When I wrote Beautiful Tree and the two smaller stories that go in the same universe, I knew much of the backstory that makes up this piece. This is the story about how, in the universe I have created, Beca and Chloe become a family. Please do let me know what you think.

Chapter 1 - We Find Out

"We find out what we're made of

when we are called to help our friends in need."

~Bruno Mars – Count on Me

Beca sighed as she finally arrived home after a very long, very tiring twelve-hour day. She had just finished her first full month working for DJ Khaled's label. Although she would eventually need to move, she was beginning her work in the New York office. She was loving every minute of it, but it was exhausting to do something you were intensely passionate about. It was just after nine, so Chloe was home and sitting at the kitchen table, working on assignments for her first vet school semester. It was an extremely difficult set of courses – Beca didn't want to know the anatomy of one animal, let alone all of them (or most of them). Chloe was doing well, but she was working for it. Beca barely saw her anymore without her nose in a book.

The brunette set her bag down and hung her coat next to the door before walking a few feet into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of tea from the pot still steaming in front of her friend.

"Hey," Chloe said absently.

"Hey, Chlo. How was your day?"

Chloe grinned. "Great. I got an A on my anatomy test – and a B on the paper in equine science."

"That's awesome," Beca answered with a bright smile. She sank gratefully into a chair across from the redhead and enjoyed the fragrant heat of the tea. It also warmed her hands, which she appreciated immensely. She was tired of winter – spring was right around the corner, but Beca wanted it to arrive faster. Having spent four years in Georgia before coming up north, she was not yet accustomed to New York winters. She didn't think she ever would be.

"How was your day?"

"Exhausting," Beca admitted. "I signed a new artist this morning – which was awesome. Then I spent eight hours working on my album – and I came to the realization that I suck – and I can't do this." Although she knew she was pandering, she really did need Chloe's reassurance after the day she'd had.

"Oh, Bec. You know how amazing you are. It's one bad day. Tomorrow will be better. And once that album drops – everyone will know what Barden University and the Acapella world already knows – that Beca Mitchell is amazing and talented – and incredibly hot."

Beca blushed deeply. "Too far on the pep talk, Chlo." Chloe laughed and winked at her.

"Seriously, Beca. You'll be amazing."

"Thank you," she said. "I needed to hear that." Before their conversation could continue, Beca's phone rang. She saw that it was Emily and showed the display to Chloe, who nodded that she should take it.

"Hey, Em," Beca said. At that exact moment, Amy came banging in the door, yelling at the top of her lungs.

"I've been robbed! I've been robbed! What a terrible, terrible city. It's like – "

Beca put a finger against her left ear to block the sound and moved as far away as possible in the tiny studio before she spoke again. "Em, you there? Sorry, Amy is being a drama queen."

"It's okay," Emily said, her voice sounding small and far off. "Do you need to go?"

"No," Beca said. "Amy can calm the hell down," she said, raising her voice so the Australian could hear her.

"Have some compassion, Beca!" Amy yelled. "I was robbed!" Beca heard her continue complaining – loudly, to Chloe – but she closed her eyes and continued holding her ear.

"She's ridiculous," Beca muttered. "What's up, Em?" There was a heavy silence on the line. "Em, still there?"

"Yeah," she said, almost whispering. Beca strained to hear.

"Emily, what's wrong?" Her heart began to race. This was odd. Emily was usually more cheerful than even Chloe. She had bad days, but even then she was optimistic about the next day – or even just the next hour.

"My mom died. She had an aneurysm," the younger woman said, spitting out the words before she could stop herself again. Beca could still hear Amy carrying on, which was distracting her from this devastating news.

"Oh God. Emily, I'm so sorry. Oh, sweetheart – " Beca was cut off by Amy's ranting. "One second," she said calmly to Emily. She muted the phone and turned to face Amy. "Amy, for God's sake – shut the fuck up, now!" Amy was silent as she and Chloe turned wide eyes to Beca. Her tone was not teasing, not in the slightest. She ignored their looks of confusion, and the slight bit of hurt feelings in Amy's expression, and sat down at the table, her hand over her mouth as she gathered herself. "Emily, honey, are you still there?"

Chloe knew something was wrong when she heard the term of endearment. Beca didn't use them often; she only pulled them out for certain people, in certain times. The redhead returned to her seat at the table and watched her best friend on the phone. She wanted to interrupt, to ask questions, but she could see how agitated Beca was and considered it a bad idea in the moment. Even Amy seemed to understand the tense change in atmosphere. She did not make any noise as she went about fixing herself what she occasionally termed"second dinner."

"When did it happen?" Beca asked. She listened as Emily sobbed on the other line. She waited patiently and finally received an answer.

"This afternoon. She was at work. She just fell over at her desk," Emily cried.

"Who called you?"

"Someone from the hospital. I'm the only family she had left. I don't know what to do," she admitted, breaking again into sobs.

"Em, you're going to get through this. I can't even imagine how you feel right now – but you're going to be okay."

"How?"

