Sorry for the delay guys, its an emotional one and please don't hate me for it. Its leading up to everything to come.
Happy Reading
5x03 - Glee and The Final Goodbye
Finn's and Rachel's Town House - Saturday Morning 02:45
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Finn and Rachel groaned simultaneously at the sound of Rachel's phone ringing in the early hours of the morning. Rachel sat up and turned on her bedside light as she went to answer the phone.
"Who could be calling at this hour?" Rachel groaned as she picked up her phone as her eyes adjusted to the light that now flooded their room.
"If that is Mercedes, Quinn or Santana with another crisis I will kill all of them" Finn complained as he rolled to the other side, throwing his pillow over his head to block out the light. The parents had a six month old baby who was only just sleeping through the night, they needed all the sleep they could get.
"It's my sister" Rachel checked the caller ID before answering "Hello... Marley do you have any idea what time it's is?... What?... Yeah I'll be there as soon as I can... Okay bye, love you too"
Rachel disconnected the phone call but continued to stare at her phone in slight disbelief. Finn who had turned back round when he heard Rachel's phone call, looked at his wife, concerned.
"Rachel what's wrong" Finn asked as he put his hands in Rachel's, for comfort.
Rachel eventually looked over Finn "My mom is in the hospital"
XoXo
Twenty minutes later Rachel was dressed and packing an overnight bag while Finn was getting her a train ticket to Philadelphia. Rachel didn't even know why her mom was in Philadelphia and Marley, who had gotten the call from the hospital just ten minutes before ringing Rachel, had no clue either.
"I printed your ticket off Rachel, you should get to Phily about half 7 and the rental car will be there ready for you" Finn explained as he rushed into their bedroom from the office "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you, I'm sure Santana and Brittany will have the kids"
Finn watched his wife carefully, he could tell how worried she was despite her best effects to try and wave it off as nothing. Rachel reasoned her mother had probably just had one too many drinks and had fallen asleep outside. That had happened at least three times before.
"No it's fine, I don't want to disrupt the kid's schedule. This is probably nothing, you know my mother" Rachel reasoned. She zipped up her bag and took the ticket from Finn who was still watching her, trying to decide if he should just ignore Rachel and go with her. He could see how conflicted his wife was about everything but he decided to do as she asked.
"Okay well I don't want you to worry about anything okay. I'll sort everything on this end. I'll ring Tina in a bit and let her know you won't be in" Finn explained as the pair walked down stairs, careful not to make any noise and wake their sleeping children.
"Thanks, tell her to call me though. If she needs anything" Rachel added as she sorted through everything in her handbag, doubling checking she had everything she needed.
"Will do" Finn agreed although he had every intention of telling Tina to only call if it was an emergency. Rachel's most loyal employee could handle things without Rachel for a few days.
"Okay ring me as soon as you know something" Finn instructed as he opened the front door for Rachel. Rachel put her bag on the fall then hugged her husband tightly. She needed his strength even if she couldn't admit it.
"I love you" Rachel said before she kissed Finn quickly but passionately. She pulled away and picked up her bags again.
"I love you" Finn returned
Finn watched as Rachel made her way to the subway and once she disappeared from view, he went back upstairs in the hope of getting a few hours more of sleep. However as Finn laid down in his double bed, worrying about his wife and mother in law he knew it wouldn't be possible.
XoXo
Philadelphia International Airport – Saturday 0800
Three hours later Rachel was waiting at baggage claim at the airport for her sister who had just got off her flight from Boston. Rachel had arrived at 0700 but decided she would wait for Marley before going to the hospital as she didn't want to face her mother alone.
Rachel was waiting for five minutes before she saw her sister walk through the crowds of people all waiting for their bags. Once she reached Rachel, Marley pulled her sister into a hug.
"Hey Sis"
"Hey" Rachel responded still holding on tightly to her younger sister. Eventually the two sisters pulled away and after Marley made a quick call to her husband to let him know she had arrived safely, the two got in Rachel's rental car and made their way to the hospital.
"So any idea why mom is in Philadelphia" Marley asked as Rachel pulled out of the airport car park. The two woman had a somewhat strained relationship with their mother. They had only ever been able to handle a few days with their mother at a time, especially as they got older.
"No clue, I stopped asking mom where she was currently living a long time ago. She just came to me, it was easier that way" Rachel explained. Rachel thought back to the last time she had even spoken to her mother and she could feel the guilt in the pit of her stomach when she realised it had been over a month.
"Yeah same here" Marley replied with a solomon nod "I spoke to mom two weeks ago though she never mentioned being here"
"Mom did always like to keep people guessing" Rachel replied absentmindedly as she concentrated on the road signs that's lead to the hospital. Rachel's guilt was starting to weigh her down as she wondered how long it would have been before she saw her mother again if she hadn't got that phone call.
"So how's my new nephew?" Marley wondered once she realised Rachel needed a change of subject. Mason was now six months old so he was not so much new but it still brought a small smile to Rachel's face.
"Finally sleeping through the night, I have some new pictures of the three of them I was going to send you I'll show you them later" Rachel explained as she thought about her children who would be on their way to swim class. From the brief call she had had with Finn she was relieved to know that he was managing without her. Although Rachel wasn't sure if he just wanted her to think that so she wouldn't worry.
Marley smiled over at Rachel "I have some as well"
"Who have we become" Rachel laughed lightly shaking her head.
XoXo
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – Saturday 0830
Rachel and Marley remained silent for the rest of the journey, neither of them feeling the need to fill the silence between them. Five minutes later Rachel had parked the car in the Hospital Car Park and the sisters made their way over to the reception area.
"Hello, we are here for Shelby Berry she was brought in last night, we are her daughters" Rachel told the nurse at the front desk.
"Let me just have a look" The nurse smiled at the two woman as she typed something on the computer then looked back up to them "Ah yes, here she is. I'll page the doctor to let him know you're here. Your mothers husband is just over there" The nurse pointed a middle aged man sat in the quiet waiting room. Rachel eyes went wide as she looked back at the nurse.
"I'm sorry our mothers what..." Before she could answer the Nurse was pulled away to another patient and the man she had pointed to was walking over to them.
"Rachel, Marley. Hi I'm Malcolm. You both look so much like your mother" Malcolm stated as he reached the sisters. Rachel looked back at the nurse for some kind of confirmation but she was still dealing with another patient.
Rachel and Marley shared a confused look before they turned back to Malcolm "I'm sorry but who the hell are you"
"I'm sorry I realise this must be a bit confusing. I'm Malcolm I'm your mother's husband" Malcolm introduced himself to the wide eyed sisters.
Malcolm looked to be nearing 60. His hair was already grey and he had a bald patch on top. He was wearing corduroy trousers and a cardigan. Rachel shook her head slightly, there was no way her mother was married to that man.
"There must be some mistake. Our mother isn't married" Marley exclaimed as she looked around the reception area almost like she expected it to be some kind of practical joke at her expense.
