A/N - It looks like all my readers are split down the middle concerning who is more to blame, Rachel or Quinn, for the out of control drama. I personally think it's both of them. I agree with both sides. Quinn should have tried to contact Rachel when she found out she was pregnant, and especially when Rachel came back into her life she should have told her. Rachel got a big surprise thrown in her face and I think her instant reaction was warranted. (Side note - it reminds me of when I was little and went to a spook alley and someone dressed as a mummy jumped out and scared me, my initial reaction wasn't to scream — I punched that asshole in the face. Yeah, that kind of reminds me of Rachel's reaction to Quinn's big surprise.) But Rachel does need to chill. They are both adults so they both need to just chill.

Okay, end of rant.

Thank you again for all your love!

Chapter 14 - Mother Knows Best

Rachel stormed toward the parking lot. Quickly finding her car, she jumped in and jammed the key into the ignition. The tires squealed as she tore out onto the street.

Her mind was focused on one person, and one person only — her mother.

It didn't take long to reach Shelby's house. The car had barely come to a screeching halt before Rachel tore out of the driver's side door and thundering up the sidewalk. Finding the door unlocked, she shoved it open, ignoring the cracking sound it made when it slammed against the wall.

Shelby was washing the dinner dishes when she heard her front door bang open. Spinning around, she was startled to see her daughter storming into the kitchen. But her shock quickly morphed into concern when she saw the fury in those young brown eyes.

Rachel strode straight up to her mother, stopping only a few feet away. Pointing her finger in her mother's face, she yelled, "You fucking knew! I can't believe you didn't even think it'd be important to tell me about him! How dare you!" She slammed both her hands down on the countertop making a few bowls rattle.

Shelby's eyes widened at the unexpected outburst. "Rachel Barbra Berry! I don't know what is wrong, but you need to take a step back and remember who you are talking to, young lady! I will not tolerate your attitude, or you speaking to me that way!"

Neither woman moved, identical sets of dark brown eyes stubbornly challenging the other. But it wasn't long before Rachel lowered her eyes and took a step back, biting down on her bottom lip to keep quiet.

"Now…" Shelby said calmly. "What are you going on about, Rachel?"

Rachel clenched her jaw, trying to reign in her anger. But it was futile — her emotions were now in control, and rage bubbled to the surface. "How dare you know about Jaxon and not tell me!"

Realization dawned in the doctor's eyes, then a deep sadness took over. "Rachel, you have to understand-"

"No!" Rachel yelled, interrupting her mother's explanation. She was beyond livid that her own mother had known about her son for all this time. "Why didn't you tell me, Mom?! I always thought I could trust you and depend on you to be honest with me, but obviously I was wrong! You've been lying to me! How could you do that?!"

Shelby sighed, now fully understanding where her daughter's anger was coming from. And she knew that Rachel, being as dramatic as she was, was going to keep her emotions high until they could sort everything out. She walked passed Rachel and over to the kitchen table and sat down. "Rachel, you need to listen to me," she said, her stern gaze locking onto Rachel's own brown eyes. "You have to understand… I took an oath as a doctor. I am not allowed to share any patient information with anyone, not even my own family."

Rachel's eyes widened. "That's bullshit! He is my son! I had a right to know!"

"No you didn't, Rachel!" Shelby yelled, jumping up and approaching her daughter. "Quinn chose not to reveal your identity when Jaxon was born. Your name isn't on his birth certificate, so you have no legal right to him right now."

Rachel scoffed. "Yeah, thanks a lot for not added me to it." She shook her head in disgust. "Quinn just informed me of that little fact. But if I have to go get a paternity test to prove it, I will."

"If that's what you feel you need to do, then by all means, do it." Shelby folded her arms across her chest, her voice lowering. "But, Rachel Berry, I am warning you, you will not do anything that will make Quinn's life harder. She bore that child and raised him all on her own-"

"But she didn't have to! I would've been there if she'd had the sense to tell me she was pregnant in the first place!"

"Are you sure about that?"

Her mother's response took the singer by surprise. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that four years ago you were living the rock and roll lifestyle to its fullest, Rachel. It means that at that time you were not ready for the huge responsibility of having a child to take care of. And I'm not talking financially. You were not ready emotionally. You still had a lot of growing up to do."

Rachel's jaw dropped. "Are you seriously telling me that you agree with what Quinn did?"

"No. That is not what I'm saying," Shelby spoke calmly. "What I am saying is that if Quinn had told you about the baby four years ago, I know you can't honestly tell me that you would have embraced her and stepped up to be the parent you needed to be."

