It was time for Song of the Year. The camera panned to Beca and Chloe twice, once for each nomination. All the small brunette could do was to stare at her girlfriend and think how lucky she was to have such a gorgeous, incredible, loving woman in her life. If it weren't for the redhead's scream, she would have never noticed the announcement.
"This year's Grammy for Song of the Year goes to Wolves, songwriter Beca Mitchell."
Theo and Chloe both leapt to their feet clapping furiously. Because of her previous award, the people seated around Beca now knew who she was and were congratulating the stunned songwriter as cameras caught the shocked look on the winner's face. Theo pulled her to her feet and prodded her towards the stage where her award was waiting. She looked back at her friend, waiting for him to follow. He shook his head and motioned for her to go alone, indicating he was not joining her on this trip. The tiny songwriter concentrated on her breathing while she walked down the slope towards the stage as she also focused on not falling off her heels.
When she safely made it to the podium and turned to face the crowd, she felt fortunate that she could not see the faces of more than the first few rows of people. She pulled the microphone down her to level, giving herself a few moments to gather her composure as she looked at the award in awe. "Umm thanks. I can't believe I'm here, wow. I mean, I've only ever watched this ceremony on television and to receive two of these incredible honors my first time here in person, I feel quite blessed. First I'd like to give mention to my mother." She kissed her fingertips, pointed upwards and looked towards the ceiling.
"I know if she were still with us that she'd be the proudest person in the room. Thank you to Theo Davies who encouraged me to jump into the business feet first. I'd also like to thank Selena Gomez and her production team at Interscope Records for taking the time to truly understand the meaning behind the words to this song so in order to sing it with the heart it so deserves. And finally, to my beautiful Chloe for giving me such amazing inspiration to write my music and for never giving up on me and never letting me give up on myself. I love you Chloe."
Luckily there were attendants to help Beca off stage because she could barely see for the tears that were flowing down her face. She kept her back to the cameras and people as the make-up women gave her time to compose herself and retouch her make up. By this time, Theo had made it backstage, and Beca clung to him tightly. She had countless pictures taken and received many congratulations before they made their way back to their seats.
As they sat down, Chloe latched on to Beca's neck and was weeping openly into her shoulder. "I am so proud of you, Grasshopper." As tightly as Chloe held on to her girlfriend, Beca was holding on just as resolutely to ensure she didn't lose grip on her one connection to her stability. The brunette did not trust her words and was satisfied to sit silently and watch the rest of the show.
Soon the last of the awards had been given out and the last song performed. Beca's energy was categorically drained and could not wait to get back to their hotel so she could see Stacie and Aubrey. While Chloe was still running on a full load of adrenaline, Beca was absolutely exhausted.
As they waited on their limo, Theo was overly chipper himself. "Okay Becs, now you get to see how the other side lives." Theo grinned at his tiny friend. "You have instantly moved into the realm of becoming a household name and a hot commodity in the music industry." She looked at her British friend questioningly. "Next step is mastering the Grammy after party." She dramatically slumped back in her seat and gave an exaggerated sigh. "They are fun; I promise. You are going to have to learn to play with the big boys and girls little bit."
"Yeah but I'm stuck in these heels all night. Do you know how hard it is to walk in these?" Beca made a horrible face as she whined and pointed to the pink pumps she'd been forced to wear by Hailee's fashion consultant.
Theo chuckled as he responded. "Actually, you aren't 'stuck' in those clothes. Waiting in your hotel room are four outfits, one for you and for each of your friends. They are a bit more comfortable, yet still suitable for rubbing elbows with the biggest names in music."
Beca sat straight up in her chair, a slight bit of excitement now visible in her otherwise exhausted face. "Four of us? Stacie and Aubrey can come?" Theo nodded. "There is so much beauty and class between all of you, it was never a question. Besides, inviting them will make ensure you go to the parties! You may have a lot of sway with Red here, but I don't think Aubrey, or even Stacie for that matters, will let you skip out. Anyway, their driver is letting them know to meet you in your room. I'm sure they just think it's for celebratory drinks."
When Beca and Chloe got to the hotel, Stacie and Aubrey were indeed waiting in their room. No sooner did the tiny award winner walk through the door did her tall bestie swoop her off her feet and swing her around the room. Aubrey swallowed Chloe in a colossal hug, and all the friends were soon crying at the enormity of the evening's events. "Dizzy Legs. Dizzy." Beca tapped her friend on the arm to be let down.
"Where are they? I want to see. I get to touch an actual Grammy!" Stacie's excitement was that of a child. Beca explained that place holder trophies were used at the ceremony, and the real awards would be delivered after they had been engraved. Meanwhile Chloe had found the bottle of chilled champagne that had been waiting for them. After popping the top on the bubbly, everyone soon had a glass in their hand making toasts to Beca.
