Disclaimer: I, by no means, claim to own anything remotely related to the Glee Universe. No copyright infringement intended.

AN: For this story, we're just going to pretend Quinn was a little older (a high school junior) when she had Beth. So, Babygate, just in their junior year instead of their sophomore one. Also, there is mentioned character death.

Part One

2 Kids

To: rachel_weston1993
From: charlottediannagreen
Subject: Hi.
Date: 2 August 2023

Dear Mrs Weston,

This is probably as strange for you as it is for me but I think it's important I send this email. I hope you don't mind that I got your contact information from Camp Vega, where I believe your daughter has befriended my own over the past few weeks they've been away. From what Beth (my daughter) tells me, Lily sounds like a lovely young girl. They've been thick as thieves since they arrived, I believe, which initially had me ecstatic because my kid is a little shy. Now, though, I find I'm more concerned by what they seem to have planned.

I don't know if you're aware, but their camp counsellor, Delia, actually sent me an email yesterday, informing me of a conversation she overheard between the two girls, and I just have to ask: is there any reason on your end for why they may or may not be planning to run away to Ohio? I only ask because, well, I don't want my twelve-year-old crossing state lines without me, and Beth has never mentioned any interest in Ohio to me before. I'm assuming it's connected to Lily, though I may be mistaken.

If I sound accusatory, I don't mean to be. It's just that I'm worried about our children and, while I can implore the camp to keep a closer eye on them, I can't help but want to tackle this myself. As yet, I haven't spoken with Beth about what I know. It sounds odd, I'm sure, but I don't want to spook her, and driving out there right now just seems like overkill. I'm hoping you could clue me in, and maybe we can figure out a way to handle this together, without letting our little terrorists in on the fact we're onto them.

Hope to hear from you.

Kind regards,
Charlie

"What the fuck is this?"

Rachel Berry sips carefully at her wine, even as she watches her best friend reread the email off Rachel's iPad. She's rather exhausted after her long day at the theatre, and she had to come home to this.

"Seriously," Santana Lopez-Pierce says, meeting Rachel's gaze. "Who is this woman? And, who the fuck is Beth?"

Rachel gives her a look. "I told you about the friend Lily made at camp," she says. "This is, apparently, said friend's mother."

Santana, who's slightly hunched over on her own stool at Rachel's breakfast bar, frowns. "I don't understand," she says. "What's this about Ohio?"

Rachel sets her glass on the counter. "Apparently, Lily and Beth here have plans to leave the camp ahead of time and head to Ohio."

"Why?"

Rachel licks her lips. "It may or not be because I very firmly said no when Lily asked if we could go visit my dads when she gets back," she explains.

Santana hums in thought. "I see."

"What do you see?"

"She's really your daughter, isn't she?"

Rachel huffs, running her fingers through her loose hair. "This isn't funny, Santana," she says. "What if Lily actually runs away? Oh, my God, I'm going to be one of those mothers whose kid actually runs away."

"Easy there, Berry," Santana says. "Lily is ten. She's going on an adventure - she's not running away from you."

"Are you even hearing yourself?"

Santana laughs. "I don't know what you're so worried about," she says. "You vetted Camp Vega until you were blue in the face. They're not going to lose your kid."

"Okay, but, if this woman is worried, shouldn't I be as well?"

"Maybe she's more of a helicopter mom than you are," Santana offers.

"I resent that."

Santana pours them both some more wine. "I think you're just looking for an excuse to go up there and see her," she says. "Which you know you absolutely cannot do."

Rachel grumbles under her breath, because, God, Santana is right. She's been in a foul mood ever since Lily left for summer camp a full two weeks and two days ago. She can barely get enough sleep as it is, and now she has to worry about her little mini-me maybe deciding to go on a cross-country journey with some twelve-year-old because she said no to going to see her grandparents.

Rachel didn't think she would be this type of mother, but she honestly can't help it. She's one of those mothers who's a little too obsessed with her child, and she can't even bring herself to deny it. They haven't been apart for this long, ever, and it's taken its toll on Rachel. She's even spent a few nights in tears, but that could just be because she's a little more dramatic than the average person.

The thing is, sometimes, Rachel will just look at her daughter just for the sake of looking at her. It's odd, she thinks, how the simple act of seeing those familiar features and soft skin can calm all her raging thoughts and ease all her lingering guilt.

