I'd love to say this was just for the story however, it's not. My husband and I are still helping my daughters through this. I've realized a lot of times writing helps me in a way talking about it doesn't. Thanks

It was almost that time again and Shelby was rubbing her temples looking at her computer screen deciding whether to buy a plane ticket for Will or not to go to New York. The girls had begged Shelby to go back so they could see Juan like they did last year, and she couldn't say no to them, not with this. It's not as if they were asking to go just for the hell of it, they wanted to keep the tradition she had started, releasing balloons and telling Juan all about the last year of their life.

Shelby took a deep breath and clicked the order now button, the four tickets in her cart now purchased. Will didn't mind staying home with Beth, they had a freezer full of breastmilk and he was more than capable of taking care of the baby and himself…probably. He had never actually been alone with Beth for more than a few hours and they were going to be gone for four days which was much different. Shelby knew Will would be fine seeing as two sets of grandparents lived close by but decided it would be great for Beth to spend some time with her third set of grandparents while they were visiting Juan. She didn't need a plane ticket though because she was just a baby.

Today was September 14th and they were leaving in eight days to arrive on the 22nd, two days before the anniversary of Juan's death. Shelby was happy two of the days they'd be gone consisted of Saturday and Sunday so the girls wouldn't be missing that much school, something she was hoping to avoid this year unlike last due to everything that happened with Mercedes. Shelby and Will had been keeping tabs on the girl so they'd have a heads up when she graduated Jane Adams because even though she was going to start at a new school, they knew once she wasn't 'locked away' it's possible their feisty brunette may get Puck and some other guys to rough her up.

This year instead of the girls turning on each other come September, Santana more so than Rachel, they were spending more and more time with one another, something that seemed almost impossible because they were always glued together anyways. A day in September this year hasn't gone by where they didn't sleep in each other's bed, a few nights waking the other up from their night terrors. Their arms were always linked when walking down the hallways of school, and they continued to cuddle as their bodies molded together.

Suddenly, math class went from beyond boring to crazy hectic when Santana started screaming as her sister fell out of her chair and onto the floor, body shaking. Gasps could be heard, questions of what was happening and what to do were thrown out, and the teacher ran to the wall phone to get the nurse. Santana sat at the floor calling her twin's name, Quinn and Puck on the floor with her as well, now understanding what they both went through last year.

"Go get Shelby, Britt!" Quinn encouraged, knowing the mother would be better than the nurse who most likely wouldn't know what the hell to do.

"Rachel, you have to be okay…I can't lose you too," she cried.

Shelby was in her classroom during her free period grading the pop quiz she had given to her first two classes when the blonde came running in. "Mama C, Mama C help!"

"What's going on, babe?" the teacher questioned.

"It's Rachel!"

Shelby dropped the pen in her hand and went running down the hall with the quirky blonde fearing the worst. By the time she got there, the school nurse was leaning over Rachel who was propped up in Santana's lap, brunette's face covered in tears that were still flowing.

"Mama, it happened again," Santana said, looking up when she heard the unmistakable sound of her mothers' heels. She didn't care that she referred to her as mama in front of her classmates and was openly crying. This was her sister and more than that, she was her twin—her other half.

The math teacher was trying to clear her classroom to give the family some space, their ten closest friends refusing to leave as Shelby squatted down next to her daughters, the nurse telling her the ambulance was on its way. She didn't acknowledge her, focus solely on the tiny brunette.

"Rach, baby. Mommy's here," she said softly, her hand cupping Rachel's cheek. "You need to open your eyes for me. Open your eyes for mommy."

"Rachie, I need you."

"Help is here, Mrs. C," Puck said when he saw the EMT's coming through the door. Blaine and Kurt had already gone to get Mr. Shue, running into Ms. Pillsbury on the way who joined them in finding the Spanish teacher.

They all started following the gurney out until realizing it was the middle of the school day not to mention, none of them could drive so even if they wanted to go to the hospital they couldn't. Will came flying towards his wife, wrapping his arms around Santana when she said his name, letting his wife know he and Santana would meet them there before she got in the ambulance with Rachel.