"I told her time and time again she should tell you but your mother is a stubborn woman" Malcolm explained as he pulled out his wallet then took out a photograph and handed it to Marley.
Marley gaped at the photo of what was clearly her mother stood with Malcolm outside a church. He was wearing a suit and tie and their mother was wearing a simple white dress holding a bouquet of wildflowers.
"Oh my god, that's mom in a wedding dress, outside a church. I don't think mom had ever set foot in a church before" Marley shoved the photo under Rachel's face "Rachel have you seen this"
Rachel didn't look at the photo or say anything for a few moments. She continued to look at the man in front of her so Malcolm took that as a hint to explain further.
"We've been married about two years. We were together about 6 months before that but at our age we didn't want to wait. I told her to tell you so many times I didn't want you to find out like this" Malcolm explained shaking his head slightly.
"What happened?" Rachel croaked unable to find her voice.
"Your mother came to town about 3 years ago after leaving ..."
Rachel held up her hand and Malcolm immediately stopped talking "No I meant last night, why is she here"
"We were at home, late last night about to go to bed and Shelby just collapsed. The doctor seemed to think it was a heart attack" Malcolm stated almost nervously. Meeting his wife's children for the first time was not going how he expected it. "Did you bring your children with you, I know Shelby would love to see them when she wakes up"
"Can you please stop talking" Rachel snapped as she ran her hands through her hair. Marley gave Malcolm an apologetic look then turned to her sister giving her a look Rachel knew meant 'calm down'. None of them spoke again for the next few minutes, the tension building between them. Luckily after five minutes a doctor walked over to them.
"Shelby Berry's family?" He asked. Marley immediately nodded her head and grasped Rachel's hand.
"Yes that's us"
"Your mother is awake" All three of them let out a sigh of relief at the doctor's words.
"It's seem it was a heart attack. Your mother has a blockage in one of her main arteries, which we need to clear. As soon as she's stable enough we need to operate" The doctor continued. When tears came to Marley's eye Rachel quickly wrapped her arm tightly around her sister.
"But she will make a full recover right I mean people have heart attacks all the time" Marley shrilled lightly.
"I'm afraid right now only time will tell. Once we have fixed the blockage we will know more" The doctor answered. The three of them just nodded their head in understanding.
"Can we see her" Malcolm asked. Rachel looked back at him, she could see the worry clear on his face and while Rachel wasn't sure what to make of everything yet it was clear to her that Malcolm loved her mother.
"Of course, we are just taking her to her room right now. We do have some papers that need filling out" The doctor explained as he walked them down the corridor towards Shelby's room.
"I'll pay for it" Rachel told the doctor at the same time Malcolm said "We have insurance".
The doctor just nodded his head at them deciding that they would discuss between them what they would do. He walked them into Shelby's room and after explaining that a nurse would be by shortly to prepare Shelby for the operation, he left the room.
"Hey honey, how you feeling?" Malcolm wondered as he walked over to the side of Shelby's bed and lightly took her hand. Shelby was sat up in bed but it seemed very hard for her to keep her eyes open.
"Like I shouldn't have had the steak last night" Shelby croaked trying to joke even though she was very tired and uncomfortable. Only Malcolm laughed back as Marley and Rachel seemed frozen in shock as they looked at their mother.
For a woman who was always up and about doing one crazy thing after another seeing Shelby in a hospital bed looking pale and weak with tubes in her nose and arm was quite a shock to the system for her daughters.
"Why don't I go fill out the paperwork so you three can talk" Malcolm stated. He kissed Shelby lightly on the forehead then quickly left the room.
Marley moved closer to her mother's bed "How you feeli-"
"I'm guessing out invites got lost in the mail" Rachel cut her sister off staring daggers at her mother. Marley gave her sister a pressing look. Out of the two of them Marley had always been more willing to give their mother the benefit of the doubt.
"I know I have a lot of explaining to do" Shelby reasoned. She tried to sit up further but winced in pain and quickly gave up.
Rachel scoffed "I'd say so"
"I don't think it matters right now you just need to concentrate on getting better" Marley affirmed giving her sister another look to behave, which Rachel just ignored.
"Is he rich or something?" Rachel wondered snidely
"Rachel -"
"Does he need a green card" Rachel continued ignoring her sister
"Rachel that's enough" Marley snapped
"I don't think it is Marley because I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that for the last three years our mother has lived just two hours away from me with her husband but she didn't think that it was worth a mention to either of us" Rachel ranted as she began to pace the room, unwilling to look at her mother.
"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life but you two were never one of them" Shelby affirmed. Marley squeezed her mother's hand affectionately while Rachel stopped pacing and gaped at Shelby.
"That's not an explanation mom" Rachel argued. Shelby nodded her head slightly, Marley moved closer to her mother sweeping Shelby's hair from her face.
"After everything I've done I didn't deserve your forgiveness. After all the times I had settled down some where before for it to not last long. I knew you wouldn't believe me this time and as time passed it got harder to tell you because I knew how hurt you both would be that I lied for so long" Shelby explained getting breathless as tears came to her eyes.
"We would have been happy for you no matter what. We are happy for you" Marley smiled down at her mother.
Shelby looked to Rachel who quickly looked away from her mother "He's a good man Rachel, please be nice to him" Shelby pleaded
None of them said anything again, not sure what to say. All Rachel wanted to do was scream at her mother for keeping such a big secret from her and Marley but Rachel also knew there was a time and a place for that. They would have time to talk after Shelby had recovered.
Eventually the nurse came to take Shelby to the operating room. After explaining briefly to Shelby what the operation would entail and telling Rachel and Marley were they could wait for news of their mother, the nurse began to wheel Shelby's bed out of the room.
"I love you both so much" Shelby declared as Marley kissed her mother's forehead lightly.
"We love you too mom" Marley replied. Marley looked at Rachel briefly, expecting her sister to say the same but the words didn't come as easily for Rachel.
"We will see you after" Rachel added.
Rachel watched as the nurse wheeled her mother out of the room and into the corridor where Malcolm was waiting. He kissed Shelby and told her he loved her before the nurses continued down the hall with Shelby. Rachel never looked away even after her mother was gone.
XoXo
Rachel's and Finn's Town House – Saturday 12:30
"Of all the crazy things Rachel's mother has done, settling down and marrying a retired Navy Officer has got to be the craziest" Santana laughed as she helped herself to another prawn cracker. Mercedes nodded in agreement as she helped Henry with his noodles.
"How's Rachel taking it?" Brittany wondered.
"Not well" Finn replied remembering the twenty minute phone call he'd had with his wife. Finn hadn't gotten a word in as Rachel ranted and raged about yet another crazy antic of her mothers. Finn knew she was yelling at him because she couldn't yell at her Mother while she was recovering.
"Daddy when is mommy coming home?" Rose wondered.
Finn hadn't told his daughter anything about her Grandma being in hospital and had just told her that her mommy was visiting her own mommy and would be back soon.