It's the one reason Rachel doesn't have any regrets about choosing to bring her into this world, and actually keep her. How can she, when she's ended up with this wonderful human being who has a habit of driving her up the wall with her endless questions and desire for independence?

That is something Rachel has struggled with. Giving her daughter space, and letting her experience life for herself. She should be better at this - she's a New York Mom after all - but Rachel has to remind herself and everyone else that Lily is only ten years old.

She still holds the belief that Lily's much too young for Summer Camp.

Especially when said Summer Camp isn't even in her own state.

Surely, there have to be camps that are closer to home.

What on earth does Pennsylvania have that New York doesn't?

Rachel realised far too late that she was always going to give in to her daughter. She never stood a chance when she pulled out her patent puppy dog eyes, pouty bottom lip and her Aunt Santana. Lily even prepared an entire argument, PowerPoint and all, and Rachel just couldn't refuse.

"But it's so far away," Rachel says, lifting her fresh glass of wine to her lips and taking a large gulp. "And, who in the world decided that six weeks was any amount of time for children to be away from their parents? It's not right, San; it's not."

Santana, while sympathetic, isn't going to contribute to Rachel's pity-party. She doesn't have any children of her own yet, but it's taken all of them to raise little Lily.

A village, as it were.

Diapers are terribly expensive.

So are divorces.

"I told you it's going to be fine," Santana says. "Lily wanted to go. All she knows is NYC, Berry." She pauses. "This makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? I mean, you haven't even taken her to Lima, so, of course, your little explorer wants to go herself." She turns her body slightly. "What's up with that, by the way? Why haven't you taken her to Lima?"

There's a lot up with that, but Rachel's choosing not to comment. Why would Lily ever go there when Rachel wouldn't? Rachel left Lima behind the moment she boarded that train to New York after graduation, and she hasn't looked back since.

It's too… painful, she thinks.

It hurts to think about what and who lived and died there.

She just can't.

Santana is supposed to understand that, but she doesn't seem to. It's probably because Santana isn't the one who harbours misplaced guilt and an endless abundance of feelings for a certain blonde that… no longer lives.

Rachel immediately sips at her wine, forcing herself not to think about those things. She's come a long way since that fateful day in high school, but the memories still haunt her.

Sometimes, she's barely sure she's even survived the aftermath.

Still, somehow, she's fared far better than Finn Hudson.

It was Rachel's selfishness that blew apart all their little worlds, and it was Finn's hurt that said, 'I'm done with both of you.'

Nobody could really know just how true that would bend up being.

Rachel forces herself to take steady breaths. She doesn't think about that time in the company of others. Her guilt is paramount, but they all harbour some feelings that only those involved in Glee Club can ever truly understand.

The wine goes down easily and, before Rachel knows it, Santana is drafting a reply to this Charlie.

"I don't know what's going on with you," the Latina says, typing away. "This has nothing to do with Lily, does it?"

"It has everything to do with Lily."

"You forget that I can tell when you're lying," Santana says, glancing up. "What's really going on?"

"She can't go to Ohio," Rachel says softly.

"Okay...?"

"I don't think I'll be able to go and get her, if she does," she admits.

It takes Santana a moment, and then it clicks. "Oh," she sounds, blanching slightly. "That's why you've never - "

Rachel just nods, really not needing her to finish the thought.

Santana clears her throat. "Well, I mean, on the off chance your terrorist does manage to get away, then I'll go," she says. "Or, you know, you could send the man-child."

Rachel rolls her eyes at the mention of Lily's father, a man who she made the mistake of marrying when he asked, and then spent the next four years desperately trying to make said marriage work, until she caught him cheating and immediately filed for divorce. Those are years of her life she'll never get back, but Lily is the only thing she values from that debacle of a relationship.

And, well, experience.

Experience has helped her so much in her career. It's made her a far better actress, she knows, and she'll have to credit it as one of her better teachers. She's accomplished goals she didn't even know she had, and she's reached dreams she laid out for herself when she was still learning to walk.

Still, all of it compares very little to the wonder that is Lily Weston.

At the time, it made sense for Lily to have her father's surname. (Rachel will also admit that she agreed, in order to protect Lily from the public eye, as she knew, undoubtedly, that she would reach stardom, even if Brody didn't. She was right, in the end). She's sometimes grateful for it but, now that she and Brody are divorced - thank God - she and her daughter carry different surnames.

