachel said. She let go of Shelby's hand and started to run towards the bedroom set she had just spotted.

"Rachel, stop running," Shelby ordered, but it fell on deaf ears and the woman hurried to catch up with her. "Rachel, you can't just run off like that. You need to stay with me."

"But look, it's a car bed," Rachel pointed. How did Shelby not expect her to run when there was something this cool here? The frame of the bed was in the shape of a race car and it was purple and awesome and Rachel knew that it was the one.

"I see," Shelby said. "And why do you want a car bed?"

"Because it looks like all the cars Jesse has in his room," Rachel said. "We play with them at his house."

Shelby shook her head; she should have known. Rachel had been to Jesse's house twice that past week to play. She'd been upset and pouted when Shelby told her he couldn't come over on Thursday because he had his singing lesson. Dance was on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

"Let's keep that one in mind, but how about we keep looking," Shelby said diplomatically. She was prepared to let Rachel pick out what she wanted, but within reason. She wanted to get a bedroom set that would grow with the girl and not something she'd want to get rid of in a year.

"Okay," Rachel said. She'd look, but she highly doubted she'd find anything as good as that purple car bed.

Two and a half hours later Shelby was ready to start pulling her hair out. They'd been going in circles trying to pick out just the right set because Rachel couldn't decide. Shelby knew which one she wanted, but Rachel wasn't ready to make up her mind.

"Can we go back and look at the one in the corner again?" Rachel asked. "It had the pretty pink blanket on it. I really like that blanket."

Shelby had tried to explain that the bedding didn't actually come with the bed when they bought it, but Rachel didn't get it. Eventually Shelby just dropped it; she could tell her again later at home.

"Sure, let's go look," Shelby said. She knew the set Rachel meant and that was a good one. It wasn't Shelby's first choice, but she wouldn't be opposed to it either. It was a queen bed and beautifully made nightstands and a dresser. There would be plenty of storage for the room with that set.

Rachel once again led the way and beat Shelby to the display and was up and jumping on the bed by the time the woman got to her.

"Rachel, stop that right now," Shelby said sternly.

Rachel kept up her jumping and stayed just out of Shelby's grasp. "This is the one I want."

"You are not getting anything unless you stop jumping on the bed right now," Shelby said and Rachel immediately halted her jumping and plopped down on the mattress on her bottom and smiled impishly. "I don't want to see that again. Now come on so we can pay for this and get out of here."

Three days later the bedroom set had been delivered and the old set removed. The room had been painted a pale yellow and there were framed posters from the musicals Rachel had seen and liked on the walls. There was a bit more decorating that needed to be done, but for now Shelby was happy with the progress.

Rachel had wanted to play in her room all afternoon and Shelby left her be for the most part although she did pop her head in from time to time to check on her. Ever since Rachel took off Shelby had been acutely aware of where the girl was in the house. Shelby was on her way back there now to see if Rachel wanted to help her make dinner.

Shelby could hear the bouncing before she went into the room and sure enough Rachel was jumping on her brand new bed. Rachel had her back to the door and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself as she attempted to jump higher and higher each time.

Shelby crossed her arms and cleared her throat loudly and Rachel turned around and quickly fell to her knees on the bed. She tried to scramble off the far side of the bed, but Shelby caught her by the back of her overalls and they both fell on the bed.

"I didn't mean to," Rachel said and Shelby laughed.

"Is there some magical force in here that makes you jump on the bed?" Shelby asked. She pulled Rachel to her as she leaned back on the multiple pillows and stuffed animals.

Rachel hugged Shelby around the neck and rested her head on the woman's shoulder. "Yeah, and it's too strong and I have to jump."

Shelby relished in this easy closeness and held Rachel tightly. "Just as long as that magical force knows that you're going to be in trouble if I catch you again." She patted Rachel's bottom firmly several times.

"It knows," Rachel assured her.

Sure it does, Shelby thought to herself with a wry smile. Sure it does.

A/N – Okay, that's all for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. I will be back with another chapter as soon as I can.

Please leave me a review and let me know what you think. It means a great deal to me. Thanks!