She adopted Noah first an energetic boy of seven, who had a rough start to life. His mother and father were young themselves, fresh out of high school when they decided to get married and start a family. Noah being their first and only child. The stress of everyday life and their in abilities to look beyond themselves forced Noah into Foster care at the tender age of two. After being found in the front yard of their dilapidated house alone,as the two inebriated adults fought. One of the neighbors who had become very familiar with this scene called Child Services. They arrived in ten minutes and that was last time Noah saw his very broken family. After that he found a decent foster home, where he had been care of and loved until Shelby adopted him at seven. He didn't understand why he had to leave with this woman, and pleaded to stay with the only family he knew. The kind woman who was Noah's foster-mother explained, that she would love to keep him, but she was getting older and was afraid she might not live long enough to raise him. Little did he know his foster-mother was sick with cancer and since Noah was the last of her foster children. She couldn't just keep him, full knowing that they soon would have to be parted. It was hard for little Noah, but he pulled through thanks to Shelby's understanding and loving nature. She knew the little boys attachment to his foster-mother was strong and did not look to replace or change that. She loved him so much and loved the woman who basically raised him up until this point and would never dream of separating the two. Noah's foster-mother trusted Shelby, if she didn't she wouldn't have let her adopt her little Noah. So, Shelby adopted him and made sure to allow him the ability to see his foster-mother when ever he wanted up until her death three months after.
Santana was her second child and the sassiest. Shelby loved Noah so much and he loved her. They were happy with their hectic life in New York. Shelby being a working mom to an eight year old boy whose' mischievous side always seemed to come out at the wrong moments. Had a very fulfilling life. She still was working on Broadway and enjoying every minute of it. But mostly she loved coming home to a son that adored her. One night she was sitting in her office working, she stopped for a moment and began flipping through some pictures in a small photo album that she kept on her desk. The first few were of her with Rachel at the hospital, the Berry's had allowed her to snap a few photos with her precious daughter before she was taken away. The next were of her and Noah, he had changed so much over the year became so independent and mature. Of course he still needed her, but he had definitely blossomed into his own. She was staring at the picture of Noah all geared up for his first game of tackle foot ball. The phone began ring Noah's old case workers name came up, Shelby looked curiously at the phone because she hadn't really talked to the woman in over a year. She quickly picked up the phone, so Noah wouldn't be woken up by the barrage of rings. The apartment was huge by New York standards,but sounds tended to carry and Noah was excitable. So if he woke up, the mother knew she would have a very energetic and bouncy eight year old boy on her hands. Picking up the phone she spoke "Hello?" The woman on the other end responded, "hello, Ms. Corcoran? This is Beth Everett, Noah's old case worker." Shelby responded "Hello, Ms. Everett. I remember, a year might be long for some, but definitely not for me. What can I do for you?" Ms. Everett cleared her throat "Well Ms. Corcoran, I was curious how you and Noah have been getting along?" Shelby thought to herself, it's been a year and she has made no contact before. But now is calling to ask about my darling son, something is going on. Shelby quickly responded "Noah is a wonderful son and great little boy. I love him more than I could ever imagined. He's handful sometimes though" Both women chuckled a little "but I wouldn't prefer it any other way." Ms. Everett clears her throat again "That's wonderful I was so happy when we found such a great home for Noah. He really is such sweet and caring boy. He really needed a stable and caring home so he could thrive. So many children never get that option especially when they are on the older end like Noah." Shelby hated when she talked about Noah or any children that way, just because they weren't babies. Most people acted like the child was deformed when they were above the age of four. Shelby a little perturbed, but understanding because this is the system that this women had to work in and these were the sentiments that she was bombarded with everyday. " Yes, Noah is older by your standards. But was a little boy when I got him at the tender age of seven and I love him so much, I couldn't imagine a better fit." The woman on the other ended could sense Shelby's disagreements with her earlier statements and again began " Actually that is why I called you, I was hoping that you might be interested in adopting another child? She is seven and her name is Santana. Much like Noah, she is a little fire cracker." Stopped by Shelby mid sentence " Ms. Everett you know I would love to help. But