Rachel was settling in well with Shelby and Beth. Santana was allowed to stay over 1 night a week and Rachel was allowed to stay at Santana's the same. Both girls weren't happy with the change of rules but they soon settled down. Hiram was dead, they found a stolen car wrapped around a tree, the car caught fire and the petrol tank exploded, killing the person in it. They managed to identify him as Hiram Berry via his dental records. Hiram's death brought out different emotions in everyone. "Thank god that bastard is dead. I'll be damned if I ever let him hurt my baby again." Santana said when Shelby told them the news. "He was still my dad. There was still a part of me that loved him. I'm glad he's dead after what he done. But now I'm upset that both people who brought me up are dead." With Hiram Berry now dead, the entire Berry estate went to Rachel. She inherited a seven number sum of money, as well as their house. Rachel and Shelby made an appointment with a lawyer to start the process of getting the house sold. Today though, Rachel was spending time with Puck and Beth. Beth had just been out down for her nap. "Sooo, how are you my Jewish American Princess?" "I'm good Noah. I'm good. Better than I've been for a while. I've got good family, an amazing girlfriend, and awesome friends." She reached out an gently punched Puck's arm, indicating that he was a friend she treasured. "What more could a girl want?" "That's true. Very true. So I have something to ask you..." "Yes?" "Well you know I've been dating this girl Katie right? The sophomore in the Cheerios?" "Yes. She's a nice girl, what about her?" "Well up until recently we've just been kinda casual, y'know? Like just going bowling and stuff, casual sex but she wants me to meet her parents this weekend." "And do you think you're getting serious enough to meet her parents?" Rachel asked curiously "I don't know... Maybe." A blush crept up his cheeks. "Oh you do! You sooooo do! Noah Puckerman you're falling for someone!" Rachel's eyes lit up. "Okay yes, I kinda am. So what do I do?" "Meet her parents, and for the love of god, don't sing that song that Finn sang the first time he met Quinn's parents." They both laughed at the funny memory, it's funny now but at the time it was catastrophic. "I really miss him." Rachel sighed "he always knew what to do or say, when everything happened with my Da- with Hiram, and I didn't know what I felt? Finn would have explained it to me, and it would've been clear." "I know. I miss him too. You want the truth? I haven't played COD since he died, cuz that was always our game. I just, I haven't had the heart to play it since." Puck wiped away a tear from his eyes, then took the pads of his thumbs and wiped away Rachel's. "Hey, no crying. He would hate that." "I know. Let's do something to cheer us up a bit. " "Ok. Like what?" "Uh... Well Beth will be up soon. Let's make her a salad in the shape of a clown face." She said hopping up off the couch and into the kitchen. Puck laughed and got up and followed her. "You have no idea what fun is!" He said throwing some lettuce at her. "Noah! For heavens sake! Don't throw food!" Rachel said with a devilish look in her eye. "I don't like that look on your face." Rachel then grabbed a handful of lettuce and flung it at him, it hit him right on the shirt. Leaving a wet patch. Before they got into a full food fight, Shelby and Santana walked through the door. "Puckerman, you better get my girl off your shoulder right now." Santana stood with her hands on her hips, pretending to be cross but she was actually overjoyed that her girlfriend was laughing again. "And look at the mess, what in earth were you doing?" Shelby said, a smile tugging at her lips. "Well we started getting into all that mushy emotional crap, then we talked about Finn and put ourselves in downers. So we decided to cheer ourselves up a bit." Pick explained. Placing Rachel on the worktop. "And what are you doing here so early?" Rachel said to her girlfriend, greeting her with a kiss to her cheek and holding her hand. "Well, I finished early today, and decided to pick Satan up and bring her over." Everyone exploded into laughter at the nickname Shelby used. "Thanks Shelbs, feelin' the love." "And Quinn and Mike are coming over for dinner also." Shelby added. Whilst cleaning up the mess that Puck and Rachel made. 2 hours later and everyone sat around the small table in Shelby's apartment. "Thank you for inviting me for dinner Ms Corcoran." Mike said "Mike, call me Shelby. And it's no problem. Beth adores you so you're practically family. Beth doesn't like many people." "A bit like her Mother." Santana squeezed in. "No, probably more like her sister-in-law." Shelby shot back. Santana and Shelby loved each other dearly, they just had a funny relationship. "Beff adore Mike!" Beth said from her high hair. "And Mike adores you too Beth." Mike tickeled the youngster under her chin, causing her to squirm in her seat. Quinn squeezed Mike's hand. She was so glad that they liked each other. It just made Quinn fall more in love with him. "I have an announcement to make." Santana said. Everyone turned their attention to Santana. "I know these past couple of months have been the worst ever. But Rachel, I'm so glad you're getting better. I love you. But before you got attacked, you had an audition for Julliard." "Oh sh..." Rachel exclaimed but stopped herself, remembering the tiny ears in the room. "But not to worry baby. I called the admissions officer this morning and explained the situation to her. She was deeply apologetic but agreed to give you another date. It's for exactly a months time. And I'm going to make sure nothing gets in the way of you and you're dream. I love you, mi princesa" Rachel stood up and kissed Santana fiercely on the lips. "Hey! There's kids in the room." Puck said getting up to cover Beth's eyes. "Sorry." Rachel blushed scarlet. "Well since we're making announcements.." Shelby said "I've bought a new house" Rachel laughed slightly, "uh Mom? Shouldn't you have discussed this with me?" "Well it's a surprise. But this morning I was away finalizing it. We move in next week." 30 minutes later and Shelby and Santana were standing in the kitchen. "How much did it cost you?" Shelby whispered "How much did what cost me?" Santana pretended she didn't know what she was talking about. "You can't fool me. I used to be a director Julliard, I know you miss your shot, that's it over. You want another shot? You have to pay. Big bucks. So, how much?" "Shelby, I don't mind paying, just please don't tell her. She deserves this. She's good enough for Julliard and broadway." "I know that, you know that. But they don't know that, they'll know that once she gets in - which we both know is going to happen. But I can't expect you to pay for that. So how much?" Santana sighed a long sigh "it cost me $3500." "Ok. Umm, can you wait a few months? All my money is frozen at the moment because of the house deal." "Shelbs, no worries. Keep the money. Buy Beth dancing lessons or something. I don't need your money. That's not a problem for me." "Ok, but you ever need anything. And I mean anything. You come straight to me. Ok?" Santana held out her hand. "Deal." Shelby pulled Santana into a hug "thank you for being there for me baby." "Thank you for letting me." Beth was sitting in between Quinn and Rachel, playing on Rachel's iPad. "Rae, where is Julli-lard?" Rachel and Quinn both smiled at the tot. "Julliard is New York babygirl." Beth sniffed and started to cry, she climbed into Rachel's lap and cried into her chest. Holding on tightly. Everyone rushed over. "Beth? What's wrong sweetie?" Rachel whispered into the girls ear "But that's far far away. I never see you, you forget all about me. You'll meet other Beff's. Don't go Rae." "Oh Beth." Rachel kissed the top of her sisters blonde hair. "Look at me please baby" the toddler looked up, her piercing green eyes were red and bloodshot. "I will never, ever forget about you. You are my favourite person ever. In the whole world. I'll talk to you every single day, and I'll come home and visit. And Mommy will bring you to New York too, to visit me and Tana. And I may meet a million Beth's. But you will always be my favourite. You understand?" Beth nodded her head. "I love you baby." "I love you too Rae. So much." Beth curled up on Rachel's chest again and held on tight, closed her eyes, and fell asleep. Rachel kissed her sister again. "I will never leave you." She whispered into Beth's hair.