"How'd you like the show Bree?" Beca gave the blonde a soft shoulder check. "Sorry I didn't thank either of you. In my mind, I was planning to. Wait, no, that's a lie because I never expected to be up there; so honestly, my mind was blank." Her friends assured her the speech was perfect.
"As were the tickets Mitchell. Thanks again."
Stacie threw her tall, lanky body onto one of the couches in Beca's suite. "So midget, you got yourself two Grammys. I knew you could do it. The question now is, what's the plan for tonight?" She motioned to Aubrey and Chloe. "You two got to play in New York lots when you came shopping. You need to show us the town." Stacie excitedly rubbed her hands together thinking about the City that Never Sleeps.
Chloe had found the new clothes bags which had been left in their room and handed Aubrey two, one for herself and one for Stacie. "First change clothes. Theo has assured me that the digs will fit perfectly and be exactly your style." They both looked at her strangely, not quite understanding where the conversation was going.
Beca had since caught her second wind and was pumped to experience the glamor with her friends. She jumped up on the couch and started bouncing. "Because this… is New York, and apparently we can't be seen in the same outfit twice. We, my friends, are going to the Grammy after-parties." She knew Aubrey was going to flip out, but she never expected Stacie to be screaming right along beside her.
First stop was Universal Music Group's bash. Chloe immediately dragged Beca over to the make-your-own-cookie bar to scarf down some sweet yummies of their own creation. "Babe, don't you think we need real food first? All this sugar is going to go right to your head." Chloe obstinately refused to budge from the sweet confectionary table as she built a huge stack for herself and Beca to share while Stacie did the same for Aubrey and herself. Despite Beca's sugar high warning, Chloe's cookie contraption was devoured in a matter of seconds.
As the women wandered around, they spotted a new star every step along the way. Beca had grown accustomed to running into random musicians in her limited work in Los Angeles. What she wasn't used to was having famous singers and producers approaching her with congratulations. Her girlfriend and friends certainly weren't accustomed to it but were trying to keep calm so as to not embarrass Beca. Somehow the other Atlanta girls charmed their way into almost all the selfies with Beca. They were going to be the talk of the town with their friends back home.
The women then wandered around until they found the food pavilion with the various stations to include Spanish Harlem, Chinatown, and Brooklyn's Williamsburg food district. Beca couldn't recall the last good meal she had eaten because of her nervous stomach, so having unlimited food access, especially this high quality, was heaven. She piled her plate high with all types of excellent bite.
The situation was quite humorous though since it seemed as though every time the new Grammy winner would put a huge bite into her mouth, someone else would be coming up to congratulate her on her wins. Eventually Chloe leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Take smaller bites baby."
Beca mumbled through her again stuffed mouth. "But I'm hungry."
The live music by top pop artists was heaven for the two couples, not only for the dancing but also for the mini-concert nature of the evening. Granted NYC one of the most progressive places in America, the reaction to see four beautiful women dancing together was unique. Rarely, one of the couples would break off and dance with someone else, and even then, it would only be for a very short time. By now, most of the party attendees had realized who Beca Mitchell was and that the redhead attached to arm was her girlfriend. However, the connection between Beca and the blonde and taller brunette had yet to be made.
At one point, a drunken man approached Aubrey with a drink and insisted she join him on the dance floor. Despite adamantly refusing, the man continued to persist beyond the point of being acceptable. While it was almost humorous at first since Aubrey Posen could definitely hold her own, the situation eventually became tiresome, and Stacie decided to step in and save the blonde. She stood tall between her girlfriend and the intruder.
He looked her up and down. "May I help you?" His slurred words exhibited the level of his intoxication as he stumbled backwards a bit as Stacie bumped her chest against his.
"Yeah. You can leave the lady alone." The man made the mistake of trying to push around Stacie to get between her and Aubrey. Luckily Stacie was not drunk and was able to keep her cool.
She slipped her badge out of her pocket, waved it in front of his eyes then pressed it against the side of his face. She spoke softly and firmly right in his ear. "Look mister. I'm not sure who you are or what label you work with, but this here says that you will calmly step away from my girlfriend and leave her alone before we have a problem." His face blanched as he stumbled backwards from Stacie. He rushed away but not before offering profuse apologies to the tall blonde.
A laughing Theo came over and clapped Stacie on the shoulder. "Well done my friend. That guy is a such creep. Nobody is really sure who he is, but somehow he makes it on some label's list to get into this party every year."
