Chapter 4: A Better Tomorrow

Shelby Corcoran eased out from beneath a slumbering Quinn and then worked to get the blankets pulled down. Quinn whimpered as she was moved, her mouth forming a pout even in sleep. Shelby shushed her with gentle murmurings as she settled her child into bed properly. A soothing hand came to rest on Quinn's back until she relaxed fully. Then Shelby straightened, her eyes trailing down to the teenager's upturned bottom. It was still so red. Shelby winced in sympathy, recalling plenty of evenings she'd gone to bed with a sore, warm bottom, too.

The mother pulled the flat sheet up to Quinn's shoulders, leaving the heavier blanket and comforter folded over the girl's legs for now. Leaning over, Shelby brushed the hair away from Quinn's face before planting a kiss to the girl's temple. "Love you, Quinnie. Sweet dreams, my darling girl," she whispered into soft hair.

Jacob Corcoran had just settled down into his recliner after getting Beth to sleep when his phone rang. He brought the device up to his ear in the next instant.

"Hi, baby," he greeted, his tone soft. He heard Shelby sniffle on the other end and his heart went out to his child. "I'm right here, honey."

"She cried so much, Daddy. Not even because of the spanking—I mean, she cried then too, but I'm talking about afterwards. She begged me not to leave her and kept telling me just to h—hold her. It took everything in me not to cry with her. I don't…I don't know how to help her with these fears. I'm not sure I'm doing anything right…"

"Where is she now?" Jacob asked.

"She's sleeping. She fell asleep with me holding her and singing to her," Shelby cried.

"You're doing the right thing by her, Shelly. You're providing her with consistency and boundaries and showing her the true meaning of family and unconditional love. She feels safe with you. The fact that she called you what she did today is proof enough of that. She trusts that you will be there to set her back on the right track. And you've done that. She had a horrible day today and it all caught up to her in the end. She just needed her mama to reassure her. You did that, too. You're doing good, baby girl. I promise."

"This parenting thing is hard, Dad," Shelby lamented. Jacob chuckled on his end, nodding along.

"It's the hardest thing in the world, kiddo. I'm not sure it ever gets easier…you just learn to roll with the punches a bit better."

Jacob stayed on the phone with Shelby until his daughter's tears ran their course. When he heard yawns coming from the other side of the phone, he stepped into his own role as parent. "Bedtime, Shelby. Go get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a better day. I love you."

"Love you, Daddy. Thank you for, well—everything."

Quinn's eyes fluttered open and she scanned the shadowy room in confusion for a moment. This wasn't her room. Where was she—

And then she rolled over and the memories flooded in—along with the pain. The girl let out a tiny gasp as her sore bottom touched the mattress and she quickly scrambled from the bed, her hands flying back to ease the ache.

Her bladder demanded immediate attention now that she was up, so Quinn tip-toed to the bathroom, not wanting to disturb her sleeping mother. She winced as her cheeks hit the toilet seat and squirmed to find a less-painful position. There wasn't one, so the girl made quick work of her business, jumping up as soon as she could.

The glow from the nightlight plugged in to the left of the mirror was enough to see to wash her hands and she stared back at her reflection as she completed the task, her mind wandering. It conjured up the glimpse she'd gotten of her red bottom after Shelby let her up from her lap the second time. She wondered what it looked like now.

After drying her hands, the teenager closed her left eye completely while squinting with her right. She flicked the bathroom light on and immediately threw a hand over her face. That was dumb, she realized. She was determined now, however, and uncovered her face. Her right eye watered as she acclimated it to the sudden change. Her left she kept squeezed shut—she'd need that one when she went back into the dark room.

Turning her back on the mirror, Quinn lowered her underwear and then twisted around to get a look. Expecting at least pink skin to greet her, she was amazed at the pale, unmarked cheeks. She reached a hand back to inspect and hissed as her fingers brushed against tender skin. Her whole butt was sore and felt as if she'd sat for hours on a hard concrete bench—or had gotten a bad sunburn across the entire area. She pouted and pulled her panties back into place, then turned off the light.

"Quinnie? Are you alright, honey?" Shelby asked as Quinn eased the door back open. The woman's voice was gravely from sleep.

