"Love can you get the door please?" Derek yelled from the kitchen.

"Coming" Karen exclaimed racing down the stairs. Not bothering to look through the peep hole before she opens the door she is greeted by a young girl who appears to be very nervous. "Hello" Karen smiles "How can I help you?"

"Um, I...I was looking for Derek Wills." the young girl stutters.

"Please come in can I tell him whose calling?" Karen asks.

"Rachel Berry."

"Ok Rachel, is he expecting you?"

"No but its important that I talk to him please," her eyes almost pleading.

"Well, wait here and I'll get Derek. I'm Karen by the way" she offers extending her hand.

"Thank you, its nice to meet you." Rachel answers

Karen walks back to the kitchen while Rachel makes her way over to the sofa taking in the magnificent views of New York from the floor to ceiling windows. She knew Karen was Derek were a couple; who didn't it was everywhere in the press. Karen Cartwright was the rising Broadway Beauty who the paper claimed had managed to tame Broadway's Bad Boy. Never in a million years would she imagine being in their home. How were they going to react?

"Derek, were you expecting someone?" Karen asks

"No, why?" He inquires

"There is a young girl by the name of Rachel Berry waiting for you in the living room." Karen answers

"What? Why did you let her in?" He asks

"Derek, she's a young girl who looks very nervous, what was I suppose to do just turn her away?She smiles

"Why do I have to be in love with someone who is so considerate?" He grins "If dinner gets cold its your fault Love."

"I'll forgive you." she says as she gives him a kiss on the check.

She grabs his hand and leads him into the living area where Rachel is sitting on the sofa. "Hello Rachel" He says offering his hand while motioning her to stay seated. "How can I help you this evening?" He questions, taking a seat along with Karen on the love seat across from the young girl.

Rachel gives a timid smile and begins "I'm sorry to show up unannounced but I wasn't quiet sure what to say if I called first. You see, I'm a senior in high school and I live with my adoptive parents in Lima, Ohio."

"Alright, but I'm not sure what that has to do with me?" Derek says in confusion.

"Last year I made the decision to try and locate my biological parents. My adoptive parents hired an investigator and last month I was finally provided with names." She continues.

Realization starting to hit both of them, Karen, asks the young girl for confirmation of the assumption both she and Derek are mentally reaching. "Are you saying Derek is your father?"

"Yes" she says in a shaky voice, "The investigator traced my adoption to an agency here in New York. According to the agency my mother told them you had returned back to London and she had no idea how to reach you. They allowed her to go through with the adoption without your approval. However, your name is listed on my birth certificate." Rachel finishes, pulling out a piece of paper from her bag.

Handing the paper over to Karen and Derek; Karen can see a mixture of disbelief, confusion and anger starting to appear on Derek's face and she quickly grabs his hand trying to calm him. He turns to look at her and understanding her unspoken plea, he takes a deep breath and asks "Who is your mother Rachel and where is she?" "I mean aside from my name on your birth certificate how do you know I'm your father." He finishes.

"Her name is Shelby Corcoran but the investigator has yet to locate her. The agency's records show you were both eighteen when I was born. In the personal history section she completed for the father, she said you were British and worked in theater." She answers watching as Derek studies the birth certificate. "I know this is a lot to take in and I'm sorry. I don't expect or want anything from you; I just wanted to meet you. Growing up, other kids have always thought of me as different. I mean while my friends would ride bikes or go for swims; I would stand in front of the mirror and practice my acceptance speech for the Tony Awards. I love to sing and I love musicals. My adoptive parents are gay and they love the theater but they can't sing or dance to save their lives. I guess I know now I get that from you." She explains, tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Do you remember my mother?" She quietly asks.

In shock and looking down at his hand which is intertwined with Karen's Derek remains silent. "Derek?" Karen squeezes his hand gaining his attention. "She asked you a question" she tells him moving her eyes from his to Rachel. "I'm sorry, what did you ask?"

"Do you remember my mother?"

