AN: This doesn't really follow how she actually met her mother, so please don't hate me for changing it. I like it better this way anyway.

Dear Rachel,

Here I sit in the room that will soon be your nursery. It is four weeks before your due date and I am very nervous. I cannot say I am anxious for your arrival into this world, for that means you will no longer be in my life. I love you very much, Rachel, and I hope you realize I did not abandon you and I never wanted to leave you.

Your fathers are amazing men and they wanted nothing more than to have a baby girl to raise and love. They found me right as I was looking for a way to New York to become a famous Broadway star. They don't know this, but I already know that is no longer what I will do with my life. I will never make it to New York because I applied to Carmel High School as a music teacher so I can mentor those who need someone to guide them. I cannot be your mom but I can be a role model, almost like a mom, to a bunch of kids who value music the way I do.

I don't know how old you are as you read this, but if you are old enough to understand, I signed a contract that says I will not contact you until you are eighteen. As I have told you where I will be after I give birth to you, you are free to find me. If you do not wish to meet me, I will understand. I will not raise you or be your mom; your fathers are there for that. They love you, Rachel, and I hope you never feel any animosity toward them.

I hope you don't hate me, baby, because I love you so much and I only wish that I could have some kind of relationship with you. I know this will not make up for not being in your life, but I never used the money I was paid for having you. I put it all in a trust fund for you when you turn eighteen and decide what to do with your life. It is enough for college or living expenses should you find yourself in my place. After all, I am only twenty and I understand how drive can make you do things you never would have considered. If your fathers are already saving for that, which I assume they are, the money I have given you is for you to do good in the world.

I love you, my baby, and I know you will become a daughter I would be proud to call my own.

With all my love,

Your Mom

Ps: I don't know what you've been told, so my name is Shelby Corcoran* if you don't know.

Rachel Berry wiped a tear from her eyes and grabbed her car keys. She was going to find her mother in Carmel, whether her fathers wanted her to or not. They told her that Shelby never tried to call or send her anything and now she knew why, she already left something and that was good enough. She loved her even though she never told anyone. Slipping on her coat, she ran from her bedroom and closed the door that still said RACHEL is pretty curvy letters with a gold star at the end.