One thing Finn had learnt with Rachel away was that he never wanted her to leave again. It was so much harder getting three children ready in the morning without their mother there. Luckily for him there friends had stepped up. Sam had taken them to their swim class and Mercedes had picked them up as Finn had meeting with the school board. Santana had gone to Rachel's office to make sure everything was running smoothly and to explain everything to Tina and Brittany had picked them all up Chinese food that they enjoyed around the breakfast bar in Finn and Rachel's kitchen.
"Soon sweetie, have you eaten all your noodles and broccoli" Finn asked. Rose held up her empty plate and smiled at her father who was currently feeding her youngest brother his mashed up lunch. Finn smiled back at his daughter as Brittany took the young girls empty plate and put it in the sink. Before Finn could say anything else to his daughter his phone starting ringing in his pocket,
"Will you take over" Finn asked Sam handing him the baby bowl of mashed peas "Its Rachel"
"Hey baby, how's it going...?" Finn's voice trailed off as he walked into the living room.
"Can I have a cookie?" Rose asked with wide pleading eyes as she looked up at Santana, the auntie most likely to give her the cookie.
"Would your mom let you have a cookie" Santana smirked
"Yes" Rose lied smiling widely at Santana.
"You're becoming a good liar" Santana laughed as she handed Rose a cookie, the little girl looked like she had just been handed gold as she quickly began to eat it before her father came back and took it off her.
"I don't think Mason likes these mushed peas" Sam mused. Everyone looked at Sam who now had mashed peas all down his shirt. Everyone was laughing at Sam's expense when Finn walked back into the room.
Everyone turned to Finn, he was staring at his phone in disbelief and took no notice of the people staring at him.
"Finn are you okay? What happened?"
As soon as the question left Mercedes mouth she didn't need an answer, the look on Finn's face was clear enough.
Shelby Berry, Rachel's crazy, energetic, lovable mother had died.
XoXo
Ten minutes later, just as Rachel had done that morning, Finn was packing up his overnight bag while Santana printed him off a train ticket.
Finn was in a state of shock as he packed his things. He couldn't believe his mother in law had died. Shelby was a lot of things, she had never been a stable mother for Rachel and Marley but nobody could deny that she didn't love her family including her son in laws and Finn couldn't believe she was now gone from their lives.
Finn wasn't sure how Rachel was taking it. She has been in shock when she had called and told him with almost cold detachment. Finn just wanted to get to his wife as quickly as possible.
"Okay here's your ticket?" Santana stated as she walked into the bedroom and handed Finn the printed off ticket. While Finn and Santana sorted everything out for him to leave, Mercedes, Brittany and Sam were distracting Rose, Henry and Mason with a Disney film.
"Thanks Sans, you guys gonna be okay?" Finn worried. He had already noticed that Rose was upset her mother had already left and he wasn't sure how the four year old would handle her father leaving as well. He knew his friends could handle the three children but he didn't ever want Rose to think her parents were abdonding her - especially considering he's children were only just back to sleeping in their own beds after the kidnapping.
"Yeah don't worry about a thing here. I've called Quinn and as soon as her and Puck get here, we are gonna drive down to Phily. The kids are gonna love being with there favourite auntie" Santana reassured him with a teasing smile.
"I don't know how we are going to explain this to them" Finn shook his head.
"Don't worry about that yet"
"I can't believe this happened" Finn sighed as he took a seat on the bed. Santana sat down next to him and nodded in agreement.
"Me either, how did Rachel sound?"
"I don't think it has hit her yet, Rachel didn't have the best relationship with her mom and now she can never fix it" Finn acknowledged as he looked at the time on his phone before shoving it back in his jeans pocket "I better go"
Finn and Santana made their way downstairs. They walked into the living room to see Rose, Henry and Mason cuddled up with Brittany and Mercedes on the couch while Sam sat near them on the floor.
"Where you going daddy?" Rose asked. She walked over to her dad, who dropped his bag and picked up his daughter. Rose cuddled up to her dad and put her head on his shoulder.
"I'm going to see your mommy, you are going to stay here with your aunts and then come tomorrow okay" Finn explained. He kissed her head then went to put her down but Rose held on tighter to her dad.
"I come with you now" Rose pleaded. Finns heart broke at his daughters words. He didn't want to leave his children but he knew Rachel needed him more.
"No sweetie I need you to look after your brothers and Uncle Sam" Finn affirmed making it seem more important than it was "And if you do a good job I will let you have cookies for a week"
Rose looked up at her father, to make sure he was telling the truth about the cookies, then slowly nodded her head "Okay daddy"
"Come here sweetie" Santana held out her arms for Rose and after kissing her father's cheek Rose went to her aunt.
Santana noticed the anguish in Finn's eyes at the thought of leaving his daughter while she was still upset.
"We will see you tomorrow" Santana pressed, picking up Finn's bag and handing it to him "Give Rachel a kiss from us"
Finn nodded his head solemnly, said goodbye to everyone else then quickly left the house before Rose said something else that made it difficult for him to leave.
XoXo
Thomas Jefferson Hospital – Shelby's hospital Room - 1430
Two hours after making the call to her husband Rachel was still sat in her mother's hospital room. Although her mother was no longer there. The last two hours had been a blur of moments for Rachel. She remembered the doctors coming to tell them that her mother had had another heart attack while in the OR and hadn't made it. She remembered her sister falling to the fall in sobs while she stood there frozen in shook. She remembered Malcolm falling into his chair his own tears as loud as Marley's, Rachel still stood frozen.
Eventually Rachel had sat down in her own chair and remained there for the next hour as the doctors explained what would happen next, as she rang her husband then Jake when Marley couldn't. She remained in her seat as Malcolm went to fill out more paperwork and Marley went to get them a drink after she had eventually calmed down.
"Here Rachel"
Rachel looked up to see her sister handing her a cup of coffee. Rachel took the lukewarm drink as her sister took a seat next to her.
"Thanks" Rachel said before taking a drink. It tasted bitter and cold but Rachel didn't even notice.
"Where's Malcolm" Marley wondered
"I have no idea" Rachel sighed.
"Rachel, he's just as devastated as we are. It's obvious he loves -"
"I don't want to talk about this"
Marley gave her sister a pleading look "Rachel -"
"Marley please not right now"
Marley nodded her head and the two sisters remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Marley put her head on Rachel's shoulders when Rachel put her arm around her sister, both remained silent until Malcolm walked into the room a few minutes later.
"Hey girls, the funeral home people are here to take your mother with them but they said you can see her before they do if you want" Malcolm explained trying to keep his sorrow in check as he spoke.
Marley got up to leave them turned back when she realised Rachel hadn't followed her "Rachel?"
"I'll just wait in reception for you" Rachel waved off. Marley knew better than to argue with her sister so she followed Malcolm out of the room.
Rachel made her way to the reception area. She was nowhere near ready to see her mother, she was almost in a daze like everything around her wasn't real and her mother was alive somewhere sipping on a cocktail and flirting with everyone in sight.
Rachel threw herself down on a nearby chair and took out her phone. She noticed a few missed calls and texts from her friends but they knew better than to expect anything back from her. Rachel wasn't ready to talk to any of them, she knew her children and her magazine where in good hands until she was ready.
