Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Seattle. June 6th, 1940.

***

The city was large, sure, but the area that Beca lived in was a quiet and small community so there was never much to do for young people in this place that Beca called a home. So when a carnival came around, she and her friends did not take it for granted and made sure that they were going to enjoy every single second of it.  She headed down there with her best friend, Jesse. They had known each other since they were kids from being neighbors. He annoyed the shit out of her but he was also the closest thing she had ever had to a brother and being an only child she longed for that kind of thing. 

“Where’s Aubrey? Thought she’d come with us. Make you win her one of those shitty stuffed bears,” Beca teased giving him a nudge with her elbow. 

Aubrey was the third and last set of her friends that she had. She moved to town when they were 12 and ever since she and Jesse were practically childhood sweethearts. It was disgusting. Now they were 18 and even looking at colleges together. Beca didn’t know who Jesse thought he was kidding. He could never afford college, Aubrey could cause her parents had just enough money to get her there but for kids like her and Jesse? No. College was not on the cards.  Though she had to admire that commitment. She never had that thing before where she couldn’t imagine her life without someone. The only person she ever felt that with was her mother and that was a different thing entirely. 

“She’s already here,” he stated as he then looked around. He halted as he held his hand up when they heard the thrilling shriek come from across the carnival just a few feet away. His hand then turned into a point as they followed the voice. And soon enough they found her. She was on the bumper cars and not just there on her own it seemed she was there with a friend by the way they were laughing and crashing into each other. Beca’s eyes went and locked themselves onto the smiling redhead that Aubrey was with. Beautiful  was the first impulsive thought that ran through Beca’s head. Her smile was bright and her eyes were shining even from the distance between them. 

Beca politely pointed over to her as she pried as subtly as she could. “Who’s this girl with Bree?”

“Names Chloe Beale. Her family are vacating here over the summer, shit you should see the house they’re staying in. I swear her dad’s got more money than God,” he stated before he inhaled his crummy cigarette. 

Aubrey looked over and waved when she had her eyes set on her boyfriend. “Hi, Jess!”

“Well, I may as well not exist sometimes when I’m around you two,” Beca mumbled as Jesse just grinned over to her, Beca’s eyes then going back over to Chloe and watching her some more as she laughed when someone crashed into her.  Maybe one of the reasons that Beca had never known that feeling of loving someone so much that you’d feel empty without them was because there weren't many opportunities for her. In this day in age, in a town as small as this, liking someone of the same sex wasn’t even an option. Even if there was a girl who also liked girls, it wasn’t like they could make it a public thing like Jesse could with Aubrey. It was different. It was difficult.

Jesse looked over to Beca and noticed her practically gazing at the young redhead; he nudged her. “Put your tongue back in.” 

Beca turned to him and just rolled her eyes. There weren't many people who knew about Beca, in fact, the number of people who knew she could count on her hand. Jesse and Aubrey for starters. Actually, maybe it was more than on her hand because she was pretty sure the majority of the guys she worked with at the lumber yard knew, given she’s the only girl that works there but they didn’t really count Beca as significant people. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Besides, a girl like that? Straight as a damn arrow.”  Her eyes then went over as the bumper cars were over and when Chloe and Aubrey got up to leave, Tom, who seemed to be involved with their fun, took Chloe by the hand. She hummed and shrugged. “See. Point proven.” 

Tom Stevenson. He went to their school and was, quite frankly, an asshole who pretended to be a nice guy. A real wolf in sheep's clothing. Plus he was a man whore. Aubrey walked over with Chloe, Tom, and some other kids from around the neighborhood were with them. As the blonde wrapped her arms around Jesse’s neck for a hello kiss , Beca said hello to Tom and gave an awkward tight smile to Chloe before Aubrey turned around to her and motioned her hand to Jesse. “This is my boyfriend Jesse and tiny over there is our friend Beca.” 

Chloe's smile grew as she spoke in a perfectly polite and sweet voice. “Nice to meet you both.” Chloe watched as Beca mumbled a hello back through her slightly nervous state and then as she turned. She couldn’t help but look at what Beca was wearing. It was different but not in a bad way , it just wasn’t every day that you saw a young woman dressed like one of the guys with a dark brown shirt tucked into a pair of tanned pants. But she quite liked that Beca had the confidence to wear it. Beca could feel Chloe’s eyes on her and really didn’t know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing but she felt nervous either way, she just ran her fingers through her hair and tried to move the attention away to Aubrey as she pressed her finger against Jesse’s chest. “He’s gonna win you a bear until it kills him.” 

They all started walking around the place more in a group. Tom gave Chloe’s hand a squeeze and said with a boyish charm. “Hey, Chloe. You want to ride the Ferris wheel?”

“Sure,” Chloe mumbled with a kind smile. “I’d like that.”

Chloe had only met Tom tonight because he was in the group that Aubrey came with. He was funny, charming, and was very much easy on the eyes. But he was also very trying, more trying than one should after knowing a girl for about an hour. Still, it was just a bit of fun.  Aubrey came over to Chloe and linked her arm, pulling Chloe close as they walked together now behind the others. “What do you think of Jesse?”

Chloe glanced over to him and just realized she hadn’t really got a good look at him. “He’s cute...what’s with your other friend? Beca, you said her name was?”

“Yeah, Beca Mitchell. She’s been friends with Jesse since they were like literal babies. She works with him at the lumber yard.” 

Chloe stared back at her once the words came out of Aubrey’s mouth. A girl ? Working at the lumber yard? That was unheard of. “Really? That’s unusual, right?”

“It is. But that’s Beca though, she’s never liked being ordinary-you know she even smiled at you which is rare I think she likes you,” Aubrey leaned in and teased at the latter causing Chloe to roll her eyes and laugh the absurdity off, not exactly picking up that Aubrey might be suggesting something quite literal. Beca soon drifted from the point of a topic as Aubrey then glanced over to Tom and pried, “So you and Tom.”

“Please. There is no me and Tom.”

“Does Tom know that?” Aubrey teased once again as she turned her head back around to her. “You know he comes from a reasonably wealthy family.”

“Meaning he would be approved in my house?” 

Aubrey just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing which did in fact say everything. Chloe hated where she came from sometimes, not that she wasn’t grateful that she lived in a very stable household and she knew she was privileged to do and go where she wanted but there was a certain pressure that she was put on by her family. To be friends with people who have her parent's approval and to date someone who also has her parent's approval. T here was always a positive side and a negative side to the life she lived. If there was one thing she knew about hanging around with Aubrey and her friends it was that they really knew how to have fun.  They all came to the Ferris wheel soon enough and Chloe was pulled over to it by Tom and Beca was left alone as Jesse was dragged on by Aubrey. She wasn’t much for Ferris wheels anyway, heights weren’t exactly her thing. 

So she stood at the bottom with her feet firmly on the ground and just observed. She tucked her hands into her pockets as she stood by the gate leading into the Ferris wheel by the controller who she knew.  “Hey, Beca. How’s your momma these days?” John, the Ferris wheel operator, asked. John was the same age as her mother and had been chasing after her ever since they were teenagers. Beca huffed a small laugh. “She’s doing just fine, John, you can keep your hands off.”

Beca looked back over to the Ferris wheel and her eyes couldn’t help but fall onto Chloe. She was without a doubt the most attractive girl she had ever seen walk around this place. She really was something captivating. She seemed nice enough and a big part of Beca hoped Chloe didn’t act as she came from big money, she’s been around people like that before and they just make her want to tear her eyes out. It would be a shame if a girl as beautiful as her had an ugly personality, though from the first meeting Beca actually doubted that.  She noticed that Chloe also kept glancing at her and Beca couldn’t figure out if it was just accidental or that Chloe was looking at her because she noticed Beca looking at her and was wondering why. Either way, their eyes locked every now and then and Beca really actually quite had her breath being caught in her throat each time. Beca stood by and waited as they went around in the Ferris wheel a few more rounds before their tickets had run out and they all got off. 

Jesse did as he promised and started his mission to win Aubrey a teddy bear on one of the games that Beca was convinced her one big scam. And to Beca’s complete surprise, Chloe came over to her. “Hey, Beca, right?”

Beca just raised her brows at her for a split second due to not exactly expecting her to come over and talk to her, she gave her a tight smile as she glanced over to Jesse and Aubrey for a moment. “Hi.”

“I feel like we didn’t get properly introduced before.”

“Yeah, you were pretty much dragged onto that Ferris wheel by Stevenson,” Beca dryly teased, engaging in brief eye contact before she glanced back over at Jesse and his continuous best efforts.

“You know Tom?” 

The brunette then couldn’t help but let out a small laugh and nod, finally looking back over to her once more. “Well enough to know you’re probably the third girl he’s taken up there this week.” After a second of realizing what she said, she shut her eyes and scrunched her entire face up. “Sorry. That sounded sharper than intended.”

Her eyes then opened when she heard the girl beside her then just giggle, Chloe shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay. Trust me, that thought has crossed my mind before. I'm not naive.” 

“Then I was right by what I said about you before.”

A glimpse of worry shone through Chloe's eyes. “Why? What did you say?” 

Beca rubbed her lips together and turned more to Chloe as she then simply stated with her hands tucked into her pockets still. “That you’re not exactly like the girls he normally goes for. Blonde. Air Headed and doe-eyed. Essentially he goes for annoying girls who fall at his feet." She shrugged her shoulders. “But I see you’re not blonde, air-headed, or doe-eyed. You sure as hell haven’t been falling to his feet cause if you were. You wouldn’t be standing here talking to me, you would be next to him.” 

Chloe hummed and tilted her head to her. “Are you always this observant?”

Beca rolled her eyes with a smirk and mumbled when looking back over to their friends. “When you’ve had to hang out with him as much as I have you just pick up on it.”

Chloe kept her eyes on her for quite a few moments more. She admired Beca’s honesty, many people tend to mince their words around Chloe because it was as if she was on some pedestal from her family. But Beca did not. She liked that. 

“Aubrey said you work at the lumberyard with Jesse.”

Beca didn’t answer right away, she clapped her hands and laughed over to Jesse who failed to hammer down onto the high striker. “Give it up!” As he went to have another go, Beca slid her hands back into her pockets and looked over to Chloe. “Uh yeah. Have been for about a year now.” 

“Do you enjoy it?” 

Beca just looked at her oddly, not really understanding why needing to know that was necessary for Chloe’s life but she still answered anyway with a long shrug. “Does anyone like a grubby job that has grubby pay?” 

Chloe didn’t quite know how to answer that one because she wouldn’t know. She wasn’t in the position where she needed a grubby job for grubby pay. Beca rubbed the tip of her nose and muttered when taking her eyes back forward. “I don’t really have a choice but to work. Just grateful that Mr. Anderson who runs it let me work there, girls aren’t really allowed considering I’m the only one. If I didn't have that job my mom and I would really struggle.”

The mention of just her mom, so a dad wasn't in the picture? It was actually impressive. Young women weren’t exactly expected to do any kind of work much less hard labor like lumberyard work was. Chloe then thought that it wasn’t just impressive it was actually pretty admirable, she didn’t know what Beca’s background was but she wagered that it was tight for her having to work at their age especially.  Jesse finally hit the damn thing hard enough and soon enough the weight shot up high enough for him to finally get a stuffed animal for Aubrey, by the end of it she wasn’t even that bothered in having it, it all just became that Jesse had to win it to prove his masculinity as the boyfriend. Oh, the crippling insecurity that this day in age brought. 

Beca walked over to them both, ending the conversation with Chloe, and raised her brows to them both. “Great. You won the damn bear can we actually move on now?” 

Chloe kept her eyes on her and then saw the brunette pull her hand out of her pocket, stretching her arm out for a moment to pull her sleeve back and then looked down to a watch. This pretty exquisite watch. Chloe’s father was an avid watch collector and she could see from the view she had alone that it was a Cartier, which was a very upper-end watch company, so it was surprising to see it on Beca’s wrist. 

Chloe was pulled out of her gaze to the brunette as Beca herself groaned under her breath. “Shit. I gotta go.”

Jesse looked back to her from kissing Aubrey’s cheek. “What do you mean you’ve got to go?”

“I mean I’ve gotta go. My mom’s just-” she sighed and scratched her forehead. “It’s just a thing so I’ve gotta go.”

“Okay. I’ll see you at work then tomorrow.” 

Beca just nodded to him. “Uh-huh.” She looked to Aubrey. “See you later Bree.” She turned to Chloe, Tom, and the rest of his little gang and mumbled a collective goodbye to them all before walking away.  Chloe looked over her shoulder to her as she passed them, then having Tom’s arm block her vision as he put it around her shoulder. “Don’t mind Beca. She’s never much for a conversation.”

Tom’s friend David then raised his brows to him and slapped his arm as he went forth and teased. “I dunno Tommy. She was pretty chatty with Chloe here, must’ve liked what she saw.”

Chloe’s head snapped to them as the boys around her all snickered a laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Tom looked to her and nodded his head. “Oh.” As they all moved, with Jesse in front with his arm over Aubrey, Tom informed Chloe with a snigger in his voice. “Beca’s a queer.” 

Jesse soon turned and scowled. “ Hey. ”

“What? She is. I’m not saying it as an insult it’s a fact.” 

Jesse just gave him a stern look before turning back forward, keeping Aubrey close with her arm around her shoulder, the difference between her and Aubrey was that Aubrey was comfortable and leaning into it. Chloe? Not enjoying it as much. Tom shrugged. “Anyway yeah, she’s one of the guys in more ways than just working at the lumber yard. She prefers the fairer sex as we do.”  He then leaned to her ear and whispered to avoid Jesse hearing. “So if I were you. I’d be careful when being around her.” 

Chloe rolled her eyes and then pushed him off her. “Pretty sure men are still more of a threat to me than she is.” 

Tom just let out a completely bewildered breath with his arm still out from where she was once stood, he then tilted his head to her as he dropped it back down to his side but held his hand out. “Come on, Chloe. I was just kidding.” 

“Yeah you’re hilarious,” she seethed. Chloe sped herself up to catch up to Aubrey and Jesse and linked her arm in Aubrey's. “You didn’t mention he was such a jerk.” 

“I just knew you’d figure it out for yourself.” 

Jesse just looked over to Chloe and rolled his eyes at her. “He’s an ass. And don’t mention anything to Beca she gets annoyed when people talk about her personal stuff.” 

“No of course I won’t mention it, is it even worth mentioning?” She didn’t mean that as if it should be a secret, it just didn’t seem something to make a big deal out of, to her it wasn’t anyway but she wasn't naive to know that in society right now it would be, to the older generation especially.  But the next time she saw Beca. She would still look at her and see her as the same girl she met tonight. The quiet, witty, and stunning brunette. 

***

Beca pulled her truck up to outside of her and her mother's home which was just a ten-minute drive out of town. Their house wasn't anything special, not from the outside anyway, it was filled with warmth and loving memories. Not large by any standard, a cabin in the woods would suffice more when describing their home. Beca saw her mom sitting on the porch reading a book. She got out of the truck and quickly made her way over to her. “Mom I’m so sorry.”

Beca’s mother, Nancy, looked up to her daughter with a soft expression on her face. “Sorry for what?”

Despite the fact that they lived in a more secluded part of town, Nancy had always been a woman that other women wanted to be friends with and men wanted as their own. She was beautiful, kind, and understanding...but Beca stared at her as she caught her breath, motioning to the house, not knowing that her mother was this understanding. “Well, it’s dads...I know I promised—”

Her mother then just let out a gentle laugh and looked down to her book once again. “Honey, your daddy has been gone for three years. I don’t expect you to stay at home every year on this date. You of all people should have fun on this night.”  Beca just sighed with relief, nodding, and leaned against the porch fence as she stood beside Nancy for a few seconds, then feeling her get a pat on her thigh. “How was it?” 

“Fine. Good. Seems Aubrey has made friends with a daughter of one of those socialites across town.” 

Nancy looked back over to her. “Oh yeah? And what's she like?” 

Beca shrugged. “Perky but nice enough. She asks a lot of questions.” 

“Maybe she just wants to get to know you," Nancy laughed.

“Maybe she just wants to know how the other half lives," Beca muttered back as she looked down to her shoes. She heard her mother break out into another small laugh. “You’re so God damn cynical! I don’t know where you got it from cause it certainly wasn’t from me or your father.”  Beca just broke out into a smirk and shrugged her shoulders before lifting her head again. With her head still down for a moment, she glanced up to see Nancy squinting to her with a faint smirk lingering on her lips before cocking a brow. “She’s pretty huh?” 

Beca rolled her eyes and let out an amused breath through her nose as she shook her head with Nancy then just giggling. “You’re impossible.”

“Well, she is. I can tell by your face.” Nancy stated as she motioned her finger to her daughter's face. Beca then looked at her. “Okay, maybe a little but I wasn’t the only one who noticed that little detail. Tom Stevenson.” 

Nancy groaned at the back of her throat and rolled her eyes. “That boy is a dud.” 

“Most of the boys in this town are duds. Maybe it makes you thankful that I don’t have any interest.” 

“Maybe so,” Nancy mumbled when looking back down at her book. Beca peered over and looked down the page. Reading just a sentence she knew what she was reading, it was her dad's book. She was happy to know that her mother is still keeping to her tradition. 

“I’m probably gonna go get some food and then go to bed. It’s late and I’ve got work tomorrow.” 

“Alright, honey, I’m not far behind you.” 

Beca nodded and as she leaned down to kiss her mother goodnight, Nancy then said as she did, “Goodnight honey. Glad you’ve had a good birthday.” 

“As good as any of the others,” Beca said in a light-hearted sigh before then walking into the house. Seeing from the kitchen straight away that her mother had in fact attempted to bake her a cake like she did every year. Her mother was not the cooking type, in fact, it was Beca that manages to make the edible meals which she got from her dad. B ut Nancy still tries every year to bake her a good cake and to be fair, they weren’t bad. They just looked like a disaster. Out of courtesy, she took a piece of it for herself to eat in bed, she walked over the creaking floorboards of the kitchen and headed to the back door which was her tiny bedroom. 

Beca came to a stop when at the small shelf that was on their wall with a frame of her father resting on it. Beca just stared at it and let out a light-hearted sigh before mumbling. “Happy birthday, old man.” 

She gently tapped the glass frame with her fingertip and then continued to go on into her room. She wasn’t really a fan of her birthday for the sole reason that she was born on the same birthday as her dad and he was no longer here, so celebrating it never felt too right which is why she ensures that people around her don’t make a big deal out of it either. Beca quickly got changed into her sleepwear and crashed herself down on her thin mattress, putting the plate on her stomach and just picking crumbs into her mouth.  Even though she didn’t make a big deal out of birthdays, this one wasn’t too bad. Not even a jerk like Tom could put her off of it. Plus she met Chloe, who seemed to be nice enough. And it seemed she was going to be seeing more of her through the summer.

Which might not be such a bad thing. 

Chapter Text

Beca actually didn’t see Chloe for the next few days, she didn’t see Aubrey either. She had been so busy working all week that the only people she saw were Jesse, the rest of the guys on the working site, and her mother. That was the extent of her social calendar for the past five days.  Hitting a Friday and with the weekend coming up, she had finally made plans with Jesse and Aubrey to go see the latest comedy that was in the theatres. She needed a night to relax as her mother kept on insisting, she had been working herself like a dog the past few days especially.

On her way home, she went to the local general store to get some fresh milk and vegetables for their dinner tonight. As she walked in low and behold she saw Chloe in there also. She was alone and taking an interest in the baked goods. Beca wasn’t quite sure whether to approach her or avoid her. She wasn’t even 100% sure that Chloe would even remember her from the other night, girls like that meet a lot of people in such little time.  As she went to turn her back to just go for her stuff to leave, she was already caught by Chloe’s eye. “Beca?”

Beca cursed under her breath and then turned back around to Chloe and stuck her hands into her pockets, walking over to her with a tight slightly awkward smile now on her face. “Hi. Chloe. Good to see you.” 

“You too. I haven’t seen you since the fair.” 

Beca just let out a breathless laugh and nodded, scratching the back of her head as she made her way over to her. “Yeah, I’ve been working morning till night every day this week.” 

“You’re coming to the theatres tomorrow night though right?” 

Beca then just looked at her hard for a moment, kinda stunned, but she didn’t want to seem too surprised by the question, “Yeah. Yeah, I am...I didn’t know you were.” 

“Aubrey asked me last night.” 

“No Tom?”

Chloe just gave her a small smile and shook her head as she then went on to speak softly. “No. No Tom . It was like you said, I wasn’t the kind of girl that he went for.”

Beca slowly nodded but soon broke out into a laugh. “He’s an ass .”

“Yes, he is,” Chloe laughed back more breathlessly. “I wish Bree would have warned me.” 

Beca hummed and looked down to her boots once again, clearing her throat before looking back up and pointing to the other side of the store. “Well, I better grab my stuff and get home. But I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Chloe gave her a tight smile. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Beca smiled at her in the same mirrored manner and then made her way over to her items of purchase, she looked over her shoulder when she heard the bell chime from the door and saw Chloe leave the store. 

She didn't even buy anything. Figured. She probably looked at the shitty produce that this place had and decided against buying anything due to her better judgment, her attempts in being like her friends had fallen through but she was lucky that it could, she was lucky that she could just get her maids at home to get her food for her from the finest placed both inside and outside of town. Beca on the other hand had to buy from here because she and her mom couldn't afford it anywhere else.

Beca grabbed the fresh or close enough milk and the vegetables that her mother told her to get which would no doubt go rotten within a few days. It wasn't the best quality and yet she still felt she was paying an arm and a leg for it. The war was in Europe so why the hell did it feel like they were the ones who were on rations?

She shoved them in a brown paper bag and as she left the store, she came to a stop as she saw Chloe talking to another red-haired woman standing by the car that no doubt costs more than Beca’s entire home and then some. 

Jesse jogged over to her with a newspaper tucked under his arm and came up beside her “Hey.” 

Beca looked to him and then after a quick glance back to Chloe before turning and taking her sole focus to Jesse to not seem like she was staring, but Jesse looked over and when he saw that it was Chloe standing by the car he smirked: “Admiring the view are we?”

“ No ,” the brunette quickly and unconvincingly answered back. Jesse huffed a gentle laugh and teased her further. “That’s her mother by the way. Case you were wondering.”

“Well, I wasn’t,” Beca mumbled, looking down at her bag and when she took the chance to look again, Chloe was in the car and her mother soon followed. 

Her mother was very much like her daughter. Beautiful, her hair was longer than Chloe’s and a darker red. She had a slender figure and though she was wearing a hat and sunglasses that covered the majority of her face, she was utterly glamorous. Intimidating even. It was like some bold statement her coming here to remind everyone that did live here that she was superior to them. It certainly worked.

Beca looked back to Jesse as the car drove off. “I got to talking to her in the store. She’s coming tomorrow night?”

“Well, yeah, Aubrey invited her and I figured with you having love eyes for her that it would be good.”

Her face then shifted slightly to be sterner. “You haven’t said anything to her right? About me—”

“No. I didn’t." He shook his head and just looked at her as she sighed relief before gently informing her, “But you should know...Tom did.”

Beca broke out into a small fuck my life laugh as she shook her head, running her fingers through her hair. “Of course he did. Great. Fucking asshole.” 

Jesse put his hand to her arm to try and stop her from thinking the worst. “Beca, Chloe pushed him off once he started making jokes about it. That was pretty much the last straw for her once he started saying all the shit he says.”

Beca sighed and raised her brows. “So you’re saying, what exactly?”

“I’m saying I don’t think she’s against you...” Jesse shrugged his shoulders again, “I don’t think you have anything to worry about when it comes to you being yourself around her...she really does seem pretty great.”

So what he was trying to tell her was that Tom had outed her and Chloe didn’t find it unnatural or wrong as she has been told it is by some people before. He was essentially telling her that Chloe was safe. Beca could be herself around Chloe.

And being able to be herself meant a lot to her because it was rare.

Chloe ran her fingers through her hair as she leaned over her makeup desk to the mirror, people wouldn’t really guess it about her but she was a deeply insecure person. She didn’t look at herself in the mirror for vanity but because she didn’t always feel very confident in how she looked. People told her she was beautiful, but those people worked for her parents or were friends of the family. It didn’t always feel genuine, it felt more of just kindness and habit so she couldn’t always feel secure with them and god when her mother said it, it felt even less because her mother was a goddess and the worst thing in the world was feeling lesser to your own mother. 

Still, she felt that she looked okay today. Everyone else knew she looked beautiful but to her, she was okay . She made her way downstairs where her parents were sitting in the living room in front of the fire, her mother was reading her latest novel which was Gone with the Wind whilst her father was smoking on his cigar and reading the newspaper. 

“I’m going now,” she announced as she grabbed her red coat that went with the dress she was wearing. As she put it on she walked to the archway of the living room as she heard her dad say. “Remember. Not too late.”

“Leave her alone Richard,” her mother mumbled, looking over to Chloe, “she knows.” Chloe just gave her a tight and appreciative smile as she tucked her hands into her coat pockets which only made her mother tut. “Chloe. Hands out of pockets.”

“ Leave her alone, Diane,” her father teased back. Chloe rolled her eyes at them both and didn’t say anything else as she just left the house and got into her car where she was driven to the town center. She wished that they would let her learn how to drive but they said she was still too young. In her opinion 18 wasn’t too young to drive, she knew that the real reason was that they still wanted her to be young and be their child. To keep her captive just a little bit longer. 

But not everything was in their control, as the car pulled up to the town, Chloe leaned forward and said to her driver. “I’ll make my own way home.”

“But Miss Beale—”

“Don’t worry, Doc. My parents will be expecting such an act.” Chloe teased with a mischievous smirk on her face to which he hummed a laugh and just nodded his head as he wished her a fun night. 

She made him park a block away from the movie theatre for no other reason than she didn’t want her friends seeing her get dropped off in a car by a driver. They might not understand why or how but to her it was embarrassing. She’d rather walk a few minutes to get to them. Aubrey was the first one to spot her and waved over as she called her name. Beca looked over to her and tried to underplay how her breath got caught in her throat. How did she do that? How did she take her breath away every time she looked at her? Beca had only set her eyes on her four times now and every time it happened. 

Beca cleared her throat and looked to the floor for a moment as Aubrey wrapped her arms around Chloe and kissed her cheek, she then just glanced at Jesse who stood beside her with a smirk on his face as he just looked at her. Causing the brunette to roll her eyes and nudge him with her elbow for him to knock it off.  

Jesse broke out into an amused smile and fixed his flat cap as he looked over to Chloe. “Hey, Chloe.”

“Hi,” she smiled breathlessly and looked to Beca and just repeated in a softer voice, “ hi. ”

“Hey,” Beca mumbled in a tight smile, shrugging her shoulders with her hands in her pockets. “You look great. For the movies.” She soon cursed to herself in her mind as soon as she said it. What the hell was that?

But Chloe laughed. “Thanks.” 

“You do look great,” Jesse nodded, then looking to Beca and motioning his hand to her. “And you look great—” he looked back over to Chloe as his hand then went to his chest. “And I’m pretty sure I look great so are we all good now to go and see the movie? It’s about to start.”

Beca gave him her money and pushed him to the booth as he put his hand in Aubrey’s and they went to buy the tickets for them all as they were next in the queue. Leaving Beca to just smile at Chloe awkwardly with her hands still in her pockets, almost too nervous to even say anything, and little did she know that Chloe was feeling a little bit the same.

Chloe didn’t know what it was about Beca but she was intimidated by her, Beca gave her no real reason to be. She was perfectly polite and nice whenever they spoke and seemed easy to talk to, but she was also pretty sharp and witty and that kind of intelligence was intimidating. 

“Nice car by the way,” Beca mumbled with her eyes still on the building, then seeing Chloe look at her in fear that her cover was blown. Beca then looked to her, “I mean this afternoon I saw you leave the store. Nice car.” 

“Oh,” Chloe laughed nervously and nodded as she looked forward herself. “It’s technically my moms.”

I’m not rich, my parents are rich was a classic phrase that all rich kids suggested. Beca merely hummed a small amused sound before Jesse then turned around, passed them both their ticket and they headed inside the theatre house. 

It took actually sitting down in front of the screen for Beca to be very grateful that Chloe was here but she almost forgot beforehand that going to the movies with Aubrey and Jesse was a bad idea because all they did was make it out and it truly distracted her from the movie. 

This time around though there were four of them, initially Beca and Chloe were on either side of Jesse and Aubrey but Beca soon decided that this was a dumb idea, she leaned forward and looked to Chloe who was trying her best not to let Aubrey and Jesse’s kissing didn’t put her off her popcorn. Beca just smiled softly at the concentration on the redhead’s face and found it utterly endearing. She sat back for a moment before standing up and climbing over her seat to the row behind for her to walk over to where Chloe was and then climb back over to sit down beside her. Chloe watched her do so in the corner of her eye and then broke out into a small laugh before whispering to her, “Thank god.”

“Trust me I know how they can be. Had to live through this ever since we were old enough to get into the movies,” Beca whispered back to her with a smirk as she kept her eyes on the screen of The Adventures of Red Ryder . Beca pinched her brows at her and then whispered, “this movie is terrible.”

Chloe just giggled some more. “I know—” she glanced over to their friends beside her and then whispered back to Beca, “can’t really blame them.” 

Beca shrugged her shoulders and nodded, then having Chloe tilt her popcorn to her as some offered. Beca glanced at her and gave her an appreciative smile before putting her hand in the box and taking a small handful of the snack. She couldn’t take her eyes off her even when she put the popcorn in her mouth, Chloe then looked at her and began to gaze at her in the same manner with a smile merely growing on her lips, smiling so much that eventually, she had to look away. 

Beca then soon did the same and looked back to the awful movie, but it was so awful that it made them talk more and laugh together, so maybe in the long run this movie wasn’t going to be so bad after all. 

After the movie was finished, it was 8 pm. Jesse suggests that they all go for a drive before Aubrey and Chloe’s curfew came around. Beca didn’t really have one, not because her mother didn’t care. It was because she trusted her enough to know that she would always come home at a reasonable time, which she always did. 

But Beca and Chloe had just spent seventy-eight minutes talking and they kind of wanted that theme to keep running tonight, as Jesse and Aubrey ran over to the car. Beca looked at Chloe and not knowing what came over her, she asked, “You want to walk? Instead of being dominated by those two?”

Chloe stared at her and debated it all. Wondering why it was that she was giving her butterflies at the sheer thought of just walking with Beca. It was new. It was different . She then smiled back at her and nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

“You guys comin?” Jesse asked as he turned on the engine of his car. Beca then looked over to them and casually shrugged her shoulders. “We’re gonna walk.” 

“Do you guys love each other?” Jesse quickly teased in a deadpan voice as Chloe walked over and gave Aubrey a hug and a kiss on the cheek goodnight whilst Beca just gave him daggers as she fought the laugh, Jesse merely shrugging to her with an amused smile. “You guys do love each other.”

Beca looked away from him and broke out into a laugh of a grin and put her finger to her lips to shut him up. “ Goodnight. ” 

Aubrey rolled her eyes at their immature bickering and turned back to face forward, putting her arm around her boyfriend's neck, driving off as Chloe joined Beca again for their walk, soon going onto an empty street. “Sorry about Jesse. He’s immature.” 

“He can be pretty funny.” 

Beca glanced at Chloe and then stated as they continued to walk down the street. “I know Tom told you about me,” she looked to Chloe as the redhead looked at her, “Jesse told me what happened. That you pushed him or something.” 

Chloe nearly blushed as her cheeks went slightly warmer. “Oh. Yeah. I just didn't like the way he talked about it like it was a joke.”

“More often than not people do see it as a joke.”

“I don't,” Chloe responded in a soft voice.

Beca looked at her and tested her further in a mumble, “No?” Chloe shook her head, Beca smiled before joking as she looked back down the street. “Don’t think it's unnatural and some stupid phase that I need to grow out of?”

To Chloe, the answer was simple, which came across through her tone when she answered back pretty instantly. “No, I think you know yourself better than anyone else can. I don’t understand why people even look at it like that, I mean normal ? Please, what even is that?” 

Beca stopped and then just stared at her. She was impressed by it, she never thought impressed would be the emotion she’d feel when talking about this but she did. “You’re ahead of your time.”

“Or maybe too many people are stuck in the past,” Chloe whispered in a gentle shrug as she then carried on to walk. Beca stopped still for a moment as she kept her eyes in her with a warm smile to match the warm feeling that was inside her and then she followed and caught up. 

“I had fun anyway,” Chloe swiftly changed the subject. “The movie wasn’t too great but it was still fun. I don’t always get much time to do things like this.”

“No?”

Chloe hummed an ‘uh-uh’ before speaking clearly. “Kind of a tight schedule most days when summer is done. I have tutors for all kinds of subjects and languages. Then I have piano lessons...I have so many lessons that I forget the lessons that I have most of the time.” 

Beca then broke out into a small chuckle as Chloe then did the same, the brunette then just shaking her head. “Man. You get time to eat at any point?”

Chloe tilted her head to her, “Are you making fun of me?”

Beca looked to the sky as she pretended to ponder for a moment and then looked back to Chloe, “Absolutely," she mumbled a laugh to herself and then shrugged. “Guess I’m wondering what you do for fun. Or for yourself.”

“Fun?”

“Yeah, you know that thing that brings the joy out in people.” Beca teased once again in a deadpan expression which still made Chloe challenge herself to decide whether she was being serious or not, but then when Beca broke out into another smirk it made it more clear. 

Chloe rolled her eyes at her. “I have fun.” 

“That was convincing,” Beca muttered in a still clear sarcastic tone. Chloe gave her a small nudge and stated once again. “I have fun .” 

Beca looked over her shoulder to the empty street and soon got an idea, she looked back over to Chloe and raised her brows. “Care to prove it?”

Before Chloe could even question her, she watched the young girl make her way out into the road, “Beca. What are you doing?”

“Come here.”

Chloe followed her out but stayed closer to the sidewalk. “You’re going to get hit.” 

Beca looked around with her hands in her pocket as she looked around the empty street. “What? By all the cars?” 

“Bec-”  The brunette held her hand up as if to say for her to hear her out as she slowly set herself down on the road and lay on her back under the traffic lights with her arms spread out. Chloe kept her arms folded as she slowly walked over to her. “What are you doing?”

It went silent between the two of them for a moment before Beca stated gently, “My dad and I used to come here. We’d lie down and watch the lights change. It’s something he did with my mom when they first started dating.” Chloe looked down at her and found her utterly endearing. It was as if she had these many little secrets that she just couldn’t help but figure out. Beca looked at her. “Try it.”

“No,” Chloe laughed.

“How come?”

“Just get up, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Beca chuckled before pointing to her. “See. That’s where you go wrong. You overthink.”

“Oh, and you know that from the five minutes you’ve known me?” Chloe gently jested back. Beca just closed her eyes and smiled as she turned her head back center forward and looked up at the sky. 

Chloe looked around once again and sighed through her nose. Maybe Beca was right. Oh, screw it. Chloe went with Beca’s gut instead of her own and lay down on the road, holding her hands close on her stomach as she rested beside the brunette and then looked at her and tried to contain her smile. As Beca looked at her, Chloe quickly just looked up to the sky.  It fell quiet between the two of them for a few seconds before Chloe then inquired, “So what if a car comes?”

“We die.” Beca deadpanned once again.

“ What ?” Chloe looked at her.

“Relax. Like I said don’t overthink” 

Chloe took another breath and tried to settle herself as well as Beca was doing right now. It went silent again and then Chloe spoke up again in more of a whisper. “Singing.” 

“Hm?”

“You said you wondered what I did for me or for fun...” Beca rubbed her lips together as she just looked at her, seeing Chloe break out into a smile. “I like to sing.” 

Beca then let out a rather intrigued hum. “You any good?”

Chloe giggled with her eyes still shut and raised her brows as she shrugged her shoulders. “I mean I only ever sing alone but I’d like to think so. You know it just takes my mind away from any lingering thoughts that are bouncing around in my head. Brings a lot of peace.”

They both lay there as the thought sunk into their mind, then with their eyes still closed they felt a light increase more and more and a honking of a horn coming out erratically. They looked up and saw a car headed towards them. Beca grabbed Chloe as she screamed and pulled her onto her feet as they quickly got onto the sidewalk, and headed down the alley hearing the driver yell at them for being idiots. Beca let out a heavy breath, that rarely happens actually. She looked over to Chloe and saw her just laughing. Which was a surprise. Beca took a step forward with still concern that it was more of a traumatized laugh than anything else, pressing her hand on the wall beside Chloe’s shoulder. “You okay?”

Chloe just laughed some more in a louder manner as she pressed the back of her head against the wall. Beca smiled at the sight and said in a small laugh herself. “Why are you laughing?”

The redhead let out a light-hearted sigh. “That was fun.”

“Fun huh?”

Chloe just nodded to her. It really was. She never gets the chance to do something like that. Like a total rush. It was purely thrilling. Chloe rubbed her lips together as she kept her head against the wall and just looked at Beca, finding herself getting caught in her eyes as she then said gently, “Thank you.”

“Thank you? We almost got run over and you’re thanking me?” Beca laughed. But Chloe just stared at her in the same soft yet serious expression, slowly nodding her head and whispered, “Yeah,” under her voice. 

Beca’s eyes couldn’t help but fall to her lips for a moment and back into her eyes. She knew that Chloe noticed and when she didn’t move herself from the situation, Beca took a breath and then on impulse and the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach and leaned forward. Her lips gently came to press against Chloe’s lips. Her mind suddenly rang alarm bells and after a second she pulled back, horrified with herself. “Shit-I’m sorry. I’m sorry I know you’re not-you don’t...” 

“Stop,” Chloe whispered as her hands found Beca’s cheeks. “Just do it again.” 

Before Beca could even question it, Chloe pulled her back to her, pressing her lips hard against the brunettes. Chloe had never looked at girls in this way before Beca, but ever since she met her she had felt something that she was unclear about. But now she was clear. Very clear. There was something between them that she didn’t want to waste time trying to ignore. 

And although they stood there in an alley, kissing in the dark, something inside both of them light up. 

Chapter Text

There were only a handful of people that Beca told about what happened with Chloe after the movies. She told her mother and Jesse. Aubrey knew because Chloe told her .  Chloe didn’t tell her parents and Beca didn’t want her to either. There was a fear from them both that if Chloe’s parents knew or even got a suggestion of it that they would ban Chloe from seeing Beca. Because they would not be okay with it, and that’s why they could never know. Not about the relationship or Beca's sexuality . Chloe told Beca that if her parents knew she wouldn’t put it past them to throw her in a church and not let her out until her feelings for Beca crashed and burned, which wouldn’t happen. But it had to be a secret. 

For the two of them that was fine, the one thing they were sure about was the fact that they had feelings for each other and wanted to spend more and more time together. Beca went home that night after the movies feeling the tingle on her lips throughout the entire evening from Chloe leaving her mark. When she fell asleep she dreamt about kissing her, about holding her. She had never had that before, sure she had little crushes on girls in the past because that was how she knew that she liked girls in the first place, but never to this extent.  She had never felt so hard and deep about someone before. She wasn’t in love but her feelings were strong as hell she knew that much. 

After that night and after they talked about what they were going to do. Beca and Chloe spent every single day together, every single hour even. Chloe became completely besotted with her within just a few days. Beca was like no one she had ever met before. There was so much she wanted to know about her, there was so much to still find out. It was exciting. It was also a little scary, Chloe was aware of how this kind of relationship was seen by the majority of society. How some people would even want to hurt them if they knew.

But she still didn’t let it make her push the feelings she had away. The good news was that girls could be over affectionate with each other and people around them would still think they were just being best friends because their brains were almost programmed to not even think of them being lovers. So when Chloe did something like showing up at her work it wasn’t seen as anything out of what was considered to be ordinary, because two friends waiting for each other was fine. 

Beca was walking back with Jesse and some of the other guys to the part of the compound after doing some work a bit further out. Her white wool long shirt was now more grey than anything else due to the oil and the dirty substances that were now on it after Beca wiped her hands on it, when put her hand in the navy blue slacks that her shirt was tucked into, she looked over and saw Chloe leaning against her truck. 

“How sweet,” Jesse mumbled to her in a tease as put his flat cap back on his head, “don’t see Aubrey doing that for me.”

Beca just rolled her eyes with a grin still across her face as she split from the rest of the guys and made her way over to the truck. She put her lunch box and gloves in the back, glancing at Chloe as she did. “Hi.” 

“Hey,” Chloe said in a delicate voice with her eyes still lingering on the brunette. Beca then stood in front of her and felt Chloe subtly pinch the waistline of her pants and keep a grip on them. Beca let out a light-hearted breath through her nose and whispered as a smirk crept up to her lips. “Get in.”

Chloe grinned at her and soon made her way around the other side of the car as Beca got in the driver's seat. They’ve been together every day for the past twelve days, in the early days they figured that they should find a place where they could go together and have no real worries about people finding them.  Beca suggested this place in the woods not too far from her house that she went to when she was a kid, even nowadays she went to get a clear mind cause no one went there. So to them, that was perfect. It was filled with nothing but trees. No people. Just trees and them. 

They still hung out with Jesse and Aubrey the majority of their days but they still liked to have some time alone. It was easier for those two because they could go around holding their hands and kissing whenever they liked, so Beca and Chloe could be forgiven for spending an hour or two by themself so they could have that sense of normality .

But it was simple. They fell in love. It was quick and they were young, but that didn’t make it any less real. 

“Where do your mom and dad think you are? You know when you get home late?” 

Chloe looked at her and shrugged before leaning her body further into Beca’s, now out of the truck and resting on a rock that was just in front of the lake. “They know I’m out with you. They just presume we’re friends.”