Technically.

Rachel didn't actually change all her legal documents when they got married - a baby kind of makes everything else unimportant - so it wasn't the biggest hassle to get it all reversed. But, Rachel does use the name when it involves Lily. It's already assumed she's Mrs Weston, and she would rather not correct people, given that Rachel Berry is supposedly a household name.

"We both know Brody wouldn't deign to leave the penthouse I paid for," Rachel says.

"And, you're definitely not still sour about it," Santana teases. "You've got to get over it. You married an asshole. You were bound to. At least you got it out of the way at a young age, so now you can actually find the one you were truly meant for."

Rachel gives her a look.

"At least, that's what Britt says," she explains, shrugging slightly.

Rachel hasn't ever really told Santana - or anyone else, for that matter - about her thoughts that she's actually missed her 'one she's truly meant for.' Santana knows about the guilt - a lot of people do, given the way she's acted on the anniversary over the years - but that's all she knows.

"What if I don't find them?" Rachel asks, sounding oddly vulnerable.

Santana stops her typing and looks at her friend. They've come a long way since they used to be tormentor and tormented, and Santana credits shared trauma for it. The worst thing that could happen to a group of teenagers happened, and they were forced to grow from it. And, now, here they are in New York City, having a civil conversation over wine.

It still amazes her.

"Maybe they'll find you," Santana offers, smiling slightly. She looks down at the iPad's screen. "Or, maybe she already did, for all you know."

Rachel rolls her eyes. "There you go again, trying to set me up with everyone who dares to talk to me."

"Somebody has to make the move for you," she says, switching to Rachel's Facebook app on the device. "Let's see... what does this Charlotte Dianna Green look like. I bet she's hot, because that's a fucking hot name."

Rachel leans forward. "Santana," she says. "Please don't start stalking another of Lily's friend's mothers."

Santana swats her hands away when she tries to reach for the tablet. "All I'm saying is that you wasted years with that horrible man when you could have been getting lady love all along," she says. "I'm so glad you came to your senses."

Rachel puffs out a breath. "Please can you not do what you want to do, right now," she says. "The woman is probably happily married with her two and a half children and white picket fence."

"She's not happy," Santana declares. "Come on, does she sound happy? I'm pretty sure you read the same email I did. She's so not happy."

"Santana."

"Let's just look at her," the Latina offers, typing the name into the search bar. A moment later, she frowns. "Well, okay, maybe we shouldn't check Facebook."

"Why?"

"There are like a thousand of them," she says. "Popular name."

"Please can you stop."

"Maybe if I put in the Dianna," she says. "Do you think that'll help?"

Rachel watches as she does just that, and comes up with nothing. "Maybe she doesn't have Facebook," Rachel offers.

"Everyone has Facebook," Santana immediately counters. "Even my abuela has Facebook."

Rachel giggles softly. "You're not going to find her," she says.

"I'm going to find her," she promises. "She exists somewhere."

Rachel shakes her head. "Well, you can do that on your own time," she says. "I thought we were replying to her email?"

"We should ask her to prove if she's really who she says she is," Santana says, almost bouncing in her seat. "How do we know she's really this chick's mother? She could be some stalker, just making things up to get to you, for all you know."

Rachel gives pause at this, and then frowns. "I don't think so, San," she says. "I received an email from Lily's camp counsellor, and she mentioned this exact thing."

Santana hums. "So, how do you want to reply to her?" he asks. "What are you going to tell her?"

Rachel slides the iPad towards her and reads what Santana has already drafted. Her eyes widen, and then she laughs loudly. "You're a sick individual, did you know that?"

Santana flips her off. "She could be the hottest thing since sliced bread, and you don't even know."

Rachel immediately deletes what Santana's written. "This is so crass; I don't even know what to say to you, right now," she says. "You're a married woman. I thought you outgrew this."

Santana just grins at her, and then sighs dramatically. "Fine," she says. "Be boring in your email. Watch. She's not going to email you back."

Rachel, ever the mature one, sticks out her tongue at her, and then proceeds to draft her reply.

To: charlottediannagreen
From: rachel_weston1993
Subject: Hi.
Date: 3 August 2023

Dear Charlie,

Your email did catch me by surprise, but I suppose it's a relief to hear from you. I also received an email about this from Delia, which I was unable to reply to until yours arrived. I've since reiterated that they keep a closer eye on them (I would even suggest watching them constantly, because Lily is a sneaky one).