Soon night turned to dawn turned to morning before the four women dragged themselves back to Beca and Chloe's room. Beca disappeared into their ensuite and quickly came out clothed in a t-shirt and sweats. She threw herself over the couch with her legs over the back and head hanging off the front. When Chloe came out, she flopped down on the couch with her head on Beca's stomach.
"We are going to head back to our room guys." Aubrey looked at her friends, knowing that everyone was exhausted. "Breakfast tomorrow?"
Beca checked the time on her phone. "Breakfast? Bree, it's 4 am! How about lunch? Let us know when you guys get up."
As Stacie and Aubrey headed out of Beca's suite, the musician of the night said, "Hey guys." Both women stopped, turned, and looked questioningly at Beca. "I'm glad you got to share this with us. It means a lot to me. Thanks." Afraid she'd start crying, Stacie didn't say anything to her best friend. She just flashed a huge smile, and her girlfriend dragged her out of the room.
Chloe her head over on Beca's lap and buried her face into her t-shirt. "Grasshopper?" Beca began to run her fingers through the locks auburn hair of her beloved. "How ya doing?" She lifted the new Grammy winner's shirt up a bit and nuzzled her face against Beca's warm skin, kissing her stomach softly.
"Mmmm great, Chlo. Long as you keep doing that." Beca brushed her girlfriend's hair away from her face to run her fingers across Chloe's face. The two enjoyed the quiet of each other's company for a bit. "Why don't we go to bed before we fall asleep on this couch… as comfy as it may be."
Chloe sat up then crawled over closer to Beca. "Have I told you how proud I am of you, babe?"
"Only a hundred times." She leaned over and kissed Chloe.
"Then I'll make it a hundred and one. I. Am. So. Proud. I used to tell Aubrey my goal in life was for you to find your music again, your soul, your passion."
Beca pulled Chloe in and hugged her tightly. "Guess you have to set a new goal then, hmmm?"
"That's what Bree said." Chloe made it to her feet and stretched out her hand to Beca's. "Let's go babe." She wrapped her hand around Beca's wrist and pulled her to her feet and into her. Together they made their way to the bedroom.
As the couple snuggled under the covers, Beca curled herself behind Chloe, kissing the back of her neck as she slipped her hands beneath her girlfriend's shirt. She pulled at the article of clothing until she freed the taller woman from the shirt. Beca tugged Chloe's arm so that she faced her and softly kissed her. The gentleness of her lips' caress was enough to make Chloe tremble.
"What was that for?" the redhead asked, her eyes widening with surprise. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Just because," Chloe's soft skin was glowing as Beca realized how much she longed for her lover. "Because without you, I wouldn't have found my music again. Because being out tonight was torture since all I could do was to think of touching you, feeling you, kissing you in ways not suitable for public eyes. Because Chloe Beale, I love you."
"Hmmmm Ms. Mitchell, aren't you the charmer? Would it help if I told you I'm aching for you?" Chloe's voice was but a whisper.
Sliding her hands down to the crook of Chloe's elbows, Beca breathed into her ear. "Are you now?" The shivers from Beca's heated breath excited her. The answer was evident. The brunette ran her tongue down Chloe's neck, gently biting her skin as she dug her fingers into Beca's back.
The songwriter slid her arms beneath her arms to the small of her back, pulling into her as she began to suck firmly on Chloe's neck. Without releasing, Beca drew her mouth firmly up Chloe's taut neck to find her mouth. Chloe's body melted into Beca's as they kissed a deep, long lasting kiss. "I love to kiss you," Beca whispered into her mouth as she quickly shed her own shirt.
"I love for you to kiss me," she replied. "I adore our slow, soul-inflicting kisses, ones that last for eternity."
Beca raked her tongue against Chloe's, sucking on her lip. Pulling her closer, Beca brushed her breasts against Chloe's and knew that she ached to touch them. But she also knew Chloe wouldn't in order to preserve the kiss.
She slid her hands up to hold Chloe's face, pulling her yet closer, then sliding her fingers to the back of her head slightly tugging on her hair. Beca ran her hands back down Chloe's arms, against tingled skin to grasp her wrists. Beca captured Chloe's tongue again and locked Chloe's wrists above her head, away to make sure she could not touch because if she did… she'd find out just how wet their make out session had her.
"I want you Beca," she gasped, "bad."
"Mmmmm Chlo. Lunch comes early babe. All I wanted was a kiss." She lay there and stared at her girlfriend a bit. Then lay her head on Chloe's chest. Beca's grip loosened on Chloe's wrists as her body relaxed.
"Beca? Beca!" Chloe shook her girlfriend who wasn't moving. "Oh my god. Seriously? You went to sleep? I'm so going to kill you for this when we get up."
A/N: Unlike Garbage Collector, this one is only loosely outlined. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see brought in.