“Of course,” Beca mumbled in an amused tone. “God forbid they think anything else...” she looked to Chloe. “That actually wasn’t a joke.”

“I know, I hate it though.” 

Beca leaned forward and then turned more to her. “Look. Say the word and-”

“You know that isn’t what I meant. I want to be with you.” Chloe soothed as she put her hand on the back of Beca’s neck and stroked her jaw with her thumb.

Beca hummed with a nod of her head. “Yeah, I know.”

Chloe then raised a brow as she dropped her hand back down. “Besides what are your parents presuming?” 

“Well my mom just always says as long as I come home without getting arrested or drunk then she trusts me”, Beca shrugged her shoulders, “she gives me freedom till I give her reason to decide otherwise.”

There was always something Chloe noticed whenever Beca mentioned her parents, which is the two weeks of knowing her wasn’t that often, that she only ever mentions her mother. And there was that burning interest to ask what the situation was with her dad. She rubbed her lips together and looked down at her hands. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Beca said in a soothing tone, her fingertips brushing back and forth down Chloe’s arm as the redhead then looked to her and after a moment of hesitation she finally asked. “What’s the story with your dad? You only ever mention your mom.” 

Beca’s hand slowly pulled away and it fell silent between the two of them. She took in a breath that traveled up her whole back as she sat up more straight and tense. “He uh. He died when I was twelve,” she then actually looked at her and clarified. “Car accident.”

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t of—”

“Asked?” Beca finished with a still kind smile on her face as she raised her brows to her, then shrugging her shoulders. “Chlo you were going to find out eventually...and it doesn't affect me as much, I've learned to live with it.”

“Still, I know that must be personal.”

“Yeah, it is. The kind of things that I tell you,” Beca returned her hand to Chloe as she mumbled. “I want you to know everything about me. And I want to know everything about you.” 

It was new to both of them, Chloe had never had a boyfriend before much less a girlfriend. Before Beca she didn’t even know a girlfriend was something that was ever even possible because back in the city it was unheard of or if it was heard of it was with judgment, she thought being south would be worse and maybe it was. Maybe this town and the people who knew and accepted Beca were merely an exception to the very harsh rule. 

Chloe smiled at her and gently dragged her teeth against her bottom lip before she then asked, “So...a car accident?” 

“Yeah so. My dad was actually British, he was an exchange student at Seattle University studying comparative literature, he wanted to be a teacher and that’s where he met my mother.” 

“She was a student?” 

Beca looked at her before then taking her eyes back down to her hands. “Yeah, she was one of the first women that were allowed to study. She studied the same as him and that’s how they met. Within a year they were married and within two years I was born. On his birthday.” 

She ran her fingers through the side of her head and rested her elbow on her knee as she looked over to her. “He got the top teaching job at the university a few years after his graduation, even got a book published. My mom couldn’t find a good job once I was born. No one wanted to take a woman, much less a woman who was now a wife and a mother...so she stayed at home with me. So when I was twelve he was running late for dinner, a class that had overrun or something. So he was in a hurry. His car was then hit by a truck and that was it."

Her eyes went back to Chloe’s and saw that they were filled and even had a tear run down her cheek, which Beca then quickly wiped away as she rounded up the story. “Soon enough the bank came after our house cause we couldn’t afford it, so with the money left from my dad and the little remains of what my grandparents left my mom we had no choice but to move out and get ourselves a small place. The watch I wear is his and I offered to sell it to help but my mom wouldn't let me.” She turned her body to the left and pointed. “We live down there now. It’s not much but it’s okay.” 

Even okay was a stretch, the place was run down and nearly falling apart but they struggled to make ends meet, they barely even had two dimes to rub together. Beca had only been on the lumberyard for two years and that was a struggle to get, it took Jesse to convince their boss as well as her mom since she was still well-liked by everyone in the town. Most men tried to marry her ever since Beca’s dad died but she was done with marriage, she was completely uninterested in a married life that was to anyone but her husband. She went from living in a standard stable home, with her standard stable family that would be seen as enough in the eyes of families like Chloe’s to now being the bottom of the food chain in a rickety broken home in more ways than one. She was now what rich people would call trash. But she didn’t care anymore. 

If someone like Chloe would want her despite all of that then really, what did she have to complain about? Beca slid her hand back down into Chloe’s and before Chloe had the chance to even speak, she leaned forward and kissed her firmly and assertively. Soon softening before she pulled back and looked at her. “You don’t have to feel bad. I’m fine...” she tightened her grip onto her hand. “More than fine since I met you. I’m actually pretty happy.”

Chloe grinned at her and wrapped her arms around Beca’s neck, slowly pulling her close and mumbling, “Come here,” before their lips came together. Chloe really didn’t understand how something that was said to be so wrong could feel so right.  Beca gripped onto Chloe’s waist as she rested back beside her, her tongue gently brushing up against hers which drew out a small moan from Chloe’s mouth. Suddenly a running pace of footsteps came to their ears for the side of them, Jesse running on the small dock that was by the lake and stripping himself of his shirt and pants without falling over as he then leaped and tucked into a cannonball. “Afternoon ladies!” 

Beca and Chloe pulled apart once they heard the water splash and some of it hit them in small dots. They both just laughed breathlessly as Beca shook her head, they then saw Aubrey in the corner of her eye standing at the end of the dock with her arms folded and an amused grin on her face as she slowly shook her head.  Jesse stood up and ran his fingers through his hair as he wiped the water all away and looked at the audience that he had, rolling his eyes and slapping his hands on the water. “Come on chicken shits!” 

“Chicken shits?” Chloe laughed. 

Aubrey shrugged as she continued to stare at him with admiration whilst still teasing. “He’s so charming.” 

Jesse continued to slap the water and encourage them to get in the water, and Beca saw it as pretty appealing considering the rather tense conversation she just had with Chloe. She got to her feet and rid herself of her pants and shirt, causes if Jesse could do it then why the hell couldn’t she?

Chloe meant it when she said she had never met anyone like Beca, even more so when she watched her strip down to her underwear and run to the lake. But to Jesse and Beca especially this was just an average summer's day, they had been running and jumping into this lake since they were kids and Aubrey was no stranger to it either, which was evident to Chloe as she witnessed her then run and jump in. 

Soon enough she was encouraged to do the same by all of them. She had never quite done anything like this, she had never had friends like this and she had certainly never had feelings for someone like this. 

She looked at Beca in the lake with a grin on her face as she yelled her encouraging demands for Chloe to join her and Chloe found it pretty impossible to say no. 

“Just one please,” Beca ordered as she gently patted her hands down on the counter of the ice cream parlor, which wasn’t much of a parlor per se but it still got the job done no matter how run down it looked.  And the ice cream here was good, so good that she had no issue spending the little money she had to get Chloe one despite her insisting that she didn’t really want one but Beca knew her well enough at this point to know that she was lying, she could tell by the way she looked at the place as they walked passed that her mouth began to water. 

The cone soon came in her hand and Beca turned and passed it to Chloe as they headed out. “Thank you.”

Beca watched as Chloe hardly even waited for a second to taste the dessert. “Yeah, you really didn’t want it.”

Chloe merely rolled her eyes and the two of them headed down the alleyway that they now usually took to walk through the city to wherever they wanted to go, which was mostly the lake. It was always just simpler for them to go through alleys since no one would dare to really walk through them or think to, it allowed them to walk closer together or even have their fingers entwine. 

It also gave Chloe to do something such as offer Beca some of her ice cream and when the brunette leaned in to take a lick, she pushed it further forward into her face. Beca blew out a completely overwhelmed yet amused breath as she looked away. Chloe giggled before the redhead dropped her ice cream flat on the ground before she pressed Beca against the wall with her hands resting on her jaw. Still laughing as she looked at the ice cream that was now smushed against Beca’s face from the corner of her mouth. 

Making it up to her, Chloe leaned forward and put her lips over the ice cream, her lips traveling over every inch of it with sweet kisses that were to either just be able to kiss her or to help and get it off of her face.

“Real nice,” Beca mumbled in a deadpanned tone as Chloe continued to kiss her and make gentle hums as she did so, soon Beca then kissed her back, putting her hand on the back of Chloe’s head as she gripped onto her more. But what was an action that seemed romantic and endearing was a set up for payback as Beca’s hands remained where they were to keep Chloe close as she then wiped her still ice-creamed face against Chloe’s. The redhead then let out more shriek and laughter as she tried to pull away but was ultimately failing before she just gave in and let it happen, it was what she deserved anyway.  She soon stopped and went back to just kissing her, her hands going to her waist and gripping onto her tight as she pulled her close. Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca’s neck as she sunk into the kiss further.

They were hidden away for no one to see, well, they thought that anyway. But it just so happened that they were followed. 

“Wow.” The two girls pulled apart and looked over to Tom who was resting by the brick wall just a few small feet away from them as he looked at them both up and down, his eyes falling back into Chloe. “So the reason you got all frigid when I told you Beca was queer was because you are too.”

Beca’s hands slid down from Chloe's waist as they pulled away. “Or maybe it was your uncharming ways that really made her make a U-turn.” 

Tom just scoffed a sarcastic laugh at her before looking to Chloe who spoke softer. “Tom. Not that I even have to explain anything, but this just happened.” 

The young man nodded sharply before saying in a malicious grumble. “They do say it's a disease that can be contagious.” 

The words stung. They always did, but Beca knew how to bury it whereas to Chloe it was all new and she didn’t want her to deal with it she wanted to shield it from her as much as possible. 

Beca just looked at her and saw how the statement took her back, trying to defuse it as quickly as possible she mumbled to her closely. “Let’s go.” She put her hand on Chloe’s arm and turned them both to the end of the alley. But Tom of course followed them out and called, “Where’re you gonna go? What secret place have you guys got to pretend this is okay? That it’s normal ?” 

Beca told Chloe to keep walking, to just try and ignore. Tom then stopped and after a moment he called again. “Wonder how your folks would react if they knew?” 

Chloe suddenly came to a complete halt. The thought of her parents knowing didn’t scare her because of fear that they wouldn’t accept her which she knew they wouldn't. It was more the fear that since she was still very much under their roof they would take her away from here and away from Beca. They both turned to him, Chloe shook her head and took a small step forward. “You wouldn’t.”

“Why the hell not?” 

Beca stayed still and silent, it wasn’t as if Chloe broke his heart. It was much worse, she wounded his pride by rejecting him and a man with no pride was considered to be no man at all. Tom let out a heavy shrug. “I think they’d be pretty interested.” 

Suddenly, and quite literally out of nowhere, Jesse came from the side and wiped his fist against Tom’s jaw, picking him up before he even had the chance to hit the ground and pushing him against the wall as he held onto his perfectly pressed jacket. “You’re not going to say a goddamn word to her parents.” With his cheekbone now cut and bleeding ever so slightly, Tom scoff gently with a smirk on his face as if to say that he thought Jesse was very much bluffing. Jesse wasn’t usually the violent type, but he was a loyal and protective friend so this was the best way in showing that. “They’re not your business.” 

He didn’t do anything else since this was more of a warning than anything. Jesse threw Tom out of his hands and stepped back, just staring at him till he walked away. Tom wiped down his clothes and glanced at the two girls before taking what was left of his pride which had now gone down even more and walked away.  Jesse turned and walked back over them. “He’s not going to say anything. Trust me. He’s too scared of the guys at the lumberyard to even think about doing something that would piss Beca off.”

Beca exhaled sharply, with a shake of her head. "It was stupid. I was stupid I shouldn't have—" briefly she stopped when she looked at Chloe and withdrew another sigh when speaking in a quieter voice. After all, Chloe was new to this. Beca wasn't exactly experienced but she was aware of what she could or could not do. "We need to be more careful than what we just were."

"We were in the alley—"

"I broad daylight, Chloe," Beca said, remaining in a soft voice but also speaking as if what she was saying was now obvious. Beca shook her head when she went on further, "It doesn't hide us the same that the night does." 

Chloe would lie if she said she wasn't briefly stunned. Realizing, this was much harder than she thought. She cleared her throat and simply nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear before asking in a change of subject. “What time is it?” Beca pulled back her sleeve as Chloe took a gentle hold of her wrist and looked at the time on her watch. “I do have to go. My mom is wanting me back for dinner.” 

Beca's eyes never left her. “Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she said gently, and then smiled at her before whispering. “Beca no one is going to scare me off,” she wanted to kiss her or even just hold her hand to try and reassure her with her words but right now she couldn’t do that, instead she just asked, “Can I see you tonight?” 

“Yeah,” Beca mumbled with a tired smile then coming across her face. “Stop by my place whenever.” 

“Okay,” Chloe whispered, glancing to Beca’s lips and then back to her eyes. “Bye,” her fingertips gently ran down her wrist as she dropped her hand from Beca’s watch and then walked in the direction where she left her bike to take herself home. 

Both Beca and Jesse watched her walk off, with their eyes still on her Jesse said to her. “Beca don’t worry about him. You know Tom he’s all mouth no trousers.”

“I just don’t want someone making her feel scared. It’s already scary,” Beca turned to him and simply sighed as she stuck her hands in her pockets. “And I know I should’ve stayed away and not kissed her that night but-”

“It isn’t all on you. If she didn’t want to be with you then she wouldn’t be with you,” he raised his brows to her and tapped her arm. He did have a point, Beca was making herself feel like she put Chloe into this situation, and yes she may have made the first kiss but it was Chloe who kissed her back and it was even Chloe who told her that she wanted this relationship . 

“You need a ride home?” Jesse offered her as he turned to his truck which was parked near the lumber compound. Beca looked down and then shook her head as she shrugged, “I think I’m gonna walk. But thanks for all that...I guess...but you do know you don’t have to do that bullshit knight in shining armor for us, we’re not Aubrey.” 

Jesse just nodded to her with a small amused scoff, giving a small and complete cliche two-finger salute, and watched Beca walk off. She didn’t want to walk alone because she was sulky or anything like that. Chloe had shown her the beauty of a stroll and granted even though half the reason she enjoyed it was because Chloe was with her this was still good. 

Dare she even think that Chloe was making her feel like a better person, and feeling safe even when she wasn’t there.

Chapter Text

Chloe went to Beca’s place that night, arriving on her bike, and just when she was a few feet away she heard a noise that she certainly didn’t expect. Singing. Gentle and completely lovely singing coming right from Beca’s porch. She came closer and saw Beca sitting on the bench swing, out on the porch. Her eyes were closed and her voice poured out this beautiful piece of music. Chloe didn't know she could sing, she certainly didn't know that she had a voice like that .  Beca wasn't alone out there, her mother was sitting with her, sitting across the way from her and listening with both great focus and pride. Nancy slowly nodded as Beca’s singing came to a perfect end. “You were right about that Holiday.” Her eyes then flickered over and caught Chloe, which caused a smirk to come onto her face. “Seems we got company.” 

Beca's eyes darted over to Chloe who slowly and cautiously made her way over as Nancy stood up and walked to the steps, Chloe smiled and said politely, “I didn't mean to intrude.” 

Nancy blew out a small raspberry and waved her hand to dismiss the words. “Don't be silly. Come up, honey.” 

Chloe had never met Beca’s mother before but she had heard she was a character. That everyone loved her around town. Beca stood between the two of them as Chloe came on the porch and after a second she cleared her throat “Ma. This is Chloe.” 

Nancy hummed. “Could've guessed.” She extended her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Chloe.” 

Chloe smiled sweetly and yet still so nervously as she took hold of the older Mitchell’s hand and politely shook. “You too, Ms. Mitchell.” 

“ Ms. Mitchell. Am I suddenly my late mother-in-law?” She deadpanned which got a nervous laugh out of Chloe, it seemed sarcastic humor ran in the family. Nancy broke out into a smile. “Call me Nancy...” she turned on her heel and nodded to the seats they had, “come sit down.” 

Beca just raised a brow to her that was to tell her that she had no choice now but to sit down, her mother was a lot of things, a ball-buster being one of them. As the two sat down on the bench swing, Nancy said as she turned and sat opposite. “Well, she's pretty, baby girl. Even more, than you let on.” 

As Beca shot a glare at her, Chloe laughed breathlessly and teased as she turned to Beca “Oh really?” There was an instant warmth that filled Chloe's entire body, knowing that they could talk here like any kind of love-sick teenagers, to be able to do that openly in front of one of their parents was surreal. Because lord knows the story would be completely different if Beca were ever at her house.

“No, don't believe a word she says.” Beca dismissed with a wave of her hand towards her mother. 

Nancy just sat back in her chair rather smug with herself, putting one leg over the other, and watched as Chloe’s eyes slowly went from looking to her daughter's hands and back into her eyes before she asked. “I didn't know you could sing like that. And the song was lovely, who was it?”

Before Beca could answer, her mother did it for her. “Billie Holiday. It's called I’ll Be Seeing You," she then snorted a laugh before she stated, “see when Beca was little she used to stutter real bad.” 

“Mom!” The brunette warned with now an extreme embarrassment, sighing once Nancy just shrugged and mumbled that she did. Beca shook her head when hearing Chloe say sweetly. “I didn't know that.”

Beca looked to Chloe and then stated as her eyes went back to her mom as she tried to make some form of defense. “I stammered. ” 

Nancy pinched her brows to her. “You said that as if those two mean different. Stammered, stuttered—” she leaned forward and looked to Chloe. “Point is we could never understand a single word she said.”

Beca began to laugh out of embarrassment as Chloe did for a surprise with Nancy continuing. “So her daddy and I got her to start singing and soon enough the stutter, or stammer as she clearly likes to call it, went away. I mean Christ it wasn't anything pretty at first but at least she speaks and sings good now.” 

“That's a good technique." Chloe giggled. Beca ran her fingers through her hair as her head was bowed and muttered. “Unbelievable.” 

“She always was one for drama too.” 

Chloe hummed as she cocked a brow and then looked to Beca once more. “That I did figure out pretty early on.”

Beca just sat back and allowed them to get their teases in now so that she didn’t have to suffer later. But it didn’t last long to Beca’s complete relief. It seemed both of them had figured Beca out pretty quickly in knowing that she got embarrassed pretty easily. 

“Think I’ll go and put on a pot of coffee,” Nancy announced as she slowly rose up from her seat, walking over to the door, and inside she shot her daughter a look. A look as if to say that she approved of Chloe being the girl that Beca was willing to risk a simple, quiet life for. 

As soon as the door shut and they were left alone, Beca stated boldly, “She likes you.”

Chloe felt her cheeks flush red before she altered the subject ever so slightly.“You never mentioned that your mom knew. About us. I mean you told me she knew about you but I guess you were never clear on if she was okay with it.” 

Beca gently rubbed her palms together and bobbed her head. “Yeah, it was kind of complicated at first. It didn’t really come as a shock to her but in the beginning, she wished it were different—” Quickly she shook her head. “But not because she was against it.” 

“Then why?”

“Because she was scared for me. She knows how much people have an issue with it, and hearing how some people have been beaten and killed.” Beca bit her lip and stated softly. “Being a girl in this time is one thing. Being a girl who likes girls is another.”

Chloe saw her point and very much saw her mother's point too. Beca took in a breath and let out a long shrug. “But she knew there was no changing it so she didn’t see why she should live her life trying to convince otherwise. Ever since I was a little girl, when I talked about being a grown-up and being married I would always say that I’d provide for my wife just like my dad. They laughed about it because at the time I was just a little kid who didn’t really know how the whole marriage thing worked...then as I got older my opinion never changed. It was scary and confusing for both of us but we got through it.”  Chloe’s eyes couldn’t help but fill, sliding her hand into the brunettes as she continued, “all she’s ever really asked me for is to make sure that when I do meet someone they are good enough to go through any turmoil. And that they're gonna stick around.” 

Chloe rubbed her lips together as she smiled and said gently once leaning further against Beca, resting her chin on her shoulder. “I’m sticking around.” 

Beca suddenly looked a little uneasy, not out of fear of commitment but actual relief. “I was on edge that Tom might have gotten to you. What he said and threatened” 

Chloe pinched her brows at Beca. “Why would I let anything he says get to me?” Her expression settled back into a smile as she gazed at the brunette and her dark midnight eyes. “I don't get involved in things I'm not sure about...I'm sure about you. It's not something I expected or something I even saw as possible but I'm still sure. like you said, we've got to be more careful. I know that now, but we're safe.” 

Before Beca could say anything that could be considered counterproductive as she still had her fears and doubts, Chloe leaned forward and caught onto her lips with her own. A sweet and innocent kiss that gave the intended message of certainty and safety. When in reality this relationship was anything but in the eyes of others. Beca couldn't help but let a smile slip out against Chloe’s mouth before kissing her again.  She’d never thought she would have this, to have someone want her in this way. She thought it would be near enough impossible. And for the person who does to be as kind, genuine, and beautiful as Chloe is, it was almost as if she was living in some kind of dream, one that she didn’t feel like she deserved. Beca put her hand on Chloe’s jaw and pulled her closer as the kiss deepened, leading Chloe to let out a sweet breath whilst still against her mouth. 

Slowly they pulled apart, Chloe pressing another quick kiss against her lips before pulling away completely and just smiling at her. Their noses gently bumping together, eyes still shut and smiles still intact when they heard Nancy calling from inside. “You two having a cup of Joe, or am I supposed to leave you alone all night?” 

Chloe hummed with clear amusement as she pulled back and cocked an eyebrow to the brunette. “Coffee sounds good.” She drew out a small breath and raised her brows when bracing to stand up. “And I want to make a good impression on your mother so I’m not going to ignore.”

Beca’s hands had no choice but to slip off of Chloe's waist as the redhead stood and headed inside, with Beca following her lead after a few short seconds.

Meeting Beca’s mother was a little dangerous to add to the whole mix. For the only reason that it made Chloe like her even more when seeing the family that she had. It was scary how fast she felt herself falling because she knew there would be great collateral damage if something were to go wrong, not that she wanted to think about that of course. But it was always in the back of her mind. In both of their minds really. Chloe underestimates how lovable she truly is. She underestimates a lot of things about herself. 

Beca took her around more of her area the next week or so. She and her mother have this gathering every Friday night around their place, it was filled with those who were seen as the bottom of the barrel for whatever prejudiced reason. People came around with their homes with banjos, violins, and pretty much every other kind of instrument they had. Someone even brought round a wooden board which was a bare inch or two and wide to create some kind of dancefloor which all the kids do use to their full advantage. 

Chloe watched as Beca slapped her hands against her thighs to the tune of all the instruments that were playing. Nodding her head and humming the tune of the song to encourage the young boy that was tap dancing. She had never seen Beca look as comfortable as she did right now. 

“You got it, Leo,” Beca called to the eight-year-old as he continued to try his best, and then he held his hands out for her to join. Chloe thought that Beca would get embarrassed or try to play it cool to not do it, but to her surprise, Beca did stand up and she did keep up with his tap dancing steps. Slowly turning into a competition between the two of them.  Chloe looked over and saw Nancy just roll her eyes with a smirk written across her face, which implies that this happened often. Chloe just looked back at Beca and couldn’t help but grin as she watched her laugh and take the whole thing in awe as she continued to dance with the young boy, eventually then taking her seat back on the edge of the porch beside Chloe. 

“He challenges me every week,” Beca mumbled in her ear over the music. “And every week I let him beat me.” 

Chloe hummed an amused breath and whispered back to her ear. “You’re adorable.” 

Beca looked back to her by a small distance apart from her, a small smile resting on her lips before she bumped her nose against hers in a gentle manner and looked back to the guys dancing. Largely, Beca was luckier than Chloe. Not that Chloe didn’t know that she was lucky by having the money that she had as well as the opportunities but Beca had the opportunity to be herself here. Really herself. 

They wouldn’t be able to do that kind of stuff in front of Chloe’s family and her family's friends. No chance in hell. Beca felt Chloe’s hands slide into hers and soon that cock of an eyebrow that she does on a more regular basis when getting an idea, slowly rising from where she was sat and pulled back over to the plank excuse of a dance floor.  Beca went to shake her head up until Chloe raised both her brows to her. “I dare you.”

The brunette let out a small groan at the back of her throat, she never should have told Chloe that she could never back down from a dare. And no one here would judge them, they were safe here to be themselves. 

So Beca got to her feet and danced, their fingers loosely entwined as their feet did all the work on the floor. She glanced at her mother who did in fact had the biggest smile on her face as she watched them. Bringing a girl here would have been a big deal for her, it’s not as easy or simple as bringing a guy back to meet your family, who these people were after all. So she knew Beca bringing Chloe here really did mean something. 

“You’re a terrible dancer.” Beca laughed as she spun Chloe around who just laughed breathlessly and shook her head to her. “Shut up!” 

Beca just raised her brows to her ever so slightly and muttered as she came close to her for a split second during their dance. “I got you anyway.” 

If Beca’s family and friends knew how sweet she was, they would never let her hear the end of it. But Chloe liked that she saved those little comments and moments for just her. 

Whenever Beca does drop Chloe off at her house, it was never actually at her house. She would always pull her car up down the road up to the house for Chloe to walk down just for it to be safe for them to say goodnight to each other without the risk of Chloe’s parents seeing them.  They both hated that they lived in a world and time where they had to hide. All they could do was wish that there would come a time where it wouldn’t be the case anymore. 

Beca kept her hands on Chloe’s jaw with her fingertips pressed against the back of her neck as she continued to kiss her. Chloe broke out into a smile in the middle of the notion to then return her lips fully back against Beca’s and let out a small pleased hum as Beca’s tongue brushed up against hers and her body leaned further against the brunette which caused Beca to press against her seat. Chloe could stay here for hours, she would never tire of the feel of Beca’s body pressed against hers, each time she kissed her it was like she was flying. If she could stay in this car with Beca for good whilst the rest of the world stayed shut off, she really would...but the fact was, she was 18, still living under her parent's roof and she was very wary of the time. 

Chloe pulled away and breathlessly announced between their kiss, “I’ve got to go.” 

“No.” Beca protested, pulling her back in for a kiss which led to Chloe’s mumbled giggle to be against her mouth as well as her insisting. “Yes, I do.” She looked to her and brushed her nose against Beca’s before she then gave her one more lasting kiss and then backed into her seat properly to turn for the door, Beca hated it when she leaves but couldn’t help but bite her lip as she watched her get out of the truck. 

Chloe shut the door behind her and then looked back to Beca, gazing at her for a few seconds more, resting her chin on her hands that laid on the frame of the unwound window. Chloe gave her the same warm look as she delicately put, “Goodnight.” 

Beca couldn’t help it when she leaned across from her seat over to Chloe and stole one more kiss, which Chloe certainly leaned into and deepened the kiss further before pulling away, smiled at her lovingly for a few seconds more as the brunette said with such warmth in her tone. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You will.” 

“By the lake?” 

“By the lake.” Chloe grinned. Already she couldn’t wait for that, she gave Beca a quick kiss on her cheek and then actually left. And every time she does leave, Beca’s heart sinks a little as well as not being able to stop smiling as she pulls the truck out and drives off home. 

Chloe made it down the road and to her house as soon as she could. She knew her parents were concerned about her getting home as late as she was these past few weeks. She ran up the steps onto their large porch and as she reached the door, she had a voice come from her right-hand side. “Chloe.”

Her father's voice came so suddenly that she practically crashed into the thick wooden front doors with a gasp to go along with it. She glanced at him and covered her eyes during her breathless words at the shock he just sent into her system. “ Daddy. ” She took another breath and lowered her hands as she turned to him and took a step closer to him with her hand over her erratic beating heart. “You scared the life out of me.” 

She watched as his eyes went down the road from where she came from, tapping the ash of his cigar into his tray when looking back at her. “Been spending a lot of time with that friend of yours.”

Chloe drew out another breath, she too took a glance down the road, a small panic set in. He didn't see them together, he couldn't have seen them. Chloe looked back at him. “Yes, sir." The sir thing came as instinct. Before he found his wealth through oil, Chloe’s father was a military man. "I mean, Beca drives me home but yeah with her and Jesse and Aubrey.” It wasn't a complete lie, they did hang out as a four, sometimes.  

To her surprise, Richard then just smiled as he pressed his back into the chair. “Well, I want to meet these friends. Bring ‘em to the house tomorrow afternoon for Sunday.”

Chloe knew what Sunday was all too well. Sunday was the afternoon lunch where Chloe’s parents had all their rich snobby friends round for what was literally a dinner party. Beca wasn't going to like the idea, but Chloe couldn’t refuse. She put on her best smile. “Okay.” She leaned down to him and quickly kissed her cheek before heading over to the front door. “Goodnight, daddy.” 

“Goodnight.” 

Chloe walked into the house and shut the door behind her, keeping her back against it as she let out a small breath and whispered to herself. “Oh shit.” She ran her fingers through her hair and then headed upstairs, thinking all the way how she was going to convince Beca to do this.

“Are you out of your mind?” 

“I couldn’t say no.”

Beca raised her brows to her. “You couldn’t ?”

Chloe gave her a tight and innocent smile as she let out a long shrug. “When you meet them you’ll understand.”

Beca stared at her sternly with her jaw ever so slightly dropped before groaning under her breath and carrying on pacing back and forth in front of the lake. Chloe rubbed her lips together as she kept her arms wrapped around her legs that were tucked up to her chest as she just watched her for a few moments, seeing the conflict going on in her head. “Beca. My family is insufferable when I say no to them, it’s important for them to meet you. And it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Oh no?” 

“It’s lunch! That’s all-just lunch!”

Beca crouched down in front of her for a moment and stated rather plainly, “Where they will be picking every little thing I say about my life and what I do. Look-I know your dad probably just suggested this to be nice or whatever but I don’t exactly fit into your crowd.” 

“Good. People in my crowd suck,” Chloe teased. She watched Beca roll her eyes and get back up to her feet. “They just think you’re a good friend of mine.”

“Well I am,” Beca deadpanned as a smirk crept on her face. “A very good friend.”

Chloe rolled her eyes at her. “I thought you were mad.” 

“I’m not mad at you. I’m just not happy about the situation,” Beca sighed. She pressed her back against the trunk of the tree. Chloe bit her lip as she stared at her. The brunette looked down to her boots and mumbled, “I don’t want to risk your folks finding out cause then this will end.” 

At her words Chloe got up to her feet and walked over to her, her hand running to her cheek and resting her palm against her. “They’re not going to find out and even if they did I wouldn’t care. I won’t let it end.” 

Beca let out a stiff snort as she looked back up to her and raised a brow. “You really think you’d be able to stop them?”

“Beca. Nothing is going to go wrong.” Chloe pressed her lips against Beca’s other cheek from where her hand lay and whispered against her skin. “It’s just lunch.”

“With your family.” 

“With my family, yes but Aubrey and Jesse are going to be there it's not just you. You're not gonna be alone.” Chloe pressed her forehead gently against Beca’s and sighed, “please just do this for me.” 

Beca groaned beneath her breath, knocking her head back from pressing against Chloe's.  “You had to go and add the for me didn’t you.”

“Cause I know it works,” Chloe gently giggled, kissing Beca's cheek once again in a manner so soft she knew it made Beca go weak from the inside. Beca closed her eyes at the feel of Chloe's lips and breath brushing against her skin. She opened them when the sensation stopped and she saw Chloe just look at her with deep hope. “Fine. Fine, I’ll do it.” 

“Really?” Chloe grinned, running her fingers through Beca's hair. “You will?”

“Yeah. I mean Aubrey and Jesse being there will help make me not want to die.” 

“Your mom is right you are dramatic,” Chloe huffed a gentle laugh and thanked her silently through a kiss on her mouth. Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's neck and held her in a tight embrace. “But it means a lot to me. Thank you.” 

Beca pressed her hands against Chloe’s back and kept her chin on the redhead’s shoulder. She’d be lying if she said that she wasn’t nervous, and there wasn’t much that made Beca nervous but meeting the people that could easily take Chloe away from her sure as hell made her feel a little uneasy at least.  But perhaps she was overthinking it. She was going as Chloe’s friend to this lunch and the idea of two girls being romantically involved was so alien to most people that she doubted anyone on Chloe’s side would think any different. 

Beca raised a brow to her as she pulled back, leaning against the tree again. “Am I going to have to wear a dress? Cause I don’t think I’ve had one of those since I was like...one. And it was my baptism.” 

Chloe laughed breathlessly and shook her head. “No you don’t have to wear a dress, I want you to come as yourself. No one else.” 

“Well. How very grounded, rich girl.” 

Chloe swatted her arm before just pulling her in for another kiss, pulling them down to sink on the ground where their lips and hands didn't leave each other. She was pretty sure that she was falling for Beca harder and harder every single time she even looked at her, forget day by day it was whenever they met up no matter how many times. 

And Beca agreeing to come to this lunch tomorrow, knowing how much it would mean to Chloe, just made her fall that extra bit harder.

Chapter Text

Beca paced in her room back and forth for what she thought was just a few seconds but it had actually been five minutes. She shouldn't be this nervous but perhaps it was natural to be very nervous when meeting your secret and downright forbidden girlfriend’s parents. Nerves were allowed there. 

“Stop pacing!” Nancy called as she eventually made it into her bedroom and leaned against the door frame, “I mean Jesus Christ I can hear you all the way from outside.” 

Beca came to a stop and sighed at her mother before sitting down on her rickety thin mattress. “Okay, I don’t know how I’m going to talk to those people.” 

“You’ve been seeing one of those people.” 

“No,” Beca breathed, shaking her head, “you know Chloe isn’t like what her family is going to be like.” 

Nancy let out a shrug. “You have a point there." She looked at her daughter and had never seen her tremble. Beca wasn’t exactly trembling now but she was close. Nancy rubbed her palms together and put her hands on her daughter's knees as she crouched down and looked at her, giving her a tight smile. “Let me rephrase. Chloe might not be like her family but she still is a part of them. She knows how they work. And she will be there to look out for you.”

Beca blew out a weak excuse of a raspberry as she out her back against the wall. “They’re gonna look at me and—” 

“Look, kid,” Nancy mumbled, glancing away from her for a moment and after drawing out a breath she then continued as she shook his head with a comforting smile still on her face. “People like you and me. We don’t fit in well with those kinds of people. Well, we never have but that doesn’t mean they won’t like you.”

“Cause I am a very warm and lovable person.” Beca couldn’t help but deadpan and then raise her brows. 

“You got the warm thing to work on but you’re sure as shit are lovable. Trust me,” she slapped her hand on her knee as she then got back up. “It’s our charm.”

“Yes. The family charm. The same family who uses phrases like sure as shit . I’ll remember to use it during lunch today. I'm sure that will really make them warm up to me.”

Nancy hummed, amused, and dropped her hands onto her hips as her eyes took a wander around Beca’s room. “Well, it’s an acquired taste.”

“ We’re an acquired taste,” Beca bit her lip and raised a brow to her mother, and dropped her tone to sound purposely scandalous. “The single working mother with the homosexual daughter.” 

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Nancy walked back over to her and put her hand on the back of Beca’s head, muttering before pressing a quick kiss on the top of it. “In my books, it’s nothing of the sort.” 

Beca hummed and commented as Nancy headed to the door. “It isn't your book I’m worried about.”

Nancy strummed her fingers against the door frame as she looked back at her over her shoulder and then faced her. “Anyone who doesn’t see you as enough, is too stupid for your time, baby girl. I assure you that.” A small smile then appeared on her face as she said gently. “I did a good job with you.” 

“Work isn’t done yet,” Beca mumbled, she glanced down at her nails and then rose to her feet. She looked down to her watch and groaned under her breath, raising her brows to Nancy as she prepared herself for the firing line. “I better go.” 

“Yeah you better. I didn’t raise a slacker.” Nancy rubbed her arm and gave her a quick kiss on her temple. “ Try to have fun. Fuckin’ smile.”

“Oh if the Beale’s could hear you.”

The rub on the arm soon became a swat. “Smile.”  Beca quickly plastered a fake yet highly convincing smile to which her mother nodded. “Good. Convincing.” 

“Suck it, Bette Davis,” Beca muttered. She grabbed her jacket and then headed out the door, she heard Nancy call one last time for her to have fun. It was more of a plea than a command or suggestion. They joke around a lot but Beca knew that she is worried. About her and just the whole situation. 

Hell Beca herself was worried but she was putting herself through the risk of all of this because Chloe was worth it.

Beca pulled her truck up to the house and had to just sit back for the moment, just to look at it. How big it was and how different Chloe’s world was from her own. She had never been this close to the house before, she had only ever seen it from a distance.  But seeing it up close certainly made her get an unsettled feeling in the pit of her stomach. Staring at it so hard made her oblivious to her other surroundings so when Chloe came what was out of nowhere to her by the side of her window, she jumped out of her skin and let out a small breath. “ Jesus .”

“Sorry,” the redhead giggled, “I didn’t realise you were so deep in thought.” B eca gave her a plain look as Chloe teased her. Chloe bit her lip as she found herself gazing at her again when she asked. “What’cha looking at?” 

Beca shook her head and turned the engine off. “Nothing. Just the house. It’s bigger when up close.”

She opened the car door which caused Chloe to take some steps back and watch her get out of the car.  Chloe was glad to see that Beca didn’t try and blend in with the crowd. One of the many reasons Chloe adored her so much was how much she stood out and was proud to. She still dressed as formal as she could of course. She was wearing navy high waisted pleated pants with a very light blue checkered shirt tucked into them. 

It was an outfit that Chloe had never actually seen before, she looked her up and down. “You look…”

Beca hummed, slipping her hands into her pockets and shrugging her shoulders. “I could afford one formal attire and this is it. I’ve had it for like a year considering I haven’t grown in that time.” 

“Perfect and petite.” Chloe gently chuckled, biting her lip as she got an eye of her some more. Then Beca did the same, looking at Chloe who was in her red flowery dress, and muttered to her as they turned to the house. “ You look amazing.”

“Shut up.” Chloe chortled nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear and hearing Beca say softly as they walked up the steps, “Don’t do that.” 

“Do what?”

Before entering the house they came to a brief stop for Beca to say. “Don’t brush it off as if it’s a ridiculous thing for you to look amazing. You should know how perfect you are every damn day.” 

Chloe rolled her eyes and shook her head with her eyes on the door. “Not something I usually feel.”

“Maybe it’s my job to help with that.” 

The redhead then smiled at her and cooed. “ Maybe, ” she put her hand on the door knob and raised a brow. “You ready?” 

“Not really. But it’s just lunch right.”

“It’s just lunch. And I’m here with you every step.”

“Not in my preferred way.” Beca mumbled as Chloe opened the door and soon their conversation came to an end as they walked into Chloe’s house, which was too extravagant for beca to even begin to fathom with, they went straight out and made it to the back where there was a marquee set up for the lunch...cause all lunches have a marquee. Sure. 

Chloe had such a burning desire to hold Beca’s hand for support and it killed her that she couldn’t. But Beca was an independent person and always had been, so she was fine not having her hand being held. 

As they walked to the tent, Chloe’s mother turned and grinned like the Cheshire Cat when seeing Beca. “This must be Rebecca...” Diane held her hand out to her and politely shook her hand and then held onto the young brunettes with both. “Wonderful to finally meet you.” 

Chloe, already feeling like she wanted to crumble from embarrassment, let out a small breath. “It’s Beca, mom.”

“Don’t worry about it," Beca nervously chuckled in Chloe’s direction before turning her head back to her mother, Diane, and nodded with a still polite look and tone, “nice to meet you too, Mrs Beale.” 

Diane merely hummed and nodded as she dropped her hand down from Beca’s. Already she could tell the difference between the two families. Her mother completely abolished the idea of her daughter’s friends calling her by such a formal name, Ms. Mitchell . But Chloe’s mother was the complete opposite and Beca could tell that she wanted it that way. 

Beca shook the hand of Chloe’s father and he then did the same in not giving her an alternate name. But it was fine, whatever Beca needs to stick to in order to gain their liking of her then she will do it. 

Jesse and Aubrey had already made it before her, only by a few short minutes ahead. Jesse was certainly dressed as smart as he could be, in a clean-cut white shirt that was tucked into his tanned pants, he even had a suit jacket on which no doubt was his dad's. Beca had known Jesse since they were kids and she knows that he hasn’t got one of those things for himself. Aubrey of course looks radiant, she always does, especially in this light pink dress that she had on. 

“Becs.” Jesse grinned. "Looking very handsome.” 

Beca hummed a small laugh to him, “I’d say the same but I’m not a liar.”

“Nice.” 

Beca then looked at Aubrey and raised her brows to her. “But you look good.” 

Aubrey gleamed at her and let out a small shrug. “Thanks, Beca. So do you.”

Chloe glanced down to Jesse and Aubrey linking hands and a part of her really hated it. Not them, she was happy for them of course, and loved them together as a couple, but she looked at Beca’s hand, at her slim and delicate fingers and it killed her that she couldn’t hold them like she does when they’re alone. 

Beca looked to her when she caught her eyes and leaned in ever so slightly to whisper. “Are you okay?” 

Chloe took in a breath when taking her eyes to Beca and merely replied in the same quiet voice. “I hate that I can’t touch you.” 

Beca bit down on her lip for a few moments, not quite knowing what to say. But she just gave her a small smile as if to say that it was fine and then she subtly brushed the back of her hand against hers as she reached forward to fix her own shirt collar which didn’t need fixing at all she just did it for that single reason that she gets to touch Chloe even if it was for a bare second. 

As Beca’s hand dropped from her shirt as Jesse then asked them both. “How are you guys feeling about this?”

The two of them just glanced at each other before Beca shrugged and looked back at him. “Suppose it had to happen sooner or later.”

“We just want to get through it then maybe they’ll stop being so curious about where I am at night.” Chloe looked over her shoulder to her parents who were by their friends, but still looking back at her every so often. They didn't approve already and Chloe knew that. But she struggled to care. 