As for Ohio. You're allowed to be accusatory (even though it didn't come across that way, I assure you), because I'm convinced it's my fault. We have family there that we haven't seen in quite some time, and Lily requested we visit before school starts and I may have been a little too determined with my refusal to indulge her in any conversation about it. I think my lack of interest just fuelled hers, and she's probably managed to turn it into an adventure for the both of them.

I'll be happy to hear what you suggest we do to handle this. I also agree that letting them know that we know isn't the smartest move here. They might accelerate their plans. (Wow. They really do sound like terrorists, don't they?)

Hope to hear from you, as well.

Regards,
Rachel

"Jesus," Santana says when she reads it over. "At least throw in some flirting. You sound like the most boring human on earth. And, fuck, what is with this vocabulary? Do you want to turn her off before you even get started?"

"Santana," she complains, protecting the tablet from Santana's intervention. "I'm not flirting with the woman. She could be in, like, Maryland, for all we know."

"So?"

"Santana."

"You are literally the most not adventurous person I know," she huffs, relaxing into her seat again. "She's not going to email you back."

"Just you watch," Rachel challenges, just as she sends the email.

"Oh, I will."

It takes three days to get a reply from Charlie.

In that time, Rachel receives two standing ovations, a bill from her ex-husband for something she's most definitely not paying for and another email from Delia, who claims that she suspects the girls have started accumulating food for their supposed trip to Ohio. If Rachel weren't so unsettled by her daughter's desire to get to Lima, she would probably marvel at her ingenuity.

But, well, no.

Rachel is about ready to get into her car and drive to fetch her daughter this instant. How dare Lily even entertain such an idea? She knows better. Rachel has taught her better, so this shouldn't even be a thing.

Maybe it was Beth's influence, Rachel thinks, almost cynically. She is older, but Rachel knows Lily has a dominant personality - she's Rachel's daughter, after all. If Beth is shy, then it makes sense that she would give in to Lily's grand ideas.

Rachel also receives a text from Santana that says, The woman doesn't exist. She's a fucking ghost, which just makes Rachel laugh. She can just imagine Santana driving herself crazy with her inability to find this mystery woman.

Rachel replies with, Get back to work. I don't pay taxes for ADAs to sit around stalking people. It's almost inevitable she gets cussed out after that, but it was so worth it.

So, when she receives Charlie's reply, Rachel isn't sure what to expect. She has to admit she's curious about how this entire thing is going to play out, even though she's constantly in a state of stress about it. She's managed to channel it into her performances, but she knows it's going to catch up with her if she doesn't get this resolved soon.

Oh, Lily is in so much trouble when she get's back.

Rachel opens the email when she gets to the theatre, slipping into her dressing room to wait for makeup and hair to arrive. Until then, she has a few minutes alone, that she's going to put to good use.

To: rachel_weston1993
From: charlottediannagreen
Subject: Hi.
Date: 6 August 2023

Dear Rachel (I hope it's okay that I call you Rachel),

Ah. The age-old 'my parent said no, so I'm going to do it anyway, and without them.' Well, it seems our kids have that in common. Though, to be honest, this behaviour is very unlike Beth. I like to think I've taught her the dangers of even attempting such a thing, but one can't really account for stubbornness, now can we? She definitely inherited that from me.

That makes sense, then. Going to Ohio to see family is far better than going just for the fun of it. Still, they shouldn't be planning to go at all. I assume Delia informed you of the food situation. (I want to commend them for being smart about it, but I'm caught between anger and anxiety at this point). I have half a mind to drive up there and bring her home before she can do anything stupid.

As for what to do. My daughter is unpredictable (that, she definitely got from her father), so any number of things could happen if we play our hand. I've asked Delia to remind the collective group that they aren't allowed to leave the camp. I also may have suggested coming up with some kind of spooky story about the woods, which is apparently already a thing. Let's hope they can keep the terrorists contained. (Though, if it's treated anything like the Forbidden Forest, then we're really in for it).

I'll keep you posted on new developments.

Kind regards,
Charlie

Rachel can't be sure why, but she finds herself smiling at the end of the email. She immediately forwards it to Santana, already knowing what the Latina is going to say. They've spent so much time together over the years that she's pretty sure they could probably think for the other. Brittany might be Santana's wife, but Rachel is her... person, as it were.