Rachel spent the next twenty minutes looking through the pictures on her phone of her children hoping their smiling faces would distract her from her thoughts. After looking at the same picture a third time Rachel noticed Marley and Malcolm walking over to her. Marley had fresh tears in her eyes and Malcolm had his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"You ready to go back to the Motel Marley?" Rachel asked as Marley collapsed down in the seat next to Rachel. Marley just nodded her head as Malcolm handed her a fresh tissue.
"Can we give you a lift anywhere Malcolm" Rachel asked. She had a lot of thoughts running through her mind at that moment and a lot of anger and resentment but Rachel realised none of it was directed at the man in front of her.
"I have a friend coming to get me, he's going to take me to your moms friends. I should tell them soon" Malcolm answered quietly, trying to keep his grief in check.
"Do you want us to come with you" Rachel asked quickly regretting it. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to a bunch of people, she didn't know, about her mother. Luckily for her Malcolm seemed to realise this.
"No it's fine dear. You should get some rest, I will meet you at the funeral home in a few hours. To start making the arrangements" Malcolm chocked up at the end and Rachel found herself reaching out for the elderly man, squeezing his hand before quickly pulling away.
"Yeah that's fine" Rachel affirmed, "I'm so sorry Malcolm"
Rachel wasn't sure what she was apologising for. For him losing his wife, for snapping at him before or for never getting the chance to know them together but Rachel knew it had to be said.
Malcolm smiled sadly at Rachel then left the two sisters to meet his friend. Rachel took Marley's hand then led her sister to their rental car. Malcolm was right, she needed some rest but Rachel knew she wouldn't be able to close her eyes without seeing her mother in her dreams.
XoXo
The Liberty Motel – Saturday 1530
After checking into the Motel, Marley went straight to her room to lie down but Rachel dumped her bag and went to sit by the small pool that the Motel rooms circled around.
Rachel laid on a lounger, as it was the middle of winter nobody else was around, so Rachel was left alone to lose herself in memories of her mother.
After ten minutes of going back and forth of being angry at her mother for all the secrets and sadness that they could no longer make it right Rachel was glad to see Finn and Jake getting out of a taxi and walking over to her.
Rachel got up from the lounger as they reached her. Finn hung back as Jake quickly hugged his sister in law.
"Hey Rachel" Jake greeted her sadly then looked around the pool for Marley.
"She's laying down, room 327" Rachel pointed in the direction of the room and Jake quickly took off to find his own wife.
Rachel wordlessly laid back down on the lounger as Finn dropped his bag and came to lie next to her. He wrapped Rachel in his arms and held her tightly.
"Kids okay" Rachel wondered after a few moments of comfortable silence.
"They are fine, missing you"
"The magazine" Rachel added. She hadn't even bothered to look at her phone since the hospital as she knew she wasn't in the right mind to deal with any work crisis.
"All in Tina's capable hands - she said she doesn't want you back for at least a week" Finn answered. He pulled Rachel closer to him and kissed her softly on the head.
"I don't want to talk about it"
"I'm only going to let you say that for so long" Finn quipped pulling Rachel closer. Finn knew when the right time to make Rachel talk would be because she would just bottle it all inside if he didn't push her.
"I know but for now will you just hold me and talk to me"
"Of course"
Rachel knew the time for talking would come but she was content to be wrapped in her husband's arms as he told her adorable stories of their children to distract her. After half an hour of listening to her husband's soft words Marley and Jake walked over to them reminding Rachel that they agreed to meet Malcolm at the Funeral Home.
The foursome slowly made their way to Rachel's rental car and once she had programmed the address in the GPS they made their way to the Funeral Home. Ten minutes later they parked outside and Rachel noticed Malcolm sat outside waiting for them. There was another man with him that Rachel assumed was the friend from earlier. When Malcolm noticed them he rose from the bench and walked over to them.
"Hi Malcolm" Marley greeted him warmly, like she had known him for longer than just 12 hours. "This is my husband Jake" Marley smiled at her own husband who had his arm wrapped around her "and that's Rachel's Husband Finn"
"Of course, Shelby has both your wedding pictures in our living room" Malcolm shook both Finn and Jakes hands as tears quickly came to his eyes at his own words. "I'm sorry" he added as he hastily tried to wipe the falling tears.
"I'm Frank, I'm sorry for your loss girls. Your mom was a great lady" Frank affirmed as he lightly slapped his friend on the back in a comforting gesture.
Marley smiled weakly at the pair "Thank you"
"I'm just here as moral support for Malcolm. I lost my own wife about a year ago. I hope that's okay" Frank explained. He looked at both Rachel and Marley but Marley was the only one really listening to him.
"Of course"
The six of them made their way inside the Funeral Home. Another shock to Rachel came when Malcolm told them there mother already had a funeral plan in place so not many decisions needed to be made. Rachel couldn't wrap her head around the fact that her mother who at one time didn't know where she would be living one week to the next had become so organised that she had a funeral plan detailed right now to the urn she wanted her ashes in and the flowers she wanted in the church.
With most of the details done all the family had to do was confirm everything and sign some paperwork so they were walking out of the Funeral Home half an hour later. The Funeral had been set for two days later which Rachel was secretly glad about as she didn't think she could last a week in Philadelphia.
"Some of your moms friends and co-workers said they were gonna drop by the house tomorrow. I know they would really like to meet both of you. All of you really, If that's okay" Malcolm explained. He looked tired and withdrawn and was now practically being held up by Frank but he still managed to smile encouragingly at the two women.
"Yes that's should be fine, it would be nice to meet the people who knew our mother so well" Marley answered
"We certainly didn't" Rachel snipped. She had said it quietly but they all heard her but knew better than to press her on it.
Finn watched his wife closely then looked back at Malcolm smiling apologetically at the elderly man "We'll see you tomorrow"
Malcolm and Frank left in the opposite direction as the foursome got into the car. They could all sense Rachel's bad mood as she switched on the engine and they decided to stay silent as they made their way back to the Motel.
XoXo
Finn and Rachel's Town House – Sunday 1030
The next day Mercedes, Sam, Santana and Brittany were staring wide eyed and frantic at the scene before them. The night before the children had gone to bed quickly all tired from the day's events and slept through the night but as it got to the time to leave the next morning it was a different story.
Mason had not stopped crying all morning. They had fed him, burped him, changed him and played with him but nothing seemed to be working. Henry who had recently learnt to climb was trying to get into everything. He was climbing up kitchen counters and book shelfs and was throwing anything that got in his way on the floor. Lastly, Rose had thrown a tantrum when packing up her things because Mercedes wasn't doing it the way her mom did and she couldn't decide which of her Build-a-Bear teddies to take which resulted in her declaring she was taking them all so she threw all her clothes across the living room to fit her teddies into her small case.
"How the hell do Finn and Rachel do this every day" Santana sighed as she watched Rose try to stuff another one of her teddies into her already full suitcase.