Rachel gaped at her mother. "That doesn't matter! She still should've told me and allowed me a chance, but instead she willingly made the decision to keep my son's existence from me. Come on, Mom, you should understand this — you're a parent! How could you knowingly keep a child from his own mother like that?!"

Devastated, Shelby watched the amount of pain her daughter was in, but there was nothing she could have done differently back then. "I… I'm sor-"

But Rachel cut her off, "Don't you dare say you're sorry to me! You have no idea what I'm going through right! At least you got to see your grandson over the last three years," she spit out. "How was it, Mom? How was it looking into those identical brown eyes… he has your eyes, for hell's sake! He has my eyes! How could you look into them and then refuse to tell me?"

Tears ran down Shelby's cheeks. She could feel Rachel's pain and it was overwhelming.

"You were there when he was born," she continued. "You were the very first person he ever saw. You got to watch him grow and see all the things he learned. You got to see him crawl. You got to run your fingers through his hair and to hear his voice. You got to hug him…" by now, the anger had dissipated and Rachel felt incredibly empty. Her voice cracked and tears began to pour down her cheeks. "You got to tell him you loved him!… You knew!… And you took all that away from me!" she sobbed, falling to her knees, her hands covering her face. "You took him away from me!" but the words came out as a painful whimper.

Shelby hurried over and knelt down beside her. "I am so sorry, sweetie. I'm so very sorry," she whispered over and over as she held her broken daughter in her arms.

"I always wanted to have children of my own… you knew that," Rachel weeped. "I prayed everyday for years that I would be able to have children. Even though all those doctors told me it was impossible, I still prayed."

"I know, baby," Shelby whispered, running her fingers through Rachel's hair. "I know. I saw you, sweetie. I saw the pain on your face when every doctor we went to told you the same thing — that it was impossible. But, Rachel… baby, look at me." She cupped her daughter's face in her hands and stared deep into those sad brown eyes. "Rachel, they were wrong. Every single one of them were wrong. You have a son. You have a son who is the spitting image of you," a small smile touched her lips. She could see Rachel's eyes slightly brighten. "Rachel, I know you are beyond hurt and beyond angry right now… but, baby, you need to just stop. Stop for just a moment."

Tears flowed down Rachel's cheeks and the pain racked through her body. All her anger poured out in gut-wrenching sobs… all the hurt ripped through her body as she clung to her mother. Her fists tightly gripping Shelby's shirt as the self-proclaimed badass rock star climbed into her mother's lap and wept like a little child.

Shelby continued to rock her baby girl, whispering words of comfort for however knows how long. The two brunettes just held each other.

"I don't know what to do, Mom," Rachel's cracked voice broke the silence.

Shelby leaned back so she could look at her. "Well… first of all, you have to decide what do you want, Rachel. Right now you have to be completely honest with yourself and look deep inside and decide what you want in her life."

Rachel thought about her mother's words for several long minutes. What did she want? She found herself at a crossroads in her life and whichever path she chose would take her in the complete opposite direction of the other option. She could choose to stay mad at Quinn and past choices or she could forgive and move on. Does she want to have an actual relationship with Quinn or just be co-parents to Jaxon with her? Did she want to settle down and have a family or did she want to just visit Jaxon whenever she happened to be in town between tours?

She thought back over the past year. She'd been making a lot of changes in her personal life. Partying every night had started growing old and was becoming a waste of time. She'd found she enjoyed the peace and quiet of her hotel room, or bedroom if she was home, to write her music and be able to have a clear head, allowing lyrics to flow onto paper.

One night stands were non-existent. They had been for quite a while now. She'd realized the more she watched Kurt and Blaine's relationship grow and develop, the more she wanted a relationship just like theirs. She wanted someone to confide in, someone to know all her secrets and still love her despite them. She wanted someone to hold her all night and still be there in the morning. She wanted someone to love, and who loved her in return.

She wanted an anchor. She needed an anchor in her life.

And what was truly miraculous to the diva, was when she had finally come to this conclusion, Quinn Fabray happened to come back into her life. The only woman she had ever had any real feelings for was suddenly there in front of her.

And Quinn loved her; Rachel knew she did. And Rachel loved her back.

Despite all the heartache in their past, Rachel Berry loved Quinn Fabray and wanted to be with her. She wanted a family with her.

"I want Quinn," she stated, all conviction and truth in her words. "I want Quinn and I want a family with her."

Shelby smiled, her eyes softening. "Okay, now that you know what you want… what are you willing to do to get it?"