It still amazes Rachel.

Almost predictably, Rachel's phone buzzes in her hand, indicating a text from Santana.

Lopez: Dude. I think I take it back. She can't be the hottest thing since sliced bread, because the woman is obviously a nerd... WHO DOESN'T FUCKING EXIST.

Rachel just laughs, even as she types out her reply.

Berry: She's real, San. You just suck at finding people. Also, I think it's kind of cute.

Lopez: Gag. You two definitely deserve each other.

Berry: What do I say?

Lopez: Oh, so, now you want my advice...

Rachel just rolls her eyes and doesn't reply as she starts on her reply to Charlie. There's an unfamiliar part of her that feels slightly excited by the prospect of continuing to talk to this strange woman. She doesn't even know what she's supposed to say, but she's going to say something.

To: charlottediannagreen
From: rachel_weston1993
Subject: Hi.
Date: 6 August 2023

Dear Charlie,

Rachel is perfect. I just jumped to calling you Charlie, which I also hope is okay.

I'll admit that it's unlike Lily as well. We actually live in New York, so there's a lot involved in making sure we all stay safe. I'm thinking that all the fresh, unpolluted air has got to her head, and she's just running with it. Stubbornness will be our downfall (it's one of my traits, as well).

I've actually informed my family of the situation - some were amused and some not - but I'm hoping they won't actually have to be on the lookout for two adolescent girls in the near future. I had exactly the same thought of driving there and just plucking her out of the entire situation. I'm convinced she'll end up hating me, so I'm trying not to hover as much as I usually do. It's difficult not to do when she's literally my entire life.

I hope they take it more seriously than the Potter crew do. Though, I should admit that I'm having a little too much fun thinking up all the interesting ways I'm going to ground her and take away all her favourite things for even thinking of doing such a thing. Does that make me a bad mom? I feel as if it does.

Looking forward to it.

Regards,
Rachel

It's odd, Rachel thinks, that she suddenly feels anxious once she's hit send. It's nothing she's felt before with other people - other men - and it merely solidifies what she's felt and known since before the divorce - not that Brody will ever know that. She knows Santana's words are playing into her mind, but it's difficult to ignore that she and this Charlie haven't even exchanged a handful of emails, and Rachel can already feel herself being charmed.

It's not as if Rachel hasn't been with other women before.

Post-divorce was an interesting time for all of them, but especially Rachel. She was still young, and still figuring out some very important things about herself.

Women were a big part of it.

And Lily.

Always, Lily.

She's always been the most important, and that's always going to remain true. Any potential suitor who doesn't understand that isn't worth Rachel's breath, and Rachel doesn't usually waste her time in weening out all the undesirables by informing them of her child rather early on.

Some of them, though, already know, because she's Rachel Berry and, despite the secrecy surrounding her private life, Lily's existence is known by some.

And, when it comes to Charlie, she already knows about Lily.

Not that Rachel is even actually entertaining any of Santana's ideas that there's remotely anything to be found between the two women. Even if Rachel is uncomfortably intrigued by whoever exists on the other end of this email thread, she's received no indication that Charlie would even be interested.

Rachel actually really wants Santana to find Charlie, just because she's curious to know what she looks like.

With a sigh, Rachel sets her phone on her dresser and starts to get ready for her upcoming show. It's all routine by now. She's been playing Fanny Brice in Funny Girl for a little over seven months now, and she's already won a Tony for her performance.

In terms of her fame, Rachel has attempted to remain under the radar. Her social media presence is limited and her public appearances are scheduled as necessary. She did a limited tour for her first album, and her second one has been in the works for a full two years now. Her manager, Irene Mellenkamp, intends to get her in the studio as soon as her contract runs out on Fanny.

Rachel, admittedly, prefers the stability of Broadway. She likes to know that, come rain or shine, she knows where she has to be at least eight times a week. The steady schedule also allows her to plan hers and Lily's lives better.

Time has never been her friend.

There just isn't enough of it.

A knock on her door draws her attention, and she has just enough time to school her features into something pleasant as the door opens to reveal the people who are paid to make her look the part.

All she has to do it play it.

Rachel doesn't get a reply until early the next morning when she's working out on her elliptical in her home gym. She employs a personal trainer who comes to the apartment three times a week, but she mainly uses the elliptical for nostalgic purposes.