She looked back to them as Aubrey mumbled, “If you guys could get the love out of your eyes then maybe it would downplay.” 

The pair couldn’t help but then roll their eyes. They weren’t going to act like a couple but taking the ‘love’ out of their eyes sure as hell was not going to be possible. 

Chloe’s father soon called for everyone to sit down and start lunch. Which of course they all complied to, coincidently Beca was seated beside Chloe, with Jesse and Aubrey sitting facing them across the table, Diane sat at the top of the table beside Chloe, where she clearly felt she belonged. 

Beca sat back and looked around the table at all of Chloe’s world as they sat round and laughed at Richard and his apparently funny jokes that Beca couldn’t laugh at because it was clear that she wasn’t rich enough to relate to. Jesse was the same whereas Aubrey had some understanding. But this really was like a different language. 

“James, remove that liquor from my husband he clearly is becoming deluded into thinking his jokes are anything other than abysmal,” Diane called from across the table which was actually rather amusing herself. 

As their plates were put down in front of them, a man from down the table by Chloe’s father, called over to Jesse. “So what do you do, Jesse?”

“I work at the lumberyard. With Beca.” 

People looked over to them as their attention was clearly caught on the words. Certainly not expecting the person he worked with to be the petite brunette female across the way from him. The same man then looked at Beca. “You work at the lumberyard?” 

Beca cleared her throat and then nodded. “Yes, I do.” She noticed the shock on their faces she elaborated further, obviously twisting her words to what they would all like to hear. “I know it’s not ideal for a young woman but it’s just me and my mother since my father passed away and it was the only stable job I could find to help her out. It’s not much and not that ideal right now but I just save most of my money.”

The man’s wife beside him smiled politely. “That’s lovely, dear. For you to do for your mother.” 

“Thank you.” Beca tightly smiled, then glancing at Chloe and getting an encouraging look before a younger gentleman down the table spoke up once more. “If you don’t mind me asking. How much do you make?” 

Beca raised a brow to him. “Money? Forty cents an hour. Same as Jesse.”

The young man then raised his brows. “Same as a man?”

“Uh-huh,” Beca replied with a small smile before shrugging her shoulders, she wasn’t going to apologize for earning the same crummy wage as Jesse. “I guess because I’m the only woman, our boss didn’t take into account paying any different...and it’s still not much but like I said I save most of it.”

Richard took in a breath and shrugged his shoulders. “Enough about money, let's eat.” 

Soon everyone began to tuck into their food, Chloe looked to Beca and brushed her foot against her leg as a silent way to catch her attention and ensure if she was alright and Beca just smiled at her to tell her that she was. She didn’t mind the questions, sure she didn’t like the judgemental or hostile looks and responses but as she talked about with her mother both this morning and last night, it’s just one day she had to get through. Chloe wasn’t a stupid person, she never had been. And usually she was never naive. Usually .  But with Beca she had been found guilty of being slightly more naive in thinking that nothing could go wrong with them, that if they were careful enough they were fine. 

Chloe was naive bringing Beca to lunch and thinking her parents won’t become suspicious of their relationship. Well, her father wasn't because he was oblivious about most things but her mother certainly had her eyes on them. Beca being sat beside her for one caught her attention. And she had been paying attention a lot , to how they talked to each other and the way they talked to each other. 

“So Beca, you and Chloe have been spending a lot of time together,” Diane said. As Beca’s heart began to race out of fear that this would lead to some kind of interrogation, Diane just in fact smiled. “Must be very close friends by now.”

Beca glanced at Chloe and crinkled her nose to her, she shook her head before looking back to her secret girlfriend’s mother and saying in a small laugh. “Yes ma’am.”

“Well, the summer is coming to an end in a short few weeks. What are the two of you going to do?” 

Chloe knew her mother well enough to know what she was doing right now, she was baiting. She wanted to build Beca up enough to burst her bubble because although they never talked about it, Chloe knew that someone like Beca was not someone her family wanted in her life. Even as a friend.

But right now Beca was too focused on being polite and likable that she was downright oblivious. “Well. Portland isn’t that far away,” she shrugged. “Plus, vacations come around and stuff.” 

And here it was, the bubble. Although Diane did look at her daughter in a subtly surprised manner that Chloe hadn’t told her this piece of valuable information herself. “But Chloe is going to Los Angeles.” Chloe shot her a glare as Beca looked up from her plate, Diane slowly looking back to the brunette. “She got accepted into UCLA. Didn’t she tell you?” 

Beca knew she had to be careful, to not look like the wounded girlfriend and more just the oblivious friend, she sat back in her chair and said cooly. “No she didn’t,” she lightly smiled at Chloe who then turned to her and knew that she too had to be careful so she shrugged and smiled rather gleefully with an apology written behind it. “I got my letter this morning.” 

Chloe may be smiling but the look in her eyes really was saying please don’t be mad for not saying anything sooner, but Beca kept the same warm smile on her face that was in fact completely genuine as she whispered, “It’s fine.” 

Diane looked at them and quickly intervened. “Well of course it is." Her vibrant and bold voice practically forced the pair to look away and back over to Chloe’s mother who was still smiling, “what kind of friend would Beca be if she wouldn’t be happy for you, sweetie?” 

Both of them just gave her the same tight smile as Chloe’s father called for Diane to close the conversation of school so the children could enjoy their day. As lunch eventually dispersed, Beca patted her mouth with a napkin and politely announced, “Excuse me.” 

She rose from her chair and made her way over to the house to find the restroom. Chloe watched her do so and then silently scowled at her mother who just put another piece of watermelon in her mouth; she smiled like she didn’t even notice the vicious look she was getting from her daughter, who didn’t care in the slightest when Chloe got up and excused herself to the house once everyone had left the table to break into their own mingling groups. 

Beca cupped some water and put it to her mouth before letting out a small breath as she allowed her brain to just process all this information she was given. UCLA? U-C-L-A? God, how would they make that work? Portland was going to be hard as it was to make this long-distance work, they had a plan. Chloe would finish college and both of them, together, would move away. Somewhere no one knew them. There was a knock on the door to which Beca called, “Occupied.” 

Chloe’s head soon popped in through the now slightly opened door. “It’s just me.”  Beca only had to be silent for a second and Chloe leaped into the room, shut the door behind her, and began to ramble and apologize profusely. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me! I swear to God I was going to tell you and I don’t even know if I’m actually going there I’m still waiting on others too it’s just where my parents want me to go—”

Beca finally turned and faced her, with her gently raising her hand. “Okay, slow—”

“—And do you see what I mean about her? About them all. All their little comments and questions,” 

Beca rested against the wall as Chloe stood in front of her and continued her rant. “I mean God-Beca if I ever start to go like my mother then just shoot me—” Chloe’s words then came to a sudden stop as Beca grabbed hold of her cheeks with just one hand, raising her brows to her as she softly commanded. “Take a breath." As Chloe did, Beca added. “Just calm down. I hate seeing you get all freaked out.” 

Beca kept her hand gripped to the redhead’s cheeks and spoke softly and sweetly, “I’m happy for you.”

“But I’m—”

“Chloe. I’m happy for you.”

Chloe sighed again and mumbled. “Okay.”

“ Okay ,” Beca whispered, she leaned forward and kissed her softly. Her hand gently ran down Chloe’s neck and fell down to the small of her back. Their bodies remained pressed firmly together. As she pulled her lips away, Beca shrugged. “Listen forget about your mom and her friends. I’m fine and we’re fine I promise.” Chloe brushed her forehead against Beca’s nose and snuggled her face into the crook of her neck, Beca wrapping her arms tighter around her waist. “After lunch, we can go grab Jesse and Aubrey and have some fun.”

Chloe let out a small breath against her neck. “Fun. Here ?”

“Stop,” Beca whispered in a breathless laugh and kissed her temple. “I’m just glad I can have a few minutes with you.”

“Me too,” Chloe hummed, resting her chin on Beca’s shoulder and putting her arms around her too and letting out a pleasing noise before complaining. “And I hate that we can’t stay here. I hate that we have to hide.”

“I know.” Beca whispered, rubbing her back.

Chloe lifted her head again. "Especially when all I want to do is just..." her eyes flickered from Beca's lips to her eyes and back to her lips again before she allowed her action to do the rest of the talking and kissed Beca hard. She pressed the brunette’s back further against the wall. Their tongues brushed over each other as the ache in their bodies for more ran through them both. Beca really hated that they couldn’t stay here but if they were away at the same time for any longer and people would start to talk. 

Beca squeezed Chloe’s waist gently to pull back. “I better go out first.” 

Chloe whined but ultimately she stepped back so Beca could walk out, still holding onto her hand, Beca quickly kissed the back of Chloe’s before opening the door and heading out. Chloe let out a breath as she settled her hands against the sink, looking at herself in the mirror and shaking her head as she looked down. 

She couldn’t help but feel guilty. She really was going to tell Beca about UCLA but she was telling the truth when she said that she didn’t even know if she wanted to go there yet. She was still waiting on other places, ones that were closer. 

But her mother saw it as her own business to get involved, whether she was suspicious about their relationship, Chloe couldn't really imagine. She merely assumed her mother was doing this to get Chloe away from this crowd. But it wasn’t going to be that easy, at all. As a girlfriend or as a friend she wasn’t going to give Beca up just like that. She couldn’t imagine giving her up ever. 

Chloe soon got a hold of herself and eventually left the restroom herself and back outside where luckily, lunch was officially over and now it was just a social party where people could split off. And Chloe did, with Beca, Jesse, and Aubrey. When she joined the fellow three after taking her time in the bathroom, Diane watched as the two girls trailed behind Jesse and Aubrey by the lake, Beca saying something to her which made Chloe laugh out loud, shoulders shaking and everything and gave Beca a playful shrug before their shoulders bumped together.

As Diane watched them, her husband soon came up beside her. “What’re you staring at?” 

“Look at her Richard,” Diane mumbled with her eyes still fixated on them, shaking her head and then stating rather plainly. “She’s got too much spirit. For a girl in her circumstance. She’s becoming too wild.”

“Too wild,” Richard chuckled gently, shaking his head as he took his cigar to his mouth. “Diane. It’s just summer fun, friendships build in summers all the time.”

“Friendships,” Diane mumbled, then turning to her husband and raising her brows. “Is that what that is?”

“What are you implying?”

Diane shrugged with her husband's eyes still on her as he took in his cigar. “All I know is that I’ve heard things about that one—” she looked to him as he looked away and over in Beca’s direction. “—trouble is what that is.” 

The pair of them looked back to Beca and Chloe once again, watching their daughter mumble something into the brunette’s ear as they carried on walking and finally caught up with Aubrey and Jesse. 

It wasn’t just about lunch, it was about seeing for themselves just how close their daughter was getting with the girl who the people they socialise with in town had already said a few choice words about.

Chapter Text

Chloe ran her fingers through her hair before grabbing hold of her cardigan. Beca wanted to take her somewhere tonight, somewhere that Chloe had never been before which wasn’t that hard to believe given that she hadn’t been to most places around here. Before meeting Beca she was pretty much restricted from everything.  She was excited for tonight and wanted to get there as soon as she could, making it downstairs as soon as she had her whole outfit on...but before getting to the front door she was collared by her mother of which she took no surprise too.

“Where are you going off to tonight then?” Diane asked. 

“Not too sure,” Chloe commented breathlessly, trying to avoid eye contact with her as she carried on with her tone being casual. “I’ve not planned it.”

“Beca has, I’m guessing.” 

Chloe then looked at her and she didn’t know why but she replied with a white lie instead of just agreeing with her mother’s comment. “No. Jesse. He and Aubrey have invited me out, Beca is staying at home tonight with her mom.”

She watched as her mother’s expression lightened, almost relieved by the comment. Slowly nodding her head and breaking out into a small smile. “Oh. Alright then, well, enjoy yourself and remember honey-”

“Not too late, yes mom I’m aware of your wishes. Can I go now?” 

Diane just nodded and extended her arm out over to the door to let Chloe leave this conversation and leave the house as a whole, which felt like a breath of fresh air every single time she did leave. 

It wasn’t like she wanted to lie, she didn’t like the thought of lying about spending time with Beca because spending time with Beca had been the best moments of her summer, best moments of her life even. But it was just easier telling her mom that she was with someone else, it led to fewer questions and less hostile tones. She grew tired of getting the third degree and disapproving looks all the time, it was clear Diane didn’t approve of a young girl trying to make ends meet for her mother. 

She grabbed her bike and made her way to Beca’s place as fast as she could since she knew that she would be waiting for her on her porch. She liked the bike journey to Beca’s place because all she thought about when on her way there was Beca, getting to her and being with her. She even thought about the future beyond just the night of seeing her. She thought about their life that she imagined them having together. How it had only been pushing five weeks but she had fallen for her completely after spending every waking minute of every waking day with her. 

It would be hard, having a life together but it also excited her. A lot. Scary and exciting could be both a dangerous and thrilling mix. But the thing was she didn’t really know what Beca thought when she did think about the future, all she would say was how happy she was with Chloe but with this college thing in the mix, Chloe was worried that it would throw Beca off. She hoped and prayed that it didn’t. 

When she reached the house, Chloe saw Beca resting against her front door, looking down at her boots with doting patience. Then when she heard the wheels of Chloe’s bike come to a stop she looked up and grinned as soon as she saw her. It was something she couldn’t help and something she had never had before, not being able to contain her expression when seeing the girl she was falling for. Which she was. 

Beca got up from leaning against the wall and met Chloe halfway as soon as she got up the steps, their lips coming together as soon as they could and as hard as they could. Beca gripped onto Chloe’s dress at her lower back when their bodies came close, their tongues brushing together which drew out a moan from Chloe’s mouth that just projected onto Beca’s as she pressed the redhead’s back against the wall of her home.

Chloe smiled between the kisses with her eyes still closed and faintly whispered, “Hi,” she felt Beca’s lips curl up against hers and hum back to her as Chloe’s hands gripped harder onto the back of her neck to keep her close. Beca’s tongue ran from Chloe’s bottom lip and back to her mouth. The tension between the two of them had been growing and growing over these past few weeks to the point where it was utterly painful when they stopped, they wanted more of each other. It was just having the bravery for either of them to put their cards on the table if not both.

Their hips pressed tighter together and they soon got caught for breath and stopped, realizing how they were very much up in the moment. Beca kept her forehead against Chloe’s as the pair just let out a breath before she rested the back of her head against the wall and then just looked at each other and a faint warm expression on her face as she then admitted in a still quiet voice. “I’ve missed you.”

“It shows.” Beca teased in a whisper, leaning forward and kissing her gently again. Chloe hummed a small giggle and spoke when her lips broke away again. “Where are you taking me tonight?” 

Beca’s hand then innocently slipped into hers and said softly with her brows rising ever so slightly as she took a step back. “Some place no one even knows exists,” she then shrugged as they walked down the steps, “I mean. Apart from my mom and Jesse but...”

They headed over to Beca’s truck and were driving off before Nancy even had the chance to step out and say hello to Chloe. Figures. 

Beca pulled the truck up outside this large yet completely abandoned house. The wood of the building was dark and pretty rotten, some parts of it had fallen down, the roof especially. And there was also the thing with branches covering the front of it. Beca hadn’t been here for a little while.

Beca looked at her and gently asserted. “Wait here,” she got out of the truck with Chloe watching her run into the literal darkness. Chloe then got out of the truck but not to follow her, it was so she could look at the view behind her since she had noticed it on the way in, the moon was full and so bright over the lake that was just in front of the place. It was gorgeous, whoever originally put this house here had the right idea. 

“Chlo!” the redhead turned and saw Beca now standing at the porch with a lantern in her hand, motioning her arm for her to come over. Their hands met once again as soon as Chloe was in close enough range, Beca pushed open the front door and they walked inside the house. 

The outside did not do it justice, it was grand. It was broken but so beautiful. The stairs to upstairs looked completely unstable and there were cobwebs all over the place, but Chloe could feel the life in it still, as she gazed around Beca filled her in. “It was built in eighteen seventy-seven so it’s old as hell,” the tip of her boot gently tapped against the beam. “No one’s lived in here since...well it’s been empty since I was born so I guess a couple decades.” 

“How did you even know about it?”

“My dad brought me here when I was a kid. God knows how he found it but he used to bring me here and say how he was going to fix it up and we’re all gonna live here one day,” she clicked her gum as her hands slipped into her back pocket, “no such luck, yet.”

“ Yet ?” Chloe asked whilst half distracted by the steps that she then thought she’d test but Beca jumped forward, putting her hands on her arms. “Careful-no they’ll kill you just look at them.” Chloe laughed breathlessly and got back down the first step with Beca then answered her question as she took her hands off her arms “Uh yeah this place is kind of what I’m saving up for.”

Beca watched as Chloe’s brows went up. “You are?”

“Hope so. I mean no one will buy it—”

Chloe took steps back and walked to another room. “I don’t see why not. This place is enormous.”

“It’s an enormous piece of shit,” Beca laughed and shook her head again, “but I want to fix it up. New floors and a lot of new walls and a roof.”

“Is that all a house takes?” Chloe teased, folding her arms to her. 

“Well if you want me to go down the entire list no there’s plumbing and electricity—”

“Furniture.” 

“Sure. Furniture,” Beca pressed her hand against the arch frame from the room Chloe was standing in. “But I've always liked the idea of fixing this place up, and with it being right by the water. There’s a barn too outback which could be good to get some work done...maybe get some vegetables and stuff growing.”

Chloe gently bit down on the lip as she leaned against the mantlepiece. “And what about me?”

A faint smile landed on Beca’s face before gently teasing. “What about you?” 

“Do I get a say in this house?” 

The smile then grew with Beca asking the simple question back. “Do you want a say in this house?” 

“Yes I do,” Chloe pushed herself up from leaning and made her way over to Beca who asked, “what do you want?” 

Chloe hummed with self-curiosity as she dug into her own thoughts, her hands finding Beca’s shirt at her waist and gripping to her tight, turning her and pressing her back against the arch. “Nice white house. With blue shutters.” 

“Okay,” Beca mumbled. 

“Our bedroom to be looking over the lake would be to wake up to.” 

Beca hummed once more and nodded. “Nice. Anything else?” 

“Oh,” Chloe chirped once an idea popped into her head, “you know those big ol’ porches that wrap all way around the house?”

“I have heard of them, yeah. One of those?” 

“Yeah. Yeah, I’ve always liked the idea of one of those, y’know? We can sit there nearly every night and drink tea. Watch the sun go down over the lake,” she tucked a strand of Beca’s hair behind her ear. “I want all of that with you here.” 

“Okay.”

“Promise?” 

“Mm-hm.” Beca bobbed her head. "I mean it would be pretty perfect, it's secluded and in a part of town like this...no, one would exactly question it. We'd be able to live on our land, freely." Beca pressed her lips to Chloe’s a small yet sweet moment before the redhead smiled and chorused. “Good,” her hands dropped from Beca’s waist when she saw a piano in the room across the house. 

“My god…” Chloe's fingertips brushed along the wood, gazing down at it. “Hard to believe something like this just gets left behind huh.”

Beca just gently nodded and forgot to even speak because she was too busy just watching Chloe as she sat down on the dusty stool in front of the piano and gently rested her fingertips down on the keys and soon a delicate and completely perfect tune comes out from the instrument as Chloe began to play. Beca just let out a breath as she watched her, she found her utterly captivating and she still found it hard to believe that someone as perfect as her had fallen for a Beca. 

Having girls who were also attracted to other girls was near enough impossible to come across anyway, but for the one, for her to find be Chloe...it was like God was making up for the times He had screwed her over before. Cause Chloe was everything she wanted and more, she was a best friend as well as anything else and she had never laughed or smiled as much as she has done these past few weeks. 

And she wanted her so badly, so much so that she made her way over to her, and from behind she leaned down and pressed her lips against Chloe’s cheeks, then neck. Chloe closed her eyes and let out a breathless laugh, “I can’t play with you doing that.”

There was a silence between the two of them, and soon that tension built back up when Chloe’s lips then reached out in connection for Beca’s when she lifted her head and caught to the brunettes, her hand also then reaching up and running through the back of Beca's hair to keep control over the kiss, which was as heavy as it was at the house. Chloe turned whilst still sitting on the stool and soon her back pressed against the keys of the piano as the kiss deepened further. 

Beca’s lips moved to Chloe’s cheek, jaw, and then neck which caused her to get more and more breathless, her eyes closed as she felt Beca’s lips and tongue brush against her skin at her throat, suddenly hearing herself whisper aloud “I want you...”

Beca stopped kissing her for a moment, just a moment as her brain let the words sink into her head, she slowly pulled back and looked at her, looking into Chloe’s eyes as she whispered. “What?” It wasn’t out of rejection but more just to clarify the words. 

And Chloe assured her as she nodded and her fingertips found the buttons on Beca’s shirt, holding onto them as her temptation to undo them rested with her. “I do. I really want you...but only if you want to.” 

A smile then grew across Beca’s face as she slowly sunk down to her knees. “Of course, I want to.”

Chloe grinned at her and let out a relieved breath, her hands going to the back of Beca’s neck as she pulled her lips back onto hers for another heavy kiss. Slowly sliding off the stool and the two of them lay on the floor with Beca’s back against the ground as Chloe rested on top of her, which soon switched as Beca rolled over to her. Chloe’s breath suddenly got heavy before she said rather nervously. “You might have to walk me through this.” 

Beca smiled against Chloe’s lips and mumbled. “Well. I’ve never done this before but-”

“You haven’t?” 

Beca pulled back and shook her head after looking at Chloe with an odd expression. “No. You’d think I had?” 

“I...I don’t know. I mean did you think this would happen here now?” 

Beca rested herself on her elbow. “Course I didn’t think it would.”

“You never thought about it?”

“Well yeah, I thought about it. I’ve thought about it a lot,” Beca cradled Chloe’s jaw and whispered, “you’re hard not to think about in any way.” 

Chloe let out a small breath and then spoke delicately. “Take off my dress.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“I meant it when I said I want you...I think about it too you know.” 

Beca smiled and pressed her lips against Chloe’s collarbone before she then slowly unbuttoned the top half of Chloe’s dress and pulled it down with just her lower body now being covered, Beca took in a breath and ran her finger down the redhead’s abdomen. The most that she had really touched her. Her body was stunning, every single aspect of it. 

“You’re so—"

“No. I’m not.” 

Beca looked back to her, dead in the eyes as she assured. “Chloe. You’re beautiful, I thought that from the first second of looking at you,” her palm rested against her stomach and whispered when leaning her head down to her. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Chloe let out a loving small cry when Beca’s lips returned to hers, she finally did what she set out to do before and removed Beca’s shirt which then came from under her pants and tossed it to the side, Chloe then set her sights on Beca’s body and she almost couldn’t help her smile. Then when she reached out and put her hand on Beca’s waist, Beca noticed something. “Chloe you’re shaking—” she took hold of the redhead’s hand and whispered, “You’re trembling”. 

“I’m fine I’m just having a lot of thoughts.” 

“Are you okay?” 

Chloe nodded with her voice coming out convincingly. “Yeah.”

Beca ran her tongue across her bottom lip and then asked “What kind of thoughts?”

“What your thoughts are.”

“What?” Beca gently chuckled, resting her body beside Chloe’s, who rolled her eyes and let out a small laugh herself. “Don’t laugh, I just. Well, I never really know what you’re thinking.” 

“I’m always as honest as I can be.” 

“I know,” Chloe looked at her and shrugged. “But I still wonder...” she saw that Beca was stuck on what to say which led Chloe to close her eyes and sigh as she put her hand on her forehead and mumbled under her breath. “I’m sorry I’ve messed this up haven’t I?”

“No you've not,” Beca assured, pushing her hair behind her ear when leaning down and pressing her lips against Chloe’s shoulder. She knew what she wanted to say and knew that the words she had on her mind would be quite possibly the words that Chloe needed and wanted to hear...and Beca wanted to say them for quite some time. Beca rubbed her lips together and rested her chin on Chloe’s shoulder for a moment and finally spoke in a quiet voice. “Chloe.”  Chloe turned her head back to her and just looked at her, with Beca waiting for a few seconds. “I love you,” she bit her lip and filled the silence before it even really began. “Did you know that?” 

Chloe broke out into a smile as her eyes soon filled, nodding her head to the words, and for a moment all she could do was nod but then she built up the words in the back of her throat and whispered as she moved even closer to Beca, her lips almost brushing against the brunette’s skin. “I love you too.”

Beca looked at her after keeping her eyes on the ground from the fear of rejection and grinned at her to then waste no time but kiss her, she pressed her forehead against hers before Chloe ducked her head forward and kissed Beca’s bare collarbone as the brunette reassured. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to—”

“No, I want to,” Chloe looked back at her. “I do.” 

Beca let out a pleasing quiet noise as their lips returned to each other and just as they did, there was a bang coming from the front door. Beca grabbed the dusty yet still effective sheet that was beside them and threw it over Chloe’s body and she pulled her shirt back on herself, looking over and seeing Jesse walk into the house after opening the door with as much force as he could. 

His eyes fell on them but didn’t register what it was that he was looking at. “Here you are.”

“Jesus, Jess!” Her arm flung outside whilst Chloe remained shielded behind her with the sheet covering her as well as Beca’s body, “get outta here!”

“Look I’m sorry, okay but Chloe’s parents are going damn crazy. They’ve got nearly every cop in town out looking for her.” 

Chloe’s brows pinched hard to him. “What?” 

As the two of them stood, Beca pointed to him and demanded he turned around before Chloe got to her feet and he already saw more than Beca would care for, Jesse quickly turned his back as Beca buttoned up her shirt and walked over to him as he said, “Aubrey didn’t know that you told them that you were out with us. So when she called Chloe’s place to see if it was okay to come over...guess her mom freaked or figured it out.” 

Beca then looked over to Chloe as she finished up the button on her shirt with Chloe still composing her clothing. “You told them you were out with Aubrey?” 

Chloe sighed her and once she had herself buttoned up again she took a step closer to her. “My mom has been weird about you ever since that lunch. I think she was starting to think of something and we needed more time so—” 

“Okay, I don’t even have time to argue with that let’s just get in the truck.” Beca jeered, heading out the house before anyone could say anything else and the two followed behind her. 

Beca didn’t bother parking the truck up at some point down the road and instead parked right outside the house, Chloe wasted no time and made her way inside knowing that Beca was right behind her. Both of them noticed on their way in that there was a police car even parked outside. Chloe found her parents as soon as she walked in as they were quite literally standing right there by the front door. “You sent the police after me?” 

“Of course we did!” Diane wailed with her hand to her chest, “when I saw that it was clear you lied to me and it was getting so late we didn’t have much of a choice!”

“God, mom what did you think—”

Richard held his hand up. “You’re home now and you’re safe, that's what matters. Now, where’ve you been?”

Before Chloe could come up with anything, Beca stepped in and announced. “It’s my fault. Mr. Beale,” she let out a sharp nervous breath as the parents looked to her, one scowling more than the other. “Yeah uh, I was just showing her around this place I went to as a kid. You know since she isn’t around from here I thought it would be fun and I guess we just lost track of time.” 

Politely but firmly, Chloe’s father answered her. “Would you give us a moment, please? Like to talk to my daughter,” after faking a polite smile to Beca, he looked back to Chloe “Alone young lady.” 

Chloe shot a glance at Beca who gave her a small tight smile before Diane took hold of her daughter's arm and led her into her father’s study, Richard extended his arm over to the lounger to their right. “Take a seat, Beca.” 

She didn’t want to sit down and just listen to Chloe getting yelled at but right now she wasn’t in a position to oppose. She walked over and sat down as Richard excused the officer that was in their house and then walked into the study to his wife and daughter.

As soon as he came in, Chloe turned to him and followed him with her eyes “I’m sorry, daddy. I didn’t mean—”

“You never do mean,” Diane scowled, “these past five weeks you’ve not meant anything. Getting in at God knows what hour. You need to get things in order.” 

Chloe pinched her brows to her mother and scoffed as she shrugged “Like what, mom?” 

“Like you are going to stop hanging around with Beca,” Diane firmly put.

Chloe’s heart began to race and she could feel the panic build up. The thought of not seeing Beca made her chest go tight that it was hard to even find the air to breathe but she tried to not look so emotional. “How would that get things to stop seeing my friend?” 

There was then silence and not one that Chloe cared for, it brought no comfort or suggestion of where this conversation would go. Diane looked to Richard who was now sitting at his desk. “I told you something like this would happen and it has. Got . To . Stop .” 

“What?” Chloe groused out of pure frustration of being kept out of the loop “What have you told him? What’s happened—” 

“I know what Beca is like. I know what Beca is-do you not think that word gets around about girls like her?” 

Chloe’s face dropped as well as her tone that had a scoff in the back of it. “ Girls like her. ”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about Chloe. And I did not spend eighteen years of my life raising a daughter, giving her everything for her to throw it away from the corruption of a girl.” 

“Corruption? Corruption ? Do you hear yourself!” 

Diane bit her lip and seethed. “Tell me one thing. And you best be damn well honest with me Chloe. Is it just a friendship?” 

Chloe’s breath hitched, her eyes now filled and wandering over to her father for help but he couldn’t this time nor did he really want to because he too needed to know. Chloe looked back to her mother and just shook her head and before anything else could be said she got there first as her mother turned her head in complete dismay. “But it was not corruption she didn’t do anything!”

“She’s got her hooks in you.”

“No, mom. I got mine in hers,” Chloe quickly snapped back and saw the expression on her mother's face slowly drop to complete and utter horror but Chloe didn’t stop there with her words, “it was me. I chased her . I purposely spent more time with her and the only reason she kissed me in the first place was that I wanted her to!—”

She didn’t see her mother’s arm even pull back to take a swing but the sting on her cheek left an impact enough to tell her that the action had happened. Chloe touched her now hot cheek for a moment before looking back to Diane and seeing her father now on his feet in the corner of her eye.  Her mother reached forward to take hold of her arm but Chloe pulled back. “Don’t touch me.” 

“That’s it. You are not to see her anymore and that’s final.”

“No, it’s not-”

“It is-—

“Not it’s not final!” Chloe cried as she backed away from her more and then blurted. “You’re not going to tell me who I’m going to love.”

Now stood up by his desk, Richard pinched his brows to her daughter, genuinely surprised by the quick and bold statement. “Love?” 

Chloe looked and then ran to him. “Yes, daddy, I love her,” she wrapped her arms around his neck for some prayer of comfort which she knew her dad always gave her when she was upset, she gripped onto him tight and sobbed into his shoulder. “I love her.” 

Richard sighed and glanced over to his wife, her mother was very much a tough love kind of woman, in fact, she was borderline no love, whereas he felt like that was not the route to take. He put his hand on her back and spoke softly in his own attempts to get through. “She’s not suitable for you, honey. And I know you don’t know it right now but it is wrong.” 

She didn’t believe that for a single second, she didn’t understand it because it was impossible to understand on the basis that it simply wasn’t true. There was nothing wrong with loving Beca in fact it was the only thing in her life that was really right. She slowly stepped back from him. “You both just don’t understand. There’s nothing wrong with it, Beca loves me and she understands me better than anyone else has.” She then turned back to her mother and insisted once again. “And I do love her.” 

Diane sighed and rested her hand against the desk as she replied with pure exhaustion and dismissal. “You are eighteen years old, you don’t know anything about love. That’s what this is right now, Chloe. Confusion.”

Chloe raised her brows to her. “I don’t know anything about love? And you do? You don’t look at daddy the way I look at Beca. You never laugh or tease or smile . It’s you that doesn’t know anything about love!” 

She went towards the door and left the room before either one of her parents had the opportunity to stop her and when she got out and called Beca’s name, she saw that Beca was no longer where she left her. She was no longer in the house at all.

Beca could hear the whole thing from where she was sitting, either the walls were thin or the shouting was just that loud. She got up and left when it went silent which was around the time Chloe went to her father for comfort, she didn’t want to make things harder for Chloe than they already were so she thought leaving would be the best thing but it was far from the best thing. 

But Chloe caught her before she got in her truck and ran down the steps “Beca wait!” 

Beca took a breath and ran her palm down her mouth before turning around to Chloe, Beca grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her to the back of the truck, wrapping her arms around her immediately as Chloe buried her head into her neck in which her cries came out muffled. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” 

“Yes, I do they’re awful. She’s awful.” 

Beca just let out a gentle shush as she continued to rub her back, she then pulled away in order to wipe Chloe’s tears. “We knew this was going to happen eventually.” 

“I know I just...I thought we’d have more time to think about it y’know?” Chloe didn’t hear a response from Beca. In fact, she heard nothing but silence which actually scared her. Beca cleared her throat and eventually just mumbled. “Maybe it’s the hit of reality. We’ve been living in a bubble.”  Chloe looked back up to her but before she could even question what she meant, Beca just shrugged. “I’m going to go.” 

“I don’t want you to go.” Chloe’s hands found Beca’s but it didn’t last long as the brunette shook her head and slowly pulled herself away.

“It’s not like I have that much of a choice and I just-there’s things I need to think about.” Beca went to turn, suddenly switching off all emotions. Confused and more scared than ever, Chloe grabbed onto her arm to prevent her from heading to the front of the truck, because this conversation ending was not an option right now. “What have you got to think about? Talk to me. Beca, please .” 

Beca hitched a breath and turned back to face her but didn’t necessarily give eye contact. “I don’t know what you want me to say. It’s you who has the fight here not me.”

“What—"

“What I mean is,” Beca sighed and chose her words more carefully and spoke in a softer tone, finally looking at her, “your family and world is very different to mine. I don’t really have to worry about what people think of the way I live my life but you do...you have things planned—” 

“Planned?” 

“Chloe. You’re going away!” Beca’s voice raised ever so slightly, pulling her hand out of Chloe’s hold once again and shrugged. “UCLA. I know that’s where you’re going to go so you’re leaving, ten hours away instead of two and believe me I am so happy for you, I’m proud of you believe me...but you’re going to college—”

“Stop it. Please-”

“And you’re going to have so many things happening that you’ll forget about me and forget about this whole thing. People like me are just passing through.” 

With her eyes filling up, Chloe shook her head. “Don’t talk like that. You know that’s not what I think.” 

“But it is true,” Beca laughed bitterly since none of this was funny, her voice went down to being more settled but not exactly sweeter, “look at us right now, hiding behind my truck so your parents don’t come running out here and drag you off-which I’m surprised they haven’t already done. This is what you have to consider. Consider the fact that your family might want nothing to do with you if you stay with me. Consider that your life will be harder not just because you'd be settling with a woman but you’d be settling with a poor woman. I am never going to have nice things or anything close to that. We’d always have to hide away. The world isn't changing anytime soon.” 

Chloe thought for a moment, a million things flying around in her head and all she could afford to come out with was, “I don’t have to go to school.” 

Beca just stared at her, not showing any kind of satisfaction or happiness to what she just said, she actually seemed disappointed as she shrugged. “That is exactly what I’m talking about. Do you really think I want you to blow your future? I wish I could go to school but no you’d just waste it.”

“For you. Yes, I would.” 

Right now Chloe was being naive and desperate for this conversation to not go in the way she feared, Beca’s tone came out much more stern. “Chloe. I don’t want you to.” 

“Then you can come with me.” Chloe went to take hold of her hand again but Beca pulled back before she managed to do so. “To LA?”

“Yes!”

There was a silence between them as Beca shrugged her shoulders once again and simply asked. “What am I going to do in LA?”

Tears ran down Chloe’s cheeks, hurt that Beca didn’t think about the answer herself. Her voice came out cracked and weak before proclaiming. “Be with me. We can make it work, we can find a way we don't have to isolate ourselves.” Beca looked down to the ground for a moment and then heard Chloe suggest. “You love your music, you can find the chance to do something like that there! There are so many opportunities!” 

Beca gave her a faint, saddened smile as she weakly shook her head and consoled as she looked to the floor.“You’re just deluding yourself, baby,” she looked back up to her and shrugged her shoulders again, “but we don’t have to deal with this right now we can just leave it until the end of the summer.”

Chloe pinched her brows to her. “End of the summer what does that mean? Are you saying you want to break this off?” 

Trying to stop the tears forming in her eyes, Beca pushed through with her more tough exterior. “I’m saying we let the dust go down and see how it goes later on.”

As Chloe let the words process into her mind, Beca reached her hand up to the redhead’s cheek and wiped her tears with her thumb, to which Chloe let out a sharp breath against Beca’s palm when she briefly leaned into her, with dread of the question, Chloe pushed through and whispered as Beca’s hand ran back down her jaw. “Are you breaking up with me?” 

She eventually forced herself to look to Beca, taking her tearful eyes over to her as the anticipation was merely killing her, with the brunette's hand now back down to her side in her pant pocket, her eyes avoiding all contact, Beca pressed her lips together, keeping her head wallowed and down. “I just don’t see how it’s going to work—” she blew out a breath and looked up but not at Chloe because that would just kill her.  “Tonight has just set it insight. We've been dumb kids thinking it can be alright.” 

“I…” Chloe came at a loss for breath for a moment. “I see.” 

Beca bit her lip as tears of her own formed into her eyes, becoming now impossible to hide, she took a small step back turned back to head to the door of the truck. Chloe shook her head as she watched her and sobbed before following her to the side of the car. “Please don’t do this. You don’t mean it.” 

She put her hand onto Beca’s waist as her back was still turned to her, whispering into her ear. “An hour ago you told me you loved me.”

Beca closed her eyes with the pain now feeling like a thousand knives going into her body, this was killing every part of her, she turned to her and whispered back to her in a broken voice. “I do love you. I really do. But an hour ago I was kidding myself,” she looked back over to the mansion that Chloe called a home. “We both were.” 

“Beca, please.”

Chloe put her hand to Beca’s cheek and pressed her forehead against hers. “You remember that night we were by the lake and you told me not to let them poison what I feel. Now I’m asking you to do the same.”

“This was never about them Chloe.” Beca gently pulled Chloe’s arm back to release her hand from the back of her neck, she sighed and raised her brows slightly to her as she stated, “This is about you. I’m saying all of this because I want what’s best for you.” 

“I don’t understand what could be better for me than having the person I love with me?” Chloe’s brows pinched harshly together as more tears ran down her cheek. “You’re making no Goddamn sense, I don’t understand how this is happening.” 

Beca opened the door of her truck and got in, taking a breath and looking to Chloe one more time. “And maybe that’s the problem.”

She turned the ignition in her truck on and despite Chloe trying to stop her from leaving with her pleading and momentarily grip onto her window, she had to pull away and had no choice but to watch Beca drive away from the house but more importantly and more heartbreaking to her, she had no choice but to watch Beca drive away from her. 

Chapter Text

Beca was surprised that she didn’t crash into anything or anyone on the way home, she was riddled with heartbreaking emotion and had her eyes filled with that many tears that it was a miracle that she got home in one piece. As soon as she pulled the car up outside of her house, in a less calm and casual manner than usual, Nancy came from out the door and hurried down the porch. “I’ve been losing my damn mind—” she gripped onto her daughter as soon as she was in her reach and hugged her tight for a moment. “Jesse told me everything when he was out looking for you. I was scared to death that they might have hurt you.” 

“Well they didn't. The only person who hurt me tonight was me,” Beca mumbled as she pulled out of her mothers hold and walked over to the porch. “I’ve just ended it with Chloe. Her parents found out and—”

“I know that’s why I was scared. With people like that...I was gonna give it ten more minutes before I came to get you.”

Beca just stood there in silence for a moment and allowed what had just happened to sink in before looking over to Nancy. “Ma, what the hell have I done?” Before she could even give her mother a chance into speaking, she headed back down the porch and straight towards her truck. “I need to go back.” 

“You can’t-Beca, I’m serious.” Nancy grabbed hold of her daughter's arm, Beca turned to her for a moment and hit it away. “I’m going—” when that didn’t work, Nancy wrapped her arms around Beca’s waist and lifted her off her feet, pulled her back and away from the truck despite Beca’s protest. “Get off of me, mom! I need to go back and see her!”

“You can’t you know it won’t be safe for you to go back they’ll do God knows what-hell they can call the police on you for trespassing and harassment and I am not letting anything happen to you.” Nancy turned and dropped Beca back by the porch, pointing to Beca with more authority under her voice. “You’re my Goddamn daughter and if I have to keep you here for your own safety then I’m going to do it.” Nancy then proceeded to reach down and snatch the keys out of Beca’s hands, putting them in her own pocket of her overalls. “By all means find her tomorrow. But tonight you stay away.” 

Beca bit down her lip and bowed her head as she sat down on the steps of the porch. Nancy, not really knowing what to do or say, she just sighed and looked into the house. Running her fingers through her hair she shook her head and walked up the small steps. “Stay here. And I mean here. ”

Beca nodded weakly with her head still resting against her hand, her tears running more down her cheeks now that she didn’t even bother to wipe them away. Nancy walked into the house and she was in there for a considerable amount of time, not that Beca even really noticed. Before she knew it, Jesse came over to the house on his motorcycle, well, it belonged to his dad technically but Jesse was always swiping it.  So that’s what her mother had been doing in there, she had been making phone calls. Beca slid herself to the side of the porch and leaned up against the frame as Jesse made his way over, tapping her knee as he walked up the steps and grabbed a chair, sitting on it backwards and leaning his arms down on it as he looked to her. “What happened?”

Beca ran her fingers through her hair and pressed the back of her head against the frame. “It’s over.”

“Over? Like over, over?” 

She bit her lip and merely nodded but didn’t really have any words to bring herself to say, Nancy then walked back out with a crate filled with bottles of beer, putting them on the ground and passing one over to Jesse. “Good to see you, Jess.”