"There has to be something we can do to calm them down" Brittany reasoned, she was trying to smile encouragingly but it came out as a grimace.
"Let's bribe them" Sam stated like it was a fantastic idea. Mercedes gave her boyfriend a confused look.
"With what. They have nicer stuff than we do" Mercedes commented.
"Well we can't drive for three hours with them like this" Santana waved to the screaming children who paid no attention to the four adults watching them from the arch way that lead to the kitchen.
"Maybe we should call Finn" Brittany reluctantly admitted.
"No we can't! Finn needs to be there for Rachel right now and we promised him we could handle this" Santana pressed. The last thing she wanted to do was add to Rachel worries, if she thought her children couldn't be take care of properly by her friends.
"Maybe we should just threaten to call Finn" Sam amended. The others nodded in agreement so Sam stepped forward to address the children.
"Okay start behaving or we are calling your dad" Sam shouted to them, it went completely ignored by the three children as Mason continued to cry, Henry continued to throw things and Rose continued add toys to her suitcase.
"I knew that wouldn't work" Santana sighed as she stepped forward shouting to the kids "We are calling your mother"
Again nothing happened, the children behaved like they didn't even really see that their aunts and uncle were watching them. Both Sam and Santana stepped back.
"Anymore genius ideas" Santana snapped giving Sam a look, as if it was all his fault even though she knew it wasn't.
"Hey guys we are here" Quinn called. The foursome heard the door close then Puck and Quinn joined them in the arch way.
"Oh Quinn thank god" Mercedes praised. She pulled her friend into the living room and pointed to the children "Fix this"
"What's going on" Quinn mused with an almost amused smile.
"We don't know, fix it"
In just under a few minutes Quinn had each of the children settled and ready to go, Santana was convinced Quinn somehow had magical powers as she firstly soothed Mason by stripping him of the outfit Mercedes had picked claiming he was too warm and that's why he was fussy. She put him in a baby-grow as she firmly explained to Rose that she could only bring one teddy and that throwing a tantrum was not the way big sisters behaved. The five year old quickly picked up all her clothes placing them neatly in her suitcase. Lastly she placed Henry on Pucks shoulder so the two year old was up high like he liked but couldn't reach anything to throw.
Brittany, Mercedes, Sam and Santana looked at her in shock and amazement when in just five minutes she had each child and their case ready to go ready and waiting in the hall way.
"How did you do that" Sam wondered amazed as he beamed at Quinn.
"With practice" Quinn smirked. She shared a knowing smile with Puck then looked back at her friends. "You guys ready"
The adults and children made their way to the the small mini bus Puck had rented so they could all drive to Philadelphia together.
"Have you guys talked to Rachel or Finn today" Puck wondered as he packed the last case into the back of the Van.
Suddenly the group all remembered why they were together. Santana was happy to see Quinn and Puck but she hated it was because of such sad circumstances.
"I spoke to Finn this morning just letting him know what time we should be there" Santana eventually answered. She closed her eyes briefly to stop the tears she felt were coming as she took a seat in the van next to Rose.
"What's wrong Auntie Sans" Rose wondered sadly putting her hands on Santana's cheek. Santana fastened up Rose's seatbelt and smiled at her niece.
"Nothing sweetie, you ready to see mommy and daddy" Santana straightened up and smiled at her young niece. Rose quickly cheered in response.
Rose's good mood and cheer, along with her adorable brothers, was enough to lift all of their moods for the whole three hour journey.
XoXo
Malcom's House – Sunday 11:00
At the same time Finn, Rachel, Marley and Jake had arrived at Malcolm and Shelby's home. They noticed at least ten cars already parked close to the house. They made their way to the front door unsure wither to just walk in when they heard a few people talking on the other side of the door.
Malcolm however must have noticed them arrive as he opened the door before they even had a chance to knock.
"I'm so glad you all came" Malcolm smiled at them all but the sadness was still clear in his eyes "Please come in"
Rachel looked around the modest home and was once again shocked that this had been her mother's life for the last three years. It looked too normal. There were photos of Rachel's and Marley's family lining the walls as well as what Rachel assumed were Malcolm's children and grandchildren. The was children's drawings as well and ornaments and books filling all available spaces.
Malcolm ushered them into the dining room where the table was filled with food.
"Do you want something to eat, people have been bringing it all morning" Malcolm asked, waving towards the dishes of lasagne and pies.
Finn and Jake helped themselves to some food as the breakfast the motel offered hadn't filled either of them. Rachel continued to look at the photos on the walls. She came across a photo of herself, Marley and Shelby from the party Rachel had thrown when Rose and Henry joined their family. They were pulling a face at the camera. Rachel noticed the photo she had recently sent her mother of her three children asleep in her bed, also in a frame and another of her and Marley, then one of her and Finn and another of Marley and Jake.
"That's one of her favourite photos" Malcolm stated pointing to the first photograph, making Rachel jump as he walked up behind her "You all look so similar with your matching smiles"
Rachel just smiled at Malcolm not sure what to say. The both knew Shelby but in very different ways and Rachel wasn't sure which was the real Shelby.
"Are you sure you don't want anything to eat, there's plenty" Malcolm added.
Rachel shook her head "I'm fine"
"Ah Carrie, Raymond these are Shelby's daughters" Malcolm introduced Rachel and , who had moved over to them, to an older couple. They both smiled at the women and hugged them both quickly, before Rachel has a chance to react they pulled away.
"Well of course they are, Shelby did always go on about how beautiful her daughters were" Carrie smiled at them.
Malcolm quickly explained to the Rachel and Marley that Carrie and Raymond were their friends and neighbours who went to bingo with them every Monday. Rachel fought back an eye roll at another thing she never would have thought her mother would do.
"I'm so sorry this is how we are finally meeting" Raymond stated pulling Rachel from where her thoughts were taking a dark turn.
"Your mother was a great woman" Carrie acknowledged.
Marley gave Rachel a worried look before turning back to Carrie "Thank you"
For the next half an hour Rachel was introduced to all of Shelby's friends and co-workers. Each with a different story about how great Rachel's mother was and how much they were going to miss her. After the fifthteth person told her how sorry they were for her lose Rachel felt about ready to burst.
Rachel looked over at Finn but he was engaged in a conversation with Frank and Raymond so half way through talking to another one of her mother's co-workers Rachel bolted from the door.
Rachel ran through the garden and towards the car. She leaned against it and tried to control her breathing as she suddenly was finding it hard to catch her breath.
"Rachel"
"Please leave me alone Malcolm" Rachel snapped she stood up straight and began to walk away.
"I realise how hard this is for you"
"You have no idea how hard this is for me" Rachel shouted spinning around to face Malcolm, who didn't seem put out by Rachel's shouting. He almost looked like he had been expecting it.
"She loved you very much"
"If she loved me so much then when didn't she tell me about any of this, why didn't she want me or my sister or her grandchildren to be a part of this life" Rachel ranted. She looked back at what had been her mother's home for the last three years. The woman she knew would never have lived in that house so Rachel had to question if she really knew her mother at all.