"Don't leave me, daddy," Santana cried when Will told her he needed to go get his keys.

"I'll be right back, honey."

"I've got them, Will. Go," Emma said. Puck now had his arms wrapped around his friend after Will untangled her arms from around his waist. Emma didn't have the heart to send the kids back to class yet, and if she was being honest with herself, she had a feeling Judy was already on her way to bring Quinn, Puck and Brittany to the hospital because those five were thick as thieves.

It took three nurses to get Shelby out of the room to get a medical history while the doctors got started figuring out what the hell was going on, she had superhuman strength, her mama bear protectiveness in full force.

"Last January, umm, January 9th a girl elbowed her in the nose…it caused a severe nosebleed and she, umm, she had two seizures. Doctors assured us it was a freak incident. She's been fine though," Shelby cried. "She's been better than fine."

One of the nurses went back into the room to inform the doctors in there who threw out an additional set of tests to run while they got to the bottom of why she still wasn't conscious. Shelby didn't know what the hell to do with herself, having a silent spiral like her girls did, pacing back and forth seeing nurse after nurse going in and out of the room her daughter was in. Realizing she didn't have her phone, Shelby felt helpless and alone waiting for Will and Santana to arrive.

In the car, Santana was having a spiral of her own. All she wanted was her sister, she didn't feel whole without her. Will started worrying even more when the spiral suddenly stopped, and Santana started hyperventilating so much she threw up.

"Oh boy. Okay honey, you need to breathe for me." Will pulled over focusing on getting his daughter to breathe knowing Rachel wasn't alone because his wife was there. "Honey, copy dad. In through your nose, out through your mouth. There we go."

"I'm sorry about your car, daddy," Santana said, her voice quiet and sad once she had calmed down.

"The car doesn't matter, sweetie. I'm only concerned about you right now."

"And Rachie."

"Yes, of course. Rachel too. Come on, let's get to the hospital to see mommy and Rach."

Emma wasn't surprised seeing a frantic, blonde woman running into the school and left the three upset kids in her office to stop her before she ran past. "Can I assume you're Quinn's mother, Judy Fabray?"

She stopped, sizing the woman up, and nodded. "I'm the guidance counselor, Emma Pillsbury."

"Ahh, nice to meet you, although I hate the circumstances that caused it."

"Likewise, your daughter is in my office with her friends. Quinn told me you were bringing them to the hospital."

"I am. Susan and Hannah said it was fine their children left early for the day, I spoke with them myself before I left the house."

"Perfect. Feel free to use my office for as long as you need before you go," Emma said with a smile. She too had spoken with the parents because by law, the school was required to have permission from a guardian before releasing a student.

"Thank you so much."

Shelby couldn't wait any longer, she went up to the nurse's station and called her mother knowing just hearing her voice would help her relax. She didn't know what taking her husband so long to get here and could only pace for so dodging nurses, hospital staff, and other patients. Katherine and Thomas loaded Beth into the car seat each of the grandparents had, calling Meredith who continued making phone calls to family members.

Shawn told the Schuesters', Meredith told the Lopez's, some got into their cars to meet at the hospital, others packed a bag then headed to the airport. They were an incredibly involved family and because they all believed the doctors that another seizure was highly unlikely, nobody was taking any chances. Maria and Carlos would never be able to live with themselves if Rachel didn't make it, and god forbid, they didn't fly in to be with their family. Their son was already taken from them without warning.

"Where are you taking her?" Shelby asked, watching two nurses wheel Rachel out of the room she was in. She now had a nose canula in providing her more oxygen, leads on to monitor her heart, an IV giving her fluids and multiple medications the doctors had ordered, looking smaller than ever in the hospital gown, blanket only covering half of her.

"We're bringing your daughter for some scans, don't worry, she's in good hands."

"Can I just fix her blan—"

"Mrs. Cocoran?" one of the doctors asked, and Shelby turned around to face him. "The head of neurology is finishing up in surgery, he will be down to speak with you shorty." And with that, he was gone.