“Thanks, Nancy,” Jesse muttered, taking the bottle from her. Nancy then looked down to her daughter who was still looking down to the ground, she gave her a nudge to her shoulder with the bottle and then handed it out to her. It wasn’t often that she allowed Beca to drink just special occasions like birthdays...and heartbreaks. 

Beca just remained silent. They all did for some time till Beca shook her head and groaned under her breath. “I’m so stupid. What the hell was I doing?” she looked at them both for answers but she could see that neither of them had them for her, Beca hitched a breath. “She’s just there . Waiting. I can still fix—”

“Babygirl you can’t go back there and you know it. Not after that, her folks have plenty of axes to grind with you now and I’m not risking nothing.”

“Am I just a stupid person?”

There was a silence before Nancy shrugged. “Well yeah.” Brutal honesty was something that Beca always needed and Nancy always gave it. She did think Beca was stupid for what had happened tonight, did she sympathise? Yes of course, she is her daughter and she’s heartbroken. But she still thinks she’s stupid. She still thinks Chloe would’ve been her one in a million.

Beca just groaned under her breath and took some more of her beer when she heard Jesse sigh. “I mean. Look, you know I think Chloe is a great girl and all but...was it gonna really work? Maybe it’s for the best.”

Nancy looked at him oddly and she took her lips away from her bottle. “Is this the whole girl and girl thing?”

“No, God no it’s not about that. I mean you two are from different sides of the tracks y’know. Maybe you guys don’t fit.”

Beca hummed a deadpanned laugh, resting the back of her head against the frame. “I see what you’re trying to do Jess, and I appreciate it but I think you’re full of shit right now.”

“I’m being your friend right now,” Jesse defended, holding his bottle to his chest, “and she isn’t the only one out there Bec. You can find someone else, someone who it won’t be as hard to be with.” 

Beca pulled a sickening face at the sheer thought of trying to move on, shaking her head as she looked down at the gap between her feet as her arms rested on her knees. “We both know that's bullshit. It'll always be hard for me. And there’s nobody else I want.”

“Not yet but—”

“If you and Aubrey broke up would you want me to say it’s for the best?” Beca quickly shot back, raising her brows to him as a further challenge and then saw him sigh in defeat. “Jesse I know what you are trying to do in making me feel better and shit but honestly all your words are doing are pisisng me off.”

Nancy snorted slightly as mumbled as she took her eyes down to her beer. “This is why men should not give love advice.” 

Beca sighed towards her out of frustration. “Well damn it, Ma. How bout you give me fucking something?”

Nancy lifted her head and took a breath, motioning to Jesse with her bottle. “Part of me does genuinely see this wet smack’s point.” 

“What? But you like Chloe.”

“Yeah, I do.” Nancy bobbed her head as she rocked back and forth on her heel, taking her eyes over to Beca. “But I like you a hell of a lot more and all I want is for your life to be as peaceful and loving as it can be and Jess has a point where he says it wouldn’t be easy with a girl especially of that status, you know it’ll be hard with anyone and it’s taking it to the next level...so yeah, it wouldn’t be easy by any means.”

Beca stared at her for a moment and then nodded her head to her as she knew there was more that she was going to say. “ But ?”

Her mother then shrugged and said as she took the bottle to her lips. “But nothing worthwhile is.”

“Fantastic,” Beca shut her eyes and put her head firmly against the frame of the porch, “my mom has decided to become William Goddamn Shakespeare. ”

“Point I’m trying to make is that yeah leaving it with Chloe would be easier in the long run, it’d hurt now but it would be an easier life. But sticking with her...well...baby I won’t lie to you. I think she’d make you the happiest you could possibly be. And I say that, because I fell for your old man at about your age.”

Beca looked at the honesty in her mother’s eyes as she said that, the young brunette then took a breath. “So my options are either an easy sad life without her...or a hard amazing life with her?”

There was a small silence before Nancy shrugged and nodded with her voice coming out bluntly. “Yeah. Basically—” she extended her leg out and tapped her foot with Beca’s. "You’ve had a long night. You’re overwhelmed and your head isn’t screwed on right now. You’re gonna sleep on it.”

As Beca reached for another bottle, her mother got up and snatched it away. “You ain’t getting punched drunk. Not on my damn porch. I said you’ll sleep on it, not waking up with a hangover.” 

Nancy then looked to the young man behind her and prodded his head. “That means you too, lame brain. Finish that up and get off home it’s late. I don’t want to run into your momma and get a lecture. Again.”

She took the remaining crate of beer and headed back inside the house, leaving Beca and Jesse just outside to soak up in their silence and sighing attitude. Jesse looked at her and mumbled. “I am sorry for what happened. Maybe if I had never of gone looking—"

“You were only trying to help,” Beca said softly and soon took her eyes to him. "If you hadn't found us then the police would’ve and the result of tonight might have been worse. If that’s possible. 'Sides they were gonna find out anyway.”

“I really want what’s best for you.” 

Beca let out a weak smile. “Yeah. I know. Problem here is.” She got onto her feet and sighed as she glanced at the woods in front of her. “She’s what’s best for me. She was, who the hell knows anymore.”

Nancy got Beca to sleep pretty much as soon as Jesse left. The tears came out as soon as he left and she pretty much cried herself to sleep in Nancy’s arms but at least she was asleep.

And just as Nancy was about to go to bed herself, she saw lights coming towards her house from the kitchen window, she leaned forward and peered more and saw a fancy car park outside. 

Nancy sighed and groaned beneath her breath when stepping back from the window. “God damn Beales—” she headed to her front door and on the way grabbed her shotgun and muttered under her breath. “Coming on my damn land..." She locked and loaded the gun before she even stepped on the porch but she didn’t hold it up at the cause that seemed too threatening, she just held it securely in her hands like any owner of their land around these parts would. “Can I help you tonight?”

“We’re just here to get my daughter's bike,” Richard commented as he walked towards Chloe’s bicycle that was resting up against the porch. Nancy watching him do so and then look back over to Diane who was just staring at her hard. Nancy raised her brows. “Have I got something on my face?”

“You knew didn’t you?” Diane seethed, then took a step forward more aggressively. "You knew what your daughter was doing to mine—”

Nancy flattened out the barrel of the gun in her palm, with the gun now being slightly raised. Richard holding his arm out in front of his wife as Nancy just stared at them both and took a breath. “Let’s get one thing crystal clear. My daughter didn’t do anything to yours. Your daughter was happy.”

“She was confused.”

“She was happy . I think it’s you who’s confused because she was happy with my daughter but your emotions are no concern of mine. You think that you are protecting your girl, which is debatable from my angle but don’t matter, the point is I am just doing what you think you’re doing right now. Defending my young.” 

“Your young is—” 

“I can actually shoot you, you know,” Nancy said plainly and shrugged. “Legally. You’re on my land and you’re being all hostile. Sheriff and I went to school together so I’m pretty sure I’d have leverage.” She pulled back the safety and sighed. “Like I said I protect my young.”

“How are you okay with it ?”

“My daughter has the right to love. I don’t care who it’s with as long as she has it and like or she had it with Chloe but because of your sad outlook on life that’s now stopped. So if you’re gonna stick to your fucking rules then get the hell off my land and let her have her heart broken in peace cause if you do so much as wake her right now I’ll be one shell down in this gun.”

Richard put his hand on his wife’s arm and pulled her over to the car with the bike still in his hand, as Diane walked backwards she got in one last time in a more upsetting voice. “The way you are raising your daughter is wrong.” 

Nancy didn’t move from her position of holding the gun up and merely nodded. “I could say the same thing to you." She kept her gun held up until the pair got in their car and they reversed to remove themselves from her home, Nancy slowly put the gun back down and blew out a breath, taking herself back into the house. “Well, that was intense.” 

A big part of Chloe didn’t even want to get out of bed. She really couldn’t believe that last night actually happened, how she and Beca went from one extreme to another. The thought of it made her eyes fill a great amount, all she needed and wanted to do was to find Beca and try to work things out. 

She didn’t care about what her parents thought or what they threatened to do, she knew that there would be Nancy at least that would protect them both. Chloe dragged herself out of bed and went to go to her wardrobe to get changed when she heard a commission happen from outside her bedroom window.  Chloe went to the window and pulled back her curtains to see two men packing up their two cars with suitcases. Their suitcases. Were they leaving? Because they weren’t supposed to be leaving, not yet. She pushed herself away from the window and made her way downstairs, practically running into the dining room and seeing her mother sat at the end of the table with her newspaper, coffee and bowl of fruit in front of her. 

“What’s going on? Why are there some of daddy’s workers packing up our stuff?”

“We’re going home,” Diane said with a smile written across her face that Chloe wanted more than to wipe off. Chloe raised her brows. “Now? No, we weren’t supposed to be leaving for another week.”

“Well after the little... stunt that was pulled last night your father and I agreed it will be best for us to leave as soon as possible. To get you away.” She reached for her daughter's hand. “Back to normal-”

Chloe pulled her hand back. “Like it never happened?”

Diane cleared her throat and mumbled, retracting her hand back. “One can pray.” She looked back up to Chloe and plastered on another smile. “Sit down and get some breakfast, dear. We’ll get Cynthia to pack your things.”

Chloe let out a sigh from the back of her throat with her eyes closed before stressing. “I don’t want Cynthia to pack my things. I don’t want anyone to touch my stuff, mom I’m not going.”

“Yes you are, Chloe.” 

“No—”

“ Yes . I am not letting you stay here in this God-forsaken town any longer. Now even if your daddy has to throw you over his shoulder and put you in the car himself. You’re going." It was as if she didn’t even take into account or care when looking into her daughter’s red wet eyes.

Chloe let out a sharp breath but said nothing more to argue, she just moved herself away from the chair, away from the table and away from her mother all together as she stormed out of the room. She wanted to be sick. She felt like she was going to be in fact. The thought of leaving here, of leaving Beca? And certainly in this situation that they were now in. She couldn't leave without having Beca. Having Beca being hers again. 

She ran straight to the phone and put a direct call to Beca’s home. The wait was so painful and excruciating, she screwed her eyes shut and the longer she had to wait she then began to whisper in a plea and a cry. “Pick up. God, please pick up. Beca please be home.” 

But soon enough there was no luck and it was clear. Beca wasn't home and it seemed Nancy wasn’t either, cause she was Chloe knew that she would’ve been able to leave a message. She put the phone back on the hook firmly and then took in a breath, closing her eyes before another idea came into her mind and she picked up the phone once again and put it through for a different number.

The outcome was different. “Hello?”

“Aubrey. It’s Chloe.” 

“ Oh God, Chlo, I was going to come and see you today Jesse told me everything are you alright—”

“No, I’m not-listen Bree I need a favour.” 

“ Yeah anything what?”

Chloe withdrew a small breath. “I need you to go to the lumberyard, to see Jesse or something. I want to catch you all together, including Beca.”

There was a silence for a moment before. “ I’ll make Jesse something to eat and take him some lunch.” 

“I don’t know what time I can get there but I think it will be soon.” 

“ Don’t worry Chloe I can stay there. I’ve got you.” 

A small smile then tugged on the corner of Chloe’s lip and then bobbed her head. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon,” she returned the phone to the hook with still some frustration but this was the only chance she had in finding Beca and talking to her before she was taken away from here. 

Before she was taken away from her .

Chloe didn’t ask for permission from her parents, she instead ran out the house once dressed and grabbed hold of her bike before it was loaded into the car, and she rode off on it like she never had before, she was trying to give herself a head start because she knew that they would catch up to her. They didn’t buy Chloe’s plea when she said that she wanted to say goodbye to Aubrey at the same workplace Beca was at. But she finally thought screw asking . She was tired of asking for permission. If there was at least one thing she could do for herself she would make sure that that one thing would be going to see Beca. 

The closer she got the more she could see of Jesse and Aubrey and less she saw of Beca. in fact she saw nothing of Beca, she saw her truck but now her, still she headed for them anyway.

“Jess! Aubrey!” Chloe called, then hopping off her bike and dropping it on the ground before sprinting over to them. "Where is she?”

Aubrey’s hands caught onto her arms to prevent her from crashing into them or falling over, with Jesse saying as she did so. “She’s out delivering a load with some of the guys.”

She felt her heart drop completely. She wasn’t here. And there was no time for her to wait either, it had to be now or never and it seemed it was the latter that was coming true. Chloe’s fingers scraped through her hair with her breath dropping whilst a curse slipped out from beneath it, Aubrey kept her hand on Chloe’s arm. “Chloe. What’s going on why the panicked rush?”

Before Chloe could speak she heard the sound of cars coming from behind her, looking over her shoulder she saw the two pull up. Like she assumed, it wouldn’t take them long at all. Chloe looked back to them both. “I’m leaving. They’re taking me back home.” 

Aubrey’s breath hitched with her scoff. “What?”

“Because of last night. Because of everything with me and Beca my parents are trying to get me out of here as soon as they can, they think it will change things.” She shook her head and quickly skipped to the point that she needed to make before she was dragged away. It seemed when her parents clocked that Beca wasn’t there they weren’t in as much of a rush to get her away. “Jesse, I need you to do something for me. I need you to tell Beca that I love her and that I’m sorry everything that happened last night, okay? Jess?”

Jesse sighed, glancing at his girlfriend before taking off his flat cap and wiped his glistening forehead, his eyes remained on the ground for a few seconds before finally looking back at Chloe. “I was up with her last night, Chlo. I’ve never seen her so down...it’s over y’know? Don’t make it harder.”

“No it’s not over,” Chloe insisted breathlessly. "We had a fight last night and we said something in the moment but it isn’t over.” 

Jesse gave her a defeated expression and shrugged his shoulders to her before mumbling. “It might be best to just let it go.”

The car horn honked behind her, Chloe turned for a moment and yelled as she took a step forward. “I’m coming!” 

Aubrey put her hand on Jesse’s arm for a moment and shook her head to him to not argue with her against this matter of Beca, she knew that Jesse just didn’t want to see Beca in pain over this for much longer but he couldn’t be the judge and jury. As Chloe turned back around Jesse held his hand up. “Look we understand."

Aubrey nodded. “Course we do, Chloe. You guys love each other and no one can take that away from you guys.”

“Look it might not be over I shouldn't have said that. But we all know how hard it is when summer ends and it’s time for everyone to go home...look Chloe if Beca wants to talk and work things out, she’ll write but if not there isn’t anything that any of us can do.”

That was fair and it was right. Beca couldn’t be forced into anything, everyone who met her learnt that pretty quickly. Chloe gave Beca her address as soon as the talk over her parents lunch happened. 

Chloe slowly just nodded and thought for a moment, she withdrew a breath. “Can you just tell her that I love her then? Please.”

“Course,” Jesse whispered. “I’ll tell her.”

Chloe nodded again and pulled him in for a tight, brief embrace before moving onto Aubrey and holding onto her a little longer, Aubrey rested her head on her shoulder and then whispered. “If I had any idea what was going on last night then I would’ve—”

“I know it’s okay.” Chloe held onto her tighter. “Y ou’ll write to me, right?” 

“Of course I will. Hell, I’ll be calling you so much you’ll be sick of me.” Aubrey laughed breathlessly through her emotions building up. She was prepared saying goodbye to Chloe this time next week , not right now. 

Chloe pressed her lips against Aubrey’s shoulder for a brief moment and then squeezed onto her hand as she stepped back and looked at them both. “Bye.”

They both gave her a tight, saddened goodbye smile. Chloe looked around one last time in hopes that she would see Beca before having to pull away from here for good. Her eyes filled when she saw there was no such luck. 

It pained her to turn on her heel to walk over to the car but she really didn’t have a choice, not now that her bike was packed away by her father. She began to head towards her car when she heard her name being called, she turned as soon as she heard the voice and saw Beca jumping off the back of the truck and running towards her as soon as her feet hit the ground. 

Chloe’s breath shook, she glanced over to the family by the car who were now getting out of it as soon as they could. Chloe spun her head back around and raced towards her, throwing her arms around Beca’s neck and holding onto her tight. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Beca sighed and sunk into the embrace for a moment before she looked over to Chloe’s family and seeing Richard beginning to make his way over, she pressed her nose against Chloe’s temple as she whispered. “You better go. We can talk later—”

“They’re taking me away,” Chloe cried as she pulled her head back and saw Beca’s face drop to complete horror which just made her cry grow deeper when adding. “They want me away from you.”

Before Beca could say anything, Chloe put her hands on the back of Beca’s neck and pulled her lips onto hers. As deep and hard as she could since she knew it would be a long time, for now at least. Beca put her hands onto Chloe’s waist and kept her close. Neither of them cared anymore who could see, especially not Chloe’s family. Chloe pulled her lips back ever so slightly and whispered. “I love you. I don’t want to leave you. I need you.” 

Beca looked back over and saw Chloe’s father coming towards them quicker, she then took her eyes back to Chloe. “Chloe. Don’t make things worse for yourself. I don’t want you to get hurt." She winced before whispering softly. "Because I do love you.” 

“I swear to God if you don’t write to me,” Chloe said in a breathless laugh that still had a cry in the back of her throat. 

Beca gave her a gentle heartbreaking smile before gently demanding. “Go. Chloe.” She went to kiss her again but Chloe was grabbed by the arm and pulled away in an abrupt manner. 

Chloe’s hand still trying to keep hold of Beca’s. Beca looked to Chloe’s father and seethed. “Don’t hurt her—” before she could make matters worse for herself, Jesse ran over and put his arms around her waist and muttered in her ear. “Look around. Look at her people. They’re ready to get you for any reason.”

Beca looked and saw Chloe’s parents' staff standing and almost ready to fight, and they weren’t the kind who were afraid to hit a woman much less a young girl. But the further away Chloe got the more frightened she’d become as the reality set in, she fought out of Jesse’s hold and ran after them as she pleaded with her father. “Please don’t take her away please!”

As Chloe was put in the car, Richard turned to her. Beca glanced at the girl she loved and her breath shook before looking back at him. “You weren't supposed be leaving till next week—”

“Yes well. Things change.” 

Before Beca could argue against him, he walked away and got into the car, causing Beca's eyes to fall back on Chloe who had her hand pressed up against the glass. As the engine started, Chloe cried out. “I’ll wait. For you-I’ll wait.” 

Beca lunged at the car and put her hand over Chloe’s on the other side of the glass before the car drove off at a speed that wouldn’t be catchable if she got in her truck and tried to follow. And even if she did do that, what then? This was out of her control. 

With tears in her eyes, as Beca watched Chloe’s family drive her away, in her mind came a quote she remembered from one of her father's favourite books.

Summer romances begin for all kinds of reasons, but when all is said and done, they have one thing in common. They are shooting stars, spectacular moments of light from heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity and in a flash they’re gone. 

Chapter Text

When Jesse pulled up to Beca’s house, he had heard gunshots happening every ten seconds or so the closer he got. He got out of his truck and glanced over to where the sound was coming from, as he approached the house, Nancy came out onto the porch, wiping her hands after washing the dishes.

“Beca around?” Jesse asked with caution.

“ Around ? You can hear her as well as I can.” Nancy tossed the rag onto the deck chair beside her and motioned her arm over to the noise. Jesse raised his brows when also glancing over in the direction. “That’s her?”

“Well it isn’t me is it?”

Jesse let out a gentle scoff and stepped further onto the porch with his hands still tucked tight into his jacket. “Since when do you let her shoot a gun?” 

“I don’t”— Jesse followed her inside the house, Nancy pushed the chair she was sitting on back into the table and looked out her kitchen window as she leaned against the sink. “ Usually . But…” she then turned to him. “You’ve seen her since that whole thing went down. She’s been angry and downright hostile ever since. I got sick of her lashing out so I gave her my shotgun, some cans and told her to go and imagine Diane and Richard Beale’s head on every one of them.” 

Jesse huffed an amused breath, leaning against the table. “Seems practical.” 

“Big word, slugger,” she teased and then after a moment she just let out a breath and settled into being more serious. “I’m worried ‘bout her. The way she’s acting.”

The gunshot filled up the silence for a moment which caused the older brunette to just raise her brows to her daughter’s best friend as if to say see . Jesse pressed his lips together and merely nodded at the implication, pushing himself up from leaning against the table and holding his hand up. “I’ll go talk to her.” 

As he went to leave, he heard Nancy say from behind. “There’s only one person she wants to talk to and it isn’t me or you.”

“Well. Unfortunately for her, we’re all she’s got.”

Nancy grumbled a quiet laugh and bobbed her head as Jesse left the house, she wrinkled her nose as she thought about his words for a moment and then muttered beneath her breath as she turned to put the dishes away. “I like that.”

Jesse hopped over the porch and headed down further into the woods, getting closer to the gunshot, and then shouted once it died down. “Hold it! I can’t see you so don’t shoot that damn gun!" He was close enough to hear him sigh, then finally when she was in his sights her back was to him; Beca glanced at him over her shoulder before she raised the gun once again. Shooting it and hitting another one of the tin cans that she took from the house. 

Jesse cleared his throat and blew out a small whew before daring to try and speak lightly. “Your mom has good ideas.”

“Yeah well she’s been running out of any other ones, may as well just let me blow off some steam by shooting some cans rather than lock myself away.”

“Like the past two months you mean,” Jesse folded his arms and it soon fell silent, Beca just reloaded the gun with the empty shell dropping on the floor and filled it back up, Jesse sighed. “How many now?” 

“Fifty-nine,” Beca took another shot and then lowered the gun down and let out a breath, "All unanswered.” 

As soon as Chloe left, Beca started to write letters to her, just like Chloe pleaded before she left. The second Chloe was gone Beca was desperate to have some kind of contact with her so she began to write to her straight away. She wrote down how much she hated their last moments together both the day she left and the night before, she told her how sorry she was and how stupid she was for the things she said that night. And that she loved her. She made that clear most of all. 

She said how she didn’t want them to be broken up and that she wanted to see her, that they could somehow find a way. That if Chloe were to write back to her, Beca would come to her no matter what the consequence was.

She had written to her. Every. Single. Day. For the past 59 days, not one single letter got a response. It was as if Chloe had suddenly disappeared and she knew that she had the right address. But every letter she had sent went ignored, Chloe was ignoring them. Ignoring her . But Beca didn’t want to give up.

Nancy told Beca that she needed to heal, to let this go, and finally let herself move forward. Beca knew she was just doing that because she’s her mother and was worried...but she couldn’t heal without Chloe being here, that was her healing. Chloe was her healing and that wasn’t going away. Beca shook her head and put the gun up against the trunk beside her, running her fingers through her hair. “I don’t know what’s happening. What’s going on? Is she not hurting as much as me?”

“I doubt that,” Jesse shook his head, folding his arms. "Maybe she’s just...I don’t know-”

“Maybe she’s thought about what happened that night so much that she’s come to the conclusion I am a fucking low life.”

“And what? Now she hates you?”

Beca just shrugged and looked over to the lake when hearing Jesse add on. “Come on Beca that’s not true.” 

She just hummed and raised her brows in a more unconvinced manner and she then went straight back to the gun. “Yeah well. Like you said. Summer’s over,” the gun went up once again and soon more cans were knocked off the trunk.

And there wasn’t much that Jesse could say that was going to make her feel better. As Nancy said, there was only one person who could really do that. 

Diane walked outside of their home to their mailbox and saw yet another letter from nowhere else but Seattle, just sighing as she saw the handwriting that she had become accustomed to knowing by now as well as the name and address to the side. 

Mitchell

12 FD

Greenwood, Seattle

This would make the 182nd letter. Six months Beca had been trying to get word back from Chloe. And the reason she wasn’t getting these letters was plain and simple. Chloe didn’t know about them, not a single one of them. 

Beca was over in Seattle completely heartbroken because she thought Chloe hated her and was ignoring her. And Chloe was completely heartbroken because she thought Beca wanted nothing to do with her anymore and didn’t write to her in any capacity. 

Diane always picked up the mail and hid the letters away before Chloe could even know that there were any letters at all. At first, she did consider that her mother was getting rid of them or something so she got up before her mother did a few mornings to check for herself but they weren’t there and that was because they started to pay the postman to separate any letter that came from that name or address and give them to her directly. It wasn't just Beca either, Diane stopped any letters from Aubrey coming in too and Chloe was completely banned from getting any out. 

So Chloe really had no choice but to believe that Beca wanted nothing to do with her anymore. She hardly came out of her room when she returned home from college. She didn’t go to UCLA in the end, maybe out of resentment for her mom cause that was where she wanted her to go. But there were other reasons too. Staying somewhere closer and waiting for Beca might also have played into her decision. 

But nonetheless, she stayed in Portland, and the only downfall was that she had to stay at home with her parents. Neither of them ever talk about this summer. They go on with their lives as if it never happened as if their daughter didn’t have a summer romance with another girl. It wasn’t spoken of and they went back to treating Chloe like glass once again. 

She got her head down with her studies and tried to forget about Beca. But when she began to doodle in the corners of her notebook, she found herself sketching Beca’s eyes, her lips, her hands. She mesmerized every aspect of her and her brain would not let her hand forget it.  Her love began to turn into hate and anger, she didn’t know whether her hate and anger were towards Beca herself for abandoning her like she has done, or hate and anger towards the world for tearing them apart in the first place. Maybe the uncertainty on where her emotions lay was what hurt her the most. 

Something told her that if she was crying all night over a boy, her mother would be there stroking her hair and telling her it was okay and would soothe her until she fell asleep but she had none of that with this situation. She was neglecting her and the whole thing, completely driven on forgetting all about it. And perhaps half of Chloe wishes she could forget because then at least it would stop the hurting. But then the other half wanted to cling onto Beca forever.

It was the classic double-edged sword when the head was saying to forget her and the heart was saying don’t you dare. 

Chloe lay in bed on her nights and looked through the sketches that she had done in class and they ended up going into a box that was filling up more and more. Some of them looked the same, and some of them were very different. Some were just half of her face or a full face, and then some features. Now she hated that she could draw well because right now these sketches were so realistic that it broke her heart all over again.

Her fingertips traced down the sketch of Beca’s full smiling face and it only made her eyes fill so much that tears then dropped down onto the drawing as she whispered out. “I miss you so much.” She dropped her head down against the drawings and repeated the words once again more breathlessly. Six months and she thought that it would get easier but she felt like she was still stuck. 

There was a knock on the door but before she had the chance to confirm that it was okay to come in after finding the drawings, the door opened and her mother walked in, seeing as Chloe sat up on her best and tried to push the drawings into her box. “I was going to say dinner is in five minutes.”

“Okay,” Chloe mumbled, wiping her cheeks and hoping that her mother wouldn’t take notice of what she was hiding but of course she did. Diane dropped her hand from the handle and walked over. “What are these?”

“Nothing just-”

Diane managed to snatch one before Chloe closed and locked the box, she looked down at the picture of the eyes and knew straight away who it was, she looked back to her now sheepish daughter. “How many are there of these?”

“It doesn’t matter,”—Chloe reached for them but failed as Diane pulled them away even more— “they’re just drawings!” 

“We both know they are not just drawings.” 

Before Chloe could even register what was happening, her mother had reached forward and snatched the box from the bed, Chloe lunged forward for it. “Mom please-” 

Diane’s finger pressed against Chloe’s lips before she gripped onto her chin and said sternly. “We agreed not to send you away to get your head fixed. Don’t make me regret this decision." She pulled her hand away and tucked the box under her arm. “It’s for your own good.” 

As her mother turned, Chloe then snapped back. “It doesn’t matter where you’d send me. Nothing will change.” 

Diane looked at her in the corner of her. “Don’t push it, Chloe. I mean it.” She pressed her lips together and looked back down to the box before mumbling as she left “Dinner. Five minutes.”

Chloe bit her lip and rested her back against the wall and when the door shut, she collapsed back down onto the mattress and sobbed. Sobbed so much that her stomach began to shake so much that it became painful, but she no longer cared about how much physical pain she would go through.

Beca stretched her hand out as she dropped the pen, she had been writing for nearly twenty minutes straight. Not even hearing Nancy walk up behind her and lean against the door frame, watching her daughter who was sitting at the kitchen table. She looked down to her cup of coffee and cleared her throat, stepping into the kitchen and crossing to the other side of the table. “What will this make? Number three hundred and sixty-four ?”

Beca sat back in her chair but didn’t look at her until a few seconds after as Nancy took a breath. “Sweetgirl, you-”

“Don’t.”

“You’ve got to let go of this girl,” she said softly, pulling up the chair beside Beca and curling her fingers around her slender wrist. “She was wonderful and adored you. But she isn’t coming back, it’s been a year and you’ve not heard anything from her.”

“But-” 

“Beca just listen to me please,” her mother gently insisted, looking back into her daughter's distraught eyes, the eyes that have been like that for almost an entire year which caused her to let out a heavy sigh and cry. “I feel like I haven’t seen my daughter in nearly a year because, this , right now, this is not you.” 

Beca pressed her lips together and mumbled. “Do you think she’s forgotten about me?”

“No. How could she? Like I said she adored you.” Nancy sucked in her breath and tried to be honest without being hurtful, closing her eyes as she said the next sentence. “But she probably is trying to move on, make life easier.” 

“She asked me to write to her, mom. She still wanted me.” 

Again, Nancy was careful. “Honey I think when she was here with you, she felt like she could conquer the world, you made her feel like that...but it’s possible that once she got back into her reality it hit her that she can’t.” It did make sense and Beca knew that maybe she did need to hear it. Nancy glanced at the letter for a split second but didn’t read it. She had never read any of them because the context in the letters weren’t her business, but she took another assumption at them. “I think you’ve written so many of these for so long is because you told Chloe more in those five weeks together than you’ve ever told anyone ever . And you still feel like she’s the only person you can now be truly open with. Even if she isn’t replying.”

“She is.” Beca shrugged.

“Only because you only have your eyes and mind fixated on her. Around you? You have Jesse, Aubrey. Me. You’ve always got me”— a small smile twitched on her lips— “hi.” 

Beca huffed a small laugh and then looked away from her, folding her arms and keeping her eyes on the letter for a moment before asking in a slightly fearful tone what her mother’s answer would be. “So what’re you telling me?” 

“I’m not telling you to do anything. You’re nineteen. I really can’t tell you what to do anymore. What I can advise and suggest is that you mail this letter...and one more. Marking the year, and let that one be your chance to say goodbye.” Nancy ran her hand to Beca’s face and tucked her hair behind her ear before resting her palm against the young girl's cheek who let out a heartbroken smile. “I wanted you to have her, babygirl. I really did”

“Yeah,” Beca cleared her throat. “I did too.” 

Nancy gripped gently onto her chin as she leaned forward and kissed her cheek before putting her hand on the top of Beca’s hand and gently patting her at her side as she stood up. “I’m going to head into town to pick some stuff up.” 

She tucked her hand into her overalls pocket and turned back to Beca once her coffee cup was in the sink. “You wanna come? Post that thing and maybe take your mind off of it? If that’s possible.”

Beca appreciated what she was trying to do and honestly did feel like if she didn’t have her being the kind of mother she was, she really would have crumbled. Beca looked back to the letter and then folded it up, bobbing her head at the idea as she put it in the elevator and closed it up before rising to her feet and grabbing her jacket.

She kept hold of the letter tight and once she saw in the truck with her mother driving, she thought more and more about the small conversation they just had. Well, it was more Nancy making sense and Beca painfully having to listen to it, but she did know that she was right.

And she also knew that her mother did not say that lightly, hell she waited nearly an entire year to sit her down and tell her that she needed to let this go. And she was right, she did write like some kind of therapy, she kind of accepted a long time ago that Chloe was never going to write back but she carried on because it was like her form of therapy. She didn’t want to bore the people around her about the pain that she still held for Chloe, she’d rather tell Chloe herself that, or at least that’s what she told herself she was doing whilst writing. 

They were like little journal entries but love letters at the same time. Beca never imagined that she would ever hang onto anyone for this long, but Chloe really wasn’t just anyone . She never was. 

By the time her thinking about it all was over, they got to town. Beca looked to her mother as they remained in the car for a moment as she said. “Sorry. I wasn’t much conversation.”

Nancy’s smile tugged gently. “I think you forget sometimes that I’ve been through this process of losing the love of your life,” she then gave Beca’s chin a gentle nudge. “Well. One of them. I still have you and thank God.”

Beca rolled her eyes with a smirk on her face.

“Oh, there she is. A glimpse of my daughter.” 

“Getting out the truck now,” Beca announced as she did exactly that, with Nancy following and calling as she crossed the street from Beca who headed over to the mailbox. “I’m gonna be five minutes in the bank.”

Beca just raised her hand to signal she heard her and walked right over to the mailbox, looking down to the letter for a few moments more and then putting it in the metal container. Suddenly getting a sickening feeling in her stomach at the thought that the next time she would put a letter in there it may well be her last one to Chloe ever . If she has the strength to do that yet that is because she still wasn’t one hundred percent sure. 

As she just stood there for a moment in thought, she was pulled out of it when an unwelcome voice came up from the side of her. “Aw. Another love letter?”

“Go away, Tom.” Beca groaned under her breath and shut her eyes for a moment out of pure annoyance and dismissal as the boy folded his arms down on top of the mailbox and stood too close to her for her liking, he shrugged his shoulders. “So it isn’t working out?”

Beca opened her eyes and just looked at him with a plain expression on her face as he chuckled a light laugh. “Come on, Beca. You can’t say you didn’t see it coming. I mean it’s Chloe.” 

“Don’t say it’s Chloe like you had any idea what she was like.” Beca scowled, stepping away from the mailbox in attempts to step away from this conversation but of course, he followed her down the road. “But I do. She’s just like every other rich dame I’ve ever come across. Take whatever she wants, sometimes it’s money. Sometimes it’s to take a poor girl around and make her feel special to get off.” 

Beca turned to him. “You still sore for her turning you down and ending up with me? Does it bruise your God-forsaken ego that the queer girl can get the girl instead of you?”

“You didn’t get her for that long though did you?” He grumbled in anger but a smirk soon grew as he leaned forward and whispered, “Cause where the hell is she now? I’ll tell you. She’s back home probably back at it with some guy after she had enough of her little experiment.” 

“Experiment.” Beca grimaced. Tom nodded and shrugged. “That’s all you’ll ever be to women, Beca. Not anything to have a life with just something to let some steam off of. Cause there’s only so long young girls can go along with pretending it ain’t anything but sick-”

Before Beca could say or do anything, Nancy then came between them and pushed Tom back viciously. “Take a beat, boy. Stay out of things that don't concern you.”

Tom scoffed a laugh as he looked at her. “And who the hell are you? Coming over here and hollering orders at me for giving that some facts. Seriously, honey, at your age I’d just stay out of confrontation.” 

Nancy raised her brows to him. “Who the hell am I? I’m her mother-” she dropped the small duffel that she used when going to the bank and chided as she did one hard swat on his arm and then went for his face. “Son of a bitch— ” instead of a slap across his cheek, it was her full fist. Knocking him back against the post box.

Beca jumped in the split second after it happened, putting her hand on the back of her mother’s overalls and yanking her back, Nancy then groaned and held her knuckle in her palm before shaking her hand, whispering. “Ah shit,” under her breath as she turned to Beca for a moment. 

She then glanced back at the boy whom she had now made bleed as he leaned against the post with his bloody cheekbone. “Fuckin’ clown,” she tugged on Beca’s sleeve at her elbow. “Come on.” Nancy picked her bag back up and went to walk away. 

Beca took a step and then paused, without saying anything she then turned and swung a punch at him too, right across the jaw which was a blow that made him fall to the floor. She really wanted to do that for so long, she let out a small breath and turned back to her mother, raising her brows. “What? You get all the fun?”

Walking a fair few yards up, they then heard the police siren coming up behind them. Nancy stopped and closed her eyes as she groaned. “You’ve got to be kiddin’ who the hell called Henry?”

Beca looked over her shoulder and saw the sheriff get out of his car, Tom remained where he was knocked down except stood as he was clearly milking the situation and then pointed to them once Henry came up to him. Beca turned her head back around. “He pointed to us, what do we do?”

“We’re gonna stand here and wait.”

“Wait? We just fuckin’ slugged the guy.” 

There was a silence between the two of them before Nancy just looked at her. “What’s your point?” Beca just gaped at her mother as she turned to face the sheriff who was approaching with a confident stance all about her. 

Beca wasn’t exactly by the book. But she had never been arrested either. She’d gotten a few tellings off sure but that was it. 

As Sheriff Henry approached, he sighed rather light-heartedly. “Two birds one stone. Should’ve known that when that boy said that he was socked in the face by two small brunettes that he must’ve been talking about the Mitchell girls because there aren't any others like you two.” 

Nancy sighed to him and shrugged. “Henry, the boy was being aggressive towards Beca. I stepped in.” 

He just nodded and squinted at her as he slightly teased. “And the uh, the punching?” 

“Well, then I got aggressive,” her mother spoke plainly. “Any father would have done it for his daughter so why can’t I?”

“Hey, hey, not disputing that. Just wanna know what-” 

“I’ll lay it out simple,” Beca then butted in. “I was at the mailbox minding my business. He comes up to me and starts saying things to upset me. The guy is a leech and he hates me.”

The Sheriff just looked at her and she could tell that he was taking her words into account. His eyes then went back to Nancy as she said. “Come on Henry. What harm can two women do on a man ?”

And just like that a smile and a laugh came out of Henry’s mouth. “You know plenty of the hurt you can cause on a man, Nancy.” 

Beca glanced between the two of them and then just rolled her eyes. She knew that they went to school together but, Jesus , didn’t think they were like this. Nancy just cocked a brow to him “ So? ”

Henry shrugged. “So nothing. That boy is an ass and we all know it. I just came over here so he couldn’t tell his parents I didn’t pursue it. But now that I have. We’re good"— he chewed down on the piece of straw in his mouth as he looked back to Nancy and muttered as he nodded with a small smile— “you’re looking good, Nance,” 

He then looked to Beca and tapped the tip of his hat to her. “Beca. You ladies enjoy the rest of your day.” 

Nancy put her arm over Beca’s shoulders as they turned and walked away from the discussion. Beca then broke out a sigh. “Jesus Christ, mother.” 

“What?” 

“Did you date him or something back in the day?”

Nancy smirked before rolling her eyes. “We did not. No. Just friends.” 

“Yeah well, he’s sweet on you.” Beca laid out plainly. 

“Please, Beca, I’m not blind. How’d you think I never get in trouble around here?”

The next day came and another letter was written. It was harder than she imagined. And she cried when she was done more than she imagined. 

But still, she did it. She actually had the strength. And Beca drove into town and over to that mailbox to post the 365th letter. The last letter that she would write to Chloe. She wished her good luck, she wished her love and happiness. And once again she apologized for everything that she felt like she had put her through. 

She told her that she loved her once again. And then finally said goodbye. 

She stood in front of the mailbox longer than ever now, looking down at the envelope as she gripped onto it tightly and after letting out a shaken breath, she opened up the mouth of the metal box and after much hesitation, she finally let go. Shutting the lid fast and hard.

Her eyes closed and she just took a breath. 

“Bye, Chlo.”

Chapter Text

1941 

The war across the pond between UK and Germany was never really effective to Americans until other parties got involved and come to the end of 1941, the President finally announced their declaration of war after the attack on Pearl Harbour. 

It was a frightening time for the whole country since everyone hoped and prayed that they were going to be kept out of it. Every man in the country was expected to go off and fight. Whereas every woman was expected to sit back and wait for the men to return. Neither Beca nor Chloe saw that as an option. 

Jesse was recruiting himself for war and there was no talking him out of it. Not Beca, Aubrey, or his parents could convince him to do otherwise. He had only turned twenty, he was too young for this. But Jesse’s dad fought in the first world war and he would be damned to be the cowardly son. Aubrey would only let him go under one condition and that was that he married her before leaving. They were young, yes, but no younger than the age of Aubrey’s parents were when they married or even Beca’s for that matter. So they had a small ceremony with their parents, Beca and Nancy being witnesses and it was made official. 

Beca wanted to join the airforce as they were accepting some women to be pilots but she was unsuccessful with that for one major reason which was that her mother forbade it. Nancy never forbids anything to Beca but she did with that. She told her that she already lost her husband and she refused to lose her daughter too. And out of love and respect, Beca listened and didn’t join up. 

Instead, she recruited herself as a mechanic, strictly factory work and nowhere near any guns. Of course, there were still dangers in her working there but the chances were less and less and if she wasn’t considered too old then Nancy would have joined her too. 

But before her work in the factory could start she had another thing to do which was to wish good luck and say goodbye for now to her best friend as he goes away and fights the big fight. She held back for a moment as Aubrey said goodbye to him with as many kisses and tight hugs as she could fit in. 

She couldn’t really say why but she suddenly got this funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, it suddenly felt like she would be saying goodbye to Jesse like she would have said goodbye to her father. Because she had gone nearly 8 years without him and Jesse was really the only man in her life from such a young age, he was there for her with her father's death, he was there for her with Chloe, he hadn’t been her rock for just this year but her entire life. 

And then the funny feeling soon turned into a sick feeling. A feeling that grew more and more into reality, she took some steps back from her mother and away from the small group altogether and ran down to the alley just behind them, turning in the corner of it and throwing up. Which wasn’t something she actually anticipated happening. 

She half expected it to be her mother that came after but Jesse beat her to it, as soon as he saw her run off he followed her. Jesse looked at her for a moment as she spat down to the ground, he leaned against the wall opposite her and said as he glanced to the sunny outside. “Hell of a way to wish me luck.”

Beca groaned breathlessly as she rolled her eyes and spat again before wiping her mouth and then pressed her back against the wall as she remained crouched down. “Consider it a compliment. I threw up at the thought of you leaving.” 