honestly I don't think I could handle another child, I mean between the play and Noah. I don't think I would have time to devote to another child, I'm sure she's..." Ms. Everett began, now cutting off Shelby at the punch "I really do understand what you are saying and I wouldn't have called unless I felt this child had another option. But to be blunt,she really doesn't. Much like Noah she was put into foster care at young age, she was around three years old. Her parents one day decided to desert her, leaving her outside a police precinct. Luckily an officer heard her crying and went outside to investigate. From that day on she has been in the care of the state..." Shelby could feel her heart melting for the little girl, Noah had at least found a better home when he was taken away from his biological parents. This girl, had lived with her parents for three years, only to be tossed out and deserted like yesterdays news. But she couldn't fall just yet, she had to speak to her son . Shelby trying not to give away her feelings, but failing miserably "Ms. Everett I will have to stop you there. I would love to help, but I have to talk Noah first. I mean this is home and he has right to decide if anyone can come in and disturb that." Ms. Everett sighed knowing that she had convinced Shelby "I totally understand. You talk to Noah and then get back to me when you can. Let me just say Shelby, you are great mother. I am so glad Noah found such a wonderful home." Shelby blushed a little "Thank you and I will call you back as soon as I discuss it with him. Have a great night, Ms. Everett." With that she hung up the phone.
Now off the phone she noticed the visitor standing in the doorway. Cocking her one eyebrow while she looked directly at him she spoke "Sweetie what are you doing up? Hmm? It way past your bed time?" Noah smiling brightly, but then looking downwards staring at his bare feet because he knows his mother was expecting an answer " I heard the phone ring and woke up." Shelby knew by his answer, that Noah had not fallen asleep yet and wanted to see what all the excitement was about. Shelby forever the softie called Noah over and pulled him into her lap "Sweetie, Mommy has something she wants to talk to you about." Noah quickly nuzzled into her chest knowing by her tone that this was going to be a long talk. Noah asks innocently "what about?" Shelby began again "Well sweetie remember when you first came here and Mommy told how sometimes parent have to give their children up because they can't properly take care of them?" She goes to pick up the discarded photo album and flips to a shot of her with Rachel "Do you remember when I told you about Rachel and how Mommy had to give her up. But I loved her so much, just as your parents and Karen loved you? Noah sighed and wondered were this conversation was going "yeah, you said that they loved me so much that they wanted someone to take care of me better than they could. And that Kiki couldn't keep me but she picked you out special." Shelby pulled him in closer and began gently rocking the desk chair back and forth "Yes that is right. She wouldn't just let any person take her little Noah." As she said this she tickled him and asked "right? Right?" Noah began to giggle and squirm begging his mom to stop.
When he finally settled down, she began again " So I wanted to know how you felt about maybe adopting a little sister? I want you to understand buddy, that you can tell me exactly how you feel. Don't worry about hurting Mommy's feelings, O.K.?" Noah took in the moment and then became excited when an idea came to his mind " Is Rachel coming to live with us?" Shelby sighed at the mis-communication between her and her son "Even though I am so happy that you love Rachel so much. Rachel has her own home and daddies. And we wouldn't want to take her away from that would we?" Little Noah thought and nodded in agreement and responded with a "Your right mom. She probably would be scared, if we took her away." Shelby couldn't help but grin at her sweet Noah's response "Your right Sweetie. No mommy was talking about another little girl. How would you feel about having a younger sister?" Noah sat up a little and looked up at his mother " I think, I would really like to have a sister. But would I have to share my toys?" Shelby chuckled at this, leave it to Noah to get down to business "Of course not Sweetie. You would have your toys and your room and she would have her toys and her room. She could only play with your stuff if you gave her permission. But I just want you to realize that Mommy's attention would be split between the two of you,but that doesn't mean that I love you any less? " Noah was deep in thought taking this all in "Mommy, I really would like a sister. Sometimes I get lonely around here being the only one. Plus if theirs another kid I won't get trouble all time." After he said this he began to giggle, Shelby couldn't help but begin to tickle him again and say "I don't know about that buster." Another tickle fight began Noah succeeded moments into it beginning. Then he began to pepper Shelby with questions about his sister to be. After he was thoroughly satisfied, Shelby tucked Noah back into bed and wished him good night.