"Hi, I'm looking for my daughter Rachel Corcoran," Will said at the front desk. A complete deju vu moment playing through his head as Santana sniffled next to him, unable to stop her tears.

This time Will and Santana were led to room 29, stopping short when they saw Shelby once again pacing back and forth. "Mommy!" Santana screamed, running into her arms.

"What's going on, Shell? Where's our baby?"

"Tests," was the only thing she was able to say before resting her head on Will's shoulder, Santana smooshed in between them.

"Did she wake up yet, mama?"

"Not yet, baby girl."

Back at the front desk, the woman who had led a crying girl and her father was now being bombarded by an incredibly large group of panicked family members and friends hearing the name Rachel Corcoran over and over.

"How are you all related?"

"Grandparents, baby sister, aunts, uncle, and cousins," Thomas responded knowing there was no way Judy, and the kids would make it past the double doors unless they were family, something they are in their hearts.

"Okay. I can't let all of you back there though, there's too many of you."

Katherine, Rose, Shawn and Meredith went back first because they figured Shelby and Will would need their mothers most, Shawn and Meredith going in hopes of getting Santana to come and sit with them so her parents could speak with the doctors and focus all their attention on Rachel.

Luckily for everyone in the waiting room, Beth was content in Quinn's arms, squealing at the blonde as she waved her arms around. "It must be nice to not worry about anything the way babies do," Puck commented when Beth took his finger.

"Come on, sweet girl. Your grandparents, baby sister and friends are here, everyone want to see you," Meredith said to Santana who refused to let go of her mom.

"I think grandpa brought some candy for you," Shawn tempted.

"I don't care about any stupid candy, Uncle Shawn. I just want my sister!" Santana wasted no time turning around, running through the hallway and out the double doors. Shawn and Meredith ran after her when the neurologist introduced himself to Will and Shelby, promising to look after Santana until they came out to get her.

"Was that our granddaughter?" Robert asked as the girl ran by.

Once they saw Shawn and Meredith also running, they had their answer. Thomas stopped his son and daughter in law and said, "I've got her."

Thomas found Santana sobbing, curled up with her arms around her knees, sitting on the grass. This was too much for her. Thomas sat down next to her, pulling his hand back after she tried to shake him off, not saying a word because it was pointless until she settled down a bit. About fifteen minutes later, Santana spoke up saying something that caught Thomas completely off guard.

"Do you believe in god?" she whispered.

"I believe there's something bigger than us."

"I don't."

"And why's that?"

"If someone or something existed, why would he take my father from me when I was a baby and put my sister through so much?"

"I don't have an answer for you, Santana. I wish I did, honey."

"It's not fair," she cried, leaning against her grandfather letting him comfort her this time.

Thomas looked up and saw Shawn and Meredith making sure he didn't need any help, he waved them off though, this was something Thomas knew he needed to handle by himself. Shawn wrapped his arms around his wife, and they continued to wait because…it's all they could do.

"We've put your daughter into a medically induced coma to stop the seizures from causing neuronal damage and systemic complications. The plan is to keep her in the coma for the next 48 hours, potentially longer, and we'll be testing her every six hours with another CT scan. I've also started her on a heavy dose of anti-convulsants to get them into her system. There's nothing to worry about, she's in the best hands, and my staff are monitoring your daughter closely."

"I don't understand why this happened in the first place; she was absolutely fine this morning."

"And since her injury...Why anti-convulsants? Is she going to have more seizures now?"

Will wondered, which caused Shelby to get lost in thought about how much their life was going to change again if this became something life-long. Rachel would be rightfully devastated, Santana would freak out and want to kill Mercedes, and she would worry more than she already does, constantly envisioning her baby in a hospital bed, unconscious.

"Why is my baby in a coma?" Shelby asked, tears running down her face. The doctor had just explained why, she was having a hard time focusing though.