"We'll figure it out," Beca promised. "Who is with you right now?"

"No one," Emily said, sniffling.

"Do any of the Bellas know?"

"Yes."

"Are any of them home?"

"Yes."

"Is Hannah home?"

"I think so," she said weakly. Beca bit her lip. She knew Emily wasn't trying to be dense, but she was succeeding.

"Can you find her for me? I'd like to talk to her," Beca instructed. Emily whimpered and Beca almost told her to wait – but she needed to get a handle on the situation. That meant speaking to someone who could see Emily. It took just a moment before another voice came on the line.

"Hello?"

"Who is this?"

"Who is this?" The girl demanded.

"Beca Mitchell," Beca responded coolly.

"Oh, Ms. Mitchell. I'm sorry."

"Do not call me that," she said, sharply. She had helped Emily, each year since she'd graduated, with the set in some way. For two of those years, she'd actually made it back to Georgia to help with the last rehearsals before Nationals, so she knew most of the girls. They were mostly in awe – and slightly afraid – of Beca.

"Sorry. Sorry."

"Stop apologizing. And please tell me who I am speaking to."

"Sor-" The girl caught herself before apologizing again. "It's Courtney."

"Hi, Courtney. I need you to do me a favor. I need you to find Hannah, give her the phone, and then sit with Emily until Hannah tells you otherwise."

"And do what?"

"Keep her company," Beca almost snarled.

"She's been crying for hours."

"Good God," Beca muttered. "I know that. That's why I don't want her to be alone. So sit with her, let her cry, try your best to comfort her. But first, give the phone to Hannah." Beca sighed as she waited. She tapped her foot impatiently.

A moment later, someone she recognized answered the phone. "Beca?"

"Hi, Hannah." Beca heard a door close and then Hannah spoke to her again.

"Thank God," the girl said, voice rough from what clearly have been her own tears. "I don't know what to do. What should I do?"

"First, you need to stop crying."

"I'm trying."

"Try harder," Beca answered calmly. "Then, you need to take care of Emily. Make sure she eats something – try to keep her calm. Take a walk, watch a movie, sing songs, just sit with her, whatever. Take care of her. I'm on my way – but I won't be able to get in until tomorrow – mid-day at the earliest." She saw Chloe's head shoot up at the mention of her going somewhere, but she ignored the redhead and tried to focus on the phone call.

"What do I say?"

"That it sucks and you're sorry and you don't know how she feels. The truth."

"Ok," the girl said, uncertainly. "Should I tell her you're coming?"

"I will," Beca told her. "Call me if anything changes – or if you need anything. I'll text you details about when I'm going to get there. I think I have your number – " She had helped the year before with the Bella's songs for competitions. She had worked with Emily and Hannah over the phone and via video call.

"I'm glad you're coming. She'll be happy to see you," Hannah told her. "I'll take care of her."

"Thank you," Beca said. "Can you give the phone back to Emily now?"

When Emily was put back on the phone, she was sniffling but not crying. "Em, I'm going to come down. I don't think I'll be able to get a flight until morning – but I'll be there sometime tomorrow."

"No, Beca. It's okay," Emily said. "You have stuff to do."

"I do not have stuff to do that is more important than you, Legacy. Take care of yourself – and listen to Hannah. She seems partially competent." Emily giggled through her sorrow, which was precisely what Beca had been going for. "Love you, Em."

"Love you too," Emily whispered, before hanging up. When Beca set down her phone, Chloe and Amy were staring at her. Tears were already glittering in the redhead's eyes.

"What's wrong with Legacy?" Amy asked. "Did she go into the basement? You told her not to do that."

Beca rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before answering. "Katherine Junk died a few hours ago." Chloe shuttered.

"Poor Emily."

"That's a tough one," Amy said uncomfortably. She didn't do well with emotions that couldn't be solved with brash humor. Beca nodded and picked up her phone again.

She pressed a few icons, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath as she waited for someone to answer. She didn't want to do this, but her choices were limited. She lived in an extremely expensive city and had spent three years in a position that paid peanuts. She would be fine once the money started coming from her own album and her new work with Khaled's label. But until then, she was strapped. And flights to Georgia cost money. Money that Beca didn't have. And she really only had one person who both had money and would lend it to her with little question.

"Hi, Becs," her dad said. She could hear in his tone that he was happy to hear from her. Beca surprised them all when tears began to fall. The fingers of her free hand went to her temple, rubbing at the growing pain.

"Hey, dad," she said shakily.

"Beca, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry," she said, forcing herself to take another breath. She accepted the tissue from Chloe and wiped her eyes. She blew out a heavy breath and steeled herself. "I didn't mean to start crying. That was –" She sighed in frustration at her herself. "I should have waited a few minutes to call." She swallowed. "Um. I just got a call. Emily's mom – I don't know if you remember her – Katherine?"

"Oh. Yeah – she helped you organize the alumni for the performance in Copenhagen?"

"Yeah," Beca agreed. "She died earlier today."