Rachel took in a slow deep breath before answering. "I need to lower my pride and be understanding. I need to be strong for us and stop being such an immature asshole. Quinn deserves better… a whole lot better."

Silence enveloped the women as they were both deep in their own thoughts.

After a few minutes, Rachel whispered, "I'm scared, Mom."

Scrunching her eyebrows in confusion, Shelby pulled back so she could look at her daughter. "What are you scared of, baby?"

"I'm scared of not being enough for Quinn. I'm scared of not being enough for Jaxon. He deserves to have the best influences in his life and what if-"

"I'm going to stop you right there, Rachel Barbra Berry," Shelby interrupted. "Yes, they both deserve to have the best people around them… but honey, you are the best person for them. You are enough for them. I know you better than anyone else in this world — even you — and I can promise that you are going to be wonderful in a relationship with Quinn, and a great mother to Jaxon. They need you, Rachel. Every time Quinn and Jaxon came to my office for an appointment, I could see the look in Quinn's eyes as I examined Jaxon and as we discussed him. I could see her thinking of you. I saw her smile when she watched your son and I knew she was thinking of you. It was very obvious to me, Rachel, that she wished you were there with her. Quinn is a wonderful woman and someone I would be proud to have as a daughter-in-law."

Rachel choked out a laugh. "Aren't you going a little fast, Mom?"

Shelby chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe. But I know that you all want to be a family together, and I know my daughter would want to make an honest woman out of the girl she loves."

This time Rachel chuckled. "Touché."

Shelby held her tighter. "I love you, Rachel. And I'm proud of the woman you've been working on becoming. Life has bumps and potholes and a lot of shitty things, but I know that no matter what it throws at you, you'll rise to the challenge. And you will succeed. Because that's the type of daughter I raised."

~~~~~QR~~~~~

Rachel spent long into the night holed up in her private music studio she had professional built inside her house. Whenever emotions ran high, she always found comfort in her music. And tonight was one of the most emotional times in the young singer's life.

At one point, she heard Cassie knock on the door and ask if she was okay. Rachel had just grunted out a reply.

And Cassie knew Rachel well enough to know that she should leave the singer alone and let her pour out her emotions and feelings through her music.

It was after 5am when Rachel finally burned out. She drug herself to her bedroom, stripped down naked and fell into bed. She was asleep instantly.

~~~~~QR~~~~~

Cassie flipped off the stove in the kitchen and looked down at her watch. She frowned at seeing that it was almost noon. Rachel was usually up by now, but the singer hadn't even left her room yet.

She just rolled her eyes. She would give the drama queen ten more minutes, then she was going to go drag her out of bed, even if it resulted in bodily harm from the brunette.

She seriously had been worried about the diva, in her own hard-knocks way. She knew how much pain Rachel had been in over the years, knowing she was unable to have what she's always dreamed of — a family. And seeing the excitement on her friend's face when she'd talked about Jaxon the previous day, brought a huge grin to the lawyer's face. She was so happy for Rachel and actually hoped that the singer and Quinn would be able to work things out.

When the ten minutes was up, Cassie made her way up to Rachel's bedroom. She knocked on the door before just shoving it open, without even waiting for an answer.

Rachel was lying face-down, a pillow over her head and an arm dangling over the side of the bed.

"Rachel?" she yelled as she walked further into the room and pulled the pillow from over her best friend's head. "Rachel, you have to get your ass out of bed! You have band rehearsal in an hour."

The diva grunted, grabbing her pillow back and burying her head deeper in it. "Go away," she muttered.

Cassie took a deep breath, "I can tell you had a shit of a day yesterday, but now you have to suck it up and be a professional. I know — it totally sucks, but that's what grown-ups have to do."

"I'm exhausted, Cassie," Rachel mumbled. "I just want to lie here."

"I know, sweetie, but that isn't an option. Come on. I've already made breakfast — pancakes, your favorite."

