A/N: My first fiction in English. I'm not fluent, so please be gentle. Bechloe Oneshot
"Merry Christmas, Beca!"
A wide smile spreads across Chloe's face, speaking those words. Then she quickly turns away and continues talking to the equally red haired woman next to her. Beca cannot help but smile.
She stares across the table towards her best friend and for the first time since forever she feels pure joy. Around her are sitting a bunch of people she doesn't know, the short introduction at the morning has left no lasting impression. The guy to her right is Chloe's Dad, a serious-looking man whose sullen face wouldn't fit the rest of the bubbly Beale-Family. Facing him sits a kindhearted woman whose hair is as bright red as her daughter's. She's the one Chloe is laughingly talking to at the moment.
Who the other faces around her might belong to however, is quite puzzling for the brunette woman. Near and distant relatives, all somehow connected to her best friend, but she can't remember any names.
The Bellas are staying with their parents during holidays to spend time with them, that means everyone except Beca.
Her father celebrates this year with her deeply hated step-monster, so there's no way she's staying with them. And her mother? She is on a business trip to Japan, being home at Christmas wasn't possible. Since she wasn't really pleased with the rest of her relatives either, she decided to spend holidays all by her own. She even lied to her boyfriend and told him to have a good time with his own parents. But of course, she couldn't lie to Chloe. Not that she would have tried to.
And so it happened that she's sitting here today, with all of Chloe's family and has to listen to their stories.
It's not as bad as she expected it to be. Quite the opposite, she enjoys Christmas like she hasn't done in years. Since her parents divorced the holidays weren't what they used to be.
"Beca, dear, do you hear me?" A gentle voice interrupts her thoughts and she stares at Chloe's Mom, who has a questioning expression on her face.
"Excuse me?"
"I asked if you want to sing with us."
"No, thanks, I'm not really into Christmas songs."
"That's alright, dear." This woman is just always friendly and courteous and it hurts Beca's heart to disappoint her, but if there's one thing she hates more than anything else, it's Christmas songs. Chloe just gives her an encouraging glance, then they gather in the living room and start to sing.
The following evening has a pleasant atmosphere despite the terrible choice of music. Especially the joyful smile of her favorite redhead raises her mood immense. Knowing Chloe was having fun is all it takes to make her happy.
It was late evening - the kids already went to bed and the adults are speaking in low voices - when her friend joins her with a small present in her hands.
"I got you something!", she says with a smile.
"Chloe, we said no present! I have nothing in return!"
"Ah shucks, it's alright!" And there it is again, her smile.
"But don't open it before tomorrow!" With a wink and shining eyes, she suddenly presses her lips on Beca's. She feels a heat rising in her cheeks, but the moment she actually considers returning the kiss, the moment is already gone. Chloe breaks away and, with a quick look at the ceiling and a mysterious smile on her face, walks off into her room.
The surprised woman follows the redhead's look and for the first time in her life, she's actually happy about this silly tradition. Even though she doesn't know why a simple mistletoe makes her that happy.
It's just after midnight and Chloe had indeed said "tomorrow", but a day is a day. Without hesitation she unwraps the small box in her hands and stares with delight at the content.
"Merry Christmas, Chloe", she whispers smiling with a warm, fuzzy feeling in her chest.