Chapter 10
When Rachel was discharged a few days later, Shelby picked her up to take her home. She wanted to have a talk with her.
"Rachel, you know I'm not going to force you to do anything, right?" she asked.
"Yeah, mom. I also know that if I should decide to live with you, I can still go to McKinley High. I just wish that I didn't feel so much pressure." Rachel replied.
"Pressure? From who?"
"From this entire situation. I want to live with you, but I also don't want to hurt my dads' feelings. I love all three of you and don't want anyone to be hurt."
"I see. Maybe we should just let the courts decide, huh? We can arrange it to where you spend the weekdays with me and the weekends with your dads. Or the other way around. What do you think?"
"I like it." Rachel said.
By this time, they had arrived at Rachel's dads' house. Rachel walked in and was immediately greeted with hugs from her dads. A "Welcome home, Rachel" sign was hung in the living room, complete with gold stars.
"You guys know me so well." Rachel said, turning towards the window. She turned just in time to see Shelby drive away.
A week later, the three parents met in court. Judge Karen Jackson presided.
"This case is to decide custody of minor Rachel Barbara Berry. Who currently has custody?"
"We do, your honor." Hiram said, rising from his seat.
"All right. Let's begin." Judge Jackson said.
Questions ranged from whether Rachel was in any danger with two gay dads to the situation resulting in Shelby never having contact with her daughter to whether or not Shelby was a capable parent.
"Yes, your honor, I am a capable parent. I hold a full-time job as choir director at Carmel High School and my house is very child-friendly." Shelby replied.
"Have you ever had a child of your own, Ms. Corcoran?"
"I am unable to have children of my own. However, I have recently adopted a newborn child of a teen mother. I named her Elizabeth Marie."
"Would you do anything to harm Elizabeth or Rachel?"
"No, your honor. I love both of them with all my heart."
"All right. Based off the evidence, I see no reason why Ms. Corcoran, an obviously loving mother, should be denied access to her daughter." The judge began.
This is it. Rachel can live with me during the week! I can feel it. Shelby thought.
"However, I also see no reason why two loving fathers should be denied access to their daughter. It is the court's decision to award joint custody. Rachel will stay with Ms. Corcoran Monday through Friday afternoon at 3:00. By that time, Rachel will be with her dads until Monday at 3:00 pm." The judge said as a smile crept across Shelby's face.
" Ms. Corcoran, it will be your responsibility to ensure that Rachel is at her dads' house as close to 3:00 pm as possible. Same to you, Mr. Berry and Mr. Berry." The judge said, unable to think of another way to address Rachel's dads.
YES! Thank you, God! Shelby thought.
The looks on Hiram and Leroy's faces told her that they were not pleased with the court's decision, but they knew they would have to live with it. Shelby walked out of the court building and into the bright sunlight knowing that, in the end, everyone had won.
One or two more chapters to wrap this up! What do you guys think? Should I do another Shelby/Rachel story or Shelby/Will or a mixture of both?