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There’s an uncoordinated hop in her step as she shimmy and shakes her way out onto the set of the popular – even after all these years – daytime talk show to the sound of adoring fans and an almost familiar tune she can very nearly place. She’s beaming with pride as too tall heels guide her to the host she’s grown familiar with over her years playing the beloved silver screen diva of Los Angeles. She stops in front of her chair to perform a sudden, and admittedly embarrassing rendition of the robot offering the taller blonde a belly laugh and a hug before taking her seat.

“Now, Rachel,” Ellen crosses her legs, barely waiting a beat after the audience quiets before starting. “You were actually here just a few weeks ago, right?”

The singer beams. “That’s correct.”

“You did the whole hair and makeup thing, were dressed and ready to come on out. Our audience was excited to have you and yet, you literally went running out of the studio ten minutes before you due on camera. Care to explain before you grovel for forgiveness?”

She nods her head, wetting the smirk that spreads across her lips as she lets out a soft chuckle. “Yes, happily, and I hope you’ll all be very forgiving.” She pauses, jokingly eyeing the audience before she continues. “Actually my wife had just gone into labor with our first son,” Rachel’s attention turns to the screen as it first lights up with the photo of Quinn and Eli she had instagrammed for Mothers’ Day.

"And that’s - that’s him then?" Ellen points to the enlarged photo behind them.

Rachel nods, a quiet ‘mhm’ slipping from her lips, as the photo changes to her with Eli and his perfect little features. She gestures towards him and leads the audience in a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘awes,’ immense pride and love radiating from her every pore.

"He is quite the looker."

"Yes, he’s a very handsome, very loud little boy," she teases, finally shifting her gaze back to the interview. "So, I think we can all agree I had a very good reason."

"Oh, he’s loud is he?"

"He is a belter!"

“Like mother, like son,” Ellen jokes before continuing. “So with a lot of sleepless nights in your future, can we assume you’ll be taking a break, or will we get to see you in a new project soon?

"Well never say never, I suppose but yes - I think it’s safe to assume. Who would even hire me with the spit up, and the mom jeans, and the sort of permanent zombie look."

"Oh, well you don’t look like a zombie today."

"You’re very kind, magicians back there I swear." The audience laughs and Rachel smiles.

Ellen turns to the camera. “We’ll be right back after this break.”

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Or Rachel greets her public.

Say hello to amazing photo galleries. See this week’s top Traveler Photo Contest frames »

Photograph by Kevin Dietrich

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"We are not telling a soul," Quinn is adamant as the smile drops from her face and a wrinkle appears between her brows. "It has taken us way too long to agree on what we think is perfect, and you know the moment we tell anyone, they will have an opinion they just can't keep to themselves." Quinn can already picture it now, some silly, stupid text from Fran that is mostly teasing but putting the darkness of doubt back into Rachel's eyes. "We can tell everyone the moment his name is officially on his birth certificate and whatever they have to say or offer won't matter because our boy will be perfect."

What's In A Name? || Faberry

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Text @ Quinn

Tana: Now you're just playing dirty.

Luce: I'm working with what I have, Satan.

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Text @ Quinn

Tana: Tough love.

Luce: Then don't think for a second that I won't withhold the wonders that is newborn Fabray.

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Text @ Quinn

Tana: An entire bag of beans has been deducted from your stash.

Luce: You're the worst kind of person.

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Text @ Quinn

Tana: You're lucky you're pregnant or I would bitch slap you so hard.

Tana: I'll get you back for this. I promise.

Luce: Not my idea.

Luce: I just do what I'm told.

Luce: You know how whipped I've always been.

[stillmedhead]

MASS TEXT || FRAN to EVERYONE

Fran: Check Yogi's instagram.

[ after a minute or so, the responses start rolling in ]

Judes: WHAT WHY AM I NOT RECEIVING A PHONE CALL

Fran: Mom.

Judes: THIS IS MY FIRST GRAND BABY I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST I DESERVE A CALL.

Fran: Mom.

Hiram: If not Judy, surely I should have been on that short list! This is our only baby girl we're talking about here!

Hiram: Do you think they're having complications?

Hiram: LITTLE ABLE!!!!