"Because if she wasn't, you'd be planning her funeral Mr. and Mrs. Corcoran," the doctor said simply. It was the harsh truth of the matter, sometimes it was best to catch parents of children off guard with something so drastic, so they'd focus. "Your daughter is alive, that is what you should be focusing on right now. We're moving her up to the ICU now, a nurse will come get you when she's settled, and you can see her then. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to surgery."

"How are we going to explain this to Santana?" Will wondered after the doctor left them standing there alone again.

"I'm going to be sick," Shelby said, hand over her mouth. Like mother like daughter Will thought to himself, thankful for his father who offered to clean up the floor mat of vomit from Santana. They could detail the car later; they just didn't want the vomit sitting in the warm car for however long they were going to be there.

"Do you think Rachie is gonna go be with daddy in heaven?"

"No!" Thomas exclaimed; he didn't have all the answers though. "I'm sure she's asking where you are right now, honey."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. Your twins, you girls have superpowers us solos could only dream of having. And because you have these superpowers, you and Rachel could never leave one another behind." Thomas had just told his granddaughter he didn't believe in god, he was sending prayers up to everyone and anyone who was listening though because he had no idea if Rachel was even conscious yet.

"Oh, my sweet baby girl," Shelby said with a gasp when she and Will were led into room 3 of the ICU. Rachel was now intubated, and Shelby's eyes traveled down to see the rise and fall of her daughter's chest for herself, walking towards her, pulling the chair up to her bed and taking Rachel's hand into her own after placing a kiss on her forehead.

Will hand one hand on Shelby's shoulder, the other covering his mouth seeing Rachel lying unconscious. When he had met his wife at the hospital back in January, Rachel was going in and out by the time he got there, not seeing her completely unconscious. He now understood the night terrors his wife and daughter had after that day and didn't know what to say.

"Mommy's here baby, I'm right here."

"Me next daddy, me next!"

"It's still my turn, Rachie!"

Juan threw Santana up in the air three more time and then set her down, opening his arms for Rachel, "Come here, peanut."

"Watch mommy, I'm gonna fly so high I can touch the clouds."

Shelby watched Juan toss four-year-old Rachel in the air as Santana ran around them squealing in happiness. She couldn't believe how her life was turning out. Juan was the most patient, kind, talented, successful and sought-after doctor on the east coast and she was lucky enough to call him her husband and father of her twin baby girls. She had the privilege of being on Broadway, winning a Tony for her role in Wicked and was now acting in a musical people traveled to the United States to see, her agent had just secured her the voice over of Elsa in a new animated children's movie Frozen, all while getting to be a wife and mother, home each day to be present in their lives.

"Who wants popsicles?"

"Me, me, me!" the twins and Juan chanted. The park across from their home was perfect for playing, getting additional energy out, and not worrying about a mess when popsicles were enjoyed. The playground only made it more exciting for the twins, and the parents who were like little kids themselves, going down the slides and on the swings with their girls. They were so lucky to live across from such an incredible space.

"Will you sing to us, mommy?" Santana asked after the popsicles were gone.

"Hmm, only if you three dance."

A bit later the twins and Shelby shrieked when it started to rain, Juan opened his arms and tipped his head back though which caused the girls to jump around and squeal. The family continued dancing around until they were soaking wet, they didn't care because they were having the most fun. At the first sign of lightening, they carefully ran back into the house where they stripped the girls down and wrapped them up in towels. Juan went into the kitchen to make them some hot chocolate to warm up while Shelby got them into some pjs, then the father heard one of his favorite questions—he loved how certain words didn't come out the exact way his girls wanted them too because it made things so much cuter.

"Extwa whippy ceam, daddy!" the twins said in unison.

"What did you say? I couldn't hear you two," Juan teased, and Shelby smiled.

"Extrw wh—"

"What's happening to my baby?" Shelby screamed seeing Rachel shaking again as the machines went off. She thought the whole point of the induced coma was to stop the seizures from happening.

"You two need to leave," one of the nurses told them.

The door closed after more nurses and the doctor went running in, blinds drawn, leaving Shelby wrapped in Will's arms as tears streamed down their faces.

"No, you don't understand. I need to get back there!" Santana screamed, pointing towards the double doors.