"She didn't think she deserved it" Malcolm shrugged, he knew it wasn't the explanation Rachel wanted or deserved.
"Maybe she didn't but we deserved it" Rachel pressed. She hated Shelby's excuse and it made her resent her mother for it.
"I know, you both missed so much, so did she, because she was so stubborn"
"I have to get out of here, I can't stand it anymore. They are twenty strangers in your house who knew my mother better than I did" Rachel ran her hands through her hair as she tried to steady her breathing.
"I'm so sorry Rachel"
"Please stop staying sorry this isn't your fault, can you tell Finn that I went back to the motel" Rachel asked. She looked towards the elderly man, he deserved better than being Shelby's secret.
"Of course"
Rachel handed Malcolm her car keys to give to Finn then began walking down the street, Rachel didn't really know where she was going but at that moment it didn't matter she just needed to be alone.
XoXo
The Liberty Motel – Tuesday 13:00
"I think it's time we talked Rachel"
Rachel looked up at her husband, who was stood over her with a determined look. Rachel made room for Finn on the lounger. He laid down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.
"I figured it would be after I ditched you at my mother's wake" Rachel pointed out.
"Malcolm felt awful, he said he should have realised that it would be too much for you"
"How could he possible know that?" Rachel wondered shaking her head. She felt guilty that she couldn't even be civil to a man who was being nothing but kind to her.
"I guess your mom has been talking about us for the last three years"
"I'd hate to think what she told him"
"Rachel..."
"Finn I don't know what to say"
"Try"
"Try! Really, try!" Rachel snapped quickly rising from the lounger "What exactly am I supposed to say that could make this better or make me feel better. My mother lied to me for three years about where she was living, the fact that she was married and probably so much more. She kept it all from me"
Rachel ran her hand through her hair and continued her rant "And now I can't even ask her about it, yell at her for it or get answers because she dead. My mother is dead and I feel -"
"MOMMY!"
Rachel instantly stopped and looked up to see her daughter running towards her as her friends got out of the minivan.
Rachel gathered Rose in her arms and held her daughter close.
"Hey sweetie"
"Mommy I missed you sooo much" Rose proclaimed as she hugged her mother tightly.
"I missed you too Rosie" Rachel returned. Her friends had reached them and Finn got up and took Henry from Pucks shoulders. Mason was fast asleep in his pram. The friends all shared a look as Rachel hugged her daughter again, they could clearly see they had interrupted something.
"Mommy don't leave ever again, Aunt Cedes snores so loudly and Aunt Sans sings to the radio and Uncle Sam does this thing -"
"We get it Rosie" Santana cut off with a slight smile.
Rachel put Rose down and was quickly enveloped in a hug by Santana, Quinn and Mercedes. Sam, Brittany and Puck hung back knowing that Rachel wouldn't want to be crowded.
"Hey Rachie" Quinn smiled at Rachel, unable to keep the sadness from her features.
"Hey guys thanks for watching them"
"Of course, anything you need right now just tell us"
Rachel pulled away from her friends then noticed her daughter looking around the pool area with a confused look on her face.
"What's wrong Rosie?" Rachel asked as she took Henry from Finn, she gave him a loud kiss on the cheek then looked back at her daughter.
"I thought Mommy had come to see Grandma, where is she? Where's Grandma"
XoXo
"Do you think she's okay?"
Rachel looked at her sleeping children that were all laying on the double bed in their small motel room. Rachel and Finn had taken their children straight to the room so that they could explain as delicately as possible to Rose what had happened to her grandma. Rose had listened as Finn explain that Grandma Shelby had died and that they would no longer be able to see her. Rose hadn't been too upset and the parents knew it was because Rose didn't fully understand what death meant.
"I don't think she fully understands yet but we will help her when she does" Finn reasoned. He continue to unpack his clothes and hung up the suit bag he had also bought. Rachel hadn't brought any black so she would have to buy something before Wednesday.
"So I think you need to go back to Malcolm's" Finn stated once he had finished up packing. He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked to Rachel who was still watching her sleeping children.
"What? Why?"
"Remember what you said earlier about being angry that you'll never be able to get answers, well Malcolm has those answers" Finn explained. He wanted to help his wife but he didn't have the answers, Malcolm did. Malcolm knew Shelby in a different, and no doubt a better, way.
Rachel shook her head "I don't -"
"It's not going to take the pain away but you'll get the answers you want. I know you're angry that you didn't really know your mother like you thought but Malcolm does. He can help you understand" Finn concluded, he moved closer to his wife and gently kissed her forehead.
"You are a wise husband"
"I've had a lot of practice. I mean we have been married for about a hundred years now" Finn mused with a smile as they both watched their children.
Rachel laughed as she curled up into her husband "I hope I get a hundred more"
XoXo
Malcom's House – Sunday 14:00
"Rachel? Hi come in dear" Malcolm greeted her happily as he opened the door further to let Rachel inside.
Rachel had spent another ten minutes with her husband then had drove back to Malcolm's. Finn was right, Rachel had questions only Malcolm could answer.
"I'm sorry to just drop by like this after storming off earlier" Rachel apologised as she shrugged off her jacket and handed it to Malcolm, who quickly put it in the closest.
"Nonsense you're welcome any time"
"Has everyone left?" Rachel wondered as they walked through to the living room. The house no longer had the constant chatter from earlier.
"Oh yes! They mean well but they were slowly driving me mad" Malcolm mused as they reached the closed living room door "Go on into the living room I'll get you a drink"
Rachel walked inside go see her sister sat on one of the two couches looking through a photo album.
"Marley you're still here"
"I am - I knew you would come back" Marley mused not looking up from the album "Malcolm promised to show me their photo albums, we were waiting for you"
Marley looked up at her sister with a knowing smirk. Rachel rolled her eyes and joined her sister on the couch.
"Stop smirking at me you freak"
Malcolm walked back into the living room with a cup of coffee in one hand and a framed photograph in the other.
"Here you go Rachel" Malcolm handed Rachel the drink then took the last remaining place on the couch.
"Thank you Malcolm" Rachel took a sip of the coffee then turned to face Malcolm "Now start from the beginning. How did you meet our Mom?"
"Well she definitely took me by surprise"
Rachel listened to Malcolm's stories with keen interest, it was still hard for Rachel to picture her mother doing some of the things Malcolm told the girls but Rachel was glad to see that one thing was clear. Shelby had been happy.
XoXo
The Liberty Motel Bar – Sunday 18:00
"You haven't said much about tomorrow Rachel" Mercedes mused as she took a sip of her drink, watching her friend carefully.
Rachel and Marley spent two hours with Malcolm listening to his stories of his life with Shelby. Rachel felt she had gotten to know her mother a little better, a different mother than the one Rachel grew up with. Rachel still felt like she didn't fully understand why her mother had kept it all a secret but she was happy to learn how happy her mother had been before she passed away.