There was a silence for a moment before Jesse teased in a plain voice. “That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

A laugh then came out of her voice, closing her eyes for a moment and when she opened them she saw Jesse’s handheld out in front of her to offer his help in getting her back on her feet, she slapped her palm against his with his fingers then wrapping around her hand and pulled her up, immediately into a hug. They rarely did this. Hug. It was new and weird, Beca recalled the last time she hugged Jesse she was 12 and it was in fact her dad’s funeral. And in usual situations, Beca would push him off and stop telling him to be such an idiot but this was no usual situation, and she found herself holding onto him for dear life. She had lost too many people that she loved for her not to. 

She pushed her face into his neck and just sighed, her voice coming out pretty muffled when she said. “Be safe.” 

“I’ll try,” Jesse assured, resting his head against her and rubbing her back as he then let out a deep breath. It would be weird not having her in his back pocket every damn day, the hug lasted a few more seconds before the bus that was to take the soldiers away let out its calling horn. 

Beca pulled back and cleared her throat, quickly wiping her cheeks and then tucked her hands into her pockets. “That’s your call.”

“Yeah, I guess it is,” Jesse let out a breath and then looked back to her, giving her a small smile. “You’re not gonna hang back here, are you? Gonna wave me off?” 

“Course,” Beca mumbled, he gave her arm a gentle squeeze and quickly kissed her forehead before they walked back out and Beca took her place back next to Nancy who glanced at her and said as she looked back over to Jesse hugging his parents. “Are you okay?” 

“I don’t know.”

Nancy looked at her again and then put her arm around Beca’s shoulder. Jesse then came over to the older Mitchell and gave her a small smile to which Nancy returned. “Be good out there, bufflehead.”

“I’m going to miss these nicknames for the next few...well however long this lasts.” 

“Hopefully not too long.” Nancy put her hand onto the young boy's cheek as she leaned forward and kissed the other, she teased him and insulted him all the time but she loved the bones off of him and wanted nothing more than him to be safe. Jesse gave her a smile. “Getting a lot of love from the Mitchell's today.”

His eyes went back to Beca and smiled at her again, giving her chin a gentle nudge. “I’ll see you on the other side.” 

As he backed away, Beca just said plainly but there was desperation in the tone. “Don’t die,”

“Right back at ya,” he winked, turning around and pulling Aubrey into his arms for one last long kiss, and then before they all knew it, they were waving goodbye to him which he was doing back from sticking out the window of the bus that took him away. 

A tearful Aubrey turned and hugged Beca, which Beca just accepted and held onto her. And the only thought that really came into what she assumed was both of their heads was how much she wished Chloe was here. 

She should be here.

1943

Chloe was in her third of college when she was finally allowed to go ahead and volunteer and be a nurse’s aide. She wanted to go earlier but she was told by many people as well as her parents that she needed to focus on her future before she gave it away to do a job that can be done by others. 

So she finished up all the major important parts and was soon on her way to do what she really did feel like she needed to do. It became her duty and new desire to help every broken man that she attended to. She couldn’t help but wonder about Beca, and what she was doing right now at this tough time. She knew for a fact that she wouldn’t be just sitting back. No, Beca would have gone out to fight if she could have. 

Though the thought of her doing such a thing sent a frightful chill down Chloe’s body and perhaps she did prefer thinking of her just safely at home, but knowing her like she does, or better yet did , she wagered Beca would be in a factory somewhere and engineering all the heavy weapons needed to fight this war. 

“Chloe.” 

Chloe turned to one of the young nurses on service with her, smiling gently at the young blonde which did remind her of her old friend back in Seattle. “Hi—yeah Jessica, what is it?” 

“Just here’s the information on the soldier down there that you asked for,” Jessica said kindly, passing her over the board as she nodded her head to the end of the ward. 

“Oh right, thanks, Jess.” Chloe took the board from her and settled a warm smile, then made her way over the bed, looking down at the information the whole way and then putting the board in the holder at the foot of his bed. 

The poor guy was in a full-body cast but as well as poor he was lucky as hell from surviving the bomb that dropped on him and his men. She made her way over to the bed and knelt down on the mattress as her hands went to his waist and shoulder. “I’m gonna lift you up. Ready?”

He just let out a muffled noise to confirm and as soon as he did, Chloe pulled him up as gently as she possibly could but still got a painful groan out of him to which she apologized in a whisper, putting his leg up on the stool as he now sat up on the edge of the bed, Chloe then reaching for the cup of water at the side table and as she returned to him he finally spoke. “Ma’am. Can I ask you something?” 

Chloe just hummed as she sat down on the stand beside his leg and took the straw from the cup to his lips, before drinking, the soldier commented. “I couldn’t help but notice you don’t have a ring on your finger.” 

Chloe let out a small laugh. “Is that what you call a question?”

The young soldier grumbled and an amused breath got to his actual question as she took away the cup, looking at her through his bruised eyes, and licked his cut lip before saying. “I was wondering if I could take you out.”

Chloe stayed silent for a moment, looking at the soldier's face which was very much battered and bruised. “Excuse me?”

“On a date. Y’know. Dinner, maybe some dancing.” Chloe resisted the impulse of rolling her eyes, breaking out into an amused look as she stepped away from him and to his bedside table as she filled out his chart; then hearing him laugh. “I know I’m not much to look at right now but once the swelling goes down you’d see I’m not a bad-looking guy.”

After writing everything down, Chloe left the chart on the table and stood back in front of him, chuckling at his confidence when folding her arms. “Is that right?”

“Yes. Now before you go on and say no. Let me just tell you some things. I’ll have you know I’m an outstanding dancer, and that all my intentions are absolutely dishonorable”.

She blurted out a gentle laugh and shook her head at him. “Well, Sergeant Walp, those are two rather valid statements.” 

“Chicago. My name's Chicago.” 

“I think Casanova is more fitting to you right now,” Chloe raised a brow to him as she walked back over to him and put her hands on him again. “Come on, now—” he groaned again as Chloe helped him rest back down, nodding at his painful tone. “Yeah well let’s just get you better, and we’ll talk about that date.” 

The number of soldiers that proposed to her on a day to day basis from either just eternal gratitude, loneliness, or both it was safe to say that Chloe was used to having men look at her as some angel sent from God, it was flattering of course but Chloe didn’t take any of it seriously. She indulged them and just agreed to whatever it was that they were saying in order for them to do as she says. 

Chloe slid her hands away from Chicago and stood up straight, he looked at her and gave a soft smile. “I’ll hold you to that.” 

The redhead just rolled her eyes and smirked at him as she walked away and attended to her other wounded apparent suitors . 

Beca shut the lid on the engine of the motorcar, grabbing her rag and wiping her dirty and oily hands, walking back over to the work desk and setting her tools back on them. Wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm. 

“Hey, slacker.” Beca’s fellow worker and newly found friend, Cynthia-Rose, called which caused Beca to turn around and she sat by a jet engine. She nodded her head and motioned her hand for Beca to approach. "Give me a hand.”

She put her rag over her shoulder and walked over to Cynthia-Rose, grabbing a stool and setting herself down beside her. “ Slacker. Well, you’re asking this slacker for help so what does that make you?”

“Bored,” Cynthia-Rose said gently with a smirk on her face as she screwed a bolt tighter into the engine. “Knew I should have gone into nursing.” 

Beca couldn’t help but snort. “Something tells me nursing wounded men wouldn’t be your strong suit, besides you know your way around an engine.”

“Well, thanks for that vote of confidence.” 

Beca stretched her back before reaching forward and helped keep hold of the wire for Cynthia-Rose, looking to her and asking with some slight fear. “You heard from your brother?” 

“Yeah. Last night. He’s waiting to be shipped out again, but he’s doing fine.”

“That’s good,” Beca muttered, pulling her hand away and moving around to another part of the engine. Cynthia-Rose then looked over to her. “You ain’t got anyone out there, right? Brother or boyfriend or something?”

“Not got a guy,” Beca laughed, almost a little too much.

Cynthia-Rose just hummed with curiosity, taking her eyes to Beca a few moments afterward from the silence just brewing. Beca looked over to her and debated in saying something but instead, she just shrugged. “Y’know just…” 

Cynthia-Rose squinted at her, at first not quite following, then slowly her expression shifted to the assumption which was also a correct realization, letting out a small chuckle and nodded when looking back to the wrench in her hand that she was cleaning. “Amen to that.”

Beca’s head practically snapped to her. “What?” 

She didn’t get a verbal response, she just had Cynthia-Rose glance at her, and with a smirk and the cock of her brow it was made very much clear. Beca scoffed a light laugh and nodded with an almost impressed look, muttering as she moved to the other side of the table. “Small world.”

“I thought I was a dying breed.” 

Beca snorted once more and rolled her eyes, she then cleared her throat and sighed as she confessed. “I mean I guess I’m not interested in anything anymore”—she bit her lip as she grabbed a brace and fixed up something at the back of the machine she was working on, sitting back down on her little wooden stool—"been through that once, don’t really feel like doing it again.”

“I had the same damn thing.”

“Oh yeah?”

Cynthia-Rose just hummed once again with a nod, Beca pulled the brace back and turned to face her on her stool. “What’d you do?”

“Waited it out. A friend of mine, Stacie gave me some advice to stick around...worked out.”

“As in?”

“As in I’ve got someone at home waiting for me,” Cynthia-Rose shrugged her shoulders with a small smile. “Sometimes it just falls back.”

Beca felt the frustration build up inside of her, it wasn’t like she wished Cynthia-Rose was as miserable as she was with this life , but she had just gone from having someone who gets it to having someone who also doesn’t with a split second, because in Beca’s book, this new friend that stood right before her was the exception to the cruel rule.

“Yeah well, not always,” Beca muttered as she put her attention back to the engine. 

“So. What happened?” 

Beca glanced at her and cleared her throat as she looked back to the machinery and shrugged her shoulders. “What you’d expect. Disapproving parents drove to separate us,” she looked back at Cynthia-Rose now with much sadder eyes even though Beca then tried to smile it off to soften the blow. “The rest is pretty much history. Literally.”

Cynthia-Rose pulled an apologetic face before actually apologizing. “Sorry to hear that. It’s bullshit, the way people treat us.”

“Yeah well,” Beca put her brace back down and shot a tight smile back over to Cynthia-Rose, then admitting, “I told myself I’ll get over it.” 

“Well, if it doesn’t work then moving on is the next step...how long ago?” 

“Getting on three years." Beca couldn’t help but laugh and shrug her shoulders. “Yeah I’m still counting I guess...it’s a work in progress”

Cynthia-Rose quickly tried to change the subject and asked another question, which she regarded as completely innocent. “So a boyfriend is crossed off but no brother?”

Beca kept her eyes on her for a moment, biting down on her lip she turned over to the work table, she continued to stay silent, pressing her lips together, she cleared her throat once again. “I did yeah—” she turned to her and folded her arms. “My best friend Jesse. He was made a Sergeant Major just six months ago.” 

“Impressive.”

Beca just hummed and then said with a wobble in the back of her voice as she avoided all eye contact. “And died three months later.” 

“Oh shit. I’m so sorry...how...what-” 

“Landmine.” Beca shrugged. “No one could’ve known. They think it was quick, all you can hope for.” 

Cynthia-Rose bit down on her bottom lip for a moment and didn’t quite know what to say, there wasn’t that much that she could say really. It was always in the back of Beca’s mind, the whole Jesse getting killed and the whole finding out about it. 

Aubrey received a telegram with the news, and she brought it and her destroyed self to Beca’s house and told her, collapsing to her knees as soon as she did and Beca didn’t do the same until Jesse’s parents came to collect her. They were quiet which showed how heartbroken they were because the Swanson family were usually nothing but loud. And then when they all left, Beca fell back onto her mother and cried until she passed out. 

His death created another dark time in her life since Chloe left. Jesse died on the battlefield and once they moved out from that area, his body was collected with the others and retrieved, it was a rarity that it could happen but every so often it did. His body was able to come home, he was able to come home. It took a while but they waited. 

And once he was back they were able to give him a proper burial, but it didn’t make it easier for anyone. Beca had now lost two big loves in her life, and the fact that she was only twenty-two worried her. Cause how many more hits was she going to get? Already she felt like she wouldn’t be able to handle it anymore. 

More months passed and Chloe had returned back to college and saw through the last few weeks, she was graduating in just four. Having no idea what she was going to do afterward but she had surprised herself how well she had got herself through it. 

In the first year, she was sketching Beca in her book and could think of nothing but her, then as time moved on she stopped the sketching and forced herself to carry on. Because Beca wanted nothing to do with her and that was clear. So instead of wasting her life away, she didn’t forget about Beca because she could never do that. She merely put her in a box in her mind and tried to keep it locked. 

On an afternoon when class was finished, Chloe was walking from the campus with two of her classmates with whom she has become close, one of them, Flo, looked over to the side in the midst of their conversation. “Look at him. ”

Chloe and her other friend, Emily’s eyes went over to where Flo was resting and saw an insanely handsome guy leaning up against a red convertible Cadillac in a formal army uniform. Emily’s hand tightened around Chloe’s as she then suddenly gushed into the redhead’s ear. “He is dreamy.” 

And Chloe knew he was as soon as she laid eyes on him. Sure the swelling on his face had gone down and the bruises were washed away, and he was right, he certainly wasn’t a bad-looking guy, she laughed breathlessly as they carried on walking and mumbled beneath her breath. “How is he here?” 

Flo then leaned to her and whispered in both excited and jealous voices. “He’s staring at you, Chlo.”

Chloe looked at her and whispered for her to shut up in a whispered giggle, then Chicago took off his hat and stood back up from the car. “Oh, ma’am?” 

They all stopped and looked at him as he tucked the hat under his arm and tucked his hands into his pockets, shrugging his shoulders with a charming smirk written across his face. “Well. I’m all better. So what’s your verdict on that date?” 

Chloe slid her arm out from thinking with Flo’s and then took her hand out of Emily’s as she walked over to him to speak more quietly. “I see that. How did you even—”

“Oh well when I was discharged, I couldn’t help but ask who the charming redhead was that helped me to health...”

She blubbered an embarrassed laugh and looked down to hide her sudden and surprising red cheeks as she heard him continue. “Then they gave me your name and before I knew it, I was putting through a line to your residence. Except your mom picked up. She sounds interesting.” 

“That’s one word for her,” Chloe mumbled with a smirk still on her lips as she looked back up to him. He just smiled at her for a few moments more and then briefly shrugged as he then explained further. “So I just explained the story or whatever you want to call it and then before I even asked she told me I could find you here,” 

Not really knowing what to say, Chloe just bit her bottom smirking lip out of sheer awkwardness, which caused Chicago to sigh bashfully and bow his head for a moment before looking back at her and shaking his head as he said in an embarrassed laugh. “Look I’m sorry if I overstepped or something-in any way I just…” he shrugged. “I just wanted to thank you. And see if I could get to know you.” 

“Thank me?”

“Yeah for what you did for me those few months back.”

Chloe shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t do anything-” 

“You attended to my aid even times when you didn’t need to just to keep me even hydrated, to me it was pretty much everything. I was very grateful, I also can’t get you off my mind.”

Chloe hummed as a tease, squinting at him. “And your intentions are still dishonorable?”

“For the woman who took care of me? Sure.” 

She blurted a small laugh and shook her head at him, running her fingers through her hair and glancing to her friends before she slapped her hand back down to her side, looking back to him and raising a brow. “Let me guess. You’re one of those I won't take no for an answer kinda guys.”

“No ma’am,” he chuckled, “naw if you say no I’ll respect that and be on my way. I’m a gentleman. Being raised by a single mother will make that a guarantee.” 

She could see it in his eyes too that he was being genuine and that if she were to actually say no then he would be a man of his word and just leave never to be seen again. He was kind, respectful, and completely charming, brought up by a single mother too it was fair to say that he reminded Chloe of someone she used to know. She withdrew a small subtle sigh as she tried to keep Beca away from her mind from this situation. 

“What would you have in mind?” 

Chicago broke out into a very satisfied smile before shrugging his shoulders. “You like to dance?” 

“Do you want to dance with me, Chlo?”

Chloe just smiled, ignoring the memory, and nodded. “Yeah. I like dancing.”

“Then how ‘bout we start there?”

A part of her told her it was too soon. Another part said it has been three years already. And a big part reminded her that Beca was never coming back into her life. And that was the part that led to her agreeing to the date.

The first date in three years. This time with a completely different type of person.

Chapter Text

1944

Chloe surprised herself when she fell for Chicago Walp. She thought she’d indulge him on that one date and then that would be it but she actually did have a great time with him when they went dancing. And then they end up going dancing every single night that week.  They spent more and more time together and it literally did just happen. It was quite hard not to though, Chicago was as charming as the night she met him. Aside from him being devastatingly handsome he was also funny, sophisticated and the factor that her mother took into account was that he came from old southern money, basically meaning he was stinking rich. 

Perhaps it being easier with him made it easier for Chloe to fall in love with the situation . They went to the theatre together and yes she did like the fact that she could hold his hand without people staring, but it also frustrated her that she couldn’t do that with Beca because if they could have then they would be doing that kind of thing together. But she tried to get all of that out of her head, she tried her hardest not to compare the two of them. Beca was always in the back of her mind and always in her heart, but now with Chicago, she really felt like she was beginning to heal and move on. 

And she liked the fact that she would go out with her parents and Chicago, ever since they started dating it was like she had turned over a new leaf with her parents and they had a better bond. Once she pushed past the feeling that she was betraying Beca, she felt somewhat peaceful. She’s told herself that Beca was back in Seattle and has found someone new, living happy and completely blissful. Because thinking that makes her feel so much better. No matter how wrong she was in reality.

Chloe sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror, dropping her hands onto her waist and holding onto it tight. She didn’t understand how she could love a dress so much but not have it feel like it felt good on her, why wouldn’t it? It seemed the only person who didn’t know that she could pull anything off, was Chloe herself. 

Chicago knocked on her bedroom door before opening it up slightly. “Am I okay to come in?” 

“Course.” Chloe smiled softly and ran her hands down the front of her dress as she tilted her head and kept her eyes on her reflection, letting out a heavy huff. “I feel awful.”

“What?” He chuckled in an utterly bewildered manner. “You feel awful? Hon. You look stunning.” Chicago came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips as he looked at her from looking into the mirror.

“Promise?” 

“With God as my witness, you look like a million bucks.”

She appreciated his words and knew that he did mean them, but there was always something in the pit of her stomach that stopped her from believing them or finding comfort in them. She wished she did, she wished his words touched her as much as Beca’s used to. 

“Chloe. You’re beautiful, I thought that from the first second of looking at you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” 

Chloe let out a small breath as she pushed down the thought and smiled at Chicago, resting her hand on his for a moment as his lips pressed the back of her head, he then gently patted her side and looked down to his watch as he took a step back. “Your folks sent me up to get you.” 

“Surprised they even let you into my room unsupervised,” Chloe teased in a deadpan manner and raised a brow to him. “After my teenage years, momma swore she wouldn’t let a soul in my bedroom until I married them.”

Chicago hummed a laugh and shook his head to her as they headed towards the door. “One day you gotta tell me what you did to make her want to keep you under lock and key.” 

Chloe pressed her lips together and then turned to him with her handle on the door. “I don’t think you could handle it.”

Chicago smiled at her as he looked down to his lips and slowly nodded his head as he leaned towards her and whispered. “We’ll see.”

His lips pressed against hers. He was a good kisser, and she did like kissing him. If she didn’t then she wouldn’t be with him, it was that simple. She did really love him and everything about him. She told herself that near enough every day.  She just wished her mind would catch up to her heart and would stop trying to feed thoughts about Beca still after all these years. She giggled against his lips when hearing her mother hollar for them again and opened the door to take them out, swatted his arm as his hand went below her lower back and they headed down the stairs ready to go out to this big dance night that Chicago organized last week and insisted on making it a family thing with her parents. 

They had two cars to take them separately to the venue, her parents in one and herself with Chicago in the other. If there was only one thing she had to say she adored about being in Chicago’s company it was that there was never a dull moment, he really did make her laugh so much sometimes that her stomach would hurt, they had fun together. The guy always knew what to say. She was also fairly certain that given the chance, her mother would have him all for herself. 

It didn’t take them long to arrive at the venue, Chicago hopped out of the car first and then held his hand out for Chloe to take which she did as they crossed the road and made their way into the club where her parents had already raced into and grabbed themselves a table.  She really did love all of this, the big band in center stage, everyone around dancing, and all of it is pretty much a guarantee of a good night. Especially when they got their drinks down them. Things got much more jolly.  Chicago was making her and her parents laugh hard round the table as usual with the band now in the back of them, what Chloe found funnier about Chicago’s jokes and remarks was that he laughed at them himself.

He leaned over and quickly kissed her which made her snort when looking back at him. “You’ve got…” she put one hand on his cheek as the other wiped the lipstick away with her thumb, as she was doing that, her parents rose off their chairs and walked over to the dance floor, Chloe eyed them and teased them. “What’s happening here? Where are you going?” 

“See you later, sweetheart,” Diane said in a rather buzzed voice. They have gotten on better over the years, but it was a heavy price that Chloe had to pay to have peace with her mother.

Chloe shook her head as she turned back to the table and grabbed her glass of champagne. “That band doesn't know what they’re in for.” 

Chicago looked to her as she gently bobbed to the music in her chair and smiled. He adored her, but then again he wasn’t the first to worship the ground she walked on. There was always a thought that had been going on in the back of his mind, he took hold of his drink. “Y’know, Chloe. I’ve been thinking—”

“Uh oh.” 

Chicago just chuckled at her and finished his sentence. “About why we shouldn’t get married.”

A blubbered laugh escaped Chloe’s lips which were partly because she had a few glasses of champagne but also at the sheer surprise at the conversation. Not once did they ever discuss marriage, they had only been together for around four months since late last year. Chloe indulged him and played along, setting her glass down. “Alright go on. Already I give up, why shouldn’t we get married?” 

Chicago leaned forward slightly. “Couldn’t think of one single reason at first then it hit me.”

“Hm?”

“Your parents.” 

Chloe’s brows pinched to him. “My parents.”

“Hell yeah, good ol’ mom and dad,” he turned his head over to the pair dancing which Chloe then did the same, seeing her father dip her mother in a very theatrical way which just made her laugh and shake her head as she looked away, he then looked back to her. “Now, the problem is. They love me.” 

Chloe took her glass away from her lips and raised her brows to him, teasing further. “Really? You’re sure about that?”

“I am exactly the type of guy they want you to end up with,” he smirked charismatically, leaning back in his chair for a moment and then leaning back to her after a second. “And there is the problem. You’re many things, Chloe and a minx are damn one of them. Now I have no Goddamn idea what happened back when you were eighteen or whatever but what I do know is that you love to not give them what they want.”

Beca. Beca. Beca.

Chloe rubbed her lips together and set her glass back down on the table, wiping the corner of her mouth. “I see.” 

“But you see me. I’m from a wealthy family, got a decent job. Not to mention an incredible dancer and a real smart guy,” he stopped and burst into laughter when Chloe stuck her tongue out and pointed her finger into her mouth. Chloe stuck a fork into a strawberry and teased him. “Then what’s the problem?” 

“This right here. If you marry me.” Chloe hummed along, to which Chicago raised his brows. “Now listen closely—" her hum turned into another laugh now that her lips were closed from her mouth being full of the fruit. “If you marry me, then you wouldn’t have lost your lifelong battle of defying them.”

He actually had a very good point, and even though he was kidding, he was right in that department that she still had some kind of motivation to go against whatever it was that her parents wanted mostly out of bitterness for what they did to her those five summers ago. She hadn’t told him about Beca in any capacity, and maybe that was because she was scared she would see this part of him that would make her have that sickening feeling like she had when her mother went against her relationship with Beca. Maybe she was scared to lose someone she cared for again . Or maybe she just wanted to keep Beca to herself for as long as she could. 

“Oh God, what are we going to do?” She joked as she faced him properly, with him shrugging his shoulders. “I do not know." Their conversation was interrupted as the conductor of the band called out a chant for the entire room to follow out, which Chloe and Chicago did together whilst laughing and then after the applause from the entire room, Chicago cajoled. “Chloe I think you have to marry me. I think you need to marry me.” 

Chloe smirked at him, taking hold of her glass and brushing her forehead against his. “I do? Really? Why?” 

“Because if you do. Your parents will always know there’s gonna be that little self-hate that you can’t make them disappointed in you for being with me.”

“You give an interesting angle. But you’re forgetting one minor detail, slugger.” 

“What’s that?” he asked, finishing down his glass. 

“Well, you see you have to get their permission before asking me this question. And maybe it’s a slight possibility that you’ve overestimated how much they actually have an admiration for you.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that.” Chicago laughed with his shoulders shaking and everything, Chloe picked up her glass again and scoffed gently as she took the glass back to her mouth. “Why’s that?” 

And then, rather simply, he stated. “Well I already asked them before we left tonight and they said yes.” 

Her head soon snapped back over to him. Not knowing if he was just joking like he always does or if this was actually a thing that has actually happened, she looked over to her mother and saw the twinkle in her eye. That’s why they’ve gotten up to dance? Her whole mind suddenly felt like it was spinning. 

“Chloe—” when she turned her head back to him, she saw now in front of her that he was down on one knee with a rock of a ring in a velvet box. The room was still spinning. Her mind is still spinning. And the way her heart was beating she didn’t know whether it was in a good way or a bad.  Chicago pressed his lips together and sighed, shaking his head. “Look. I love you. And I know I fool around a lot and I joke all the time but I really am crazy ‘bout you”— he took hold of her hand, hovering the ring over it—“marry me? Make me the happiest guy in the world?” 

They might never have talked about marriage, and Chloe might never have really thought about it except for one or two times, but she really did surprise herself how in this moment right now after he asked that question she did in fact begin to smile. And soon the thought sunk in. It was kind of all laid out for her on a plate. The perfect relationship with her parents, the perfect man with the perfect life. How could she say no? When the only reason she would say no was now 1,136 miles away. She knows, she counted. 

That part of her life was done and this one right now with him was going great. So great that it made her head nod at this moment and it made the word: “ Yes, ” come out in a breathlessly overwhelmed whisper for this to be just between them. 

Chicago grinned at her and before putting the ring on her finger, he put his hand to the back of her head and pulled her in close for their lips to come together, and then he put the ring on her finger, kissing her again before her parents came running over. Diane hugged her whilst Richard shook Chicago's hand and then it was announced to the whole room that they were engaged which brought out all the applause. 

And she agreed with all her heart, she really did. But what she just couldn’t understand was why at the exact moment she said yes...Beca’s face came to her mind.

1945

The war was done, and Beca returned home to Seattle after being stationed over at the industrial factory of engineering in San Francisco. She hadn’t seen her mother in nearly a year. She walked back onto their property with the duffel bag she had which was nearly as big as her over her shoulder and saw Nancy waiting out on the porch for her. As soon as her mother saw her, she was up and out of her chair, running down the steps of the rickety old porch, and squealing her whole way there. “Hello, gorgeous!” 

Nancy’s body crashed into her daughters which ultimately did wind Beca but didn’t cause her to pull away, she couldn’t do anyhow with Nancy’s arms wrapped around her tight like a python, swaying her side to side. “I’ve missed you so much, baby girl.”

“So I can... feel- Jesus, ma, you’re gonna hug all the air out of me.” 

“Good. Maybe then you’ll think next time about leaving me,” Nancy mumbled with her head squashed up next to hers and then pulling back with her hands remaining on Beca’s arms. “Actually no. You're a woman now, women should go fight the fight.” 

“I didn’t fight the fight. I just—” 

“Without your work and the other women’s work in those factories then the men out there would have been screwed, shut up, come on.” She grabbed hold of Beca’s duffel for her and they walked towards the house, Beca had three seconds of her personal space back before Nancy’s arm came back around her shoulder and a kiss went against the top of her head. “Love you, kid.” 

Beca had to admit it to herself and herself only, she had missed this. She’d missed being home with her mother but she wasn’t looking forward to getting back into life around here when Jesse wasn’t ever going to be coming back. Nancy put the bag back in Beca’s house and returned back to her in the kitchen, folding her arms, and as soon as she came back in, Beca asked, “How’s Aubrey?” 

“She’s doing good.” 

“And baby?”

Nancy then huffed a small laugh. “Hardly even a baby anymore, he’s getting bigger every single time I see him.” She watched Beca take a heavy breath and scratch her forehead with her eyes closed, knowing what she was thinking about, she shrugged and lightly suggested. “We can go see—” 

“No, it’s fine.”

“I know it’s hard for you, honey. I know it is but Jesse would want you to be in his son’s life.” 

Beca filled the glass in her hand up with water and just nodded as she turned and leaned against the counter with her back now to the tap. “And I will, I just need some time, okay? Today especially just to settle back in.”

Beca looked over to Nancy and saw her open her mouth with an expression that read about that . Beca raised a brow. “What? Oh, what have you done? Did you hook up with the Sheriff or something and break his heart whilst I was gone?”

“What no- hooking up ? What does that even... “ she then shook her head. “No, I just—” Nancy cleared her throat as she reached over to her draw and pulled out a slip, she passed it over to her. “I, uh, sold the house.”

Beca looked down at the piece of paper seeing it all there in black and white that she had in fact sold the house, not for that much but a decent price. But that was all beside the point, Beca let out a laugh from not really knowing what else to say. “Of course you did.”

“We have to be out by the end of the month—"

“Damn, mom, how bored did you get?” Beca looked around the place. “I know it’s not anything special but you didn’t have to get rid of it once you felt like it was empty.” 

“Beca just shut up for a second.” Nancy grabbed the paper back and put it on the table before leaning against it with Beca just staring at it in a still bewildered manner, looking back to Nancy as she began to explain, “between that and your service bill from the war you should be able to get it now.”

Beca pinched her brows at her. “Get what?” Before her mother could say anything Beca added with her hands over her face. “Jesus Christ you’re like fucking morse code.”

Nancy put her hand on Beca’s arm and pulled it down which caused her daughter to drop both hands, she then just smiled at the young brunette. “That dream house. The one your daddy used to take you to.” 

Beca then just stared at her. Her jaw now slightly dropped, even more, bewildered but now on what to say next. Beca closed her eyes and shook her head. “Mom I can’t—”

“Don’t you go all mom I can’t accept cause we both know that is bullshit and I don’t want to hear it?” Nancy stood back up and shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve already been in talks with the bank and they’ll put out a loan till your bill comes in.”

“But I can’t let you sell your house.” 

“Technically it’s our house. Well was,” Nancy hummed and smiled clearly very proud of herself. “It’s done anyway...it’s a good thing, I know how long you’ve wanted this.”

Beca let out a heavy exhale, sinking her body further against the counter and running her fingers through her hair as she thought about it a bit longer and then took her eyes back over to her mother. After a moment of silence, Beca took herself away from the counter and wrapped her arms tightly around her. Nancy let out a pleased hum and put her arms around her straight away, kissing her temple. 

She then fought some more and another concern came into her mind, Beca pulled back. “Hold on. If you’ve sold this place then where are you going to live?”

“ Where am I going to live? With you, dumbass,” Nancy laughed. “The hell did you think? You’re going to need someone to help you fix that shit hole up.” 

“Optimistic phrase, mother.” 

“Well, when we’re done with it it’s going to be just how your dad used to visualize it.” 

The corner on Beca’s lips tugged into a gentle smile as another person came into her mind, and another person's vision of the house. So much so that when Beca and Nancy drove up to the house that afternoon, Beca took one look at the house and saw just one thing. 

Chloe. 

She made it her new job and goal to make that house shine from the ground up, she wanted the best of the best for that house. She even went to the extent of travelling two hours on the bus all the way over to Washington so she could get the building planning made by a legitimate company over than just some family friends rustling something up. 

The bus turned the corner into the main street of the city and then as Beca looked out the window...fate stepped in and gave her some kind of chance. Because right in front of her walking down the street, she saw her. The same red locks and stunning smile. Chloe . 

It was a complete coincidence, one that was deemed to be insane, Chloe moved to Washington at the beginning of the year when Chicago’s job gave him the promotion. But Beca didn’t know that of course. 

Beca leaned forward against the window to test her eyes some more. Noticing that she now really wasn’t imagining it, she got up from her seat and rushed down to the front of the bus. “I need to get off.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. Only stops at certain spots.” 

She sucked down the bitterness of being called sweetheart by the sweaty bus driver and just persevered some more. “No, really I have to get off now, stop the bus now, please.” 

The bus driver then looked at her. “You speak English, darlin’? No one gets off till I get to the depot now sit your pretty self down.” 

Beca blew a heavy breath and reached for the door handle, pulling it back for the door to open. “Sweetheart my ass,” she muttered under her breath as she hopped out of the still-moving bus and ran down the street, looking around like a bat out of hell and just catching a glimpse of her now walking on the other street. She didn’t go over to the cross line, she just went right across the street and somehow managed to avoid every car that came her way.  Her heart was racing so much, her hands began to shake and she actually felt like she could be sick. She hadn’t seen or heard from Chloe in six years and now she was running after her like it was only last week? Well, it still felt so raw that it could have been last week to her. 

In the crowd, though she seemed to lose her, she couldn’t lose her again. She was right here how the hell could she vanish? She wasn’t going crazy; Beca was sure of that. She was sure that she had just set eyes on Chloe for the first time since she was 18. She was sure that Chloe was just wearing a cream smart jacket with a skirt to match, she didn’t just make that up in her mind. 

Beca stopped walking for a moment and just let out a breath as her hands fell onto her hips and her eyes searched some more through the sea of people, and then in the corner of her eye to the left. She saw her through the window of an upper-class type of cafe. Just the sight of Chloe made Beca have a loss of breath, breaking out a smile with just relief at seeing her. Seeing how good she looked, how well. Was this some kind of chance for her to walk in there and speak to her again? Maybe ask her why it was that she never wrote back? What happened between them afterward? If Chloe hated Beca for the way she acted that night. 

But before she could build up sentences before she could even think of putting together what she could do or before she could even take a step towards the door, she saw Chloe walk over to the table where a guy was sitting, he smiled at her and got up on his feet, his hands went to her elbows as she gripped onto his waist when kissing him. 

Beca’s heart had only ever been broken three times in her life. Once her father’s death, twice Chloe being taken away from her and third, Jesse’s death. And here she was for round four which included the same girl as before. She felt it tear in two again. She just looked for a few seconds more, noticing how Chloe was smiling against his lips, and wondered if she ever smiled that much with her. 

As her eyes filled and began to sting from the tears coming through, she leaned her hand against the frame of the window, watching Chloe sit down beside him and laugh as he was holding her hand. 

Beca now saw what this was, it wasn’t fated at all or a chance for her to turn things around. It was like some cruel game of karma and she was the loser of it. She bowed her head down for a moment, a big part of her didn’t want to leave this spot because she just wanted to keep on looking at her from knowing it will most likely be the last time but then again she couldn’t dare herself to even take another glance because it hurt so much when she did.

She bit down on her lip and closed her eyes for a moment before clearing her throat and just nodded as she let out a breath and stood back up straight, turning away and covering her mouth with her palm for a moment. Maybe she needed to see it, maybe she needed to see Chloe with someone else in order for her to move on with her life. But then again something told her it wasn’t going to be that easy, she had figured some time ago that Chloe might have found someone else by now and it didn’t really surprise her that it would be a man, genuine or not...but it seemed pretty genuine. 

Beca did take one more glance at her, and seeing that Chloe was actually happy, well, she couldn’t exactly be mad about that no how much she wished she could be. All she wanted for Chloe was happiness. And it looked like she had it. 

Beca ran her fingers over her mouth and after letting out another breath, she turned around and walked away.

And Chloe had no idea that her first-ever real, true deep love just saw her for the first time in so long and left completely broke once again.

Chapter Text

Beca couldn’t explain it fully but it was like something inside her snapped after that day from seeing Chloe. Suddenly becoming more and more hellbent on just getting the house fixed, Nancy helped as much as she could but Beca was working like the devil. 

She spent months getting the inside all done up to what she envisioned it to be like, well, hers and Chloe’s of which she still remembered every single detail. She remembered everything that Chloe said she wanted and tried to make it be just like that. A part in the back of her mind told her that if she got this house the way Chloe wanted, maybe it would bring her back. She did feel like she was going a little mad with it all but she was determined to just get it done.  

Aubrey called it an act of love. Nancy called it something else but still remained supportive despite her worry over her daughter. Beca still kept her job at the lumberyard but the majority of her free time went to fixing up the house. She woke up at dawn on the days she had off and worked herself till night, hardly sleeping in between. Perhaps she was just trying to keep her mind off the heartbreak she was hit with those months ago from seeing Chloe with Chicago. 

Nothing stopped her. Not even winter. Nancy sat inside the house by the kitchen, which was just about up to scratch, she had put her paintbrush and hammer down hours ago now and would continue working on the inside tomorrow and she wished that Beca could do the same but instead she was on the balcony above the porch for the second floor which she completely restructured, painting it white. Of course white. That’s what Chloe said she wanted. 

Nancy sat there for a few minutes and just waited for Beca to come down and get to bed, it was nearly 11:30 PM, but when she saw no sign of that she decided to take things into her own hands, getting out of her chair she stepped out of the house and walked out far enough to look up the ladder where Beca was, with just an oil lamp to help her see given how dark it now was. 

Nancy rested her hand on the ladder and looked up, despite not being able to actually see her daughter she still called up. “Beca.” 

After a second or two of silence, she got an answer. “What?”

“It’s gettin’ pretty late.”

Nothing. 

“And cold. ” 

Nothing. 

“Baby-girl come down.” 

“I’m not done painting, mom.” 

Nancy laughed breathlessly with stress in the back of her throat. “Okay well it’s not gonna go anywhere you can carry on tomorrow—Beca I can see my breath just come down it’s way too cold.”

The silence then came back around. 

“Don’t make me come up there cause you know I will.”

She then heard a scoff. A scoff . One that came from her own daughter which Nancy raised her brows at and walked back into the house, she grabbed Beca’s sweater, and then soon enough she started climbing to prove Beca’s disbelief wrong. Cause she might want to smack her but she does want Beca to at least be warm. Beca turned to her when she heard her mother arrive on the balcony and waved the brush at her from up her ladder which was reaching the top of the house. “You come to help?”

Nancy sighed as Beca turned back around. “You’re starting to scare the hell out of me, you know that?” Beca put down her brush, grabbed her beer that was resting on the windowless window frame, and started to come back down, when reaching the bottom of her ladder Nancy tossed her the sweater. 

Beca sat on the fence surrounding the balcony and took a sip of her beer before putting on the jumper whilst Nancy just looked at the house, then hearing Beca mutter, “And you say I can be dramatic—”

“You’re working on this house from dawn till night and get no sleep before doing the same all over again,” Nancy motioned up to the house. “I mean, you’re doing a great job but right now I think making it white was a mistake. The way you’re acting it should be black. Colour of death.” 

Beca rolled her eyes to her and shook her head, she then heard a small groan come from her mother, and when looking over she saw Nancy lean her against the fence on the opposite side with her eyes closed, as though she needed to hold herself up. “Mom. Are you okay?”

“Me? No.” Nancy rested her fingertips against her forehead for a moment in taking a breath, she pressed her lips together and shrugged with a shake of her head as she looked back over to Beca. “I’m worried about you.” 

“I just want to get it done, okay?” 

Nancy then stood up straight and walked over to her. “But why like this? Why do you want to get it done so damn fast? Do you think the quicker you get it done then the quicker she’ll come back?” 

Beca looked back over to her and then grumbled a low laugh as she looked away and whispered. “Wow”—she took a sip of her drink again before adding in a clearer voice when looking away again—“nice low blow, mom.”

“I’m sorry I just,” she sighed and looked back to the house again, she closed her eyes and tipped her palms up as she tried to pick her words carefully. “I’m just trying to...get through to you.” 

Another sigh withdrew from her lips as she took another step over to Beca and crouched down in front of her, resting her hand on her daughter’s knees and speaking softly. “Honey, fixing up the house the way Chloe wanted it will not bring her back. If we had that kind of power to bring back people we’ve loved then your daddy would be up here right now trying to talk sense into you. You’ve never been a naive person but for her, you dream big and get this wishful thinking that you strive on, and believe me I know what that’s like but…” She tucked a fallen strand of Beca’s hair behind her ear. “I thought you seeing her with that guy might’ve helped but—”

“Oh yeah, I’m relieved I saw the girl I love kiss some G.I. right in front of me.” Beca then looked back to her mother, finally, though her eyes were slightly red and filled. “Y’know I wish it would have helped. I hate that I still love her when she’s forgotten about me—”

“I don’t think she’s-—

“Well she’s moved on and it’s like I’m stuck,” she pressed her lips together and looked up to the sky for a moment before admitting. “I want to finish this house because I want to show myself that she’s not coming back...that’s she actually gone. I need to do this in order for me to let myself accept that.” 

Nancy got it, she actually did. Beca was hoping that keeping and fulfilling this one last promise to Chloe, would bring her closure. Hopefully . 

“Okay. Well. You can keep on doing it. Tomorrow.” 

Beca tutted at her mother as Nancy rose to her feet and held out her hands for Beca to take, Beca could argue with her till she was blue in the face but she knew that this was just a mother taking care of her child cause despite the fact that she was a grown adult. Beca was still her baby. Plus she was pretty tired. 

She slapped her hands into her mother's and allowed herself to be pulled up onto her feet. Nancy put her hands on her daughter’s cheeks and then gave her quick pecks against her forehead before looking back down at her and quietly proclaiming. “My sweet.” 

Beca grumbled a mere hum as her mother’s arms wrapped around her body which she returned in a more exhausted manner, feeling Nancy’s hand cradle the back of her head, just wishing she could take this pain away. She kissed the side of Beca’s head once more and then they made their way down to the ground and walked back into the house.

As Beca made her way to the stairs, she took one step up and then turned back around to her mother who was locking up the front door. “Ma?”