"I'm sorry, I don't." "I'm ashamed to say when I was 18, a relationship was the farthest thing from my mind. I came to New York from London for an internship. I stayed a few months and enjoyed the company of multiple girls."

"I understand" Rachel says with a twinge of sadness in her voice

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, I'll leave now"

"Wait, Rachel; can you give us a few minutes?" Karen asks

Rachel nods her response as Karen leads a silent Derek into the kitchen.

"Derek, are you really going to let her leave?" she looks at him

"Karen, do we know she is actually telling the truth. She shows up here out of the blue saying her mother is someone I don't remember at all; and you want me to embrace her?" "Plus, she looks nothing like me." He says rubbing his hand through his hair.

"What does she have to gain by lying?" Karen questions

"Let me think, you are a Broadway star and I am a successful director. Could it be that she is looking for a shot at a Broadway career?" He sarcastically responds. "Besides, why would you want me to consider the possibility of having a daughter when you know I love you and I want to marry you and start a family of our own?" "Shouldn't you be upset?"

"Derek, I love you and I want nothing more than to marry you and start a family; but, I don't see how discovering you may have a daughter impacts that." "And as far as being upset with you, trust me, my reaction would be much different if you had been aware of Rachel's existence and still chose to exclude her from your life." She firmly answers. "But you were eighteen and never given the chance to be a father. I can't blame or resent you for that." She finishes looking directly into Derek's eyes.

She could tell he was afraid and confused. Derek was not someone to easily let people in his life; that was why so many people doubted their relationship when it first became public. No one could imagine him letting someone know him to such a degree but those close to the couple saw his subtle changes.

"Derek, you saw the birth certificate. If you want to make sure its authentic that's one thing. If you want to get a paternity test fine; but don't send her away without a second thought, you'll regret it. We'll regret it. I'm not going anywhere I promise." She smiles taking his hand in her and intertwining their fingers.

"I love you" He tells her

"I love you too!" She replies leading him back into the living room.

"Rachel, how long are you staying in New York?" Karen asks

"My best friend is waiting for me in your lobby we didn't exactly tell anyone we were coming so we were going to try to catch a bus tonight."

"Do you have to leave tonight?" Derek inquires

A smile starting to form at the corners of her mouth she answers "No, we're on spring break."

"Would you consider staying a few days with us?" Karen asks "Like you said earlier, this is a little overwhelming but I know Derek would like to get to know you and if you are open to it; so would I."

"We don't have any money for a hotel though," Rachel answers

"You can stay here if you'd like but you would have to call your parents," Derek tells her.

Tears falling on their own volition, Rachel replies "I would love to stay for a few days and get to know you too." "Can I go get my friend?"

"Of coarse, the door will be open, just let yourself back in. We'll be in the kitchen finishing dinner are you hungry?" Karen asks

"A little, thank you" Rachel says before she walks out the door.

Once in the kitchen again Derek's face is stoic, "are you sure we are doing the right thing, Love?" Derek questions

"Positive" She answers kissing his lips

Setting the table in the kitchen Karen can hear the door open. Getting Derek's attention they both look up to find Rachel approaching the room accompanied by a young flamboyant man. "Mr. Wills, Ms. Cartwright, this is my friend Kurt Hummel" Rachel introduces.

"Hello Kurt" Derek and Karen each reply extending their respective hands.

"Please call us Derek and Karen" we aren't that formal around here Karen laughs trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Oh my god!" the young man squeals "I can't believe I'm having dinner with Karen Cartwright!" "I could die now and I'd be a happy man" he laughs. Causing everyone including Derek to laugh too.

Not knowing what the future held, Derek watched as Karen made easy conversation with Rachel and Kurt. He realized that while the thought of having a daughter was terrifying to him, knowing Karen would be there for him, made him consider the real possibility of playing an active role in Rachel's life.

"Babe, are you going to join us?" Karen says startling him out of his thoughts" Looking at her, he can see Rachel and Kurt staring at him as well. "Sorry, yes lets eat." he smiles at them.