Chapter 4:

It has taken several days for Rachel to relax and get well after coming home from the hospital. She's observed Shelby constantly cleaning the whole house. As for Molly, Anthony has taking her home with him.

"Rachel did you take a shower?" Shelby asked on a Friday afternoon.

Rachel was eating vegan ice cream and watching TV. "Not yet."

"Well, I'd like you to please take a shower." Shelby says.

"Why?" Rachel asked. "I shower when I want to shower." She quickly responds.

Shelby sighs. She really doesn't want to raise her voice. "Please? Take a shower now. My family is coming over lunch." Shelby tells Rachel. She looks over at Rachel who finally turned off the TV. and placed the ice cream on the table.

"Nice of you to tell me." Rachel runs upstairs. Shelby sat on the couch to think. A few days ago she was comforting her little girl and now all she gets is an attitude. She's trying her hardest but she promises to never give up.

Her family has understood Shelby and Rachel's relationship. They support Shelby one hundred percent. They hope Rachel will love them. It saddens Shelby that she thinks Rachel doesn't even love her, her own daughter.

She isn't sure how Rachel will take it when she meets the family but she'll find out sooner rather than later.

Shelby was told not to cook anything. Her mother, Lorraine Corcoran took the offer to make lunch. She was reminded the way how her granddaughter eating lifestyle is. She baked some goodies as well with the help of Shelby's little sister.

She made sure the table was set with plates, knives, forks, spoons, cute cups, and candles. Rachel thought how ridiculous Shelby was being. "Why do you want everything to look nice?" Rachel asked as she came downstairs.

"Because I've told you already. I haven't seen my family in a while."

"So you want to make a good impression for them?" Rachel asked sitting down on a chair.

"Yes Rachel." Shelby responds. She's actually amazed that this is the first time the two spoke to each other without getting angry or giving attitudes.

The mother takes a look at her daughter. She looks so adorable with her poka-dot skirts and a white tank-top with a black cardigan. Her hair was in a ponytail. "You look very nice."

Rachel gives a smiles. "You said you haven't seen your family in a while. How come?" She asked eyeing at Shelby. Rachel watches as Shelby slowly took a seat in front of her. She clears her throat before speaking.

"I'm a Broadway star. I've done shows Rent to Wicked. It was my dream. I'm really busy most of the time. I lived in New York ever since then. My family lives in Lima Ohio-" Rachel's head is down. She's suddenly upset by the mention of her home town.

"I used to live there." She says sadly.

Shelby reaches her right arm to comfort Rachel by touching her hand. "Rachel honey, I didn't mean to.."

"No." Rachel shook her head. "Tell me about your family." Rachel says. Shelby knew that this was a start of a new beginning.

"Your grandparents Laura and Jonathan Corcoran are the greatest people in the world. They've supported me through everything, and when I had you. I looked up to them and reached out. They are always there for you and everyone in the neighborhood where I grew up loves them. They are truly amazing." Shelby smile through the whole entire time while talking about her mom and dad. "Then I have an older brother. His name is Michael Corcoran but you can call him Mike. He's thirty-four and married to my sister-in-law Nancy. They have two kids who are fraternal twins, Angelica and Lucas who are three. I'm very close to my brother. He protected me and always had my back if I was in trouble. Then comes my sister Christina she's thirty. Her and her husband, my brother in law-Charles are trying to have a baby. She and I really didn't have a close relationship. She was always jealous of me for some reason. I always wanted that big/little sister relationship with Christina. It just never happened." Shelby sighed.

She wished the way they grew up were different. "And when she sees me now it's a little awkward. And finally my baby sister Juliet she's 20. She's in NYU studying to be a teacher who teaches students with disabilities. I look out for her all the time. She's the baby of the family and we try to catch up on everything. Age difference doesn't matter at all..it makes us closer." Shelby says finishing the story about her family who will soon be Rachel's as well.

"Sounds like a picture perfect family." Rachel looks Shelby in the eye. "Do they know about me?"

Shelby nods honestly. "Of course they do. I told them about you."

Shelby could tell Rachel wanted to say something but she hesitated. It was too late to say anything since the doorbell rang.

The Corcoran's have arrived. They've greeted each other with love and hugs. They've also noticed someone who they have never seen before. Shelby wasn't surprised how emotional her mother Laura become.

For Rachel she was a bit nervous at first but she has opened up. Rachel's aunts and uncles all played together outside with her and the twins while Shelby helped gather the dessert together with her mom and dad.

"She's beautiful Shel." Jon says smiling out the window. "You're doing the right thing."

"Thanks dad." Shelby smiles.

"She looks just like you when you were younger." Laura says. "Does she sing?"

"I'm not sure. We're not really there yet. Today was the only time we had a talk without arguing and fighting..." Shelby paused to hold her tears. "I don't want to screw this up mom and dad."

Jon and Laura hug Shelby. They break out of the hug when Rachel comes back inside with her Uncle Mike and cousins. "That smells amazing." Mike takes a moment to smell Laura's amazing homemade double chocolate cake.

"It's your favorite." Jon reminds Mike. "Actually all your favorites." He smiles and glances at Rachel. "Do you like chocolate?" He asked.

"Yes." Rachel simply responds. "Rachy Rachy! Go play!" Angelica holds hands with her big coming. "Come!" Luke cries. Rachel giggles and goes back outside with the twins.

'They love her." Mike says looking at Shelby. "I love her. We all do."

Shelby nods. "I love her too." She says. "I love her so much..that I made a life changing decision just to be with her all the time. All I really want is a happy and healthy relationship with my Rachel."

"And you will." Laura says stroking Shelby's hair. "I can see the best mother-daughter relationship with you beautiful girls." Shelby takes the words of her mother in mind. She'll always remember what she said.