Rachel huffed and pushed herself up out of bed. "Fine," she grumbled, not even looking at the blonde as she made her way to her bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

~~~~~QR~~~~~

Rachel was late to the studio. Rachel was never late.

Band rehearsal was scheduled to start at 1pm. It was now 1:15pm.

And no one knew what to do.

Rachel's heart was heavy as she rode the elevator up to the studio. After the emotional talk with her mother, she felt completely drained. And right now she felt like she was going to throw up. She knew she was late to band rehearsal, but she really didn't care today. The band wasn't on her list of priorities at the moment.

Wearing large sunglasses to hide her puffy bloodshot eyes, she made her way passed their receptionist and down the hallway. When she entered the studio, she wasn't surprised at all to see everyone just standing around, obviously waiting for her to tell them what to do.

What the hell? she thought, her shoulders drooping. Can't they do anything without me? Just play the damn songs! She threw her bag on the ground and was on her way over to the microphone when she heard a roar,

"Rachel?! Get in here. Now!"

Rachel stopped in her tracks. She was so not in the mood to hear Holly's shit. But she knew that she'd better indulge the blonde publicist before she came out of her office and literally drug Rachel away — she'd done it before. "I'll be right back," she said to the band members. "Play something, why don't you? You don't need to just stand around. I'm not your babysitter."

Rachel pushed herself into Holly's office to see the publicist sitting behind the large desk, typing furiously on the computer. Tina sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, her fingers massaging her forehead. The singer felt the tension in the air and all it did was make her mood worse and her defenses fly back up. Her emotions were so out of whack at the moment, she didn't know how any outside attitude was going to affect her. She might just fly off the handle.

She cocked her head to the side as she stared at the blonde, who hadn't even acknowledged her presence yet. Her hands on her hips, she growled out, "I'm here. What do you want, Holly?"

"Sit," the publicist demanded, not taking her eyes off the computer screen as she continued to type. "I'll deal with you in a second."

The clipped comment almost sent Rachel through the roof. "I don't need this shit today," she stated, turning around to walk back out.

That got Holly to look up. "What did you just say?" her voice was clipped.

"I'm saying that you called me in here and now you just ignore me and treat me like some kid who got sent to the principal's office. I have bigger issues to deal with in my life than to just stand here and take your crap."

Holly slowly stood up, her hands flat on the desk and her ice blue eyes hardening. "I wouldn't have to treat you like a kid, Rachel, if you wouldn't keep acting like one!" her voice rose with each word.

"You have no right to judge me, Holly!" Rachel yelled, jabbing her finger at the blonde. "You have no idea the pure hell I've been through the last few days!"

"Oh… I'm pretty sure I have some idea," she said vaguely. "You see, I have a contact at one of the television networks and he sent this little email over to me, knowing I would want to take a look at it before it aired tonight for the whole world to see." She picked up a remote from her desk and pushed a button. The flat screen on the wall turned on and a celebrity gossip show began to play.

"Welcome back. We have just received photos of New Directions lead singer, Rachel Berry, at a park in downtown LA yesterday. She was spotted making a sand castle with a brown haired little boy. There is also a picture of Rachel having an obviously intense conversation with a blonde woman, who we assume is the little boy's mother."

Rachel closed her eyes, a headache beginning to pound in her skull. On the TV screen were three photographs — one of her playing in the sand with Jaxon, thankfully the photo didn't show his face. The second one was of her and Quinn arguing, and even though Rachel had her sunglasses on, it was quite apparent that the two were arguing by the way they were standing, and with Rachel pointing her finger in Quinn's face. The third was another shot of the two women yelling at each other. In this one, Rachel was wildly gesturing toward the sandbox, her mouth wide open in mid-rant.

"We were unable to identify the blonde woman, but she obviously has some sort of relationship with Berry. Is America's number one diva out of control? Sources have stated that Rachel has been spotted at several different night clubs over the past several weeks since the band ended their tour. Perhaps the lead singer is blowing off some steam? Or, from these recent pictures, maybe she should be enrolled in anger management classes? What do you, our viewers think? Go to our website and leave us a comment on what you think is happening to lead singer Rachel Berry and what should her management team be doing?"

The screen went black and heavy silence filled the office.

Rachel was gritting her teeth, trying so hard to hold on to her emotions. She was not in the mood for this shit. Her personal life, which was currently in chaos, was going to be seen by the entire world tonight. Great… just what I need right now, she thought, her hands firmly on her hips, not offering up any explanations to the publicist and manager.

"Well?" Holly asked, motioning toward the blank screen. "What do you have to say? Why the hell does it look like the lead singer of the number one band in the country is about to punch some random blonde?"

"It's my business, Holly," Rachel stated in a flat voice. "It doesn't concern you."

Holly gaped at the head-strong brunette, then her expression hardened. "Oh, it damn well concerns me, Rachel. In fact, every minute of your life and the band's lives concern me. It is my job as your publicist to make sure you have a clean public image, but I can't do that if you refuse to tell me what is going on. After that spot airs, the fans are going to think you are out of control," Holly stated, hands on her hips and staring Rachel down. "Rachel, you know better than to lose your temper in public! You have an image to uphold and if more pictures like these leak out, New Directions is going to sink faster than the Titanic."

Without saying a single word, Rachel just spun around and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

~~~~~QR~~~~~