When a few of Malcolm's friends had come round to keep him company Rachel and Marley finally left and went back to the Motel. They found Finn, Jake and Rachel's friends in the Motel's Dining room/Bar having a drink together, Rachel and Marley had quickly joined them.
"As bad as it sounds I've talked enough about my mother today, right now I would really like a distraction" Rachel said. She checked on her sons who were both asleep in their double pram then down to her daughter who was asleep in her lap.
"You sure?" Santana wondered. She knew Rachel wasn't going to fully talk about how she was feeling when Brittany and Sam were sat with them but Santana still wanted her friend to know they were all there for her.
"Please let's talk about something else and not my mother's funeral" Rachel pleaded, finishing off the rest of her drink.
"I have some news but I don't think I should, with everything that going on. It doesn't feel -" Quinn rambled as she ran her hands together nervously.
"Quinn" Rachel warned giving her friend a look to 'spill the beans'.
"I'm pregnant" Quinn returned.
Rachel jumped up, then remembered her daughter asleep in her lap "WHAT!"
Santana shook her head smiling "OH MY GOD"
Mercedes clapped her hands excitedly "REALLY"
"Yeah I'm 12 weeks, I wanted to tell you sooner but we agreed to wait until it was safer" Quinn added with a smile. Everyone at the table quickly jumped up to hug Quinn and give her congratulations.
"Quinn this the best news" Rachel beamed, the last to pull away from the hug.
"What's going on here?" Finn asked as him and Puck reached the table. The pair had gone in hunt of snacks as they had again been disappointed with the meal provided by the Motel.
"I think Quinn told them that's she pregnant" Puck answered with a loving smile at Quinn
"Are you kidding, that's fantastic" Finn exclaimed. He gave Puck and quick hug then took Quinn in his arms lifting her off her feet.
Rachel decided they all needed another drink, so she handed her still sleeping daughter to Finn and Quinn and she went to the bar. Once Rachel had ordered Quinn turned to her friend with a concerned look.
"I hope you not mad I told you like this, with everything going on, I want you to know we are all here for you" Quinn worried as she reached over and stroked Rachel's arm.
"You have to break this habit of being pregnant and worrying about how it's affecting me" Rachel quipped with a slight smile.
"I'm glad you told me Quinn. This is exactly what I needed to hear with everything going on" Rachel promised. Quinn nodded her head in understanding.
Rachel and Quinn each carried a tray of drinks back over to the table. Marley and Jake were now back from talking on the phone to their sons and Jake parents who would be arriving the next day.
"Hey Quinn, I heard congrats" Marley smiled. She gave Quinn a quick hug as Rachel passed her a drink.
"Thank you Marley" Quinn sat back down next to Puck, who wrapped his arm around her and give a tender kiss.
"I would like to say something" Rachel said once everyone had their drinks "I know the reason we are all here is..." Rachel trailed off not able to finish her sentence. Marley took Rachel's hand as she continued "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate the good things when they come even in dark times" Rachel closed her eyes to fight back her tears "Quinn, Puck you had a unconventional start but the love you too share is clear in the way you always fight for each other. You never gave up fighting for the person you loved" Rachel took a moment to collect herself then raised her glass "You always fight... Before it's too late"
"To Quinn and Noah" Rachel smiled
"It's Puck" Puck quipped
Everyone cheered, ignoring Puck "To Quinn and Noah"
XoXo
St Thomas Church – Monday 11:30
"Mom certainly knew a lot of people" Rachel mused as she walked over to Marley who was stood at the front of the church. They both looked out at the 100 people all quietly taking their seats while soft music played in the background.
"Yeah, I only recognise like 15 people here and that includes your friends and my in laws" Marley agreed.
"God I'm so happy my in-laws aren't here"
Carol and Burt had sent flowers and a card but they knew better than to show up to the funeral of a woman who had openly talked about how much she disliked them and had even slapped Carol the last time she saw her.
"I think we all are" Marley agreed. The two turned back to face the coffin that was at the front near the Priests stand. It had a beautiful arrangement of Wildflowers on it as well as a framed portrait of Shelby.
The sisters stared at it for a few moments as they held hands, drawing strength from one another.
"There's my girls"
Marley and Rachel quickly span back around to see their father and Emma. Both girls were quickly enveloped in a hug from Will which they happily returned. Both clinging on to their last remaining parent.
"How are you both?" Will asked once he had pulled away and the girls had hugged Emma. Rachel and Marley both shrugged, unable to answer the question.
Marley moved aside quickly to Malcolm. She gently took his arm and brought him over to their father.
"Malcolm this is our dad Will"
Will gave Malcolm a gentle smile as the two men shook hands.
"Hi Malcolm I'm very sorry we are meeting in these circumstances" Will said. Even after their divorce Will and Shelby had remained somewhat close so he had also been shocked when he got the call from his daughters explaining the new life Shelby had kept from them.
"As am I" Malcolm gave him a gentle smile before turning to Emma "You must be Emma"
"Hello Malcolm" Emma greeted him as Malcolm gave her a warm embrace. Emma was long since used to the affection and sometimes teasing nature of the Berry/Schuster family and was pleased to see it extended to the person Shelby had married.
"I heard such nice things about both of you from Shelby" Malcolm added. Will and Emma both smiled back as Finn walked over to the group with Mason in his arms.
"Hey guys I think we are ready to start"
"Look at my grandson" Will beamed as he held out his hands for his youngest grandchild "Can I?"
Finn handed Mason to Will as they all took their seats. Rachel, Marley, Malcolm, Finn and Jake sat on the front row. Will, Emma, Jakes parents and the children behind them and Rachel's friends behind them. The rest were just a blur of people Rachel didn't really know but they all filled up the church.
As the music came to an end, the vicar walked up to the podium and began to speak.
"Hello everyone. We are here today to celebrate the life of Shelby Berry. Shelby was -"
The rest of the words blurred for Rachel. The vicar talked about Shelby's life and the kind of person she was as well as a few antidotes that had been provided by Malcolm about Shelby's time in Philadelphia. Malcolm's friend Frank read out a passage and before Rachel realised the music was playing again and everyone was getting up to leave.
Rachel stayed in her seat looking at her mother's coffin as everyone around her made their way outside. Rachel was staring at her mother's photo when she felt a pull on her arm. She turned to see her daughter looking at her with a soft smile. While only 5, Rose could see there was something up with her mom.
"Mommy, are you coming?" Rose asked, she had been calling her mom's name with no luck before she pulled her arm.
Rachel stroked Rose's face "Sorry sweetie"
"Come on Mommy, Daddy said they might have cookies at the awake" Rose pulled on her mother's arm again and Rachel slowly rose from the pew and took Rose's hand.
"Well I can't say no to a cookie" Rachel smiled down at her daughter as she walked over to where her husband was waiting, holding both of their sons.
He leaned down to give her a quick kiss then they family began leaving the church.
"You sad mommy" Rose wondered looking up at her Mom.
"A little sweetie"
"The cookie will help, it always help when I'm sad" Rose affirmed, truly believing a cookie would fix everything. Rachel couldn't help her smile at her daughter's thoughtfulness and naivety.