Fran: Mom.

Fran: H.

Judes: WHO'S ABLE?

Hiram: Your grandson.

Shelby: Oy vey.

Shelby: Can we discuss the actual issue here - baby's coming and we're on the wrong coast. I'm already checking flights but it looks like us New Yorkers won't be able to make it out until mid afternoon at the earliest. Do we really think something's happened? Has anyone talked to Quinn lately?

Fran: How cool is it that Boo's birthday is going to be April 1.

Russell: She was at work earlier and texted to say Santana and her girlfriend landed.

Judes: SANTANA'S THERE BUT WE'RE NOT?

Judes: AND THEY ARE NOT NAMING RUSSELL JR ABLE.

Russell: Abe is kind of cute, though.

Hiram: THANK YOU!

Lee: Do not encourage him.

Judes: I'M GOING TO MISS IT!

Judes: WE'RE GOING TO MISS IT!

Fran: Mom. Is your capslock stuck?

Judes: FRANCESCA THIS IS NO TIME FOR YOUR SASS!

Shelby: So.. are we going to ignore the flight situation or?..

Quinn: Personally I love Frannie's sass.

Shelby: Quinn, I'm so sorry we're not all there to support

Shelby: Honey do you really think you should be using your phone when you're in labour?

Quinn: Rach...would you like to do the honors?

Rachel: We love you. We love you all so much, and your concern has been truly humbling…. and really funny. APRIL FOOLS!

[ short, though it seems long, span of one minute where no texts are exchanged ]

Russell: Rachel honey, my wife says she's packing her suitcase now just so that she can fly out tomorrow to you strangle you.

Rachel: It's a … Berry time honoured tradition?

Fran: This is what you get for letting her touch your Tonys, Yogi. She's absorbed the dramatics from you.

Leroy: Maybe not the timing, baby girl.

Shelby: Well. I'll stop holding these tickets on my card then...

Quinn: But really. I hit my 37th week on Thursday, so it could be anytime, and we'd love to have you all out here sooner rather than later. We have all the space needed and it would just be nice to have some quality family time before the little one arrives.

Judes: I demand a hint for what name you've decided to give him after everything you just put us through.

Hiram: I demand Able.

Rachel: It is technically Jewish, and I think you'll all be very pleased with what we've decided on. Details when all parties arrive. Hopefully with hugs. I wouldn't cancel those tickets just yet. We love you all.

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: I'll spill some water on the floor and you can stand over it. You just stand over it, and I'll snap a picture!

Quinn: Okay, baby.

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: What if we faked a broken water?

Quinn: And how would you like to achieve that?

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: The couple that schemes together screams together. ; )

Rachel: What if we posted something on instagram? Do you have any doctor-y things that might fool some naive family members?

Quinn: Nothing that won't break HIPAA laws...

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: You are devious.

Rachel: Such a turn on.

Quinn: Love your kinks, baby.

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: Hmmm, not quite as dramatic as I'd imagine, but I like the way you think Fabray.

Quinn: Just you wait. Judes and your dad will bring the drama.

Quinn: Especially since they're not in town yet.

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Text @ Quinn

Rachel: Quinn?

Rachel: -knockknockknockknockknock-

Rachel: Do you want to pull a big prank? Come on let's April fools.

Quinn: Send out a mass text/email that just reads: IT'S HAPPENING!!!

[stillmedhead]

Still a bit breathless, Quinn winds her fingers in Rachel's hair as her wife drops kisses and whispers the sweetest nothings to her abdomen. It's ridiculous that in a single moment, just like that, weeks of debate, back and forth, stupid fights and bickering has been negated. In the blink of an eye, they have a plan and their little man, their nugget, has a name. Eli.

"And you're okay with Berry as his middle name, babe?" Quinn's nails lightly scratch against Rachel's scalp before she combs her fingers through soft, thick hair. With Rachel's legal name being Fabray, keeping Berry as their son's middle name is something Quinn's thought about for months now and had intended to discuss with Rachel for awhile, too, but since it's taken them so long to agree on anything, that topic has been put off time and again. But Quinn thinks it's important, another explicit connection Rachel will have to their boy.

What's In A Name? || Faberry