"Just had to go to the bathroom. Sorry I woke you," Quinn answered as she returned to bed.

"S'okay, baby," Shelby yawned and held the blankets up for the teen to climb back in. The girl settled in on her stomach again and laid facing her mother. Shelby covered her and then reached out to brush some hair away from her child's face. "Go back to sleep now, honey. It's late. I love you."

"Love you, Mama," Quinn closed her eyes and snuggled closer to her mother.

Shelby yawned and stretched, slowly opening her eyes to the morning light filtering in through the small gap in her curtains. It was much brighter than she was used to and she turned to check on the other occupant in her bed…only to find it empty. Quinn had gone, and judging from the feel of the cold sheets, it had been some time ago. Eyes now traveling to her clock on the nightstand, Shelby was surprised to see it was almost 9. She hadn't slept this late in ages.

The mother climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Then she went in search of her teenager.

The delicious smell of breakfast and coffee hit her as soon as she opened her bedroom door. She followed her nose down the first section of stairs until she reached the landing. She paused here, unnoticed, and watched as the teen danced to the music playing from the radio while she cooked scrambled eggs at the stove. Shelby smiled at the sight of her daughter so carefree and happy after the unpleasantness of the day before.

Shelby made sure to make some noise as she started down the stairs again. Quinn turned just as she hit the hardwood; her expression was unreadable. "Hey, love," Shelby greeted with a warm smile as she approached.

"Mama. I was going to surprise you," Quinn said as she turned off the burner on her eggs.

"This is a surprise, honey. It smells wonderful—and you made me coffee!" Excitement laced the mother's words as she drew her child into a quick hug, rubbing her back and planting a kiss to the top of Quinn's head. Pulling back, Shelby cupped her daughter's cheek, the pad of her thumb tracing the soft skin. "How are you feeling?"

Quinn blushed and looked away. "Okay," she said, lips rolling inward. Her cheeks puffed with air and she blew it out a moment later. "Sore."

Shelby mirrored her daughter's pout and then titled the girl's chin up. "Remember, it's just us, sweetheart," she soothed. Quinn's blush deepened, but she nodded. "C'mon. Let's eat—I'm starving."

While Quinn plated their breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, and even some bacon!), Shelby slipped into the living room for a moment. She returned with a pillow from the sofa and set it on Quinn's chair without the girl noticing. Then she went and made herself a cup of coffee; she poured a glass of orange juice for Quinn and carried both drinks to the table. Quinn joined her with their food, setting the plates down at their usual spots.

Quinn took a deep breath as she prepared herself for sitting, knowing it was going to be uncomfortable at best. She spotted the pillow as soon as she pulled her chair out and cast surprised eyes up to her mother. Shelby gave her a wink and sat, nodding for Quinn to do the same. The girl eased herself down and then let out an involuntary sigh—the pillow worked wonders.

The first few minutes were quiet, except for the gentle sound of utensils on plates. Shelby hummed in appreciation as the first bite of bacon exploded across her tongue. She followed it with a sip of delicious coffee. "This is wonderful, Quinnie. Thank you," she told her child. Quinn beamed at the praise.

"So…what are your plans for the sleepover later? We can go out and buy some snacks for you and San before picking Beth up."

Quinn shot another surprised look at her mother, chewing and swallowing in haste. She coughed and grabbed for her drink, clearing her throat. "I…I can still have my sleepover?"

"Of course you can, baby," Shelby answered, reaching out to place her hand over Quinn's. She squeezed in reassurance, then traced her thumb across the girl's knuckles.

"But I thought…yesterday—"

Shelby sighed and took Quinn's hand properly. She tugged enough to get the girl's feet moving, and pulled the teen over to her. She made quick (and careful) work of sitting Quinn in her lap, then held her close.

"You made mistakes yesterday, absolutely. You've been punished for them. It's over and you are forgiven, Quinnie. You were forgiven before I ever took you over my lap. Today's a new day. And it's going to be a better one—you'll see."

Quinn's face broke out into a huge smile and she threw her arms around Shelby's neck, hugging her tight. Her mother's words were easy to believe—they'd already come true.