It also helps with her stress, which has skyrocketed since Lily's been gone.

Rachel reads the email when she's sipping at her fresh smoothie at the breakfast bar in her impressive kitchen that she only really uses when Lily is around.

Otherwise, there's no use, really. She's learned, through the years, that there's no fun in cooking for one.

To: rachel_weston1993
From: charlottediannagreen
Subject: Hi.
Date: 7 August 2023

Dear Rachel,

By all means, call me Charlie. Everyone else does.

New York, huh? I've never been, but I've heard it's a lovely place, even with its crime hotspots. I reckon the beauty - can grey cities be considered beautiful? - makes up for all of the dangers. I imagine you and Lily are well-versed in what's required to stay safe.

We're suburb people here, which also has its own dangers, I suppose, but Beth is now old enough to walk home from school with her friends. I almost had a panic attack when she first brought it up, and my mother had a good laugh at my expense. How rude is that.

Still, we've all actually attended a few self-defence classes together, just in case. I can throw a pretty nice right hook, and Beth always seems to go for the shins (it hurts almost as much as childbirth, in case you were wondering). She enjoyed the classes so much that she's been taking Karate since she was nine. So, you know, if our kids end up doing this stupid thing they're planning - which, really, I'll sue that Camp Vega if anything actually happens - mine can probably hold her own in a fight.

It's nice to know I'm not the only mom who hovers. The other ones I'm around are generally older than me, and are on to their second or third kids, which really means they're less careful because they've already done it before.

I don't mean to pry, but I get the feeling you're also young - if the 1993 in your email address hasn't given you away. Based on my calculations, you were about nineteen when Lily was born. I was seventeen when I had Beth, and it was about the scariest thing to happen to me. So, from one young mother to another: good for you. I don't know you, but I like to think you've done something of which you should be proud. Just thought I would let you know.

Wow. That got deep very quickly. Sorry about that.

Definitely. I'm certain Harry would have held his wedding ceremony in the Forbidden Forest if he were so inclined. You're not alone there. I've been thinking up ways to make Beth burn, and the best I can come up with is sending her to church with my mother every day. If ever I want her to hate me, that's definitely a sure way to do it.

And, no, it doesn't make you a bad mom. Believe me, I've known bad ones, and I think you're doing all right.

Kind regards,
Charlie

After she's finished reading, there's a long moment where Rachel considers if Santana could actually be right. This strange woman is willingly engaging her in conversation, and it has to be for a reason. Maybe she really doesn't have anyone to talk to, and Rachel is, technically, in her age group, so she's supposed to understand.

Charlie hasn't really mentioned anything about a husband or a boyfriend.

Well, neither has Rachel.

There's nobody to mention.

It takes Rachel close to an hour to draft a suitable reply, which, once again, makes her heart beat that bit faster. She remembers feeling something similar when she was still a teenager, and there was a certain blonde who captured her head and heart without ever even trying.

Rachel doesn't actively think about Quinn, but, sometimes, unwittingly, the girl pops into Rachel's head, and it catches her off guard enough to render her mute.

Like right now.

Rachel clenches her jaw at the memories. The last time she saw Quinn, the girl was in tears, having just had her entire world blown apart because the first thing Rachel did when she learned about the true paternity of her baby was tell Finn.

She did it, not really thinking about how it would affect Quinn, which she now knows was selfish and immature.

If Rachel had been older, she likes to think she would have spoken to Quinn first, and tried to help her face the truth. She stands by her belief that Finn deserved to know, but she definitely should have handled it better.

They all should have.

Even all these years later, Rachel still hasn't fully dealt with it. She would probably have to return to Lima to get the kind of closure she's sure she doesn't deserve. She knows some of the others have moved on, but she still holds onto something.

Rachel carries guilt. So does Santana.

But, at least, the two of them have managed to build lives for themselves, despite it.

Finn hasn't.

He tried, bless him, but the fact that he lost both his best friend and his (ex-)girlfriend that way, so soon after he wished them gone, has plagued him through everything he's attempted to do. Rachel knows he joined the army, but was discharged soon after. Last she heard - from Kurt - is that he's working with Burt in his garage.

His is a promising future that was lost right alongside Noah and Quinn's.

With a sigh, Rachel presses send on her phone, and then attempts to go about her day as best she can, with all this melancholy sitting heavily on her brain.