“Hm?” Nancy murmured with her back still to her. Beca looked down for a moment and then looked back over at her. “I love you.” 

Nancy turned to her and smiled softly. “I love you too, baby girl,” Beca then returned the same gentle smile before Nancy nodded up the stairs. “Go on. Get some shut-eye.” 

She watched Beca turn back around and go upstairs and once she was gone, Nancy wiped the silent tear that ran down her cheek and made her way into the kitchen to have one last cup of coffee.

1946

It was a long engagement between Chloe and Chicago, they weren’t in any real rush to marry, and also with the buzz around it through the neighborhood, their families wanted some kind of build to it. Their wedding was scheduled for later on in the year. 

Chloe looked at herself in the mirror as she stood in her wedding dress which was designed and made just for her. She had to admit to herself, that she was nervous seeing herself in her wedding dress considering how self-conscious she could feel and she really didn’t want to be self-conscious in her wedding dress of all dresses. But much to her delight she didn’t feel bad about it, she actually felt pretty beautiful for the first time in a long time. 

She looked stunning, in a white lace wedding dress with long sleeves and all the way down to her feet, the veil topping it off. She was simply beautiful. And she was so glad that she actually felt it.

The curtains then pulled back for her mother, her friends, and her mother’s friends to get a look at her, and when they did they all just gasped, being completely mesmerized by it and her. As her nerves built up from all the silent staring, she ran her hands down her front. “Is it too much?”

Her Aunt Helen then squealed. “Are you kidding honey? You look fantastic!” 

All the women of all ages then shrieked an exciting sound which Chloe then mirrored as they ran over and surrounded her. Emily took hold of her hand and cried. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen!”

Flo then added. “Wait till Chicago sees you, he won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”

As they all laughed over the thought, Jessica then added. “Or his hands. ” 

Chloe then just laughed out of embarrassment and blushed before she swatted her arm to shut her up. Diane’s hand fell onto Chloe’s back as she muttered that she was proud of her, something Chloe never thought she would hear come from her mother’s lips but all it took was for her to put on a white dress and prepare herself to marry a man . That was the hook of it all. 

Chloe then heard one of her mother’s friends, Angie, say: “Chloe they’re saying your and Chicago’s wedding is the wedding of the season!” 

She passed over the newspaper she had heard it from. Really Chloe didn’t really understand why it was such a big deal but she didn’t really care that much, about why so many people were excited about the fact that the Beale and Walp family were going to become one like it was some big all-powerful thing, she didn’t have an interest in it, but avid socialites like her mother really did care.

Chloe watched as Diane ate up the article as soon as she got her hands and eyes on it, her eyes being well and truly lit. Then, quite suddenly as Diane turned the page, Chloe saw her expression drop and her eyes dim. Chloe blubbered a small laugh. “What?” 

As she reached for the paper, Diane pulled it away in aid to prevent her from seeing it, Chloe then just stared at her and instantly grew heavily curious “Mom what?” she managed to grab it before Diane could pull it away again and then read it for herself. 

She looked down at it in the midst of the chatter around her and once her eyes did fall onto the article that wiped the smile from her mother’s face, her heart began to race. Her breath became breathless and her hands clammed up straight away. In all the ways she imagined seeing Beca’s face again, seeing it in a newspaper was not what she envisioned. So much so that she didn’t even hear her mother’s. “Oh boy,” because all the speech was now muffled to her. 

17th Century Home Restored. 

The home was rebuilt by Seattle’s only female lumber worker, Beca Mitchell.

 (As photographed above) 

She forgot that Seattle was part of Washington and hence something like this would be in a Newspaper near them. And it was of course considered to be rather groundbreaking that a young woman had restored a deadbeat of a house. The house that Beca took her that night and where they almost...where they first told each other that they loved each other and almost consummated that.

It was a night that had stayed with her every single day. Her eyes didn’t focus on the house, it stayed on her. Beca’s hair was a little longer, her white shirt was tucked into her pants with her hands stuffed in her pockets as she just stood for the photo, seemingly casual through her awkwardness at photos but there was one thing she was still. She was still breathtakingly stunning in every way. 

This was like some evil trick that fate or God was playing on her. Why? Why was this put in front of her now ? Now as she stood in the wedding dress to which she was going to walk down the aisle...to someone else. It was as if this was giving her a reminder of something in her heart that still lived on.

Because if she really felt nothing, then her heart would not be pounding this way. Her thoughts would not flood back to every aspect of Beca’s face, of her smile, eyes, her nose, and the way it crinkles when she laughs. How her cheekbones structure the perfect curve on her face. Suddenly her laugh came back into her mind in some haunting echo. 

Chloe closed her eyes for a moment and tried to grab her bearings, feeling suddenly so light-headed and having no time for breathing. And then everything went black. 

Of course, she fainted. This was Beca Mitchell being hit back at her; it was no wonder she fainted. Diane just told everyone who was there and went into a blind panic that Chloe merely didn’t eat enough for breakfast and got all hot, which she made herself believe also. Not letting herself connect it to Chloe seeing Beca’s picture in the paper.

When hearing that she fainted, Chicago rushed home from work to Chloe’s house and checked up on her, after insisting that she was fine he then ran her a hot bath which she happily got into. 

She got into the bubble bath, turning the tap on and off with her toes at the other end of the bath whilst drinking a glass of red wine, pondering in deep thought about it all. She then looked over to the chair beside her which she had set up and looked at the newspaper which was folded onto the page of the picture of Beca. Chloe just let out a breath and sunk further against the back of the bath, resting her head against the side with her eyes staying on the paper. “No. I haven’t forgotten about you,” she mumbled as she stared at the photograph some more, then just let out a breath before looking back to the tap. 

The thing that was also on her mind was the house. Beca really gotta do what she said she wanted to do all those years ago and rebuilt it up. Made it what she wanted it to be, and she was happy for her. It made her think. It made her think about how Beca had clearly always stayed true to what she loved to do and how over the years Chloe had kind of lost that. She wanted that back. 

“Singing.”

“Hm?”

“You said you wondered what I did for me or fun. I like to sing.”

She doesn’t even remember the last time she really sang, drew, or played the piano she can’t remember when she did anything that was just for herself. For the past few years, she had done everything for her education, family, and now Chicago. Her life was being lived on account of others and it was no one's fault but her own, she let that happen. 

Her forehead pushed into the palm of her hand just as her eyes closed and she let out a breath. Every time she did take a breath it was like she had a phantom feeling touch parts of her skin from where she remembered Beca kissing her. She truly felt the kiss on her neck which was always a spot Beca liked to place her mouth. Chloe just bit down on her lip and tried to think of something else but it became borderline impossible, with her eyes still closed she began to vision Beca being with her, picturing her kissing her where she could feel it and once the picture was in her head she couldn’t turn it off. 

She remembered how when they used to kiss, and when it deepened and grew heavy and hot before she kissed her neck Beca used to gently nip at Chloe’s jaw, she remembered how to always drew out a moan from her lips when it happened...like the one that slipped out from her right now as she just imagined it. How Beca could still make her feel this way after all these years, and when she isn’t even physically here yet still . 

It felt wrong, not because she was still thinking of a woman but just because she was thinking of someone else apart from her fiance entirely. 

Her mind then conjured up a whisper in Beca’s gentle voice. “Chloe I want you.”

Her whole body jolted as she snapped out of the fantasy which caused some of the water to tip of the edge of the bath and hit the floor, she let out chest heavy breaths before running her fingers through her hair and resting her head on her hand a little more to just bring back her composure, she glanced back to the photo on the newspaper and then put it facedown. “Get out of my head.” 

Chloe pressed her lips together and kept her eyes shut for a moment, then shook her head again before grabbing a towel and getting out of the bath. She walked over to the mirror, wiping up the condensation off it so she could get an actual look at herself.  This newspaper caused many things to now go through her mind, one of them was that Beca was now officially out of the box that Chloe had kept her in, in her mind, and was at the forefront, and also it was like she had been hit with some quarter-life crisis that she no longer has anything for herself. Maybe she needed to get away for a few days before the wedding, find something before she got married. 

And there was a little voice in the back of her head telling her where she needed to go to get that. The word closure could be used but it was also just curiosity? She was taken away from Beca in such an abrupt way and never heard from her since that day that she never got the chance to really get over it, maybe if she knew how she was in her life. If she knew if Beca had found someone else that it would all be easier for her to jump into her new life with both feet. Maybe she wanted to see that house up close and see what she had done with it after knowing all that Beca wanted. 

Maybe it was time for her to revisit Greenwood and the first-ever love she really had one more time. One last time. Maybe that way she could say goodbye, but God knows she can’t let anyone around her know where she was going if she were to do this. 

Especially not her mother. 

Chloe walked into Chicago’s work building and made a straight b-line for his office despite being told that he was in an important meeting because it really couldn’t wait. His assistant knocked on his door. “Mr. Walp, you have a visitor.” 

Chicago leaned back in his chair and smiled when he saw that it was her, of course, he smiled. Chloe Beale has the power to make every miserable sucker in the world smile, it was how she got Beca in the first place. Chicago got up from his chair. “Hey. Hi—honey I didn’t know you were coming.”

Chloe pressed her lips together as she looked at him and then got to the point. “Can I talk to you? Now or shall—”

“No. No, we can talk,” he looked over to the three other men in the room who were doing stocks with him and pointed to the outside. “Guys could you just give us a few minutes?” 

All the men respectfully left and shut the door behind them, Chicago quickly kissed her cheek before Chloe mumbled. “Maybe I should have called.”

“Chloe you don’t have to call, hell, half of this will be yours in a couple of months,” he laughed as he hopped over to his chair. It killed her sometimes how sweet he was because she still had this secret that she has kept from him for so long that it really wasn’t fair. But she wasn’t ready to tell him even now, she wondered if she’d ever be ready. Maybe after she goes back. Hopefully. 

Chloe leaned against his desk and thought for a moment, suddenly just blurting out. “I used to sing.” 

“Hm?”

“Yeah. A lot I used to sing it would clear my head...and I used to play the piano a lot too.”

His brows went up. “I didn’t know that.”

“How could you? I never told you,” she began to wonder how much she did actually tell him, how much he actually knew about her. “But I really loved it.” 

“Okay,” he spoke softly, shrugging his shoulders, “so sing. Play. We can get a piano when we get our own place.”

She smiled at him, appreciating the gesture fully. “That’d be nice.” 

Chicago tilted his head to her. “You okay? You seem off?” 

Chloe got up from the desk and walked a little further into his office before she turned around and just said it. “I need to get away, for a little bit.”

She saw how his eyes turned quite fearful, thinking that he had done something to upset her or if she was having second thoughts, he slowly nodded as his words turned more into a mumble. “Okay...is—I mean are you alright? Is there anything I can do?”

“No, I just,” she walked back over to him. “Everything is just getting...crazy and I need some time to think, just clear my head.” 

“Okay,” he repeated, then smiling through his still nerves, “are you-you don’t want to call it off?”

“I don’t think so.” 

Chicago then laughed lightly and stood up from his chair. “That was reassuring.” 

Chloe kept her eyes down on her shoes and put them more firmly. “I have to get my head in perspective so I can’t answer,” she looked back to him and nodded. “I love you. Okay? But I need this. I just need for us to put the brakes on a moment, everything is getting so close.

“All right, then go. Do what you need to do,” he smiled at her gently, “I’ll wait for you, you know that. And I’ll come at your beck and call.” 

God, she really believed that he would too. “I know, but I’ll be fine.”

“Course. Look, I guess cold feet are normal around this time, right?” he made his way over to her and raised his brows, squinting at her to which she just gently slapped his chest before he kissed her, told her loved her, and then hugged her. 

Chloe pulled back. “I’m just going to Greenwood for a couple of days and then I’ll be back for us to talk.” 

Chicago looked at her oddly. “Greenwood?”

“Yeah,” a fond smile then came on her lips. “Greenwood.”

He laughed at her. “I mean like I said, hon, do what you gotta do but...what the hell is in Greenwood?” 

“Remember when you asked me what it was that made my parents keep me under lock and key from when I was a teenager?”

“Yeah?”

“ That . That’s what's in Greenwood.”

Chapter Text

It was a two-hour journey back to Greenwood and Chloe did rest for a single minute of it, what the hell was she doing? What was she thinking? What was she even going to say? She told Chicago to tell her parents that she had gone away to see some friends from college, whether they would believe it or not didn’t matter, the good thing, was that she left.

But what was she leaving to? Beca didn’t write to her at all after she was taken away, it was like she was completely erased from her life. Maybe her driving all the way down here to see her was the dumbest idea she had ever gotten in her entire life. The craziest idea. She had just left the man she was engaged to... technically , back in Washington to come and see the girl who had torn her heart out and he didn’t even know. 

If she had told him, she genuinely believed that he would have listened with care and attention. Maybe all it would have taken for her to get over Beca was for her to just talk about her instead of keeping her bottled up like it was something she should be ashamed of, because she was never ashamed of Beca, not ever. But that isn’t how most people look at it from the outside looking in. 

But right now she didn’t care about what other people would think, all she could think about was getting to that house and thinking about what she was going to say to Beca pending that she didn’t slam the door in her way when she saw her. It had been seven years. She had been apart from her for seven years. She had missed her for seven years. And the fact that she did still miss her scared the hell out of her. 

Of course, Beca had no idea that the love of her life was going to turn up at her house at any given moment if she knew that she certainly would have cleaned up. She worked at the lumberyard less and less now, instead, she took out all the frustrations in her body onto carving and ended up designing furniture that was actually selling well, as well as her fixing up houses. After that newspaper went out she was getting asked for jobs. 

She was out back in her workshop which was formally a small stable and was working on sanding down a new table that someone had paid for her to make, she had her radio cranked up on full blast. So the music of Hank Williams: I’m so lonesome I could cry, was overpowering anything that was going on outside, including Chloe Beale pulling up on the pathway of the house and getting out. 

Chloe's eyes latched onto the house immediately, and her jaw completely dropped. The blue shutters, the porch that wrapped around the house, everything she had told her that she wanted from the house Beca had done. As well as this making her emotional, it confused the hell out of her. Beca wanted nothing to do with her yet she rebuilt this entire house the way Chloe pictured it?

Her ears then fell onto the music that was coming out of the small wooden shed that was by the creek, hearing it slowly going down. A big part of her was hoping it was Nancy cause at least that would soften the blow of being here. The music dropped to being completely silent, hearing things clang and drop before the wooden door opened.

Beca walked out of the shed with her head down, wiping her hands and then throwing the rag on the back of her truck before putting her hand over her eyes to block the sun and finally looking up. And she froze. Completely and utterly froze, feeling like she could cry right there. Her legs suddenly felt like jelly but her mind told her to stay on her feet. Was she hallucinating? Had the fumes from the polish affected her senses because there was no way Chloe Beale could be standing here. 

Chloe just stared right back at her and felt the same entirely, she managed to smile whilst Beca still remained stunned, she could tell that Beca was working out if she was real or not. Because after all these years, she could still see everything through just the look in her eyes no matter how much distance was currently between them “Beca.” 

Beca’s breath hitched, the sound of her voice hitting her back like an addiction she thought she had rid herself of. After finishing the house up she told herself that she would move on. She never found anyone else because no one could ever compare but she liked to believe that over this past year she had made progress, her mother would vouch for her on that part. 

Still not getting an answer, Chloe quickly explained. “I know this is...I saw your picture. In the paper. The house it’s”— she looked back at it for a moment and then looked back at her—“it’s amazing...and I don’t know I just got thinking and then I just started driving and driving. I guess I...I just wanted to see if you were okay.” 

She wouldn’t keep talking yet she wanted to, she wanted to keep talking to avoid falling apart from the silence, she always hated it when Beca went silent on her. She suddenly felt 18 all over again, Beca absolutely still had an overwhelming effect on her, her heart began to race just as fast it did that night they shared their first kiss. 

Beca slowly dropped her arm down to her side and the only word she managed to say was, “ Chloe .” 

“Yeah,” Chloe said in a breathless laugh. “I know...it’s...it’s been a long time.” 

“You could say that. Seven years, twenty-three days. But who’s counting, right?” Beca swallowed thickly, clearing her throat and scratching the back of her head, not knowing what to say to her. Her head then snapped back to Chloe as she took a step forward, just one step. “I was happy for you when I saw the house in the paper.” 

“You were?”

“Well yeah, you always wanted it right. How-”

“My mom, she sold our old place and we were able to afford it when it was run down, she helped with the rebuild mostly.” 

Chloe just bobbed her head and gently shrugged her shoulders when she added with a bright, nervous smile. “She always has good instincts.” 

Beca just nodded as she cleared her throat and looked down at her dust boots as they kicked down into the dust for a minute, her heart aching that little bit more when she heard Chloe then question. “How is she?” 

Beca’s eyes then left the ground, not answering before she took her vision over to the house and after a few more silence she just looked at Chloe. Remaining completely silent, she just looked . And after a few seconds, from the silence and tears now in Beca’s eyes, Chloe got it. Her hands flew to her mouth as a gasp ran through her entire body, and just a second afterward they then dropped over her heart. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”  Beca ran her fingers through her hair with her head-turning once more and heard Chloe add on in a still shaken voice. “She was an amazing woman.” 

“Yeah,” Beca cleared her throat, shaking her head and bit her lip. “Happened about five months ago,” she then shrugged. “I felt that something was up with her but she always said she was fine. Then found her in her bed and just…” she shrugged again, “she slipped away I don’t know. Just gotta settle on the thought that she’s with my dad. Doctors said something called an aneurysm. Said she wouldn’t have felt anything...which is at least something.” 

Chloe really just wanted to go over there and hug her hard. Hug her tight and not let her go. Beca didn’t deserve this, she didn’t deserve to be an orphan at such a young age. They weren't meant to lose their parents at such a young age or when their parents were at such a young age either. Her dad was in his 30s and Nancy was in her mid to late 40s if her maths was correct. It wasn’t fair. 

“Becs...” 

Beca closed her eyes at the word. No one had called her that in so long, and for it to now be from Chloe’s lips in such a soft and loving voice sent something through her. Chloe bit her lip. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come, I didn’t want to upset-” 

“Do you want to come in?” Beca just quickly asked, turning to her and shrugged, “You’re already here...you can come in for a drink or something? Like we’ve acknowledged it’s been a long time.” 

Chloe hadn’t built up this part in her head, a big part of her was expecting Beca to tell her to go away and that would be that she didn’t bank on Beca actually inviting her into her damn house. But she did. And Chloe wasn’t banking on her agreeing and making her way inside with her...But she did. 

Beca motioned Chloe to take a seat in the living room, which was laid out wonderfully. Chloe took a seat in one armchair and after making her a cup of tea, Beca went over and sat in the one on the opposite side. Both of them just sitting there for a moment with their cups of coffee warming their hands, Beca looked out from the window for a moment. “So how’s your mom?” 

Chloe hummed a small laugh. “Still alive.” 

“Sorry to hear that,” Beca mumbled with a mischievous smirk tugging on the corner of her lips as her eyes went back over to Chloe, seeing the partially amused look on the red head’s face, Beca then sat back in her chair and sighed out. “I’m kidding. If there’s one thing my mother made me do it was to let go of my bitterness.” 

“Still a work in progress.” 

“Yeah well, there are some things you just can’t forgive a person for,” Beca commented with her eyes away from Chloe for a moment, not wanting to look her in the eye when she implied that she would never be able to forgive Diane for taking Chloe away from her. Because aside from the deaths of those she loved, that was still the biggest pain she had in her heart. 

Beca then turned her head back to her and wanted to test if Chloe would be honest with her about one thing. “So who’s the guy?” 

Chloe raised a brow, to which Beca smiled with underlying sadness as she nodded her head to her hand. “That ice rink of your finger, Chloe. Gave it away.”

Chloe looked down at her finger and laughed breathlessly before taking her eyes back to Beca and deciding to be completely honest. “His name is Chicago Walp.”

“Walp? As in Walp Industries? ”

“As in Walp Industries.”

Of course, Beca knew that last name, it was one of the biggest industrial establishments in the state. He must be filthy rich. Beca raised a brow and muttered as she took her tea to her lips. “Your parents must love him.” 

“They do.”

“You hate that.” 

Chloe took in a small breath through her nose as she easily agreed. “I do,” Beca then just hummed with amusement before Chloe insisted. “He is a good man though, Beca. Half the chance is given and you’d probably like him.”

“He’s with you of course I’m not gonna like him,” Beca teased with the same charming smile coming across her lips, shrugging her shoulders. “But I’m sure he is. You love him?”

“I do, yes...I mean right now we’re actually on some kind of pause.”

“Pause?”

Chloe shrugged as she pressed her hands together. “I guess. I just said I needed to clear my head, but the intention of the wedding is still there.” 

Beca nodded, despite it hurting she was happy to know that Chloe was in a good place with someone even if that someone wasn’t with her, taking her tea to her mouth again she couldn’t help poke fun again. “You sure are on the straight and narrow now, huh.”

“Stop that,” Chloe laughed, “like I said I hated that the cards fell the way they did.” 

“You have no idea,” Beca muttered under her breath, placing the drink down beside her. It fell silent for a small moment, Beca stretched her arms out and tucked her hands behind her head for a moment. “Well, you’ll marry him and...we can y’know. Be friends or whatever.” 

“ Or whatever . You haven’t changed.” 

Beca bit her lip and sighed. “Unfortunately not, no.” She watched as Chloe just looked down at her cup, seeing how she didn’t quite like Beca talking about herself like that. Beca tilted her head to her. “Hey.” Chloe looked back at her, and Beca smiled softly. “I am happy to see you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s like you never left...apart from some clear differences that is.” 

Chloe just smiled at her, then seeing Beca look down at the same Cartier watch that she wore from the first night they met, Beca then looked back over at her. “You hungry? I have dinner around about now and I guess you’ve been driving for some time huh?”

Chloe nodded to her with the same gentle smile on her face. “I’d like that sure.”

She was playing with complete and utter fire, she knew it from the way Beca smiled at her and the way Chloe’s eyes looked at her from her foot all the way up to her head as she got up from her chair and walked away into the kitchen. She knew she was by the way her breath was still getting caught in her throat by the sight of Beca now being in her visual in the flesh. 

Beca found it unfortunate that she hadn’t changed since they were eighteen, but Chloe found it to be the best thing imaginable. She was scared that she would have changed when coming here, but she was still the sarcastic, smug, and caring person she was seven years ago. It was dangerous. But it also gave Chloe butterflies. Slowly her reality outside of this very house was fading away. 

Chloe made her way into the dining area once Beca called her, seeing her take out a whole chicken and then throw some freshly boiled vegetables on the plate, Chloe leaned down on the table in the kitchen as she watched her. “I always wondered if you were smacking my chops when you said you could cook.”

“Well, I had no choice when dad died, ma would burn salad.” 

Chloe hummed a gentle laugh. “I just figured you were trying to impress me.” 

Beca looked over at her. “Well yeah, that too.”

They walked back into the dining room, with Chloe grabbing some bottles of beer from the fridge after Beca pointed her in the right direction. They tucked into the meal once Beca had put everything on their plate straight away, Beca watching as Chloe drank down the bottle of beer like it was nobody’s business. There you are . 

Beca smiled to herself with some food still in her mouth, then asked afterward. “How long are you here for?” 

“Just a few days. I might see Aubrey and Jesse whilst I’m here.” 

Beca then looked at her again the same way after she asked about her mother, but this time she was more curious. “You and Aubrey didn’t stay in touch?”

“Well...I mean we did for a little while but with school and everything it got hard...why?” 

Beca sucked in a breath and scratched her forehead, sitting back in her chair and looking back to Chloe who was at her side of her. “Uh. Jesse died three years ago in the war.” 

Chloe closed her eyes as the tears immediately built up and then kicked herself. It was things like this, reasons like this why she hated her mother. She should have been here for this, she should have been there for Aubrey and god knows she should have been there for Beca. “God, that’s...I wish I could've—”

“I know. It’s okay, Chloe,” her voice was so gentle and so caring that it broke Chloe’s heart completely, she looked back to Beca who then gave her a reassuring smile, “We’re okay now. Aubrey’s good, they had a kid before he left-well Aubrey had him whilst Jesse was at war but she’s got a piece of him. He’s just like him too, so you should still go see her. See them.” 

“I will.” 

“Good.” Beca picked her folk back up after taking her hand off of Chloe’s arm which did send chills down Chloe’s spine once the contact was made. Chloe grabbed another beer and laughed as she took another sip. “A couple more of these and you may have to drive me to my hotel.” 

“Slow down, Red,” Beca teased. “I don’t want to take advantage of the situation.” 

No one ever calls her Red, only Beca has ever done that and it did set off butterflies once again, but she scoffed at her light-heartedly. “You wouldn’t dare. I’m a married woman.”

“Not yet, you’re not.” 

Chloe rolled her eyes and took another sip of the drink, then feeling Beca’s eyes change into more of a gaze, Chloe raised her brows and pulled the bottle away. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just thinking.”

“Yeah well you know I’ve never been very good at getting into your head, so what about?” 

“This uh, this room y’know...” 

Chloe pinched her brows at her and then Beca nodded to a corner of the room, Chloe’s eyes went over and saw the piano in the corner. The same piano she played seven years ago, the same piano where she said she wanted Beca, and the same piano that led to their almost first time. She then looked back to Beca. “Oh. This is the room.” 

Beca merely nodded to her and hummed as she took her beer to her lips, Chloe then let out a nervous laugh and grabbed for the bottle again, drinking it much quicker. Beca laughed at her. “Lot of memories.” 

“You can say that again,” Chloe put the bottle back down. Sitting back in her chair and then looked back over to Beca, “thank you. For dinner I mean.” 

“It’s fine. I always make too much for myself anyways these days.” Beca shrugged. “I was always used to making for two...guess I haven’t adapted to that part of being on my own yet.” 

“I take it your mom moved in here with you?”

“Jesus, yeah I could never get rid of her, not even if I tried,” Beca took a breath and then shook her head as her voice came out in more of a whisper, “And I would never have dared to try.” 

Chloe reached her hand forward and rested down on Beca’s, her hand was still as soft and slender as she remembered them to be. Beca looked over to her once her hand came in contact with her, Chloe nodded. “She would’ve known that.”

Beca didn’t really get upset about her mom that much because quite frankly there weren't many times where she had to bring her up. Whenever she went to visit Aubrey, they didn’t really talk about that anymore because there comes to a point where you have to talk about other stuff. 

But she quite liked the fact that Chloe was holding onto her hand so she didn’t want to say anything so soon so she could live in the moment for a little while longer. She just smiled at her and nodded with gratitude. Chloe then pulled her hand away and folded her arms as she leaned down on the table, the silence fell for a moment with just the jazz music from the stereo filling the void. 

They both then just looked back at each other and smiled, Beca leaned back in her chair before standing up and taking hold of the plates before walking into the kitchen to clean up, Chloe then grabbed the empty bottles to throw in the trash before going to help her. 

“You don’t have to—”

“I show up here unannounced, the least I can do is help you wash up,” Chloe simpered as she took hold of the plate and wiped it dry, looking over to Beca for a moment as she did so and then prying. “Do you still sing? Like your mom used to make you do?”

“I mean not as much of a routine as she had me in but sure yeah.” 

“Still Billie Holiday?”

“I don’t betray my roots, Chlo,” Beca smirked as she whispered. With Chloe then adding. “Ever since you introduced me, she’s all I listen to.”

“You heard Body and Soul ?” Before Chloe could even answer, Beca sang in a light voice, jumping to the chorus. “ My life a hell you’re making. You know I’m yours for the taking. I’d gladly surrender myself to you, body and soul.” Chloe just gazed at her with a smile tugging at her lips, her eyes remaining on Beca who turned her head back and carried on for a moment as she washed another dish, still signing in a somewhat mumble with a sweet bob of her head side to side. “You know it's you that I am longin'. Oh, I tell you I mean it. I'm all for you body and soul."

Chloe then looked down to the ground for a moment and after taking in a gentle breath she muttered at first as if to herself. “It was real.”

Beca looked back at her “What?”

Chloe’s eyes then went back over to the brunette with her gaze still soft. “You and me, it was real”— she saw Beca's expression shift to a slow fade, Chloe shrugged a shoulder—“I mean I’ve spent the past few years surrounded by people-and by people I mean my mother, acting like it wasn’t. But we were you and me. It was so long ago and we were just a couple of kids but.” She bit her lip. “But we really did love each other didn’t we?” 

Beca put the plate down to the side and leaned against the counter. “We did.” 

Everything inside Chloe told her to ask about the letters and why Beca didn’t write as she promised to, but it just didn’t feel right. It would be like she’d bring something up that would cause conflict and right now this was nice. She liked this, how easy it was being in Beca’s company. Which was the exact reason why Beca didn’t ask Chloe why she never wrote back from her letters. Because from where they both stood, both of them had their heart broken by each other. 

Chloe pulled herself out of the fallen trap that was Beca’s eyes and asked as she walked around the other side of the table. “You ever meet anyone else? Is there someone in your life now?”

“No. There’s no one.” 

“But you’ve been in love?”

Beca nodded as she folded her arms. “Sure yeah. With you.” 

A silence fell between them as Chloe just stared at her, practically gaping at her. “That was seven years ago.” 

“Don’t forget the twenty-three days.” 

Chloe’s jaw just dropped for a moment, shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders. “Well, maybe you’ve just never met—”

“I was an engineer during the war, Chloe, trust me I met plenty of the girls but I just was never interested." she shrugged after Chloe was silent for a few seconds more and said with a lighthearted tone and smirk. “I don’t know what you want me to say, you set a very high bar.” 

A stumbled laugh left Chloe’s lips before raising her brows. “Are you saying I’m the reason you’re in this big house alone?” a smile of disbelief grew across the redhead’s face, to which Beca just kept her smirk and snorted when Chloe laughed out. “That’s ridiculous! I mean my God.” 

“Well you have always underestimated how amazing you are,” Beca shrugged, “it doesn’t surprise me that you don’t get that I could never meet anyone else who came close to you.” 

“You weren’t exactly average yourself,” Chloe asserted, shaking her head and rolling her eyes as Beca continued to seem amused. “What’s so funny?”

Beca chuckled and stood back up straight and shook her head. “Nothing. I’ve missed you getting mad at me.”

Chloe’s shaking of her head then came much softer as she insisted with an amused look on her own face. “I’m not mad.” 

“No you just care hard for people, you can’t help but take it personally,” Beca spoke softly, taking it completely endearing the way Chloe acts around things such as loneliness. Chloe rubbed her lips together with her eyes remaining on Beca for a moment, she took in a breath and whispered. “I should go.”

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah. It’s getting pretty late.”   

Beca just nodded and let it be, of course, Chloe was going to leave at some point Beca had no plan in trying to convince her otherwise, it was clear that Chloe wanted to take herself away from the situation before the conversations grew deeper and their emotions built up even more that she knew they were both trying to bubble down.

Chloe grabbed her coat and Beca walked her over to her car, as Chloe opened the door Beca then quickly asked her. “Are you doing anything tomorrow? Whilst you’re here? There’s something I want to show you.” 

Chloe turned from her car and Beca saw the hesitation in her eyes, she smirked and lightly shrugged her shoulders. “Could be fun.” 

A smile then grew on the redhead’s face, with the thought of seeing Beca again setting off a dangerous light in her stomach which she secretly enjoyed. She gently bit down on her lip before then simply nodding “Yeah, okay.”

“Good. Well goodnight then, drive safe.”

“I will.” Chloe got back into her car and gave Beca one more smile before driving off, Beca just remained where she stood and watched her. Chloe had come back into her life like a sudden flash of light. Shooting right back into her heart and for the first time in a long time, she felt filled with warmth. 

It scared her all over again at the thought of losing her twice but as far as she was concerned this, tonight, was the best thing to ever happen to her. She didn’t take herself into her house, instead got in her own truck and drove just five minutes before coming to the cemetery where her mother was now resting beside her dad as she always said she wanted. 

She ran straight over to both the graves, her eyes flickering between the two before they landed on her mothers.

Nancy Mitchell

1900 - 1947

Loving Mother and Wife. Brightest smile in town.  

Beca took a breath and then just smiled at her, shaking her head as she glanced up to the sky and then back to her resting place. 

“Ma. Can you believe it?”

Chapter Text

Chloe got back to her hotel room and could hardly even think straight, the whole day went so much better than she expected and she was glad that it did but she already knew how dangerous it was that it had gone the way it did today. Beca was just as sweet and considerate as she remembers damn it, and somehow she had gotten more attractive. 

A few seconds after being in her room, the phone rang. Chloe dropped down on her bed and reached over to it “Hello?”

“Hey, there.” Chicago’s voice came from over the phone.

“Hi...who’s this?”

“Chloe it’s me. Chicago.” 

“Oh, God—” Chloe put her palm against her forehead. “Sorry. I’ve just got back. I'm just tired...how did you know I was staying here?”

“There’s only one hotel in Greenwood,” he laughed. “When I didn’t hear from you all day I got a little worried, where’ve you been, you alright?” 

“I’ve just been out and around y’know...like I said I just came here to get out and around.” 

“I’ve felt like an idiot because I must’ve called your room like a hundred times,” he laughed gently once again. “But that’s just me not being used to seeing you.” 

They both chuckled gently, Chloe leaned back against the headboard. She didn’t want to be annoyed with him, and she wasn’t really, but it had only been a full day and already he was checking on her. She knew he was doing it out of the goodness of his heart and it wasn’t him that was having some kind of crisis but still, she wished for the space. “Well you don’t have to worry, I’m fine.”

“Good, so anything you want to tell me?” he wasn’t asking out of suspicion, it was innocent curiosity since he had been led to believe over the past few years that she told him everything. Poor guy. He didn’t know the half of it. 

“No.”

“ No?”

Chloe just mumbled an ‘uh-uh’ before repeating “No.” 

She knew that he would find that kind of out of the ordinary, she had been out all day and she had nothing to tell him? Nothing about her day to say to him, he was out of the ordinary for her and she knew that, she knew that he felt it by the way he went silent over the phone. Chloe sighed lightly when hearing him just say. “Okay.”

“Chicago, I’m just tired. Would it be alright if I called you tomorrow sometime?” 

“Yeah sure. Sleep tight okay? I love you.”

Chloe hummed and put the phone back on the hook, closing her eyes and letting out another deep breath. Resting back on the mattress for a moment but didn’t allow herself to drown in the thoughts of Beca and the rope that she felt that she was being pulled back into her life. Ignoring the fact that a part of her wanted to be pulled. 

She got up from the bed and got out of her dress, throwing it over the changing shade before grabbing her nightwear and getting into bed. Thinking about Beca when she knew damn well she should be thinking of her fiance. 

She was actually surprised by how well she slept, like a log in fact. It was the most settled she had felt in a while and perhaps that was because she had someone she had longed for and wondered about back in her life. 

In the morning Chloe woke up feeling a lot more refreshed than she anticipated and after having some breakfast and coffee brung to her room, she decided to get ready for her second day seeing Beca. 

Throwing dress after dress to the side cause none of them felt right, yes she was nervous and she had every right to be. Most people would be nervous spending time with their first great love. She looked at herself in the mirror with each one but not one of them felt good enough, she felt like she needed to make more of an effort. Did she want to impress her? Why? They weren’t together anymore, that was years ago why was she here going through all her dresses to try and pick the perfect one for Beca. 

She held the light blue one up to her neck and looked at herself in the mirror before then just staring herself in the eyes and sighing. “What are you doing?” 

Shutting her eyes didn’t help to get some clarity because every time she shut her eyes she just saw Beca and her perfect smile, she heard her laugh and that phantom feeling of Beca’s hands on her body hit her again. She knew that she shouldn’t really be going today, she knew it was dangerous to go back there and spend what she felt was going to be the entire day with Beca. 

But she went with the blue dress, it felt like the nicest one and it just felt right. Maybe it was because deep in her subconscious she still knew that blue was Beca’s favorite color and that was why it pulled to her. She put it on, gave herself one last look just to be sure, and then left her hotel and returned to her car outside to return to Beca.

Beca didn’t get that much sleep, unlike Chloe, aside from her being at her mother’s grave for over an hour and telling her about what happened as well as how she was feeling, she just couldn’t sleep. She wondered what all of this meant now that Chloe was back in her life. She was engaged and she had to remember that part but when she looked back into Chloe’s eyes it was also so very easy to forget. 

She was nervous and why wouldn’t she be? She had lived a life without Chloe for seven years and she was miserable for all of them, she never got over how much her heart broke when she had to say goodbye to her for what she thought was for good. Which was both after she sent her last letter and when she saw her that day with Chicago. She thought it was done, she thought they were done. 

If Chloe didn’t want to see her after last night then she would have just said so. But she wanted to come back, that must mean something? She got up early in the morning and went into her workshop by the house to try and clear her head for just a little while and distract her hands from shaking at the thought of Chloe turning up at any point after at least 9 am. 

Chloe showed up at 10:30 on the dot. Returning back was very much like deja vu as she got out of her car and just heard the radio cranked up to full volume once again, but this time she made her way into the refurbished shed and didn’t wait on Beca to catch on that she was there. She took a step in and didn’t see her. “Beca?” 

After a second or two, she suddenly had the brunette in front of her as she leaped down from the upper level. “Hi.” 

“Hi,” Chloe laughed breathlessly, then looking up, “jeez, Beca, how high is that drop?” 

Beca then looked up with her mouth open to answer but then just laughed as she looked back at her. “I have no idea but I haven’t broken anything yet so I’m doing alright with it,” she scratched the back of her head and mumbled in another laugh. “Mom said I was made of steel or something”. 

“I think she was right,” Chloe said in a soft voice that was purely angelic as well as her smile that went with it and there were lost eyes again that made Beca forget everything that had happened between them, every little heartbreak and every little detail about their current lives. Chloe felt it too but pulled herself out of it and looked around. “All this. It’s great...I knew you like design but-” 

“Yeah after doing the house up I just fell into it. Sells good.”

“I bet,” Chloe ran her hand over a finished chair that she had done, looking back at her. “Is this what you wanted to show me? Your craftsmanship ?” 

“You know me. I’m too modest for that,” Beca commented with a smirk, one that sent an electric volt shooting down Chloe’s body as if she had been set a light for the first time in what felt like forever. Beca walked over to the radio and turned it off. “But no, I want to show you something else. We’re gonna need a boat though.”

“A what?”

“A boat. You know those wooden things people use to float-” 

“Beca I know what a boat is, remember we took mine out of my house.” 

“I forgot how posh you were.” 

Chloe squinted at her. “No, you didn’t.”

“No, I didn’t,” Beca bit her lip and looked at Chloe up and down for a moment, raising a brow to her and saying as she passed her to lead her out the shed. “Hope you don’t get wet. You look good in that dress.” 

As Beca passed her, Chloe’s cheeks went red for a moment before she turned around and followed her out. “Thank you.” 

“It’s irritating you know.” 

“What?”

Beca stopped and looked at her. “That after all this time you’re still unfairly beautiful,” she shook her head and whispered, “how dare you. And you wonder why I never found someone in those seven years.”

Chloe giggled. “I still think you’re ridiculous.”

“And I still think you made it impossible for anyone to even come close to you but yet here we are now come on the boats are round here.”

Chloe just followed her and took deep breaths, feeling butterflies hit the pit of her stomach every single time she did so. Stop it . Beca took her over to the dock and then held her hand out to her. “The wood is a little unsteady I don’t want you to fall, especially since your choice of shoes is heels .” 

“I might still fall.” Chloe laughed.

“Then at least I’d fall with you,” Beca simpered with a warm look and then gently shook her hand as another insisting gesture. “Seriously, Red. Take my hand.” 

Chloe glanced at her hand, the slim and perfectly crafted hand that she used to draw in her notebooks, that she used to have touching her when they were young, the hands that she every so often still thought about even when she shouldn’t. After a second or two of just looking at it, she slid hers to it and an electric shot went through her body once again, something that, the more she thought about it, she had never had with anyone else. Not even the man she was engaged to. 

Beca just smiled at her and then turned to lead her down the dock, leading her to the wooden ladders that were right down to the boat, she went first and tried to give Chloe as much support as she could until she came down on the boat, Chloe’s hands gripping hard on Beca’s arms as the boat rocked a little, letting out a breathless laugh. “Holy shit.” 

Beca raised her brows, impressed, and then teased. “Bet you don’t use that kind of language in front of your guy.” 

Chloe said nothing and just watched as Beca took a seat on one end of the small white boat and grabbed hold of the paddles, motioning to the other end of the boat for Chloe to sit down, and carefully she did so. Beca began moving to the boat as soon as they were settled and moved through the creek. 

Chloe was still very much in the dark as to where they were going, she asked Beca several times where it was that she was taking her but Beca just told her to wait and that she would like it once they got there. 

Beca glanced at Chloe and then said as she looked away. “Can I ask you something? Respectfully?” 

“Of course.” Chloe shrugged.

Beca looked back at her. “Did you...miss me, like, at all?” 

Chloe just stared at her rather puzzled by how she could even question that. For all she knew, Beca was the one who didn’t miss her. “Of course I missed you.” 

Beca bit her lip and nodded, taking a breath and muttering as she looked down. “Just not enough—”

“Beca. Look at me,” Chloe gently commanded and eventually Beca did, Chloe smiled at her softly. “I still miss you. Put aside the relationship we had, you were my best friend. I still miss my best friend.” 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Chloe whispered and tried not to get too emotional. She meant every word. Beca was someone she loved deeply and was her most beloved friend. Beca just smiled at her and tried not to get too emotional and then before she even knew it, they came up to where she wanted. 

“Here. Look.” 