After looking at the clock and noticing that is was eleven she decided to give Ms. Everett another call. Shelby told Ms. Everett of Noah's positive response and regaled her with his plethora of questions. Ms. Everett was elated with his response and of Shelby's quick conversion. But she felt she had to disclose all the little girls history before she went any further. "Shelby I'm elated that you are so interested and just beside myself with joy that Noah is excited. But I feel it's only fair that I finish telling you about Santana. Now what I was going to say before is that Santana since entering the system has had over twenty different foster homes in the last four years. All I can say is that these moves were necessary to keep the child safe and were in no way brought on by her behavior. But from this experience, it has jaded the little girl so much that she doesn't really warm up people right away especially, adults . So let me just say you will have your work cut out for you. But she truly is a darling girl and quite cute once she warms up to you." Shelby hearing all this began chewing on her bottom lip as the woman on the other end spoke. She just couldn't make herself say no to this little girl. Shelby started "Well, Ms. Everett after hearing her story, I have already fallen in love with her and am more than willing to do whatever it takes to get this little girl to trust me. So I'm afraid you will have to deal with me yet again ." After Shelby finished both women laughed "Well Ms. Corcoran it would be my honor."
Three weeks later Shelby welcomed her second child into the Corcoran family. As promised Santana, was a fire cracker. She and Noah from the start hit it off . With the sibling duo working together they gave their mom a run for her money. The little seven-year old had the most angelic face and this lolled any adult into a false sense of security making them think "really how much trouble could she get into?" Shelby learned the hard way months into their little family coming together that this child had a gift for mischief. She was downstairs helping Noah with his homework after dinner one night. When she had looked at her son from across the table and asked the fated question "Sweetie, do you know where San is?" Noah shook his knowing all to well, that since Santana got here if the house was quite than that meant Santana was up to no good. Shelby got up from the table and told Noah to finish his homework as she went looking for the young child. Santana had fit right in with the family and adjusted very nicely to Shelby mothering her. Shelby began to understand and read little Santana just as well as she could read Noah. But this was definitely her introduction into Santana's abilities. Creeping down the hallway into little girls room, she found Santana sitting quietly. At first Shelby was chastising herself for thinking anything but good thoughts about her little princess. But on closer inspection she found out why Santana was so quiet. She had taken the arts and craft paint from downstairs and decided to paint a small mural on her wall. Now, it hit her Santana's unusual question from earlier "Mom, how much paint does it take to paint a picture?" How could she not of seen that coming. Shelby yelled to startle the child hard at work "Santana Marie Corcoran what are you doing?" Santana freezing knowing she had been caught, turns to her mother who is now in the room quickly approaching the girl. She begins to pout and tries to explain as her mother helps her off the ground "Mommy, I was just trying to make my room look pretty, like yours." Shelby thought for a second, now it all clicked she was referring to the wall with the flower mural running up the inner wall of her bedroom. Well needless to say Shelby didn't punish her all that bad. She grounded the little artist for three nights, which meant no longer than two hours a play after dinner. Then she had to finish her homework downstairs and take a bath and go to bed early. Santana definitely learned her lesson.
In all the craziness of two kids, Shelby felt guilty leaving them home as much as she had to keep her successful Broadway career. One day she decided to ditch the Broadway lights and pack up her kids moving them back to Lima where she had left her first baby all those years ago.