To: charlottediannagreen
From: rachel_weston1993
Subject: Hi.
Date: 7 August 2023

Dear Charlie,

Well, I'm honoured to be part of the 'everyone,' though my curiosity is definitely piqued. Has Charlie always been your nickname? It's a far cry from Charlotte, when said out loud.

I guess one could say NYC is an ugly kind of beautiful. My best friend, excuse my crassness, refers to it as 'piss pretty,' which I think is apt. Manhattan can be gorgeous, though. You should definitely visit. I'm certain Beth will love it.

I grew up in the suburbs. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm doing Lily a disservice by raising her in the city, but she seems to love it. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by her desire to learn more about where I come from. For reasons I've been unable to tell her, my childhood town doesn't hold particularly fond memories for me, and she's just too young to understand that.

I don't think anything can hurt more than childbirth. It's one of the reasons I've sworn off having another kid. If my potential future spouse wants a child, she can carry it herself. There is no other human being coming out of this body.

Believe me, I get that. I always get the feeling the other women are judging me because I'm so young. I'll willingly admit that I don't know everything about parenting, and I've been doing the best I can. The books and research only help so much, because this is the kind of job that you learn with experience. Nothing written about childcare can possibly prepare you for how it feels to experience your kid's firsts with her.

You're right in one, Charlie. I was a freshman in college when I had Lily. I came to New York with big dreams, and I got lost in an older boy who screamed of mystery. I'm careful by nature, but I did a few reckless things as I adjusted to college life, and I ended up with a positive pregnancy test.

It's terrifying. Unplanned and somewhat alone, I cried for five days straight. My best friend had to force-feed me, and I was dragged to the doctor for confirmation. It makes you reevaluate everything, doesn't it? All my dreams just started to pale in comparison, and it was probably the most liberating and terror-inducing thing to decide to keep her.

Good for you, too. You should also be proud. I don't think I could have handled it if I were still in high school when this happened to me, and you're very brave.

Don't worry. I appreciate profound conversations, and I'm finding that you're rather easy to talk to.

I'm going to take your word for it that I'm not a bad mom. I'm sorry you have experience with anything less than the best of mothers. I'll admit I've had a few experiences myself.

Gosh, that's the greatest idea. I would get Lily to agree to anything and everything if I forced her to go to temple every day. It's genius.

Here that, Charlie? You're a genius.

Regards,
Rachel

Rachel's nervousness makes her clean. Scrub until her hands are practically raw.

The apartment is already spotless, but she needs something to keep her busy while she awaits Charlie's response. She debated endlessly if it was too early to divulge her sexual orientation, but Rachel is trying to be open these days, and she just decided to go for it. It wasn't anything direct, so she hopes she can get away with it.

Charlie has no idea who she is - God, she really hopes she doesn't try to Google her or something ridiculous like that, because she would get the strangest hits, really - and Rachel wants to use that to her advantage. Hopefully, Charlie will give her some indication of where she stands, and then Rachel can decide whether or not to dedicate any attention on wooing this complete stranger... who's never even been to New York or continue to carve out some kind of friendship.

It's not lost on Rachel that Charlie didn't actually say where she lives. Rachel doesn't think she does it to be extra careful, but there is a part of Rachel that's incredibly curious. It would be nice to know what kind of distance they're going to be working with here.

At around lunchtime, Rachel receives a call from Santana, telling her to go over to her office before she heads to the theatre, because she has news about Charlie.

"Why can't you just tell me over the phone?" Rachel asks, sifting through her mail on the kitchen island.

"Where's the fun in that?"

"You just want to show off to your colleagues that you know me again, don't you?"

Santana huffs. "Just get your ass over here, dammit," she grumbles, and then hangs up.

Just to be spiteful, Rachel takes her time. She takes a nice, long bath, during which she contemplates life, once again, and dreams up a life where she's happy and in love with a woman who sees only her, and not her fame or her money.

A woman who loves her daughter.

Before she has a chance to leave to go see Santana, Charlie sends a reply, and Rachel's heart leaps into her throat. She gets the feeling this could be make or break for them, and it's got her fingers trembling and her breathing ragged.

What if she's homophobic? God, what is Rachel supposed to do then? Not only would she have ruined her own chances at friendship, but she might have ruined Lily's. Her daughter would never forgive her for something like that, because Lily obviously really likes this Beth, if she's willing to go on this dangerous adventure with her.