Chloe took her eyes away from Beca and looked around and her jaw dropped at the sight. Swans were everywhere, they covered the entirety of the water and it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen in her life. Beca just kept her eyes on her and watched her watch the birds “Figured you’d like it.” 

“Where did they all come from?”

Beca shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. They’re here around this time every year. Like it?”

“It’s spectacular...like a dream.” Chloe gasped as she stared at them in amazement, clearly, Beca remembered how much Chloe adored animals.  

Beca nodded and then pulled a rolled-up tablecloth from under her seat and passed it over to Chloe, she pulled it apart and saw bread crumbs in them, looking back to Beca who just nodded “Go ahead. Feed them.”

Chloe grinned like a child at Christmas and began to throw the breadcrumbs over to all the birds, loving every single second of it and Beca just loved watching her for every single second of it. Why was she still in love with her? With this woman who was now moving on with her life with someone who definitely wasn’t her in any way. 

“So they won’t stay here?” 

“No, never do. They’ll migrate back to where they came from. Then the cycle goes on.” 

Chloe smiled at her, the way Beca looked at the birds and seemed so much more...wise in the way she spoke and as Chloe threw some more breadcrumbs, she sat then sat up straight again. “You’re different.” 

Beca looked back at her. “How?”

“Just the way you talk sometimes...I don’t know it just...feels like a long time and then sometimes it feels like no time has gone at all.” 

Beca shrugged her shoulders with a small smile. “I get that.” 

“You do?”

“As soon as you stepped out of your car yesterday I felt eighteen again,” Beca said fondly, slowly shaking her head. “It’s crazy the effect that some people can have on people. Like that house-”

“Is beautiful,” Chloe quickly assured her, “so completely beautiful and what you did—” she looked down at her hands for a moment and then looked back at her. “It’s weird I want to say thank you for keeping me in your mind when you did it.” 

“You’ve been in my mind pretty much every day since you left it was kind of hard not to pay attention to what you wanted...I promised you.” 

Chloe’s head once again became baffled and downright confused. She thought about her every day since she left yet she didn’t write to her? It made no sense to her. Chloe just smiled tightly at her and looked back to throwing breadcrumbs. 

Beca then heard the thunder above them roll in the sky and groaned beneath her breath. “Shit. We better get back, it sounds like it’s gonna come in hard.” 

Chloe stopped throwing the crumbs as Beca then began to pull the oars fast and hard to try and get the boat moving as quickly as she could. They approached the dock in a faster time than they left, Beca did the best she could but just as they were a few feet away it began to pour it down hard with rain. 

Chloe had nothing to cover herself up with except holding the table cloth Beca had brought the crumbs wrapped up with her over her head whilst Beca just let herself get drenched, she slowed down the boat and just began to laugh.

“Beca!”

But still, Beca just laughed and shouted over the rain. “Take it in, Chloe. Rain brings in life just as much as the sun.” 

Chloe rolled her eyes and then just threw the cloth at her but she stopped for a moment. She stopped trying to shield herself from the rain, she stopped being so uptight as she was raised to be. For a second she allowed herself to be that carefree eighteen-year-old girl that she was all those years ago. And it felt like she could only be that girl with Beca. Soon, Chloe began to laugh and she stretched her arms out as she threw her head back and leaned further against the boat. 

She could never be like this back home, she could never show this much spirit or this much love for all parts of life, including the rain. But here, with Beca. She could. And that scared her, it scared her how much she liked it. She sat back up straight and then just looked at Beca. Suddenly surprising herself as she felt anger and frustration rise up her body. 

Suddenly thinking how dare Beca, how dare her make Chloe feel this way again. Giving her something she wanted to hold onto when in the long run she left her when she needed her most all those years ago when she was falling apart with her. Where was she? 

Beca noticed the shift in Chloe’s expression but before she had the chance to question it they came to the dock and Chloe got up the ladder before Beca had the chance to stop her. In the midst of the hard rain, Chloe just stopped in her tracks and closed her eyes as she took a breath to build herself up for the question. 

When she heard Beca make it up on the dock, she turned around and yelled over the rain. “Why didn’t you write to me?” 

Beca stood completely still. “What?”

“You bring me here and say all these things to me and you make me feel again but you left me Beca!” she didn’t even think about how Beca was walking towards her, “I waited for you! For seven years I waited! It wasn’t over for me! Even when I accepted my engagement I still-” she stopped and took a breath, now having Beca just two steps in front of her, she looked back to her. “But now . Now it’s too late Beca. We’re too late.” 

It fell silent for a moment, neither of them being bothered by the rain in the slightest. Beca then just shook her head and stated quite boldly. “I wrote to you.” 

There was a pause, Chloe stared at her bewildered. “What? No—”

“Chloe I wrote you three hundred and sixty-five letters. Every single day for a year I wrote to you and every single one went unanswered...I thought,” she took a breath of her own and looked away for a moment. “Jesus, Chloe, I thought you left me behind.” 

“You wrote to me?”

“Yes! Of course, I wrote to you! You were taken away from me and I tried to push it down and not think about it, the more I wrote and the more unanswered the letters went I tried to stop but I couldn’t let go of you-I still can’t”, Beca looked at her, keeping her eyes fixated on hers, she shook her head. “You’re right, Chloe. It wasn’t over.” 

She watched as Chloe pressed her lips together in an attempt not to cry more than she already was, not even the rain helped cover that. Then, something began to run through Beca’s body. She didn’t quite know what it was. Adrenaline . Madness . Perhaps they went hand in hand. Beca swallowed thickly and proclaimed as she walked over to her. “It still isn’t over.”

Before Chloe could even say anything, Beca’s hands were on the back of her neck and she was kissing her. Kissing her for the first time in seven years and it really shouldn’t, but it did feel like a sweet song she had missed hearing for so long. It was like tasting an addiction she thought she was rid of for so long. Her reason for having some kind of resentment for Beca was now apparently wrong, so what else was there to keep her away despite her engagement that came to her mind. 

After a moment she pulled back, breathing heavily. “Wait-I can’t. I can’t—” with her breath still heaving she just looked back into Beca’s eyes and whispered, “I…” before cutting herself off and pressing her lips back onto Beca’s in a more harsh and desperate manner, desperate to have every part of her touch now that she had felt it again. 

Her arms wrapped tight around Beca’s neck, feeling hers wrap around her waist. She wanted and longed for her so much that it did begin to hurt, she ached for her so much over the years, and being in her company made it 10x worse. A whimper escaped her lips and projected onto Beca’s before once again she pulled back and shook her head, taking a step back. “Beca I can’t do this. I’m engaged.” 

“You told me yourself you didn’t even know where your head is at with that, and that was before this,” Beca put her hand onto Chloe’s cheek and stepped closer again. “Tell me you don’t love me.” 

Chloe took heavy breaths as she kept her eyes on hers and tried to remain as firm as possible, shaking her head, trying to convince herself more than anyone else, that she wasn’t fooling either of them. “I don’t. I don’t love you, not anymore-I don’t.” 

“You’re a liar.” 

Chloe’s breath then hitched, putting her hand on Beca’s wrist and pulling her arm down before running off back towards the house. Beca just stood there for a moment and let herself process all that was happening. Chloe never got her letters. That explains a lot. And she says she doesn’t love Beca three times , which means she does. She could feel Chloe wanting to let go and be with her, and she wanted her to. She had waited long enough for that. Beca soon ran after her and managed to reach her before she got to her car. “Chloe you can’t drive in this! It’s a damn storm,” she reached and took hold of her arm, her mouth coming to her ear. “Baby—”

“Don’t!” Chloe pushed her away. “Jesus Christ, Beca. Don’t...the last time you said that was the night you broke my heart.” 

Beca gave her a heartbreaking look, shaking her head. “I just wanted the best for you.” 

“And I blame you for that! I blame you for thinking you knew what was best for me when it was you that was best for me.” 

Beca just sighed at her and looked at her with nothing but regret and heartbreak. “Please just come inside.” 

“Did you really want things to end the way they did that night?” 

“Of course, I didn’t! But I felt like I had to let you go, there was so much ahead of you-so much that you wanted to do.” 

Chloe stared at her and then snapped. “I wanted to do them with you!” she pushed her, but not too harshly because even in slight anger she couldn’t do that, “I ached for you and I cried for you. I wanted you.” 

“I didn’t know what to do! I tried. I wrote...I did write Chloe.” 

Chloe looked away from her for a moment and when she did, Beca stepped close to her again and returned her hand to her cheek “I feel like I’ve been dead all these years and you coming back…” she then laughed through her tears. “For God's sake, Chloe you make me feel alive again—” 

Her words stopped again when Chloe’s lips came back onto her, her hands going to the brunette’s jaw as she deepened the kiss and then surprised her further by whispering against her mouth. “Take me inside.”

Beca just looked at her as if to make sure that she was sure, Chloe just gazed at her and then nodded, kissing her again in a more gentle manner than the ones before. Kissing her felt like coming home after a long day.

“I just want to ask you again,” Beca took a breath. “Do you love-”

“Yes,” Chloe whispered in a breathless cry. “I’ve tried to stop. I can’t. I do...just take me in the house.” 

A smile slipped from Beca’s lips as she nodded, kissed Chloe for one more lasting second, and then took her hand and led her inside the house where it was much warmer and a lot drier. 

Beca had her back to Chloe for a moment as she locked the front door and as it was she felt Chloe come up behind her and kiss her neck. It was rather funny, two minutes ago Chloe was pushing back saying she couldn’t because she didn’t love her and was engaged and now she was kissing her neck. 

Chloe’s arms then came around her waist still from behind, her fingers curling into Beca’s shirt and turning into a firm grip as her lips turned to a heavier kiss against her skin. 

Beca hadn’t been kissed in seven years and for it to be the same girl that she lost all that time ago really made her believe that God worked in mysterious ways and that this was some kind of proof that she and Chloe really were supposed to come back together. 

Her mind flickered back to last year to what Nancy said to her that night. 

“Do you think the quicker you get it done then the quicker she’ll come back?” 

It wasn’t often that she was able to prove her mother wrong but on this account, she was pretty glad that she was. And she hoped that her mother was watching her from somewhere and was smiling...well maybe not watching her right now. 

Chloe’s lips came to her ear, her words coming out in a nervous whisper. “You know. I never got to see upstairs when you first brought me here.” 

Beca turned her head to her. “I remember.”

“You think you can show me now?”

Beca’s eyes went to her lips and then back into her eyes. “Chloe I don’t want you to regret-”

“Shut up,” she whispered, taking her lips back onto hers. A line escaped her lips that Beca remembered clear as day from the first night they were here. “I want you.”

Beca smirked at her and then recited back in a tease. “ You might have to walk me through this. ” 

Chloe pressed her forehead down against Beca’s shoulder for a moment to laugh and then ended up just kissing it and then kissing all the way back to her mouth. She felt Beca’s hands go to the buttons of her damp dress. It was unlike last time, last time she was trembling and thinking all kinds of things that she didn’t even understand at the time but now she really knew what she wanted. 

Beca’s hands slid under the top unbuttoned half of her dress and slid it down Chloe’s body before the entire dress altogether fell to the floor. Beca took a moment and just looked at Chloe’s body and every single aspect of it, how perfect every part of it was, she ran the back of her hand down her perfectly toned stomach before just looking back at her and kissing her hard. 

With their lips still together they headed over to the stairs where Chloe found the buckle of Beca’s belt and soon unbuckled it, their foreheads pushed together as she did so before Beca brushed her lips against Chloe’s and kissed the corner of her mouth until Chloe took her lips back with her own, running her tongue inside the brunette’s mouth which gained a soft moan to weep out from Beca’s lips. 

They didn’t even pull apart for the whole duration of getting up the stairs and once they did Chloe’s back pressed against the wall of the hallway for a moment as Beca buried her face into her neck and pressed her mouth against it which made her just grin. She’d missed that.

Beca’s hand went to the back of Chloe’s bra and soon undid the clasp that held it together, Chloe dropped her arms for a moment for it to fall on the floor and then wrapped her arms tight around Beca’s neck. She bit onto Beca’s lip in a teasing manner before whispering. “Take me to bed,” her hand brushed between Beca’s legs which caused a sharp breath to escape her mouth as Chloe added in the same whisper. “I can’t take it much more.” 

Beca smiled against Chloe’s lips and pressed her lips back against hers, pulling her down the hall. Until finally the bedroom was found, resting Chloe down on the mattress at the head of the bed, Beca knelt in front of her and just looked at her for a moment. Taking the entire moment for all that it was. She ran her hands down Chloe’s bare legs and then just took her eyes back to her, pressing her lips together when taking her hands to her own shirt and began to unbutton it. 

Chloe just watched her, biting down on her lip as the anticipation built up inside of her more and more. Beca’s shirt soon parted and was rid of her body, she leaned forward and hovered herself over Chloe, after they both took a breath Beca closed the gap between them and kissed her hard. Chloe’s hands went to her jaw for a moment whilst the kiss deepened, satisfied sounds escaping the both of them. 

“Touch me,” Chloe whispered heavily, taking Beca’s hand and putting it south towards her body. Beca’s mouth remained beside Chloe’s cheek as she took control of her own hand movements and moved her hand beneath Chloe’s underwear. Both their eyes remained closed and Chloe’s breath got caught in her throat and her neck arched slightly as she pushed the back of her head into the pillow.

A body-shaking moan released from the back of her throat, Beca straddled Chloe’s leg which caused her thigh to press up into her and made her come at a short loss of breath as she began to roll her hips against her during every push with her hand. 

Beca gently put her lips against Chloe before she ran her tongue from Chloe’s bottom lip and into her mouth, pressing her mouth back down hard onto hers. Pausing the kiss to let out a moan of her own. She moved her body between Chloe’s legs and pulled her hand away, pressing her lips against Chloe’s jaw and nipping slightly before continuing to kiss her further down her body to her throat, collarbone, breasts, and stomach. Her tongue ran along her skin and kept her eyes on her as she carried on moving down and pulled her underwear away altogether. 

Chloe’s fingers ran through the back of Beca’s head, curling her fingers in the brunette’s locks, as her eyes screwed shut and her moans grew louder and her chest became heavier and heavier. “Don’t stop.”

Beca stayed there for a few more moments with her arms locked around Chloe’s legs that rested over her shoulders, Chloe let out one last overwhelming moan that may have been heard from the town which was at least a ten-minute drive away. Beca took herself back over to Chloe, smiling down at her as she wiped her lip and landed a kiss back down on Chloe. 

Chloe let out a breathless laugh. “Are you kidding me?” she rolled on her stomach and looked at Beca. “That’s what I’ve been missing out on all this time?” 

Beca didn’t say anything and just smiled at her, Chloe grinned at her whilst still catching her breath and then suddenly turned them around to change positions of Beca being beneath her, brushing her nose up against the brunette before whispering. “I want to make you feel as good as you’ve made me.” 

Her eyes closed when Chloe leaned down and gently pressed her lips to Beca’s neck and soon began to mirror everything that Beca did to her, trying to get the noises to come out of Beca as they did to her. 

Which she did, and then some. For the first time in a long time, the two of them felt alive again.

Chapter Text

“I feel like I’m dreaming,” Beca mumbled, lying on her stomach and facing Chloe. “I mean...you showing up was one thing. But this, all of this, was another.” 

“Believe me I know.” Chloe leaned forward and pressed her lips against Beca’s shoulder, pressing gentle pecks against her skin over and over to then rest her chin down against it and smiled at her. “But I’m glad that this happened.” 

“Yeah?”

“I’ve dreamt about this and you for so long. But it was like nothing I ever imagined it was all just better”—Chloe kissed her again—“and wonderful.” 

“ Wonderful. Well...previous times weren’t that impressive huh?”

Chloe squinted at her. “And what makes you think I’ve done it before?”

Beca looked back up to her from having her eyes on her fingers that were making circles on Chloe’s bare back, not really knowing if she was joking or being serious. “Wait. You’ve not?” 

“I have not.” 

“I mean like...with a guy too— ”

“Yes and so do I,” Chloe cooed with a smirk lingering on her face, then explaining rather plainly, “well not totally . He wanted to wait for that till we were married.” 

Beca just hummed and looked back down to her hand that was on Chloe’s back, hearing the redhead then pry, “And I take it that you...you haven’t either?”

She was only going off what Beca had said about there not being anyone else and she hoped that Beca knew that and didn’t think of it as something else, but Beca picked up on what she meant and just shook her head. “No. Most of that was guessing. ” 

Chloe laughed breathlessly and rested her body against Beca’s as her mouth returned to her shoulder. “Very good guesses at that.” 

Beca just smiled rather bashfully which was a surprise to them both and then remained silent as she let the kisses Chloe was giving her sink in before she dared to speak again, her words coming out in a whisper, “Don’t go.” 

“I’m right here.” 

“You know what I mean.” Beca turned her head to her. “You have a life back in Washington. What are you going to do?” 

Chloe bit her lip and glanced down to the ring on her finger, then lying beside Beca on her back and kept her eyes on her. “Do we have to have an answer for all of that right now?” 

“I guess not but it’s just—I don’t want to ruin your life or something.”

“Are you kidding?” Chloe giggled and shook her head. “You’ve never come close to ruining my life, even last night I was the one who told you to bring me into the house. I was the one who told you to bring me into your bed.” 

“I know but—” 

Chloe put her hands onto Beca’s cheeks and pulled her down into a kiss to shut her up, it was soft and sweet, and she pulled it apart for a second to whisper. “You worry too much,” she pressed her lips to her again. “I’m here with you because I want to be.”

Did Beca feel bad? Maybe a little. She didn’t know the guy Chloe had back at home so she didn’t know what he was like but from what she heard he was an okay guy and despite how much she loved Chloe, it was a little wrong doing things behind his back but neither of them intended for it to happen. And she just kept telling herself that technically the engagement had a hold on it. With her and Chloe, there was clearly a bond, an attraction and clearly, there was love. 

Chloe wanted to be here, she wanted to be with her and this was her choice. Beca was not going to turn away everything she felt for her out of obligation for someone she didn’t know. And if Chloe was as happy as she made herself out to be back in Washington then she would not be in her bed right now. 

Beca pressed her forehead against Chloe’s and kept her eyes closed for a moment. “I just…” she sighed and whispered once again, “don’t go.” 

Chloe looked at her and saw the plea on her expression despite her eyes being shut, she gently kissed Beca’s nose. “Don’t let me.”

Beca took her eyes to her and Chloe smiled, it was as if Chloe was asking her not to let anything come between them again. Maybe they didn’t have the finalized answers right now, but she had her here and right now that was enough, Beca smiled back at her and quickly kissed her cheek. “I’m going to get us some coffee.” 

Chloe let out a small whine as Beca began to climb out of bed, grabbed one of her sweaters and slacks and made her way out of the room, and went down the stairs. She felt as if she was walking on cloud 9 every single step she was taking. For one thing, she had someone in her bed, and the second thing it being Chloe. Those two things put together were enough to make her be sure that if she were to die at any given moment she’d die happy. She made her way into the kitchen and grabbed the coffee maker to turn on, the damn thing cost her and Nancy an arm and a leg at the time of buying it but it was the best thing they ever did. 

As Beca was distracted grabbing the cups and then grabbing the coffee, Chloe came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her, burying her face into her neck. She had found one of Beca’s other sweaters lying around and helped herself, it was so overgrown that it went to her thighs. It was actually the sweater Jesse got her as a joke for her size. 

“Okay—I can’t make the coffee with you sucking on my neck.” Beca laughed with her attention going less on making the drinks and more on Chloe’s mouth working wonders against her neck, feeling her smile press against her skin before Chloe lifted her head and looked at her before whispering, “So. Don’t make coffee.” 

Beca turned round to her and raised a brow with Chloe tugging on her sweater. “Then what would you have me do, Red?” 

A mischievous grin then grew along Chloe’s face when lifting her head to her, her arms wrapping tight around Beca’s neck as she pulled her face closer to hers. “I have a suggestion.” 

Beca rolled her eyes with a smile plain as day on her face before their lips came together and for the first time in her life, she ignored the coffee machine when it was finished. 

They somehow ended up in the living room on the floor with the blanket from the couch covering their bodies. Considering they didn’t get that much sleep last night and stayed up to the crack of dawn talking to then ended up doing the same all over again soon after, it was understandable how wiped out they both became. 

Chloe did, however, wake up before Beca did but she didn’t mind, she just watched her sleep. Because she never had the chance to know this before when they were together but Beca looked so beautiful when she was sleeping, like an actual angel. Chloe just looked at her and rested her hand gently down onto the brunette’s cheek, slowly running it down to her jaw. 

She then leaned forward and kissed her cheek, which actually led to Beca making a small waking noise, Chloe just smiled against her cheek and whispered, “Wake up.” 

Beca shook her head into her arm with an ‘uh-uh’ mumbling from the back of her throat. Chloe leaned further against her body, catching onto Beca’s earlobe with her teeth for a moment, and whispered again. “Wake up.” 

“You’re trying to kill me, woman,” Beca groaned with her eyes still closed. 

Chloe giggled for a moment and then teased. “I like it when you call me woman.” her tongue brushed across her lobe which Beca groaned at which could have been taken as a groan of pleasure or still exhaustion, she rolled onto her back as Chloe’s body rolled on top of hers completely. Her nose pressed against hers as well as her lips, Beca put her arm over her head, and Chloe quickly kissed her and remained in the same position. “Hi.” 

“You are trying to kill me.” 

“ Uh-uh. ”

“Mm-hm.” 

“I didn’t hear you complaining before.” Chloe kissed her cheek, and jaw and began to travel down her body. Beca kept her eyes shut and then proclaimed with exhaustion still in the back of her throat. “I need food. I need something to give me some strength.”

“ Some strength ,” Chloe laughed breathlessly. Her mother really wasn’t kidding about the whole dramatic thing. She returned back up to her and rested her body back down against hers. “Fine, what do you want?” 

After receiving another kiss from her, Beca hummed as she thought and then mumbled. “Pancakes.” 

“Okay,” Chloe grumbled, kissing her again for a moment and when breaking it apart.

Beca added. “With bacon.”

Chloe nodded her head. “With bacon.” she kissed her again, threading her fingers in with Beca’s whilst her tongue brushed up against hers. Perhaps the food was the least that she could do for her. 

“And maybe actually get some coffee,” Beca said against Chloe's mouth which led to a laugh coming from both of their lips and as they were about to kiss again there was a knock at the door. 

Chloe looked over to the door but of course, couldn’t see anyone given she was on the floor of the living room, Beca took a look from underneath Chloe and heard her whisper to her. “Expecting someone?” 

“No—" Beca looked back to her, “let’s just hope it’s not your mom.” 

“Stop.” 

“I’m just saying.” 

Chloe kissed her hard, maybe cause she was a little scared that it could be, she then pulled herself up from her body and grabbed her own clothing as Beca grabbed hers and made her way over to the door, jumping on her way to get into her pants properly. 

Beca opened the door and saw through the screen door that she actually didn’t have anything to really worry about. She might still get a slap around the head but still, she opened the screen door and let out a breath with a smile. “I didn’t know you were coming over.”

Aubrey raised a brow at her. “Do we usually announce it?” 

Beca glanced at her Godson that Aubrey had in her arms and shook her head. “Course not...it’s just uh—”

“You’ve not been drinking again have you?” Aubrey squinted at her. “Cause your mom isn’t here anymore to keep you in line-”

“Okay, first of all, my drinking only went bad after she died and I’m fine now but no, detective, I’m not drinking I just—” as Beca rambled to find her explanation, Aubrey examined her and noticed her slightly messy hair and more importantly how her sweater was on backward until she came to her own conclusion. “Do you like... have someone here?” 

Cause it would be the first time she had ever heard of Beca having anyone since Chloe. Little did she know. Beca let out a breath. “So listen—we were going to drop by.”

“We? So you do?” Aubrey’s excited grin soon faded into a more shocking look as Chloe came up from behind Beca and she smiled at her with her eyes now filled, she hadn’t seen Aubrey in seven years and so much has happened since then. “Hi, Bree.” 

“Holy shit,” Beca whispered to herself and then looked at her four-year-old and mumbled an apology to everyone around her for cursing in front of her son. Beca then took him and held him in her arms as she stepped onto the porch and just gave the two of them a moment. “I’m in trouble, Daniel.”

Aubrey just stared at Chloe and at first didn’t quite know what to say. “When did you...when did you get here?” 

“About two days ago,” Chloe answered her, tugging on her sleeves over her hands. “We were going to come to see you today.”

“So you two are…” she looked back to Beca and raised her brows. “Together again?” 

“It’s complicated,” Beca answered, glancing at Chloe who just shot her an appreciative smile.

Aubrey’s brows went right back up again as she pointed to Chloe with her eyes still on Beca. “Complicated as in...she’s engaged, complicated?” 

“How did you—”

“Your engagement was everywhere, Chloe.” Aubrey looked back at her. “You’re engaged to one of the richest families in the state something like that gets spread around—what the hell are you two—” 

“Bree,” Beca put Daniel down and led him inside the house, and said once closer to her, “How bout we just make ourselves a drink and talk? We’ll explain everything.” 

Aubrey looked between the two of them and saw the pleading look on both their faces until finally she nodded and Beca just let out a smile of relief, squeezing Chloe’s arm as she passed her inside the house. Aubrey just looked at her for a moment and soon Chloe’s eyes filled again. “I’m so sorry about Jesse.”  Aubrey glanced inside as she saw Beca pick up her son and swing him around whilst making airplane noises, hearing Chloe add. “She told me the other night.”

“It’s been hard.” Aubrey looked back over to Chloe and shot her a more saddened smile. “I’ve missed you.” 

“I’ve missed you too.” Chloe took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Aubrey’s neck, covering her eyes with her palm. “What am I going to do?” 

Aubrey just sighed and tightened her arms around Chloe’s body, once again looking over to Beca and then saying in a quiet voice, “It’s clear you still feel for her—”

“I love her, Bree,” Chloe whispered in a broken voice. “I’ve known for years that I always would but now I’ve really just created something I don’t know how to stop.” 

Aubrey pulled back and looked at the girl she considered her good friend still after all these years. “But what about him?” 

Chloe shrugged and shook her head. “I love him too but I can’t think of which kind is the deepest. I’m like two different people when I’m with each of them.” 

“Okay let’s just...let’s just go inside and talk.” Aubrey rubbed her arm as they walked back into the house, Beca looked up from the kitchen table that Daniel was now sitting on and noticed Chloe’s tears as they walked into the kitchen, she walked over to her and put her hand to her cheek to wipe them away immediately. “What is it?” 

“Nothing.” Chloe gave her a tight smile, holding onto her wrist. “Just seeing Aubrey again. Thinking about Jesse. You. ” 

Beca just pushed her forehead against hers for a moment to try and lighten the mood. “Come meet Daniel, it’ll be like having Jesse here all over again"—she looked back to the boy—"y’know just shorter and less able of constructing sentences.” 

Beca took hold of Chloe’s hand and introduced her. Well much like Chloe was with Jesse, she and Daniel got on like a house on fire. With it being such a nice day outside they all went out. Beca sat back on the porch with Aubrey as they just watched Chloe play with Daniel out on the grass, which was essentially just her trying to keep up with him as he ran around. 

“He asked me about him again last night,” Aubrey stated with her eyes still on him. “I mean he just says where’s daddy but still what am I supposed to say?” 

Beca sighed as she kept her arms folded. “What did you say?” 

“That he couldn’t come home right now,” Aubrey sighed and sat back against the chair. “I can’t tell him yet, I can’t tell him his dad is in heaven until he knows what that means.” 

Beca let out a breath and ran her fingers through her hair as she looked down at her shoes. She understood though, even though she didn’t even know what it meant to be in heaven, she wanted to believe it and liked it too, she knew that much. She was pretty sure it was down to those in heaven that Chloe came back to her. Nancy and Jesse together again? Shit, those two were like the matchmakers of the town for Beca. 

“He’s in good company anyway,” Beca muttered, taking the drink to her lips. “Both of them.”

Aubrey looked to her, then to Chloe, and then back to her again. “Okay, Beca, we need to talk about it.” 

“But the day is going so well,” the brunette deadpanned and then saw the serious expression on Aubrey’s face, she dropped the act and sighed as she looked down at her boots once again. “I can’t stop.” 

“You can’t stop what?” 

“I can’t just stop being in love with her. Especially not now”—Beca looked back to her—“last night. It was the first time for both of us, I waited for her and she actually came back.” 

“And you know that I loved you two together, I really did but we’re not kids anymore. Beca. She is engaged.” 

“It’s not a sure thing right now.”

“I know that’s what is in her head right now, but it’s still there .”

“As you’ve reminded me before.” Beca shrugged her shoulders. “So?” 

“You don’t care?”

“Of course, I care but if I have to step on some random guy's toes to be with her then to be honest I don’t mind doing it. I—” she grumbled a laugh and shook her head before looking back to Aubrey. “Look at her” 

Aubrey did so and heard Beca say. “She’s everything. ” 

“I know. I’ve had that love. And I know you wish he was here talking to you, but you’re stuck with me. You’re stuck with the girl who was his girlfriend, wife, and now widow. And I am telling you out of the goodness of my heart and my caring for you that the last thing any of us want or need is for you to get burnt again .”  Aubrey then glanced at Chloe again. “And Chloe is amazing, you know I know that. I’m just worried for you both...I mean when her fiance finds out. When her mother— ” 

“Well that bitch can rot.”

“Unfortunately she isn’t, that’s the point...she is still in Chloe’s life.”

“We’re not kids anymore,” Beca said to her. “She’s the first person I loved. The only person I’ve loved and in the span of us being apart I have lost everyone apart from you and Daniel. Mom died and she was the only family I had left then in the same year, Chloe comes back. I’m not a huge believer in a lot of things but that means something to me.”

“You want a life with her?” 

“What kind of…” Beca sighed and stopped herself from finishing the sentence of: kind of question is that ? “Yeah I do. I’ve always wanted a life with her. I want her to come home...this is her home, Aubrey. I don’t think I have a home without her.” 

“But the thing I’m worried about, Beca, is if she will come back. She has a life-changing decision to make and yes she’s in love with you. But there’s also him and there’s also her family. You know that they are the kind of people that would report this stuff.” 

“Well, I’ll—” Beca shrugged. “I don’t know I’ll fight, this won’t be like last time.” 

“I have no doubt about that,” Aubrey said breathlessly. “But you’ve been fighting for seven years, Beca. One day you’re going to get tired.” 

Beca kept her eyes on Chloe for a moment, seeing her laugh and play around with Daniel and a smile grew on her face. “It’ll be worth it.” 

Aubrey could only give as much advice as she saw fit but at the end of the day, this wasn’t a choice she could make. Chloe had willingly got herself into this position and she and Beca were clearly so in love with one another that it was heartbreaking. She was just worried for them, she was worried that it would all end in tears. 

She had never heard Beca talk about someone the way she talks about Chloe, the way she looked at her like she was the only thing in the world, like she said she had that in her life and she knew what it felt like which made her want it to work out for them so badly. It was just going to be hard. But even Beca knew that much.

Beca sat back against the chair for a moment, crossing one leg over the other, and requested in more of an assertive voice. “Stay for dinner. You guys haven’t seen each other in so long you owe it to yourselves to reconnect, or whatever you want to call it.” 

Aubrey hummed a gentle laugh. “Sure we will, I actually came here planning on that anyway so I have nothing at home.” 

Beca snorted a laugh of her own as she then shook her head. “Course you don’t.” 

It fell silent for a moment and then had Aubrey say. “I mean, it wouldn’t be so bad for you two to be out here, you’re pretty secluded and wouldn’t have to hide in your own home. You guys can have a life together and I want you to have it.”

“I want us to have it too,” Beca pressed her lips together, “look I hear what you’re saying about her life out there. And we’ve talked about it, we’ve agreed to just take the days as they come. I’m trying to just take in every moment I have with her before any decisions have to be made...please Aubrey just let us have that.” 

Aubrey gave her a tight smile and patted the brunette’s hand. “Of course. I just want you to be happy. God knows you’ve been waiting a long time for some happiness.” 

“Well, nothing makes me happier than her so we’re on the right track for now.” Beca smiled with her eyes still locked on Chloe, getting a flutter of butterflies setting off in her stomach once again. 

The more she thought about losing her again for good, the more scared she became. Especially when it could literally be right around the corner at any given minute.

When the darkness hit and dinner were over, Aubrey saw it best to take herself and her now heavily asleep son home.  They all walked out over to the car, Beca carrying the four-year hold in her arms and gently placing him into the car, when she pulled back out she saw Chloe and Aubrey hugging tightly, muttering words to each other that Beca couldn’t make out but she didn’t really want to either, it was between them. 

“I know it’s going to be scary,” Aubrey whispered. “But Chloe, if your heart is with Beca more than anyone else then you can’t let them stop it, not again.” 

“I know.” 

“And I also know I don’t know your feelings on the other half of this side so I’m not telling you what to do,” Aubrey then pulled back and smiled at her. “I just want you to be sure no matter what. And happy—good God, be happy.” 

“I’ll try.” Chloe smiled softly, with tears gently filling her eyes.  

Aubrey smiled at her and kissed her cheek for a brief moment before squeezing her hands. “I’ll see you soon, yeah?”

“Yes you will, I promise.” 

“Good,” Aubrey then made her way over to Beca and hugged her tight, then whispered to her. “I’m glad to see you smiling again.” 

Beca just tightened her arms around her. “Thanks, Bree.”

Before Jesse died, she and Aubrey weren’t exactly best friends. They were friends sure and got on well enough but they weren’t really close . It was weird how such life-changing events could shift something like that. 

“Keep me updated, okay?”

“Who else would I tell?” Beca deadpanned to which Aubrey huffed a laugh and muttered as she opened the car door. “Good point.” 

She got in the car and waved them goodbye before driving off. Beca looked over to Chloe who just looked at her with nothing but love and wiggled her fingers to her before threading them together, the two of them then walking back into the house. 

“Well he’s adorable,” Chloe announced when she stepped back inside the house, turning to Beca who just huffed a gentle laugh, shutting the door behind her. “Yeah he can be a real pain in the ass sometimes but he’s alright I think she’ll keep him.” 

“You’re a fool,” Chloe then laughed breathlessly, making her way over to the record player that was resting on a table in the living room and dropping the needle down onto the record that Beca already had on it. Of course, it was Billie Holiday, and trust it to be the first song she ever heard Beca singing that night she showed up on her porch at her old house. Chloe looked over her shoulder to her and said sweetly “I love this song.”

“And so you should.” 

She then squinted her eyes to her and teased. “Do you own anything else that isn’t by Billie Holiday?” 

Beca just tapped her nose as if to say that was her secret to know. Chloe took a step back from the record player and stood in the center of the room, holding her hands out to her. Beca remained standing where she was with her arms folded. “No, I—” 

“ Don’t dance? Please we both know that’s a lie because I’ve seen you with my own eyes and I even made you dance that night you took me to your little Friday night music nights, remember?” 

A small smile tugged on Beca’s mouth as she stated in a soft voice. “I remember everything I did with you that summer.” 

Chloe grinned at her and blushed as her giggle spilled out of her mouth, wiggling her fingers at her as she cocked her head to the side. “Please. For me.” 

“I still hate it when you say that,” Beca whispered under her breath. How do those two words still have an effect on her god damn it, it wasn’t fair. She walked over to her and rested her palms in with Chloe’s as the redhead then just slid her hands and wrapped them around Beca’s wrist as she pulled her to her, putting her arms around her waist and then rested her own loosely around Beca’s neck. 

She brushed her forehead against Beca’s and admitted in a whisper, “I wish we could have done this more, back then y’know.”

“I know,” Beca's fingertips gently stroked the lower of Chloe’s back. “We never really got the chance to really have this.” 

“I hate that.” 

“Yeah. I hate it too.” Beca lifted her head back from keeping her forehead against hers and her eyes being shut, looking into her eyes. “There was no one else I wanted to do this with.” 

“Yeah?”

Beca just hummed. “You were the only one who ever really just...just made me feel. Feel that the things I wanted and the things I loved were okay, I never got that with anyone else. You actually made me feel special for what was literally the first and only time in my life.” 

Her words unsurprisingly brought tears to Chloe’s eyes, Beca always did have a way with words that would reduce her to tears, and there was something that she wanted to admit to her that she never had the chance to admit to anyone else. “You were the first person who ever really, truly made me feel beautiful." Before Beca could say anything, Chloe quickly added on. “You know I never really...had that much confidence in myself and before I met you I never felt like I could ever really be that ...but you made me feel like I could be.”

“You are." Beca leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “And I want you to carry that with you. Even if I’m not going to be there to tell you—”

“Please—” Chloe pushed her forehead against hers again and shut her eyes. “Please don’t talk about this, I don’t want to think about it, I just want to live in this moment with you.” 

Beca’s arms tightened around her waist. “Okay.” 

They remained silent for a few moments more and soaked up the music and lived in the moment that Chloe wanted to hold onto forever. This was a memory that she was building to never forget or let go of, no matter what happens in the future this was hers. Theirs . No one else's. And quite frankly, Chloe was terrified. 

“Kiss me,” Chloe pleaded, her nose gently brushing up against Beca’s with her lips touching hers ever so slightly. Beca hardly even waited a second before playing her lips against Chloe’s to then press them down fully. Both took in a breath through their nose until their kiss grew deeper.  Chloe let out a sweet moan before pulling back for a moment and insisting. “You’re a good dancer.”

“Yeah well, if this counts as dancing then I’ll be doing it more often,” Beca laughed at her. “As long as I do it with you.” 

“You"— Chloe kissed her quickly—“are adorable.” 

Beca rolled her eyes, with Chloe just tightening her arms around Beca’s neck and bringing their lips together harder. Beca’s hand then gripped harder into her sweater on Chloe’s body as the record came off and all that could be heard was the needle scraping against the record before another song came on, still Billie Holiday of course. 

“I don’t think—” Beca mumbled between the kiss and paused as Chloe just kissed her for a moment. “I’ll ever stop wanting you now,” she smiled against Chloe’s lips. “Especially after—”

“Especially after you made me lose myself all night.”

“Well I was going to say after we spent the night together but sure yeah that works too,” Beca giggled against Chloe’s lips and teased between the kisses. “You’re so vulgar if Diane could see you now.” 

Chloe raised a brow and muttered. “Kind of wish she could.” 

“Yeah I’m the perfect act of rebellion, I get it.” Beca teased. 

“No, I don’t mean that,” Chloe then thought for a moment. “Okay maybe in some part I do—but no I mean to show her that her little games didn’t work, I know she kept your letters from me and look at me now, look at us now.” 

“Look at us now,” Beca echoed in a whisper. “I like that. When you say us.” 

She never wanted to stop saying that. She never wanted to stop saying us and she was hardly even recognizing to herself that she was falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of Beca all over again and she forgot more and more about her world outside of this house. 

Beca asked Chloe if she loved her and she just said yes in a rush and that was that. But Beca hadn’t actually said the three words altogether out loud to her, and Chloe really hadn’t done the same either. It scared her, saying those words to her again. 

She knew that she did still love her so deeply that it hurt. Every time she heard Chloe’s voice or just looked at her, her stomach burst with butterflies which were something she had never experienced before until she met her all those years ago and she hadn’t had them since she came back into her life just three days ago. It scared her that if she said those words again something would take her away, that something would come between them like last time. 

Chloe brushed her tongue against Beca’s and kept her arms tight around her neck. “But I get it,” she then buried her face in her neck and placed a wet kiss against her collarbone. “I want you all the time too,” she pressed her lips against Beca’s cheek in the same hot manner. “Like right now.” 

A rather smug grin came across Beca’s face as she kept her eyes closed for a moment whilst enjoying Chloe’s lips roaming around her upper body, feeling her hands grip harder onto the waistline of her pants, she bit down on her lip for a second or two and then ducked her head down to whisper into her ear. “Do your worst,” Chloe lifted her head back to her, Beca rested her hands on her jaw and whispered with a breathless smile written across her face. “Come on, baby.”

The redhead then let out a small squeal at the word. Whenever Chicago called her baby she never really felt that much about it, it never gave her tingles or made her feel like it was anything special. But when Beca called her it? There was every single tingle and every single piece of specialty that took her breath away every single time she heard her call her it. She really couldn’t get enough of it. She couldn’t get enough of her as a whole. 

What turned into an innocent dance was clearly going to now be turned into something else, Beca could tell that as soon as her back hit the wall. Chloe’s teeth went to her jaw and nipped at her skin before her lips roamed down to her neck and her hand traveled up the brunette’s sweater. 

Beca’s chest soon got that effect and it grew heavy from her breaths catching up to her. Her fingers locked into Chloe’s hair as she brought her head back to her for a moment just so she could kiss her, desperately and passionately before Chloe’s lips went back to her collarbone, her hands running further and further up Beca’s body until she finally pulled the sweater over her head and dropped it to the floor. 

They eventually found themselves stumbling back upstairs, still heavily wrapped and entwined with each other, Beca could barely even remember what her bed felt like before Chloe was in it, and all she asked was that she never had to know. Beca had never been with anyone else in her life, but what she knew to be true was that even if she had, no one would have ever been able to hold a candle to how Chloe made her feel. Being with her intimately was on another level of electricity. The way their kisses were a perfect mix of rough and tender, the way their hands knew where to rest on each other, how they fit so effortlessly and perfectly, the sounds that they brought out of each other sounded like a melody each time. 

But it wasn’t just that which made all of this like nothing Beca could imagine to experience with anything else, it was the other part, the falling asleep being wrapped up in Chloe’s arms, it had barely even happened at all and yet even after the first time it had, she couldn’t imagine at all not having that. She did still fear losing her, because lay in bed with Chloe’s arms around her, she had truly never felt so loved in her entire damn life, even when they were kids. And as amazing as that felt, it was damn terrifying.

apologises for the delay in update, life has been getting in the way.

hope you liked this chapter, leave your thoughts!