"That's awful. She was kind of young for that."

"It was an aneurysm," Beca answered. "I don't think you have to be old for that to happen. But I'm not sure." She admitted. She paused and then lamented, "Emily is still in college."

"I know, Bec. She's in my senior literature seminar."

"I wonder why she never told me?" Beca said, almost absently. It wasn't the point of the conversation, but her brain wasn't exactly filtering conversation appropriately at the moment.

"Did you warn her not to take my class?" Warren suggested, softly teasing.

"Probably. Sounds like something I would do," she agreed.

"Then that might be why." Her dad laughed sadly. "I'm really sorry to hear about Katherine. How is Emily doing?"

"About how you would expect a twenty-year-old to react to something like that. She's devastated. Her mom was her only family."

"You need to get down here."

"I know," Beca said. "That's one of the reasons I called. I hate to ask – "

"You don't have to," Warren assured her. Since her bank account had been opened when she'd still been a teenager, he was a cosigner on her account. He knew how little money was there. He had wordlessly loaned her money through the years when her balance had been too low to pay her bills. It didn't happen often, but every once in a while, it happened - and he was there. "I'll order tickets in your name and text you the details."

"I'm sorry, Dad –"

"Don't be sorry. You can buy me an expensive dinner when you're a big-shot music producer. Maybe I should call dibs on being your date to your first Grammy Awards." She laughed, smiling through her teary eyes.

"Thank you, Dad."

"Of course, Beca. Do you want to bring Chloe? Or Amy?"

"I can't ask you to do that," Beca said, knowing they didn't have the money either. Amy was supposed to be worth millions now, but that money hadn't materialized. Beca wanted one of them desperately – she was terrified to go alone. She didn't deal well with emotions- and she was walking in to an emotional hurricane. But asking him to cover two or even three sets of travel expenses seemed too much.

"You're not asking. I'm offering."

"One second," she said softly. She muted her phone and looked at her roommates. Chloe was wiping away her own tears and Amy simply looked at a loss. "Do either of you want to go to Georgia?"

"Gee, Beca," Amy said. "I would like to – but my business has been going so well lately—"

"I'll go with you," Chloe agreed softly, cutting off Amy's excuses. They would be long-winded and far-fetched if they continued letting her speak in her current uncomfortable state.

"You sure it's okay with your new classes?"

Chloe nodded. "She's family," she said, smiling as tears began to fall again. Beca nodded and bit her lip before going back to her phone.

"Thanks, Dad. Chloe will come."

"Good," he said. "I hate to think of you dealing with this alone. I need Chloe's full name and birthday to order the tickets."

"Yeah, I'll text you that stuff. Hold on a sec." She stood and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind her, locking it, and turning on the water in the shower. "Thank you, Dad. I love you."

"I love you too, Beca. It's going to be okay."

"I know," she said, hoping he was right. "Thanks."

She hung up. She took a minute for herself, washing her face and sitting on the closed toilet for a few minutes, trying to remember how to breathe. When she returned to the kitchen, Chloe was smiling at her. "Did you really just go into the bathroom and turn on water to hide the fact that you said "I love you" to your dad?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Beca said dryly. Chloe smirked.

"Ok, Becs. We need to pack," she said, growing serious.

"First, text my dad your full name and birthday for the tickets. It has to match your license or passport."

"I know," Chloe told her. She winked. "I've traveled a few times before." She took Beca's phone and began texting her details to Warren Mitchell.

Beca walked to the closet and pulled out the suitcase she'd taken to Europe. She packed enough for a week, including several dresses for funereal type events. She had begun to pack for the redhead before she appeared by her side and took over.

It was almost midnight when Beca called Theo and explained what was happening. He was understanding about it – and told Beca to take whatever time she needed. He would reassign and rearrange studio time so it wasn't wasted.

They left the apartment before dawn the next morning, a time of day Beca was opposed to ever experiencing. The early hour, combined with stress and only a few hours of sleep, made her stomach roll and she skipped her normal cup of coffee. She sipped at a cup of mint tea while they waited in the airport. She listened to calming music while Chloe read a magazine in the seat next to her. They were called in the first round and had no trouble getting on the plane and stowing their luggage. Beca swallowed as she took her seat next to Chloe. "How in the world did we end up in first class?" Chloe asked.

"My dad is really good at talking people into upgrades," Beca told her. "Or, he might have bought first class. He has a lot of miles from his conferences and Sheila's conferences. They're both very important in their fields." Her voice was beginning to sound distant and listless and Chloe reached over to grasp her hand.

"It's going to be okay," she said, fighting to keep tears out of her eyes. Beca nodded. She took out her phone and dug in her bag for an audio splitter. She set the phone between them and hit play. Chloe plugged in her earbuds and Beca her headphones. They spent the rest of the plane ride in relative silence, listening to one of Beca's newest playlists.

Sadness abounds, but there will be happier times ahead. Please review and let me know what you thought, what you like, what you didn't, and if there's anything you're hoping to see in this story.