Still.

Rachel is a basket of nerves as she opens the email on her iPad, suddenly unsure what to expect.

To: rachel_weston1993
From: charlottediannagreen
Subject: Hi.
Date: 7 August 2023

Dear Rachel,

If I'm being honest, I don't think the name Charlotte suits me, all that much. My mom likes to claim I come across as... badass, which is where Charlie was born. I prefer it. People get a little surprised when they learn how delicate my actual name is.

We should visit this piss pretty NYC, huh? Is that an invitation?

Speaking as someone who also grew up in the suburbs, I don't think you're taking anything away from Lily by living in the city. I think experiences are always good. I was sheltered quite a bit, and it manifested in some of the worst ways. This way, your kid gets to learn all sorts of things.

Not that there's anything wrong with the suburbs. I just make an active effort to make sure Beth knows a lot about other people and other cultures beyond our own. Her father, while not practicing, was Jewish, and I'm a Christian, so I've tried to immerse her in a lot of religion (even other ones), just because I want her to be able to make her own decisions about Faith. If it's one thing I learned from my own upbringing; it's that shoving the Bible down your kid's throat can be disastrous.

My pregnancy was a very stressful time for me. A lot of things happened and, I think, given the chance, I would probably want to do it again. Get pregnant, I mean. Have another baby. Just to have a better experience. I was so young and so scared, and I want to know what it feels like to want my baby from the get-go. I also just really like children. I guess, then, with that in mind, you and I are perfect for each other, aren't we?

Other mothers can be really awful. They have their own little cliques, and they're so passive aggressive. A lot of them aren't working, so they really don't have anything else to do, other than gossip and judge. But, they don't know what it's like for us, so I think you should just keep doing what you're doing, okay? Forget them.

Mysterious, bad boys seem to be a weakness for us both. Beth's father was a mistake of epic proportions, and I paid heavily for it. So did he. He made the mistake of wanting to love someone who wouldn't be able to love him back, and I made the mistake of wishing things were different with him. Beth knows, at least, that her father loved her - because I know he did - but my heart breaks because they were never able to meet. He died young, and I can't seem to be able to forgive myself for it.

I think that's really as deep as it gets, Rachel. I normally don't talk about these kinds of things. What are you doing to me?

I'll tell you about my experience one day, but I think that's enough unloading. You're not a bad mom. I'd wager you're an awesome mom, and Lily knows it, even if she won't necessarily admit it.

Just a few days, and you've already learned of my superior intellect. This is already going better than expected.

By the way, Delia sent another email that preparations seem to have slowed, and she thinks it's because of the upcoming talent show. They're busy with rehearsals, and I guess they might have forgotten to plot their escape. It's amazing what a little music and dance will do.

Kind regards,
Charlie

There's no mistaking it.

Charlie is definitely flirting with her.

It's the first thing that pops into her head when she's read the email another two times. Charlie told her a lot - more than Rachel ever anticipated - and she finds herself wanting to know more. She wants to know everything about this woman, who exists somewhere in this world, and she doesn't really know how to go about doing that.

She's dated online before. It was a cathartic experience, but Rachel is a physical being. She likes a person's presence, and one of her love languages is touch. Nothing worked out in the long-run, and she wonders about whatever she's starting with this strange woman.

Who Santana is convinced doesn't exist.

"She's a fucking ghost," Santana informs Rachel the second the diva enters her office a little over an hour later. "I'm not even kidding, Berry. The woman doesn't exist."

Rachel doesn't believe that for a second.

"Or, if she does, she's not in any databases," Santana says.

Rachel's eyes widen. "You actually looked her up? I'm pretty sure that's illegal, San."

Santana doesn't even look apologetic. "I had to," she says. "Background Checks on any of your potential partners is vital after that fiasco with the whole gigolo turned husband, and this woman doesn't exist, as far as I know."

Rachel rolls her eyes. "Doesn't that mean she's not a criminal?" she says. "Also, are you checking in other states, because she's not from New York, you know? It's doubtful you're going to find her."

Santana sighs. "Okay, I'll concede to that," she says. "But, something still isn't right, Rach."

And, the sheer fact that Santana uses her shortened first name really should clue Rachel in to how serious this could turn out to be, but it doesn't.

It really, really doesn't.

Rachel has found something in Charlie, and she's going to run with it.

Stubbornness is hereditary after all.