We get back into the living room; Mom is the first person to look up. She looks at me questioningly; I just nod and give her a smile. Beth lets go of my hand and walks over to Quinn and Puck.
"I am sorry for my storm out. It was not very mature and in case you can't tell I am very mature for my age. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to either of you." I smile at her apology. It is so Rachel. Puck notices it as well; he looks up at me and shakes his head.
"That's okay, Beth. I understand that this can be tough for you. I am willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of your life. If I need to be Aunt Quinn for a while or just a friend, I will understand. I just want you to be comfortable." Quinn says, near tears.
"I think for now I will continue to call you Aunt Quinn and Uncle Puck, until I come to terms with all of this." Beth says before hugging each of her parents and going to stand in front of Mom. "Mommy, I am also sorry to you for my storm out. I shouldn't have handled it that way. I am still a little upset that this was all kept a secret, but Rachie helped me understand it was all out of love." Mom nodded, tears falling down her face. Beth reaches up and wipes the tears away. "I love you, Mommy."
Beth excuses herself and goes upstairs. I scan the room and see that Quinn and Mom are still trying to compose themselves, yet failing. Puck seems lost; I reach over and hold his hand. He pulls me into him and holds me tight.
"Shelby, I was wondering if it is okay with everyone here, and Beth, if I could take her out for ice cream tomorrow before I head back to New Haven." Quinn speaks up, softly.
"I don't have a problem with that, Quinn, but I would have to talk to her about it first." Mom states, blankly.
"Of course. I should get going. Please tell Beth I said good night." Quinn stands up and heads toward the door. Mom gets up to walk her out. I see Mom grab Quinn's arm before she gets to the door. I can overhear them talking.
"She will come around, Quinn."
"I know. Thank you for telling her, I know it was hard for you. I really do appreciate it and I meant what I said. I will be whatever she needs me to be. If she isn't ready to call me mom, I understand. I also understand if she doesn't call me Aunt Quinn anymore, also. Just – thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. She loves you, just give her time. I will text you after we talk and let you know what she says." Shelby pulls a reluctant Quinn in for a hug and as soon as she lets go, Quinn is gone.
"Rach, I am going to talk to Beth and see if I can talk her into going home with me. If she refuses, would it be alright if she stays here?"
"Of course, Mamma." As soon as she is out of the room, I turn to Puck.
"Are you okay, Baby?" I ask, stroking his head.
"I think so. I think I was just expecting things to go differently. You know?"
"I know baby, but this is big news for a six year old to take in. I know she is very mature, but this is a very sensitive subject. I think I would have reacted the same way if Mom was to have come back when I was six. She can't stay upset long, she loves her Uncle Noah."
"That's what I am worried about, Rachel. I don't want to just be Uncle Noah anymore. I want to be daddy. I long to hear that word come out of her. She is perfect, Rach, she is my perfection."
"I get what you are saying, Noah, I do but she is just a child. She will come around. I promise."
"Yeah. I guess. I am going to the bedroom. See you when you come to bed." He says, defeated. I nod as he kisses me on the cheek. I place my head in my hands. While this is hard on Puck and Quinn, I have been in Beth's shoes before. I was 16 when Mom came back into my life. I would be so confused if she came around when I was Beth's age. I can't help but to be a little upset with the way Noah is handling this. It took me YEARS to call Shelby mom. I didn't notice that I was crying until Mom touched my shoulder and I leaned up. She takes one look at me, sits down and takes my hand into hers.
"What's wrong, baby girl?"
"Nothing. How is Beth?"
"She is fine. Better than I thought she would be when I got to her room. She agreed to go with Quinn tomorrow. Now, I have handled one of my babies, it is your turn. What is wrong?"
"That's good. I should go text Quinn and let her know." I say, getting up to find my phone. Mom pulls me back down and I am now in her lap.
"Talk to me, Rachel Barbra. Now." She said a little more stern but still caring.
"I'm just upset, Shelby. That's it." I see that me calling her Shelby has stung a little. I am just upset.
"About what?" She continues, not missing a step.
"This whole situation. Quinn, Puck, and Beth. You and me. Everything."
"Okay, I understand you and me but what about Quinn and Puck. What have they done?"
"Puck is just being a little immature. I mean, Beth just found out that they were her biological parents and Puck just expects her to run into his arms and call him daddy. I get that he wants that, but I mean I was in Beth's shoes. I know what it is like for your parents to just walk into your life out of nowhere. I had imagined that it would be all hugs and kisses when you came back, but that's not how it was at all. Sometimes what we expect and want is not reality. He needs to understand that."
"Rachel, while you have been in Beth's shoes, I have been in Quinn's and Puck's. I know how it feels to want your baby, the one thing you have done right in your life, to want you back and to rush into your arms. I know this is sensitive, but you have to see his side as well, Baby."
"I know you are right. But I just, I want everything to work out for Beth. I don't want a near death experience to make things better for her, you know? I almost lost you, Shelby. If that accident hadn't happened, then I still wouldn't have you in my life. I don't want Beth and Quinn and Puck to make that mistake. I want everything to be perfect for her."
"Oh, Rachel. Everything will be fine. It is not going to take an accident to bring them close. I promise. Beth is fine, if you don't believe me, go talk to her yourself. I know that you almost lost me and believe me I was worried as well. I made a lot of mistakes when it came to you Rachel. I fucked up, I know I did. But you and I are okay now, aren't we or am I mistaken? In the past ten minutes you have called me Shelby, twice."
I smile. "We are fine, Mom. I am just worried about Beth and Puck. I want this so bad for the both of them."
"It will be baby." I hear Beth coming down the stairs.
"Mommy, is it time to go home? I am getting tired." Beth asks, crawling on the couch between us.
"Yeah, let's go, Sweetie." I stand, pick Beth up, and walk out to the car. Once she is buckled in, I shut the door, and turn to Mom. She pulls me into a bone crushing hug. I melt into her embrace.
"I love you, Baby Girl. So, So much. Everything will be fine, I promise you." I hold back a sob.
"I love you too, Mom." I whisper back. I stay on the curb, watching them drive away. When the car is out of sight, I head inside. I need to talk to Puck.
When I get to the room, he is sitting on the bed watching TV. I curl up next to him.
"Baby, I am sorry I got upset with you earlier. I didn't mean to take it out on you. This is just hard." He says as he begins to play with my hair.
"I know, Baby. I am sorry I wasn't understanding. I just am on the opposite side of the spectrum. I was Beth, but I talked to Mom and she made me realize what you are going through."
"It's okay. This is just going to be tough on all of us."
"That it is." I say before kissing him and snuggling into him even more and falling asleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, for me, for mom, and more Beth.