It was 5:30 Wednesday morning when Ella July let herself into her daughter's home. She was planning on surprising the family by arriving early and making them breakfast. She knew no one was awake yet, and wouldn't be for a while, so she headed up stairs to the guest room to unpack. When she got to the top of the stairs, she found a small brunette walking out of Quinn's bathroom. Ella knew this was her "new" granddaughter, Rachel. Unfortunately, Rachel had no idea who this woman was, so she did the first thing that came to mind. She screamed. Shelby, Cassandra, Quinn, and Quinn's friend, Santana, came running out of their rooms. Shelby grabbed her daughter and tried to calm her down.

"Mom!" Cassandra said as she hugged her mother, "What are you doing here? Your flight isn't supposed to get in for a couple more hours."

"I wanted to surprise you, so I took an earlier flight."

"You certainly succeeded," Santana sassed, crossing her arms.

"Well hello to you too Mrs. Lopez," Ella chuckled, walking over to the teens and pulling Quinn into a hug, "Where are your parents this year?"

"Some island in China; off of China. Somewhere in there," Santana rolled her eyes Ella pulled her into a hug.

"I'm happy you could join us again this year," Ella said. This was the third Thanksgiving Santana would be spending with the large family while her parents went off to a vacation hotspot leaving her there.

"Ella," Shelby said as they pulled out of a hug, "I would like you to meet Rachel; your granddaughter." Ella crouched slightly to be eye level with the twelve year old.

"Hello Rachel. I'm your Gi-gi."

"Nice to meet you," Rachel said through a yawn and Ella smiled.

"And with that, I think it is time everyone goes back to bed," Ella said.

"What about you Mom?" Cassandra asked as her mother pushed her and Shelby towards their bedroom.

"Don't worry about me. I will have some things to do."

GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…GLEE…

When Rachel woke again, the sun was shining through her window and there was noise, and an amazing smell coming from downstairs. This was shocking to her; in the last month since she had been dropped off, someone always woke her before breakfast was served. She felt a little better when she reached to kitchen and found it was just Ella. She was dancing to the music she had playing while she stared whatever she was cooking.

"Good morning Rachel!"

"Morning," Rachel said as she hopped up onto the counter top, "What are you making?"

"These are hash browns, and there is a breakfast casserole in the oven."

"Yum. Do you need any help?"

"Not with this, but you could set the table," Ella laughed when Rachel pulled a face, "You asked. Go on." While Rachel set the table, Ella pulled the casserole out of the oven and turned off the stove, "I believe it is time to wake everyone so we can eat." the family spent the day watching movies and playing games.

Thursday morning, Shelby's parents, Aaron and Julie arrived a little after breakfast. Not long after, Shelby's brother, Gary arrived with his wife Nancy, and their sons: fourteen year old Arthur and eight year old Doug. Around two o'clock Shelby's sister arrived.

"We're here!" Janice yelled, ushering her five year old daughter, Helen, into the house while Blaine followed them. Her husband, Colin, entered a few moments later carrying a few bags.

"Where's Coop?" Aaron asked.

"He's picking Amy up. They'll be here shortly," Colin replied. Everyone was called to the dining room at 4:30. The table was large enough to fit everyone plus three more. Cooper's about to start filling his plate when his hand was smacked away by Julie.

"Grandma!" he whined.

"You know how we do this Cooper. We all say what we are thankful for and then we eat," Janice said. She started and it went around the table. When it was Rachel's turn she stood.

"I'm thankful for my friends, my brother and sisters, my new family, and my Mama and Mom." Shelby had tears in her eyes as the girl sat down. Rachel finally felt that she was part of the family and it made Shelby so happy. Her family was finally whole.

AN: So I think this is a really good place to end this story. But don't worry. I plan to create a one shot series about the Corcoran-July family; I just need some help with ideas. Send me something that you guys would like to see; past, present, and future.