Chapter Text

Chloe woke up the next morning in Beca’s bed alone, on the pillow beside her where Beca should be sleeping, was instead a small red flower that Beca had laid out for her to wake up to which did in fact make her feel all mushy inside when she took it in her hand and smelt it, she then looked at the headboard and saw a note stuck to it. 

You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you. I have to go to the lumberyard for a few hours but I should be back soon. I’ll grab some stuff for us to eat tonight for dinner. 

PS: In one of the rooms there is a surprise for you. Get hunting, Red. 

B.

Chloe grabbed the red blanket that was covering her up and wrapped it around herself, over her shoulders, and climbed out of bed, she knew which room was the bathroom so she doubted that there would be anything for her in there besides a toothbrush, which would be the worst surprise ever, even by Beca’s standard. 

The house was so damn big she was worried that it would take her forever, but she surprised herself by finding it quickly. Clearly, Beca had remembered Chloe telling her when they were kids that she liked to do two things. She liked to sing and she liked to draw. 

She walked into the chosen room and saw that Beca at some point, most likely whilst Chloe was sleeping either this morning or the past few mornings, had gotten together some stuff for Chloe to have for her own in this house. She wanted her to reconnect with the past passions she once had. There was a canvas on an Easel by the window with paint brushes and pencils on the desk beside it. There was then a book that was completely blank to which Beca left a note on top of the cover and wrote, it in a  teasing tone. 

For all the songs you’re dying to write about me. 

She then noticed by the side of the desk there was a ukulele, also with a note stuck to it. 

This was mine but I want you to have it. You probably play better than me anyway. 

It was without a doubt the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her and of course it brought her to tears, you’d have to be heartless for someone to do all this for you and you not cry about it. Beca was so sweet and that was both incredibly endearing and utterly heartbreaking. 

She walked around and brushed her fingertips along the table as she made her way over to the canvas and saw that out the window was a beautiful view. One that she now had the burning desire to draw, and then to paint. Beca wasn’t going to be back for a few hours so she had to find something to do to keep herself distracted. Though, if it was anything like it was in college it was likely that no matter what she intended to draw it would end up just looking like Beca anyways. 

Before taking herself to the stool in front of the canvas she ran back into the bedroom, and once again picked an item of Beca’s clothing to wear which was now just her blue flannel which she remembered her wearing multiple times during their summer together and wore just her underwear underneath because she had no intentions of going outside this house today. Plus she was fairly certain that once Beca got home she’d go back to wearing nothing anyway so what was the point?

She made her way back into the room, grabbed the pencil and sat herself down on the stool, and looked out the window, capturing the vision in her head and then letting her hand do the talking. It really was like reconnecting with an old friend, she had missed drawing so much and she was sure that she would miss her songwriting when she came down to do that.

She wasn’t quite sure how long she had been there drawing for but it must have been a few hours from her hearing a car pull up outside the house from the window being open. With butterflies building up back in her body as she took herself off the stool and ran downstairs to get to Beca with every intention to kiss her hard. 

Chloe made her down the stairs and grew closer and closer to the door, reaching the handle and pulling it open and through the screen door it really was not who she ever thought it would be, it sure as hell wasn’t Beca. 

Diane just stared at her through her sunglasses and looked at her daughter up and down in just the flannel shirt that she had on and it didn't take a genius much less her to figure out what Chloe had been doing these past few days and better yet who with. Chloe looked at her, stunned to see her, she stepped out and shut the door behind her, folding her arms tight, and didn’t quite know what she could say right now, because there wasn’t much she could say.

She wasn’t going to stand there and say things like, it’s not what it looks like or I can explain because it was exactly what it looked like and Chloe didn’t feel like her mother deserved an explanation, certainly not after what she had been doing the past few years in keeping Beca’s letters from her. 

Diane just let out a breath as Chloe rested herself against the screen door. “Chicago is on his way into town.” 

Chloe pressed her lips together and just looked down to her feet, running her tongue across her teeth before asking in a blunt voice. “How did you—” 

“When he hadn’t heard from you the last two days he got a little worried, as he was right to be, he came to me and your father and spilled the beans about where you came to in hopes that we could shed light on anyone he could contact here to check up on you. And well after that, I’m afraid your father informed him on everything about Beca.” 

“ You’re afraid, ” Chloe mocked in a small whisper. “Like hell you are.” 

“When he didn’t hear from you again last night he decided to come.” 

“Well, that’s just great.” Chloe looked back over to Diane and let out a forced chuckle. “Terrific. You, me, Beca, and Chicago. One big happy family.” she was being painfully sharp which was something she hadn't been like in the past few years at least, this was just like being back to square one. 

Her mother turned her back on her as she let out a sigh and just looked out to the view, Chloe kept her eyes on her for a moment and then got the gumption to ask. “Tell me about the letters, mom.” 

Diane dropped her head for a moment, was she really surprised that Beca told her that? Chloe cocked her head to her and raised her brows. “Is it true? Did she send me letters—did you hide them?” 

“Yes,” her mother openly admitted, turning herself back around and didn't exactly seem apologetic. 

Chloe pressed into her wobbling bottom lip, shaking her head in utter disbelief. “You watched—no you heard me, 'cause you didn’t want to comfort me about it, you heard me cry myself to sleep for damn nearly a year and all that time you could have put a stop to it but instead you said nothing?” 

“I’m sorry.” Diane put bluntly, but not exactly genuine. 

“You’re sorry?” Chloe scoffed.

Yes I’m sorry,” she apologised again but it was in more of a way of defending herself than actually being sorry.

Chloe sat herself down on the deck chair. “Because of you, my entire life was shattered. How could you do that? What kind of mother—” 

“Okay yes, I stole your letters. Maybe it was wrong but will you stop being so dramatic for one damn second, Chloe, and just take some of the blame here. Take some responsibility.” Diane paused as she sat on the chair beside her. “You knew what you were doing when you decided to come down here and see her. You knew that this would happen.” 

“So now I’m what? A slut?” Chloe snapped and shook her head. “You’re unbelievable.” 

“Well having your daughter have a fling is one thing. Having it be with another woman is another.” 

Chloe just sighed with sheer exhaustion, going down the route of being with a woman was not something she had the energy for, all she said back was. “It’s not a fling.”

“Oh, so what—you’re going to pack things up with Chicago and move down here with her? Do you hear yourself? You're lucky your father and I didn't send you away.” 

“Do you hear yourself ?” Chloe looked back at her. “Forget what you're feelings are about who it was that I fell in love with. Forget how wrong you think it is, did you not feel once ounce of guilt keeping those letters from me?”

“I believed I was doing what's right for you. I didn’t want you having this life—”

“ I wanted this life, mom. I wanted it. I wanted her—” 

“Chloe, please.”

“I know it’s like a punch in the face for me to say that I wanted every single part of another woman but I did.” Chloe looked away for a moment and rested the back of her hand against her lips. “When I told you I loved her that summer, you told me I was eighteen years old and I didn’t know anything about love." She turned her head back to her and spoke plainly. “Well. I’m twenty-five years old now, mother. What excuse can you give now?”

“So you love her.” 

“It never stopped. I wouldn't be here if I did.”

“And you’re planning on leaving Chicago?”

Chloe bit her lip and looked down at her hand. “I haven’t...I haven’t thought about it. I told him I needed to just put the brakes on, I don’t know.” 

“Well, my darling, you better start thinking about it because you’re going to have to face the music today with him...and I don’t think you’ve thought about everything you’d lose if you went with her.” 

“Maybe not, no. But I know what I’d gain.” Chloe said softly. Diane then just looked at her and tutted before taking her eyes around the property. “Well, they sure upscaled. I’m half surprised I’ve not had that mother of hers come out with her gun.” 

“Nancy died,” Chloe stated with a wobble in her voice, taking her eyes to her mom and shaking her head sternly. “Don’t talk about her. She made us feel more welcomed and accepted than you ever did or could.” 

“Well, she was different too. But if there’s one thing I’d give to her, she loved the hell out of that girl,” Diane bit her lip for a second and then sighed before tapping the arm of Chloe’s chair. “At least make yourself useful and put on some tea. And get some clothes on.” 

“I don’t think Beca would exactly love the idea of you stepping into her house.” 

“Then we’ll drink it out here.” 

Chloe knew that she wasn’t going to get rid of her easily and that was going to have to talk to her about this for at least some time. She didn’t believe that being with Beca was wrong but she knew that she had technically been unfaithful to Chicago. And she knew she was going to have to face that, maybe if she got her mother even a fraction on her side about all of this then it would be better in the long run. 

She actually did as she was asked to do and put on a pot of tea, running upstairs and getting changed as it boiled, getting in her blue dress which she arrived in two days ago and hadn’t worn since. It was as if as soon as one of her parents showed up she went back to being a bit more uptight or felt like she had to act or dress a certain way, hell with them she even had to love a certain way. 

She made the tea and took it out to her mother, sitting back down beside her. Diane took the cup in her hands and looked down at it for a moment before making a rather surprising statement. “I do understand. Your situation.” 

“What?” Chloe scoffed and raised her brows to contradict her. “Did you have feelings for another girl to be ripped away from her and spent the next seven years in agony?”

“No. But I was out of my mind in love with a boy, who I was then ripped away from and spent some time in the same kind of agony.” it was actually rather surprising to hear that from her, all that Chloe really knew about her mother’s past was that she met her father in college and that they were married by 20 and Chloe was born by the time they turned 21. Diane sat back in the chair and explained further. “When I was sixteen, I fell in love with this boy, Edward, and we tried to be together as much as we could. But he was on one end of the tracks and I was on the other. My parents didn’t approve and we tried to run away. We got to two towns out before the police found us...and I never saw him again.” She saw the tears build up in her mother's eyes as she mumbled with her eyes still away. “Sometimes I do think about him. Think about what my life would have been like, how different,” she let out a sharp breath and looked back at Chloe. “And I love your father.”

“Mom I know—”

“I really do. He’s a good man, Chloe.” 

Chloe sighed and leaned forward, putting her hand on her arm for just a moment. “Ma, you don’t have to convince me that you love daddy I know you do...but a part of me can’t quite believe how you have been through something like that and yet you’d put me through the same.” 

“Because,” Diane took a moment and sighed, shaking her head. “Because my not being with him turned out to be the best thing, I have a wonderful life, husband and child. I was seeing it like if I did to you what my parents did to me that things would work out fine.” 

“But I’m not you, mom,” Chloe shook her head. “I don’t run the same as you do and I can’t turn off loving someone who I have loved so hard for so long. Did you ever stop to think that maybe your fate lay with dad but maybe mine lay with Beca? Do you honestly think I am putting myself, my family, and my fiance, through all of this just for a bit of fun? I wouldn’t be doing any of this unless I really loved her, I wouldn’t be doing that to her above anything else.” 

Diane scoffed, shaking her head. “Another difference here, Chloe. Whether you like it or not is that the only thing wrong with Edward was that he was poor. But Beca? Two women together aren't—this life you think you can have with her, it’s not an ideal one. It’s not an accepted one.” 

“Believe me I have known that since I was eighteen and yet here I am.”

It fell silent between the two of them for a moment, Diane not knowing how much more she could argue against her cause it seemed every point she raised Chloe had already thought of and accepted. She really wasn’t just doing this for the hell of it, if Chloe was going to choose and stay with Beca then she really had considered every single angle. 

“I have something...that does in fact belong to you”. Diane got up from her chair and made her way down the porch without saying much more, Chloe just took the implication that she was to follow her and did so, following her to the car. 

Diane opened the trunk of the car and took out a tied-up pile of envelopes. Chloe’s head snapped to her. “You kept them? They’re her letters”

“My intention was to burn them,” Diane stated rather boldly and then let out a small breath. “But even I didn’t think that was right, there was something that stopped me. I don't know what. I always feared she’d come back into your life in some way. After seeing that newspaper and seeing how you reacted I had my hunches about it...I don’t know why I held onto them and I wish I hadn’t in a way but you’re right by what you said. You’re twenty-five, you’re a grown woman now and even though I don’t want you to do this you’re already doing it so.” 

She looked at the letters in her hand with hesitation but then passed them over to her. “Maybe you’ll read them. Take them all in. And I’m hoping they’ll help you come to the right decision,” she looked to Chloe. “Honey these letters are just that. Letters . You have a man at home who adores every part of you. If you leave you won’t just be saying goodbye to him...you’ll be saying goodbye to everyone . Because if you choose her, we can never have any relationship with you again. Whatever you think of me I do not have it in me to report my own daughter but you will never be able to set foot in our family again.” 

Chloe lifted her head from looking at the letters and let her words sink in because she knew she meant them before she could respond. Beca was back, she pulled her truck up as soon as she saw Diane standing at her car with Chloe and got out of it as soon as she saw fit. 

Quickly making her way over to them both, shaking her head as Beca called. “You’re not doing this again.” 

“Beca stop—” Chloe passed the letters back to her mother and took a step forward, her hands bracing to go to Beca’s arms who shook her head still and insisted with fear in the back of her voice. “You can’t just come here and drag her into your car, we’re not kids anymore—” 

“It’s okay.” Chloe pressed her forehead against her temple and whispered into her ear. “She’s not. It’s okay—” her hand went to Beca’s cheek as the brunette just looked at her, still catching her breath. “She’s not taking me away.” 

Beca glanced to Diane who just looked at her plainly and shrugged her shoulders. “I wish I could.” 

“Mom,” Chloe growled, looking over her shoulder. “Stop it.” 

“As I said Chloe I can’t make you choose,” Diane dropped the letters to the floor with no care for them and said as she opened her car door. “But if you chose her and this life over Chicago and the life you can have then God help you.” 

Chloe said nothing, she just kept her hands on Beca’s arm and stayed close to her, just taking a breath and closing her eyes as she turned her head back and brushed her lips against Beca’s forehead as they both just took a breath. 

Beca watched Diane drive off and turned back to her. “What was she doing here?”

Chloe let out another shaken breath and took Beca in complete awe, tucking Beca’s hair behind her ear, her voice turning into a cry. “I do love you, you know that.” 

She thought hearing those words come out of Chloe’s lips would make her feel more excited and warm but in this tone and this atmosphere it actually just scared her. “What’s going on?” 

Chloe bowed her head down for a moment and whispered. “I knew I would love you ever since we kissed in that alley after movie night.” 

“Chloe,” Beca took in a breath. “Right now you really sound like you’re building up to something that I’m really not gonna want to hear.”

Chloe looked at her and then informed her in a quiet voice. “Chicago’s in town.” 

Beca’s blood suddenly felt like it ran cold, her brows going up. “He’s here?” 

“Yeah, he drove up here this morning. Mom said that he’s on his way,” Chloe bit her lip and sighed. “I mean we kind of knew something like this would happen.”

“Not after three days.” Beca glanced down at what was dropped on the floor. “Are those my letters?”

“For some reason, she kept them,” Chloe looked at her surroundings for a moment to just try and piece together everything that was happening, Beca looked at her with a gentle smile on her face. “Least you have them, finally.” 

Chloe just gave her a tight smile and Beca could see that everything else was playing on her mind, Beca stood up more straight from leaning against the redhead and then asked the simple question. “What’re you gonna do, Chlo?” 

Chloe stared at her for a few seconds and Beca knew what she was going to say before she even said it to them. “I don’t know…” 

Beca turned her head and body away from her for a moment, dropping her hands on her hips and taking a few seconds for herself, running her fingers through her hair with her eyes shut but suddenly slapping her hand down into the other as she turned around. “And we’re back to that . We’re back there? And what about these past few days...me and you—they did actually happen you know?” 

Chloe quickly answered back to her in a more defensive manner. “Of course I know they happened and they were the most amazing days I’ve had and they meant everything to me. But Becs they...”

“What?” 

“They were also...cruel.” 

“Oh for fuck...” Beca took a few steps away and kicked away the empty bottle that was left on the grass from their night of drinking under the stairs, causing it to hit against the truck and smash, Chloe raised her voice over the outburst. “He’s still my...I’ve got a fiance waiting for me who is going to be completely crushed when he finds out what I’ve done.”

“Oh, so he’s back to being your fiance now?” 

“From starting this we knew that he didn’t deserve—” 

“So you come down here”—Beca’s voice was leveled but so extremely bitter and boiling hot angry when she turned back to her with her hand pointed at her before returning it to her chest and raising her brows—“you sleep with me and then you go back to your fucking husband? Was that the plan? Get it out of your system one last time?” 

“There was no plan, are you kidding me? But I made a promise to a man. He gave me a ring and I made this...this vow. ”

“I think it’s safe to say your vow has been shot to hell now. It was shot to hell as soon as you got here. It was sure shot to hell as soon as you were lying in my bed.”

“Stop it.” 

Bitterly, Beca lets out a laugh. “Chloe your mom shows up and all of a sudden you’re thinking about your vows and saying that you’re fucking cruel? That’s how quickly she gets into your head? I mean, Jesus Christ, talk about killing off the wrong mother.” 

Chloe stopped and stared at her completely stunned. She knew that Beca was angry and she knew that Beca hated the bones of her mother but there was a line she just didn’t need to cross, but all in all, she ignored it. “I still need to talk to him.” 

“Sure. Are you going to invite him round? Dinner? Drinks?”

“ Stop .” 

“I will when you do. When you stop trying to convince yourself that you need to keep some promise to him. You wanted me and you’ve got me, I am giving you my everything. You told me there always felt like there was something missing with him. Going back to him won’t be following your damn heart if anything it’ll be about security.” 

Chloe squinted her eyes at her ever so slightly. “What is that supposed to mean?” 

“Forget that I’m a woman and he’s a man. It’s more that I'm poor and he’s rich. He can give you more things and all I can give you is this house. The guy has a lot of money that’s all.” 

Chloe grumbled an angered laugh. “Remember when I said I could never hate you? Now I do hate you a little bit, you smug—” 

“It’s not about being smug it’s about being honest,” Beca shrugged. “That’s why your parents love him so much, right? Don’t kid yourself, Chloe, you know as well as I do if he did the same kind of labor I did they’d disapprove just as much.”

“It’s not about them! It’s me! Have you not been listening to anything I’ve had to say about when this was going to come around?” she yelled back. 

“I guess not, I guess I must have misread all of those signals you’ve been giving me the past few days.”

“I guess you did.” Chloe snatched the letters up from the ground and headed toward her car. Beca flung her head back for a moment and called over as she followed her. “You’re lying to yourself with him and you know it, you wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t something missing.” 

Chloe shook her head and mumbled in her breath. “Arrogant ass.” 

Beca bit her lip and stopped for a moment as Chloe opened the car door, she shook her head and rolled her eyes before giving in to her plea. “Just stay with me.” 

“Stay with you?” Chloe threw the letters into the car and took a step back from the car, pressing her hand against the top. “What for? We’re standing here screaming at each other.” 

“That’s not a reason not to stay together. A fight,” Beca defended, “and at some points, we’re going to scream at each other Chloe cause that’s what we do as humans and as two people who love each other hard. We fight. Argue. And I’m not afraid to hurt your feelings. You’re not afraid to hurt mine, you tell me when I’m being an arrogant ass and I tell you when you’re a pain in the ass—which you are at times." Beca walked over to the car door and said as she shut it. “You have your feelings hurt for about two minutes over the smallest thing and then you’re back to being Miss Daisy .” 

Chloe stood in front of her. “Meaning?” 

“Meaning it’s not going to be easy but no relationship which is worth it, is easy. And yeah it’s gonna be extra hard for me and you, getting through life won’t be as simple as it would be for a man and woman. It’ll be hard and we'll have to work and fight against the outside nearly every day but I want to do that because I want you,” Beca bit her lip and shrugged her shoulders to then admit. “I’ve always wanted you, it’s been seven years and I still can’t switch you off. Baby, I want you for, well, ever .”  

A cry escaped Chloe’s lips at her words before Beca requested something from her. “Tell me what you see your life like in ten years? Who do you see it with? Cause I’ll tell you if it’s with him then go. I’ll go through the fucked up pain of it all if I knew it’s what you really wanted. But if you feel like you have to go with him cause it’s the easiest option...I’m asking you not to do that to us if he is just an easy route.” 

“There is no easy route here, Becs! I leave you and I break your heart. I leave him and I break his and my family's heart. So I’m screwed either way because either way people I care about are gonna get hurt.”

“Stop thinking about everyone else for a single goddamn second. Don’t think about anyone else's heart but your own. It’s like I said I can accept being hurt for the right reasons...but what the hell does your heart want?”

“I don’t—I don’t know.”

Beca’s voice suddenly went softer, seeing the conflict and pain that was running through Chloe’s head. Chloe wasn’t being unreasonable or leading anyway astray, not really, she was just scared. “Yes, you do. Who do you want? What do you want?” 

Before Chloe could even answer, Beca put her hands on her cheeks and kissed her hard, maybe it was her getting ready to say goodbye or maybe it was her way of showing her that she was what Chloe wanted. Chloe just cried against her lips and rested her hands on Beca’s elbows, after a few moments more Chloe suddenly pulled back, with her eyes still closed and her forehead still against Beca’s she whispered. “I have to go.” 

Beca kept her eyes closed for a moment. She wanted to fight back with her and beg her not to go, but then a bigger part of her told her that she did everything that she could have done to get Chloe to stay, she couldn’t force her and she wouldn’t force her because that wasn’t who she was. If Chloe wanted to go, then Beca had to let her. 

Beca didn’t say anything, she just softly pulled her in for one more tender kiss before pulling herself back, she walked away from the car and put her hands to the back of her neck, keeping her eyes completely shut. Chloe just looked at her and felt her entire body shake. She loved her so much that it was killing her. 

But she knew that she couldn’t stay here with her. Chloe opened the car door again and got in the car. Turning on the engine for the first time in days and began to drive away, just seeing Beca crouch down to the floor through her rearview mirror until she was completely out of vision. 

Chloe only got a few feet down the road before she had to pull over from crying so much. And then, she opened the first letter.

Chapter Text

Chloe stayed in her car and read through as many letters as she could before she knew that she couldn’t stall anymore. Every single one of them were heartbreaking, Beca poured her entire heart out like never before. How she had never been happier when she was with her and she’d hate herself every day for blowing up such a good thing. How impossible it would be to move on from her. 

Above all, she said how she really, truly believed she would never love anyone again. It was almost like a promise. A promise that Chloe could see now that she had kept for all of these years. Some parts even made her laugh, even on paper Beca had the ability to make her laugh, even in a situation right now where Chloe’s heart was completely broken from leaving her after yet another fight. 

From laughter came tears again as Beca went straight back into her heartbreaking vows. She didn’t quite know how long she was there for but it got long enough until she put the letters to the side, and took a breath to regain her composure, everything inside her was telling her to turn around from the way she left Beca. But she knew she had to face the music with Chicago and just see him which would tell her how she felt. Right now she just had to let Beca go. 

The hotel was only a fifteen-minute drive, when she pulled outside she looked at herself in the rearview mirror and wiped under her eyes and cheeks to try and look at least half decent, but you could tell she had been crying. She did look like a mess. But it was to be expected after everything she had been through today alone. 

Chloe left the letters in the car and then walked back inside the hotel. The receptionist told her that a handsome man who was her fiance came and a key was given for him to wait for her in her room. So she really couldn’t turn back now. Slowly she made her way to the room, slowly because she was just trying to gather what she would say when she saw him. How she would explain things to him, how much he would question and if he didn’t question certain things she questioned herself whether she would tell him or not. 

After letting a breath out from her trembling lips, she pushed open the door and saw Chicago standing by the window from the room, he had seen her arrive. He didn’t look at her at first, he just looked at the floor and then after a few seconds, his eyes went to her. Chloe shut the door behind her and let out another breath. “Hi.” 

“Hi,” he mumbled, already sounding completely defeated, leaning up from the window. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re okay, cause if I hadn’t come here I don’t think I ever would have known.” 

“I’m sorry. I know I should have called you—”

“After talking to your folks I got why you didn’t. Doesn’t take a genius, does it?” his tone was sharp, his eyes pinched to her. “You lied to me. You lied about why you came here.”

“I said I needed space—” 

“Is that what we call old lovers? Space? Jesus Christ, Chloe you knew you were covering up.” 

Maybe she was, but at the time she didn’t really see it that way because she truly had no expectations that any of this would happen despite what her mother seemed to think. He soon began to pace up and down the room, Chloe followed him with her eyes. “What did my dad tell you, exactly?” 

Chicago then stopped in his pacing for a moment and shrugged his broad shoulders at her. “That you and this girl had something some summers ago—something he thought was just a blind phase you were now over.” 

She looked down when he began pacing again and just sighed. “Well, now you know.” 

Again, Chicago stops and looks at her with his brows raised. “ Now I know ?” 

Chloe lifted her head and sees that he looks almost insulted by the statement. Or looking at her in a way to show that she clearly didn’t get it, his hands hovered to the side of his head to physically show the pain he had with his brain finding the words to string together. “Chloe I—” he dropped his hands, motioning at her along the way when saying, “I don’t actually care that you had some summer romance and that it was in fact with a girl, I mean granted I’m not exactly familiar or educated with that kind of thing but I would have tried to understand if you would have just told me. That’s what I care about, the fact that I heard it from your dad and not you.” 

“I was scared that you would think less of me or something.” 

“Well, you clearly think less of me if you thought I would have just turned you away.” 

“Please, the world we live in? People get beaten or worse for that kind of thing and I know you’re not the type of man to do that, but how was I supposed to know you wouldn’t have tossed me aside?” 

Chicago ran his fingers through his hair and groaned under his breath. “We’ve been engaged for a fair while now, Chlo. We are not supposed to keep things from each other.” 

She wasn’t trying to trick him into anything or win this battle, she was just explaining why she never said anything. Chloe sank down to the bed and stayed silent. Cause she knew he was right about all of it. Chicago stared at her and after taking a breath he finally asked the question that was burning and torturing his brain. “What happened? Between you and her. These past few days—what happened?” 

“Chicago please—” 

“The least I deserve is the truth, Chloe. To answer my questions I deserve that much so just. Just tell me. What happened?” 

Chloe closed her eyes with her hand over her mouth and then stopped for a moment as flashing images came into her mind of their nights together, from sleeping together to just sleeping together and then lying in bed talking, and laughing. The dancing and the times they spent with Aubrey. All of it. Feeling like some perfect fairytale that was now nothing but fictional. She stopped her hand but her eyes remained closed. “We slept together.” 

She heard his devastating sigh and before she opened her eyes he asked again after a second. “More than once?” 

Chloe didn’t give him a verbal answer and just nodded, she then turned and saw him standing there with his palms over his face, slightly bent over. He was heartbroken and she had caused this, she hated herself for it. She hated that she had become this person, the kind who would betray their doting partners. Chloe got up from the bed and put one hand on the back of his head as the other went to his cheek as a way to just try and reconcile. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.” 

“How did it happen then, Chlo?” he asked sharply, looking at her. Chloe sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, walking away back over to the bed.

“I don’t know I…” she sat back on the bed and after remaining silent for a second she decided to go back to the very beginning. “That summer. I had no intention to fall in love with anyone, much less a girl. It was a shock to me too and in the beginning, I tried to ignore the initial attraction but I just couldn’t… and then when we fell in love we—I...to this day it’s—”  she quickly stopped herself from saying more, but Chicago wasn’t going to let it lie.

“It’s what? Remember. The truth. Tell me it’s what?” 

Chloe sighed to him with a frown sinking on her face to then admit to him. “It’s the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt in my life.” 

Chicago closed his eyes for a moment and nodded, after a second of silence he finally spoke. “I’ve got a load of scenarios running through my mind of how to handle this but none of them are good for me,” he pressed his lips together and looked at her, his voice turning softer and also a tone that showed his heartbreak. “Cause none of them to result in me getting you. And even with everything that has happened. I still love you.” 

Chloe cried to him. “I do too. I do, really I just feel like when I’m with you I’m one person, and then when I’m with Beca I am someone completely different.”  

He made his way over and sat down beside her, taking hold of her hand and then just looking at her. “I do believe you when you say you didn’t mean for it to happen or planned it. Hell, I even get it, you never forget your first love...you made a mistake.”  He squeezed her hand. “I still think our marriage could work and that it would be amazing. But Chloe to go into a marriage half-heartedly I can’t do that. I don’t want you to do it that way. I want you for myself. So you’d have to make the choice." Chicago brought the back of her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against it for a moment before vowing to her. “I would do anything for you, you know. Even look over this and try to move on. I’d try so much to make you happy.” 

“Oh I know you would,” she combed her fingers through his hair and smiled softly as it ran down to his cheek “And I already know that I should be with you.” 

Chicago mirrored the same soft smile and then pressed his lips against her temple as she sunk her body into his. 

Beca returned back from going to her parent's grave, with a bottle of whiskey in her hand. Or at least now it was a half bottle of whiskey. She got back and saw a car pull up outside of her house. 

As she drank down more and grew closer to the car, she then looked over to the porch and saw the owner standing there, but she already knew it would be them. She knew the make of the car. Considering it was she and Jesse that fixed it up. 

Aubrey looked over to her holding onto Daniel’s hand. “Beca are you—what the hell are you doing?” 

There was this thing with Aubrey now. She treated Beca like she had a drinking problem, which she actually didn’t. It was just when Chloe left the first time around she began drinking a few more beers but Nancy kept an eye on it just fine, then when Nancy died, Beca started drinking the harder stuff. Whiskey being the main component. And there was no Jesse or Nancy to keep their eye on her anymore so it was down to Aubrey. And maybe it was the mother in her that made her go hysterical when Beca began to drink more and more. But Beca was not a drunk. 

She rolled her eyes at the blonde. “Calm down, I’m fine.” 

“I thought I’d stop by to see how you and Chloe are doing since I saw her dragon of a mother back in town a few hours ago but clearly things have escalated since then.” 

Beca took herself up onto the porch and pointed the bottle to her with an exhausted face on her. “No , I told you so’s . No nothing.” 

“What’s happened?” 

Beca pushed open her front door. “She’s gone, what else needs to be said? I did what I did best.” 

“And that’s what?” 

Beca held her arms up as she walked in and turned to her. “I lose people,” she then thought for a moment and pointed to Aubrey. “Sometimes I lose one person twice. Cause only the damned can do that right?” 

Aubrey frowned at her as Beca just drank down the whiskey and held up the bottle to the sky. “Not even ball busters like Nancy Mitchell can change God's mind” 

“Beca... you’re not damned. You know as well as I do all that stuff is a load of trash used for hate.” 

“Then why does this keep happening to me? My dad, Jesse, Chloe twice , and my own mother who was indestructible to me. Tell me Aubrey how the hell am I the age I am and already I am way too good at goodbyes.” 

Daniel just went off and ran around the house, Beca raised her brows at him. “Maybe he should get out whilst he still can.” 

“You’re stuck with him. He adores you too much.” Aubrey said in aid of making light, hearing Beca hum a laugh and when she looked over to the brunette she saw tears in her. “Yeah. So did the rest of them.” 

Aubrey put her bag down and made her way over to her and pulled her in for a tight hug that did only last a second or so before Beca pulled back and walked into the kitchen. She didn’t really want to think about it but she knew that she had to, she knew that she was going to have to listen to herself going over the scenario in her head every single day for the rest of her life. It was inevitable. A lifetime of torture was inevitable. 

And she couldn’t drink that way, she didn’t want to even try and do that. It wasn’t the answer and she was very much aware that it wasn’t. All that she had now were just the times they had together and that had to be enough for her now, cause she would rather cry for it to be over than for it never happening at all. The fact that it did was actually just something to smile about. It was hard but she had to just be grateful she had her in the first place. 

Aubrey followed her in and rested herself against the frame of the kitchen. “So what are you going to do?” 

“I don’t know, start from scratch or something,” Beca shrugged as she put the bottle into the cabinet and looked over to Aubrey. “What can I do? Go outside the hotel and shout that I’m the one she needs to be with.”

“I mean what have you got to lose?” 

Beca bit her lip and shook her head. “No, if she wanted to be with me then she would have stayed. Or at least come back, shouting from the rooftops is not going to do me any good.” 

“But-” 

“It’s for the best, Bree. I mean a life with me would be difficult, to say the least,” Beca shrugged. “Out back here, away from everyone, it'd be safe. But in public? We’d have to hide it y’know? We wouldn’t be able to hold hands as you and Jess did. Like you said that trash is used for hate. It just wouldn’t fly—”

“I don’t think that was ever a factor as to why she left.” 

“No?” 

“No.” 

“There would be no children with me either,” Beca clicked her gum. “She’d probably want them. Sure there are plenty of parentless kids in need of a family but no adoption place would give one to two women in a relationship. Not in this day at least.”

“So now you’re just building up all the negative factors to make yourself feel better? To make you think that she’s better off without you.” 

“Maybe she is,” Beca said with a tight smile. But Aubrey just shook her head. She didn’t believe any of it and she knew that deep down Beca didn’t believe it either, she was just making herself believe it cause that’s all she could do right now. 

Beca looked at her. “I was waiting for the I told you so from you.” 

“I was never going to say I told you so. I was worried this would happen-I mean I hoped for the best, believe me, I did...I’m sorry Beca I know how horrible it is.”

“I think horrible is yet to come. Right now it feels worse than that,” suddenly some overpowering feeling and emotion ran through her body, her hand pressed against the fridge as she just bowed her head and closed her eyes, Aubrey saw the tears running down her cheeks, and before saying anything, Beca whispered in a broken whisper. “Right now I’m just trying to stop myself from dying." W ithin a second after the sentence, Aubrey took hold of Beca and pulled her into another hug which Beca did actually grip onto for dear life this time as the sobs began to come from her mouth. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”

Aubrey tried to shush her as much as possible, putting her hand on the back of Beca’s head and just holding her. She knew that wasn’t the person Beca would ideally want for this situation. What made this situation even worse was that she didn’t have her mother to hold her like she did the first time this happened. But she would have to just do it. 

Beca was just grateful that right now she had someone to hold her at all. 

Chloe finished packing her suitcase and finally closed it on her bed, letting out an exhausted but relieved sigh from her mouth. It had been quieter than usual between her and Chicago, which was understandable but still, there was something just eerie about it. 

Being with Beca had made her notice more and more things about her relationship with him, especially now that she was back in his presence. He was still kind and understanding sure, but the spark she had with Beca didn’t really make it possible for him to get onto that level or above that level. Yet she was still here, packing her bags and agreeing to go back to Washington to work things out, to eventually get married. To forget Greenwood and forget what happened here, well, he would. Chloe could never forget about this place and better yet who was going always be here. 

Being here was now painful, it hurt her because being in this town but not with Beca wasn't something she ever liked. Even when she and her family were here over the summer, when she was in her home she would never be satisfied until she woke up the next morning so she could see Beca, she couldn’t really breathe properly without her being there with her. Making her laugh or making her have tingles running all over her body by just her hand touching hers. It didn’t take much for Beca to make her feel like she could fly.

But she had to put that behind her now, after seven years that feeling and desire had to go. Because she finally had this amazing time with Beca that she could carry forever. No longer having to wonder how being with her was, no longer thinking about what she was like now as an adult. She knew everything she needed to know and she felt everything she wanted to feel. She was grateful for it, and she would keep it back in the Beca box that was in her heart, her mind, and soul. 

Chicago came back into the room which pulled Chloe out of her thoughts, smiling at her politely as he walked through the door and motioned his hand to the case “You all good?” 

“Mm-hm.” Chloe ran her fingers through her hair and walked away from the spot to walk away from the thoughts in her mind. Trying to walk away from her memorizing Beca’s smile, the way her nose crinkles when she’s dreaming about something. The structure of her slim fingers would curl up into her hair when they would be talking in bed. How honest she would become and unravel feelings to her like never before. She tried to get away from all of that. Every single piece that she loved from Beca was still here after all these years, and then some. 

He stretched over the bed and grabbed hold of her case, taking it in his hands and then standing by the door. “Okay, so this is the last of it. I’ll just meet you out in the car, okay?” 

“Yeah. Okay,” she mumbled in a clearly reserved tone. Chicago sighed to her and smiled softly. “It’s gonna be fine, Chlo. We’re gonna get home and things will go back to how they were.”

Chloe then just smiled at him and nodded, watching him walk out of the room and soon her expression dropped as soon as he did, she looked over to the phone. Very tempted to call her. Maybe to just try and explain and to apologize, to tell her that she was always going to love her. Just something. But then she felt like if she did that it would just make matters worse and she didn’t want Beca feeling shitter than what she presumed she was already feeling. She didn’t want to break her heart any more than she already, so she decided not to call. The best thing she could do right now was just to leave Beca the hell alone and never bother her again, to never put her through any confusing shit ever again. 

It was for the best. This was for the best. That was what she kept telling herself anymore as she walked out of the hotel room, down the stairs, out the door, and over to Chicago and the car. He smiled at her again with the keys in his hand “You ready?” 

Again Chloe just hummed and nodded before he opened the car door for her and then made his way round to his side. Chloe got in the car and just let out a deep breath before he got in, he reached over and squeezed her hand for a moment before putting both hands on the steering wheel and starting the engine up. 

It was for the best. It was for the best. It was for the best. 

She closed her eyes for a moment and then as they approached the ‘You’re leaving Greenwood! Come see us again soon’ she got one more hit of fear rushing through her body, realizing that this would be the last time she would see Beca...and she really was taking the easy way out. That thought built up in her more and more until finally, she forced Chicago to bring the car to a halt with a simple word: “Wait.” 

She couldn’t just leave this way. She had to say goodbye for good.

Beca didn’t find it that easy to get to sleep but eventually, she did, thinking of Chloe the entire time until she did and then dreamt about her the whole night through because how could she not? Especially after all that had happened. Aubrey didn’t leave her until it was night and she was sure that she would be okay. But she wouldn’t be okay for a while. If ever. 

A large part of her regretted nothing, she was able to have these amazing few days with the love of her life and she was in fact deeply grateful for it, especially when she thought it would never happen, but there was a very small part of her that wished she could just forget it happened or for it to not have happened at all because at least then she wouldn’t be back at square one in not having a heart anymore because Chloe had taken it again. 

She woke up in the early morning, but not by the sunlight which was what usually did it for her. It was a certain smell that hit her nose. She opened her eyes slowly and saw that the smell of coffee was from the hot cup of black coffee that was by her bed on the table. Was she going mad? She didn’t make this and even if she did it would sure as hell have gone cold by now. She then realized that Aubrey knew where the spare key was. It was official. She was on emotion watch once again, and Aubrey was all she had left to have done by it so it was going to be a long painful process. But maybe she did need it deep down. 

She pulled the sheet off her body and made her way downstairs, forgetting the coffee on the way. When reaching over to the bottom of the stairs she saw a case by the door. So now Aubrey was going to move in? God love her but that was very drastic. 

Beca ran her fingers through her hair as she stepped down the stair and didn’t even bother looking around the house for her, all she could think about was how one case would be enough for both Aubrey and her son. 

And then to her right. Was her . 

“You know. You’re terrible at hiding spare keys.” Beca turned her head to see Chloe sitting at the piano, her eyes were already glazed over with a smile on her face that was packed full of nerves. And Beca just stared at her with a stunned expression on her face, she took a step forward. “You’re here—”

“Yeah. Chicago he brought me.” 

“Why? I mean—I mean I thought you chose—"

“I chose to go back to him and talk,” Chloe rubbed her lips together and then helped up her now naked left hand as she stated. “We talked.”  Beca’s jaw dropped a little when seeing that Chloe was no longer wearing her engagement ring. Chloe dropped her hand and let out a tearful breath to then go on and explain. “You see. For a moment I did decide to leave with him and then I realized I was scared of the uncertainty of what my future would be like. And then I also realized that I was making a choice based on what others would want from me and not what I wanted. So when we were in the car I told him to stop the car...and I told him that there…” 

Chloe stopped for a moment and looked up before smiling and looking back to Beca. “There’s this woman who I can’t live without. A woman who I can’t pretend I don’t love when that’s all I do day in and day out. A woman who I really belong with cause I do. I belong here with you.” 

Beca remained silent just out of sheer shock, trying to wrap her head around it all and how this was happening. Chloe let out a breathless and watery smile, glancing down at the piano for a moment. “I have...been working on an arrangement for the song you wanted me to write about you." Chloe's eyes went back to Beca and smiled with her tears still building up. “Which I’d like to play for you. Everyday. For as long as I live...if you’ll have me.” 

Beca let out a tearful smile of her own and nodded as she walked over to her and quickly whispered, “I’ve had you since I was eighteen.” 

Chloe cried out a grin as Beca slid beside her and pulled her in for an almighty kiss, one like never before. At least it felt like that. Beca cupped her cheeks and held her as close as she possibly could.  Their lips came apart for a moment for Chloe to whisper as she looked into her eyes. “I love you. So much.”

“I love you too,” Beca smiled as a tear ran down her cheek as she wiped Chloe’s, letting out a breath and shaking her head, “and I’m never letting you go again.” 

“You better not,” Chloe kissed her, “because you’re my life, baby.” 

“Chloe, you have no idea,” Beca whispered, with her hands returning back to Chloe’s cheeks and kissing her hard once again. 

Chloe did play her music to Beca every day for the rest of her life. The rest of theirs . She didn’t see her parents again after she left Chicago for Beca, but she grew not to care. Over time it was easier because Beca made it okay. They never had anyone come into their lives to cause an issue again. They weren’t married by state but they were by heart. 

It was a love and romance that lasted a lifetime of over sixty years. It was a love that was so powerful and pure that it was almost worth those seven years of waiting and heartbreak. 

Almost.