"Let give it a try then" Rachel agreed. The family made it outside and Rachel took Henry from Finn as they walked down the stairs to the waiting cars that would take them to the Wake. Rachel noticed Malcolm being lead to one of the cars. He was crying as he held the picture that had been on top of the coffin.
Rachel looked back at her own husband who is putting Mason into his car seat in the back of the black Funeral Car. He gave her a questioning look when he caught her staring.
"I don't ever what to go to your funeral"
Finn leaned down to kiss her sweetly on the lips lingering for a few seconds longer before pulling away "I love you"
"I love you" Rachel returned.
XoXo
"How do you think she is doing" Mercedes wondered as they all watched Rachel talk to yet another one of her mother's friends outside the church.
"She's ready to explode" Santana answered.
"Finn will be there when she does" Puck added as he wrapped his arm around Quinn. They were all waiting for Rachel and her family to leave first before they made their way to the Wake.
"Shelby certainly knew a lot of people" Quinn mused as she looked around at all the other people milling around the entrance to the Church. It was clear to see who were from Shelby's carnival days and who was from Philadelphia.
"She was one of a kind, we were lucky to know a person like her" Santana mused with a sad smile. She wiped away her last remaining tears. While Shelby was Rachel's mom Santana saw a lot of herself in the older woman and she was happy to see that Shelby had found really happiness in the last few years of her life, just like Santana had herself.
"I hope you guys know how much I love you" Quinn said, she leaned into Puck and took Mercedes and Santana's hands in her own.
Mercedes smiled lightly at her hormonal friend "We know Quinn"
"Good because if this has taught me anything. Life is short and we should always make sure the people we love know that we love them" Quinn continued as she smiled at them all including Sam and Brittany.
They all agreed with her statement. If they learnt anything from Shelby is was to never keeps secrets from the one you love and to live everyday as if it was your last - just like Shelby also had.
"Quinn" Puck looked down at the blonde with a loving smile "I love you, you've given me an unexpected but great life"
Quinn smiled back at Puck with just as much love in her eyes. She kissed him then snuggled back into his arms.
Santana turned to Brittany and took her hands in her own. "Brittany you changed my life. I'm grateful every day that you got that traffic violation"
Brittany, who wasn't used to public displays of affection from Santana welled up as she hugged Santana tightly.
"Sam thank you for never giving up on me" Mercedes smiled at Sam as he cradled her face in his hands and mouthed 'I love you' to her.
They were all wiping their eyes as Finn and Rose walked over to them, father and daughter both gave them confused look.
"Are you guys okay" Finn wondered as he gave his friends a strange look when he noticed their smiles and tearful eyes. While they were at a funeral his friends looked more chocked up then they had through the service.
"Finn do you know that you are the glue that holds us all together. Without you we wouldn't be friends" Brittany declared, she hugged Finn quickly as the others nodded their head in agreement. Finn gave them all another look but then shrugged it off and said thank you.
Rose looked up at the adults and shook her head, the five year old didn't understand at all what was happening. She tugged on her father's hand.
"Come on guys I want a cookie"
XoXo
Bala Golf Club – Monday 14:00
Finn watched his wife carefully as she sat alone on a bench outside the golf club, where they were having the wake. They had been their over an hour when Finn noticed Rachel was missing and went off in search of her, leaving his children with Sam.
"Hey baby" Finn took a seat next to Rachel and noticed Rachel was holding a pair of diamond drop earrings that's were inside a small black box.
"Malcolm gave me this" Rachel said holding up the box for Finn to see. He wrapped his arm around Rachel and pulled her further into the bench.
"What is it?" Finn asked. He knew they were earring but not what they represented or why they had made is wife look so lost in her own thoughts.
"They was going to be my Christmas present from my mom" Rachel answered as she continued to stare down at the earring in her slightly shaking hand.
"They're beautiful"
"They were my grandmothers" Rachel continued, tears had begun to fall as she spoke "One day, I think I was about 10. My dad had taken Marley to the park for the day but I didn't want to go so my mom and I stayed in all day and played dress up. She let me try on all her shoes and dresses and let me do her make up. It was one of the best days I had with my mom"
Rachel ignored the tears as she began to get lost in the memory. Finn waited silently for Rachel to continue, he could tell how important it was for her to get the story out.
"She showed me these, she could tell how much I loved them straight away and she jokingly told me she would give them to me when she had messed up so badly that she needed my forgiveness and knew only diamonds would make it better"
Finn gently stroked Rachel's tears away as she snuggled into him. She tried to settle her breathing then after a few moments continued her story.
"At the time I think she meant her leaving my dad but it wasn't her who needed my forgiveness from that. Over the years she had messed up but she obviously didn't think it was badly enough to finally give me these"
Rachel remembered all the times she had been mad at her mother for things she'd done over the years but now none of them compared to the secret she had kept for so long.
"She's was going to tell us at Christmas and she knew she would need my forgiveness, she actually messed up enough to warrant this. She knew that... And now she'll never get the chance to"
Rachel started sobbing as Finn held her tightly, she was finally letting out everything she had been bottling down not just in the last few days but in the last few years. Everything her mother had done, good and bad, were now coming to Rachel's mind.
"My mom is dead Finn" Rachel sobbed as Finn gently rocked her. He knew not to say anything. Rachel just had to get it out.
"My mom is dead" Rachel continued to cry.
XoXo
Fairmount Park – Tuesday 17:30
The next day Rachel, Malcolm and Marley were at Fairmount Park where they had decided to scatter the ashes. Everyone else was waiting for them back at Malcolm's house for one last meal before they all went home.
Rachel was looking out the setting sun over the park as Marley walked over to her and looped her arm through Rachel's.
"Are you ready to do this" Marley wondered.
Marley had witnessed the end of Rachel's breakdown at the funeral when she had gone in search of her sister. She knew it was exactly what her sister had needed so that, while they wouldn't get over their mother's death, they would move past everything she had kept from them.
"No but let's do it anyway"
Rachel and Marley walked over to Malcolm who was sat on a park bench with the Urn in his hand. He finished off the silent pray he had been doing then looked up at the girls.
"This is a beautiful place Malcolm" Rachel praised as the three walked over to a wide willow tree that was in the middle of the park.
"It's where I meet your mom" Malcolm explained with a slight smile. He felt Shelby all around him when he walked through the park.
"You should do the honours Malcolm" Marley said
"Are you sure" Malcolm wondered looking at each of the girls.
"Of course" Rachel agreed
Malcolm unscrewed the top then held the Urn at an angle above their heads as gently shook it so the Ashes would be swept away by the light breeze.
"Bye my beautiful Shelby" Malcolm said as he cried softly. Marley and Rachel each hugged his side. They were all now bonded in some way for their love for Shelby.
"Bye Mom" Marley said next as tears came to her eyes.
Rachel closed her eyes as she whispered "I forgive you mom" she opened her eyes and looked up as the last of the ashes got swept away "I love you"